Outside the field, Tang En was worried about Wood's fate. On the field, Wood was also worried.
He was not blind, nor was he a fool. He saw Tony Twain suddenly appear on the sidelines and knew it was a good opportunity to show himself. His teammates around him were all working hard to show themselves, and he was not willing to fall behind. But …
No one was willing to pass the ball to him. If it was passed to him, it would only affect the team's overall performance, and no one would get a chance to perform. This bunch of players … they could usually joke around together, but at a time like this, which one of them did not only think for themselves? It could not be helped. This was the cruelty of professional football. If you did not have the ability, you should not complain that others did not give you a chance!
Seeing his teammates pressing closer and closer while he, the center forward, kicked further and further away from the goal, Wood wondered if his performance was over. He took off his red jersey and went back to work as a porter. That job did not require any skills or positioning. As long as he had the strength, he could do it. It was most suitable for a big fool like him without any education.
But when he thought of his beloved mother at home, he was unwilling to admit defeat.
This kid was kicking further and further back … Tang En gently shook his head. If the striker was 40 meters away from the goal, how could he be a threat? This silly kid, how could he shoot if he did not rush into the penalty area? If he did not shoot, how could he show his ability to convince others? I know it's asking too much of you, who have only been in contact with football for two months … But, even one goal can save your career, bastard! Even if you score with your hands, as long as you do it in a way that the referee can't see!
Tang En looked down at his watch and did some calculations in his mind. There were less than five minutes to the end of the match. Looking at Wood's condition, there did not seem to be much to look forward to.
He got up from his seat, intending to leave early. He could not tell Wood, "Don't waste your time here." The best thing to do was to escape from here.
Kerslake looked up at Tang En. "You're not watching anymore, Tony?"
Tang En shook his head in disappointment and did not say anything. Then he turned and walked towards the players' tunnel.
At that moment, Nottingham Forest had finally obtained a corner through a series of attacks. Other than the goalkeeper, almost everyone had rushed into the opponent's penalty area. They planned to score a goal and leave a good impression on the First Team manager.
Only George Wood foolishly stood between the arc of the penalty area and the center circle. Even though he was 1.85 meters tall, he did not think of fighting for a header.
The ball was kicked off, and not a single Forest player managed to get the ball. The football was headed out by a West Ham player and flew straight to the right side of the field.
A West Ham player wearing the number 8 jersey stopped the ball beautifully, then turned around and launched a surprise attack!
The few Forest fans in the stands booed. At this time, the Forest team's backfield was empty. There was no one else except the goalkeeper.
"Damn it!" Kerslake cursed.
Hearing the boos from the fans, Tang En turned around to see what was happening on the field.
Then he saw West Ham's number 8 dribble the ball quickly, while all the Forest players stared foolishly in the front field. They had no intention of returning to defend. Maybe they themselves felt that they could not catch up at all …
However, someone appeared in his field of vision.
George Wood!
"Where did this bastard come from?" The West Ham youth team manager did not expect Forest to have a defensive player.
He ran diagonally towards the West Ham player who was dribbling the ball. The speed of his pursuit was astonishing! Looking at his sprinting figure, Tang En suddenly felt a sense of déjà vu, as if he had seen him somewhere before …
In an instant, the distance between Wood and the opposing player who was dribbling the ball was shortened by a large margin.
"Oh my god …" The assistant manager beside Kerslake exclaimed. "He's really fast!"
"What's the use of being fast?" Kerslake replied subconsciously. "He's not a damn defensive player! He's never f * cking practiced defense … "
Before he finished speaking, he saw George, who was running at high speed, leap forward with his head behind and his feet in front. Then, using that momentum, he fiercely … fiercely … stomped on the feet of the opposing player who was dribbling the ball! The West Ham player who was dribbling the ball was sent flying by Wood's kick. He flew straight out of the sidelines, and the football rolled out along with him.
"God!"
"F * cking hell!"
The managers of both teams exclaimed at the same time. Because in the empty field, they had clearly heard a crisp sound. That should be the sound of bones breaking …
The West Ham player who was sent flying did not get up after falling out of the field. He hugged his right leg and rolled back and forth on the ground. West Ham's team doctor had already rushed over.
The referee's hurried whistle on the field could not stop. The West Ham players rushed towards the culprit, but they were all stopped by the Forest players. There were even some physical altercations between the players from both sides. It was not that they were thinking for Wood. In fact, they were thinking for the opposing players. Ever since they saw Wood knock down the tallest and strongest player in the team, Eddy, with one punch and almost go into shock, no one dared to provoke him anymore.
By the way, Eddy was the unlucky guy who was later sold to Notts County at a low price. From League One to League Two, the turning point of his fate was just him habitually scolding a rookie who did not know how to play football as "son of a b * tch."
The Forest players thought that George Wood, who did not perform well in front of the manager, must be in a bad mood at this time. If he was in a bad mood, he would be irritable. Then, the West Ham players who rushed up were just sheep in the eyes of a tiger. They did not want a big fight on their own turf.
The referee spent a lot of effort to separate the players from both sides. Then, he walked up to George Wood, who had just climbed up from the ground. He raised his hand, and a bright red flash flashed before his eyes. He had been sent off the field.
Kerslake covered his face, not wanting to watch. Even if Tang En did not say it, he knew that this kid's days at Nottingham Forest were over. They were completely over!
At this time, Wood had completely lost his soul. He lowered his head and walked towards the changing room mechanically. He did not care about the angry roars from the West Ham players and coaches around him. He did not see the youth team manager, David Kerslake, shake his head in disappointment. Even when he passed by Tang En, he did not stop for even a second. He just walked back with his head lowered.
Following closely behind Tang En were the West Ham team doctor and a team of stretchers. On it lay West Ham's number 8 player in pain. Their destination was not the away team's changing room, but the nearest local hospital.
Tang En looked at the backs of the two groups of people and gently shook his head. Then, he turned and walked towards the home team's technical area.
It was not easy for the field to return to normal. Kerslake also did not intend to make any more adjustments. After all, when George Wood was on the field, the Forest team was equivalent to only having ten players. He turned his head and saw Tang En walking back. He was a little surprised, but it was good. He could show his cards. The player that Tang En brought over had to be brought away in the end.
So, he also went up to greet him.
Seeing Kerslake open his mouth, Tang En rushed to say, "What a mess."
Kerslake nodded in agreement.
"We've made a big feud with West Ham, haven't we?" Tang En asked.
Kerslake continued to nod. That's right. The East Londoners could not forget the fact that this man in front of them had cursed the First Team to be relegated. Now, the youth team had crippled their main striker.
"What do you plan to do?"
Kerslake said to Tang En without hesitation, "Tony, I think we should give up on him."
"My opinion is the opposite of yours, David." Tang En laughed. "I've finally found the most suitable position for this kid."
Kerslake was a little surprised. He did not think that this foul would change Tang En's opinion of Wood.
"Speed comparable to a striker, a body stronger than a center back, stamina to run from one penalty area to another for 90 minutes, ferocious tackles … Guess what position?"
The youth team manager thought about it and then said, "Defensive midfielder."
"Correct!" Tang En clapped his hands happily. "It's the defensive midfielder! It's okay if he can't shoot. Many defensive midfielders may not even score ten goals in their lifetime … "
"But, Tony. Wood, he's already … "
"David." Tang En said seriously, "Give him another chance. Give me a chance too. I believe in my foresight. Do you know? Although that was a very immoral foul and a very bad defense, I saw all the qualities a great defensive midfielder should have from that. It was our mistake to let him be the striker. This responsibility should not be borne by him! Give him another chance! "
The two men stared at each other for a long time. Kerslake was defeated. He looked away and nodded. "Alright. I'll let him practice defense the day after tomorrow. Start from the beginning! "
Tang En smiled. "Thank you, David. I'll settle things with Wood. "Patting Kerslake's shoulder, Tang En turned and walked towards the home team's locker room.
However, Kerslake stopped him. "Tony, why not a center back?"
Tang En waved his hands. "That way, we might give the opponent a few penalties in every match."
George Wood was showering alone in the locker room. The sound of water splashing could be heard. He stood under the shower head, allowing the water to splash on his body, not moving an inch.
When he saw the opponent's number 8 take the ball and break through, he only had one thought at the time: stop him. But he did not want to foul. It was just that he did not know what was the best thing to do at the time, so he chose the simplest method … which was also the stupidest. He was sent off with a red card. Everything was over. He was not suited to play football at all. It was completely wishful thinking to rely on professional football to earn money to treat his mother's illness and support himself.
Forget it. I'll go back to being a porter …
He only thought of his mother smiling at the dining table and saying, "My George is also a professional football player."
His heart ached. Betraying his mother's trust and hopes was the biggest blow to him.
Turning off the water, Wood walked out of the bathroom and stood in front of the locker. He began to put on his clothes. At that moment, he heard the door behind him open, but he was not in the mood to turn around to see who had entered.
"Dejected little villain. Your hair is stuck to your forehead and still dripping water. You look like a drowning dog that has just been fished out of the river," Tang En said in a mocking tone as he leaned against the door frame.
Wood stopped what he was doing, but he still did not turn around.
"Tsk tsk. Getting a red card is like the end of the world. Hey, innocent little boy, is this your virgin red card? If you don't say anything, I'll take it as a yes. Do you want to go out and have a drink to celebrate? Oh, I just remembered that professional football players can't drink. "Tang En seemed to be acting out a one-man show. He asked the question but did not wait for Wood to answer. "Look at you now. Are you going home? Crying 'Mommy' to go back and drink milk? "
"Bang!" A crisp sound interrupted Tang En's words. He jumped in fright and then realized that the locker door in the locker room beside Wood had caved in. The entire locker was made of metal.
"Shut your stinky mouth!"
Tang En snorted, fully expressing his contempt for the kid's threat. "If you think you can beat me, feel free to try. Don't think that everyone in the world is like that piece of trash that you can knock down with one punch. Looks like you're in good spirits. I'll only ask you one question: Do you still want to continue playing football? "
Wood finally turned around. Tang En realized that the kid's eyes were red. He did not know if it was because of sadness, frustration, or anger.
"You f * cking liar! You lied to me and said that I could become a star player. Then, I lost my job and came to train with you! You want to hear my answer? My answer is — f * ck you! "Wood roared angrily.
Tang En snorted. "I lied to you? Kid, you'll be struck by lightning if you lie. Which idiot came to my doorstep and said, 'I think you should sign the best star player in England'? Who was it? It's not the person standing in front of me now, is it? What did I say? 'Never underestimate professional football. Otherwise, it will punish you.' Am I right? Do you think professional football is easy? Do you think you can perform as well as a superstar just by training for two months? Where do you think this is?! " Tang En suddenly raised his voice and roared with the vigor of commanding a match in front of 30,000 people. "Where do you think you are now?! This is the City Ground changing room. This is the changing room used by the First Team! The players here are all professional players. Which one of them did not go through more than a decade of tough training to get this opportunity? You're just a f * cking rookie idiot who has only been training for two months! "
Wood was scolded by Tang En until he could not retort. In fact, he did not know how to retort.
"Do you think this changing room is for people like you to use? If not for the training ground maintaining the turf, some of you might not even be able to take half a step into this room for the rest of your lives! For more than 120 years, there have been countless people who are a hundred times better than idiots like you who do not understand the situation who have used this place. Some of them are the best professional players who have achieved success and recognition. Some of them are just nameless pawns who have long been forgotten. Why is there such a difference? Because the latter look down on professional football. They do not take the work that brings them glory, money, beautiful women, fame and status seriously. Therefore, professional football punishes them and makes them worthless. Money, beautiful women, fame and status leave them overnight! Now it's your turn, boy … "
Tang En looked at the silent Wood with an aggressive gaze. "You were kicked out with a red card. Your performance was disgustingly terrible and you can't see any future. Anyone can directly sentence you to death. You're finished. The match is over! But … have you admitted defeat? Have you given up? Are you willing to let your mother down?! Answer me! "
Wood bit his lip and clenched his fists. There was not a single part of his body that was not trembling slightly.
"This match is over. There's still the next match. What you lost here, you can still win back in the next match. But if you quit now and run home crying like a kid who hasn't even been circumcised, then let me tell you — you'll never get the chance to win back what you've lost! Ever! "Tang En took a step forward and said fiercely to Wood's face.
"Now, answer me. Do you still plan to play football? Do you still want to become a superstar earning 120,000 pounds a week? "
"Tell … tell me, what do I have to do?" Wood finally opened his mouth again, his voice trembling.
Tang En breathed a sigh of relief in his heart. His tone also softened. "Listen to me. Go back. Go back to the training ground and train according to the new position that the coaches have arranged for you. Listen to every coach. Don't talk back, don't throw a tantrum. Treat 24 hours like 72 hours. Then, prove yourself again in the match. Do it step by step. Don't be impatient and don't quit halfway. You'll succeed. I promise! "
Looking at Wood's eyes, Tang En added, "My credibility is guaranteed by the bank, boy." Then he grinned.
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
