The joy of victory he brought back from Glasgow had yet to dissipate when Tang En received another piece of good news.
"Are you sure?" Tang En stared at the team doctor, Fleming, in front of him in his office.
Fleming nodded. "I'm sure."
Hearing him say that, Tang En lowered his head to look at the stack of papers in his hands again.
It was the latest report on Eastwood's recovery. The team's medical team had been following up on Eastwood's body. They would do a checkup every day to grasp the state of his recovery.
The conclusion drawn from the report was gratifying.
"We all agree that after more than a month of recovery and training, Eastwood has reached the requirements to participate in an official match."
Although Eastwood had been training with the team these days, without the team doctor's words, Tang En could not send the Romani onto the field.
Tang En turned his head to look out the window at the training field. Eastwood was training with the team.
"Have you told him?"
Fleming shook his head. "We had to inform you first."
"Hmm …"
"However, although his body can handle the match, his stamina can't guarantee that he can play the full 90 minutes."
"Of course." Tang En nodded. "It's impossible even 45 minutes, let alone 90 minutes. Let him get used to the pace and atmosphere of the match first. "
Fleming nodded in agreement.
Tang En got up from his seat and walked out with Fleming.
It was the last day of training before the match. Tang En needed to announce the match roster.
※ ※ ※
The day's training had ended, and everyone could relax. Eastwood was joking with his teammates. With him in the team, there was more laughter than usual. He was such a likable lad who could liven up the atmosphere.
Tang En and Fleming walked into the training field. Everyone knew that it must have something to do with Eastwood when Fleming called him out earlier.
"Announce the roster for tomorrow's match." Tang En waved the paper in his hand, and the training field quietened down.
"Goalkeepers, Edwin van der Sar, Roche. Defenders, Sun Jihai, Bale, Chimbonda, Piqué, Pepe. Midfielders, Wood, Demetrio, Ribéry, Young, Lennon, Arteta. Forwards … "Reading up to this point, Tang En looked up at everyone.
"Anelka."
The Frenchman smiled lightly. He was not surprised. Now that he was the team's top striker, wouldn't it be a joke if he couldn't even get on the squad list?
"Bendtner."
The Danish youngster was also used to being on the squad list and in the starting lineup. Due to Eastwood's injury this season, he had more opportunities to play. Although his goals were not as good as Anelka's, he also had some success.
If there were no accidents, these two would be the starting forwards in tomorrow's game.
In the last Champions League match, the starters were Anelka and Viduka. On that occasion, Tang En was more interested in Viduka's European experience. But in the domestic league tournament, Tang En needed Bendtner's drive and stamina.
There were a total of 16 players on the squad list. Tang En had already announced 15 names, so the remaining one should be the substitute striker.
Tang En took the name list, looked at the crowd, and said the last name, "Eastwood."
There was a burst of whistles from the team.
When Eastwood heard his name, his eyes widened as he looked at the teammates around him congratulating him. He couldn't believe it himself.
※ ※ ※
"According to the squad list we just received from both sides, we discovered that Freddy Eastwood, the Forest Team's forward who has been out for 10 months due to injury, has appeared on this list."
"10 months … To be honest, I'm very doubtful that Eastwood can return to his previous state. Look at Ronaldo's changes after and before his injury. Although the Forest fans won't like what I say, I still have to say that I'm not optimistic about Eastwood's future career. " As the guest commentator for this game, Mark Lawrenson was destined to be hated by the Forest fans.
The commentator, John Motson, coughed. "Mark, this isn't BBC's Match of the Day program."
Lawrenson shrugged. "To be honest, it's not likeable. For a player who has undergone three surgeries on his right knee in two years, I think it's too difficult, almost impossible, for him to return to his previous state. I'm very touched by Manager Tony Twain's concern for his player. But I think he should reconsider bringing in one or two forwards this summer. "
This sentence was actually very tactful. What Lawrenson meant was for Twain to give up Eastwood and find a new forward to replace the Romani Gypsy's position in the team.
Motson shook his head. "I don't think Manager Twain will do as you say."
"Professional football is cruel … very cruel." Lawrenson shrugged. "It's already a miracle that Eastwood can return to the field. I think the Forest fans should be satisfied that they can still see him in the City Ground stadium."
In fact, Motson was unwilling to admit it, but in his heart, he had to believe that Lawrenson's statement was correct. Putting aside emotional factors, Eastwood really could not return to his previous state. How could he act as if nothing had happened after experiencing such a serious injury? His body could not support the intense confrontation, and his state was in doubt. So, how would Tony Twain face this problem?
Would he seek a successor for Eastwood in the summer transfer market? Or would he continue to use the Romani Gypsy, who did not know when his body would have problems again?
Take responsibility for the players? Take responsibility for the club? Or for … what responsibility?
When Lawrenson made his comments about Eastwood, Twain was in the locker room assigning tasks to his players and did not hear it. Otherwise, he was afraid that he would have flipped out with Lawrenson on the spot.
Watching the manager assign specific tasks to each starting teammate in the locker room, Eastwood sat to one side. Although there was nothing for him to do, he still had a smile on his face.
He liked all of this. For ten months, he had not heard the boss speak in high spirits in the locker room for ten months.
So, even if he was just a listener, an audience, he did not care. Even if he was not allowed to play, as long as he was here, on the 16-player list, it meant that he was a member of the team, and no one had abandoned him. He did not care what the outside world thought of him re-entering the match list, because the decision was not made by those outside, but by the manager and his teammates here.
Sitting in the locker room and listening to the boss speak, watching him vigorously wave his arms to boost morale, his spittle seemingly spraying to the ceiling … all of this was a little unfamiliar.
"In the first half of the league tournament, we lost to Newcastle in an away game. Today, it's their turn to have a taste of the same feeling! On our home ground, let's show them what we're made of, guys! "Twain grinned and clenched his fists.
※ ※ ※
Eastwood sat on the substitutes' bench, surrounded by a circle of media in front of him. They aimed their cameras and camera lenses at Eastwood, who was wrapped in a coat. As a player who came back after being injured for ten months, perhaps it was as Lawrenson said: whether he could return to his previous state or not, it was a big enough victory to be able to appear on the sidelines again.
It was precisely because of this that the media was now focusing on him. It was admirable in itself that he could stand up again after three knee surgeries in two years. As for how he could still play …
Everyone would tacitly avoid talking about it — why embarrass people? Wasn't it obvious? Ask those Nottingham Forest supporters, how many people would naively think that their "Romani Rooney" could continue to score goals for the team to win? Perhaps the most they would say was: "We're very happy to see him again."
Everyone in the stands of the City Ground stadium looked at Eastwood, who was sitting on the substitutes' bench and wrapped in a thick coat, with happy and gratified eyes. But under the surface of joy, there was probably a kind of sympathy.
— — He can't return to his peak, so he has to settle for second best. We're satisfied that he can still be here and play occasionally.
Eastwood looked at the reporters in front of him with a smile on his face, and then looked past them to the field. The game between the two sides was about to begin.
※ ※ ※
When the game started, Eastwood stopped smiling. He stared at the field with a serious expression and a focused look.
He wanted to familiarize himself with the rhythm of the game, the atmosphere of the game, and even the taste of the game as soon as possible. He did not know when he would get the chance to play. This game, maybe the next game, or the next game. But he firmly believed that he would play. At that time, he would show his strength. It was a luxury to warm up and find the feeling during the game …
Eastwood knew what kind of situation he was in now. Because of his health, the boss could not give him too much time. If he could not seize the opportunity in the limited time, then … what was the use of him? Which team would raise a useless person? No matter how deep the relationship was, there would be a day when the contract expired.
Eastwood signed a five-year contract with Nottingham Forest, and two years had passed now. According to the usual practice, a year before the expiration of the contract, the club would sit down with the player and the player's agent to talk about the renewal — if both parties had the intention to renew the contract. In other words, there were still two years to decide Eastwood's future. These two years were not short, but not long either.
The Romani Gypsy certainly knew that he could not go back to the way he was before he was injured. He had to make some changes if he wanted to continue to survive in professional football. In the past, he could rely on his skills and speed to do well. Perhaps in the future, he would need to rely more on his brain instead of his legs.
From now on, he would start doing it.
Eastwood rested his chin on his hands, his eyes closely following the running players on the field. In his mind, he sketched out a new picture for himself.
※ ※ ※
The game went smoothly. Nottingham Forest suppressed the visiting Newcastle United at home, and Anelka scored a goal in the first half. The French striker had already scored 13 goals in the league's goalscoring charts, ranking fourth, behind the Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, the Arsenal striker Thierry Henry, and the Chelsea midfielder Lampard. This result was something that those who opposed the introduction of Anelka before the season did not even think about.
For this game, Tang En made some partial rotations, such as replacing Chimbonda with Sun Jihai as the starting right back, and replacing Leighton Baines with Gareth Bale as the starting left back. Sun Jihai and Bale were the type who were stronger in offense than defense. Tang En's intention was clear. He wanted to attack at home and use offense to crush Newcastle United.
Before the game, Tang En told Sun Jihai and Bale to press forward and assist as much as possible in the game and not to worry about the defense. With George Wood around, one person could be used as two. What are you afraid of? Don't worry and boldly plug in!
In the game, the two of them really did as Tang En said. Time and time again, the full backs plugged in to assist, making it impossible for Newcastle United's defense to defend against them.
Originally, Forest Team's two side midfielders were already very good. Attacking from the flanks had always been Forest Team's specialty and tradition. Now, other than the side midfielders assisting, Forest Team's two full backs showed their prowess at the same time. It was like the tide, wave after wave, endless and unending.
Looking at George Wood again? Sitting at the back, he could be seen from any corner of the back half of the field. At times, he played as a side back, and at other times, he entered the penalty area and acted as a center back to clear the siege with a header. Of course, he was mostly in the midfield to block Newcastle United's counterattacks.
Newcastle United had originally planned to win by taking a point in the City Ground stadium. They did not expect to be in the lead. This time, if they did not attack, they would leave Nottingham in defeat. But if they attacked, they might continue to concede goals. Forest Team's attacks in this game were like the tide, making them hesitate.
Even though Newcastle United had a world-class striker like Owen, he did not have a better way to deal with George Wood, who was even more ferocious. Wood's rough defense naturally caused Owen's supporters to lash out at him. However, on the football field, as long as the referee did not call for fouls, these were all allowed defensive actions.
"Look at Owen. He's been injured frequently since he came to Newcastle United. He's not what he used to be." Lawrenson was also a former Liverpool player. His words made people feel that perhaps his previous evaluation of Eastwood had nothing to do with his feud with Tang En.
"As a skinny and weak center forward, it's impossible for his body to not be injured after going head-on against the opponent's strong defenders. If Owen continues to play like this, he will be plagued by more injuries. "
Lawrenson was calmly analyzing Owen's present and future. But to the Nottingham Forest fans, it sounded like he was talking about Eastwood's present and future …
On the field, George Wood successfully defended against Michael Owen, whose form had declined due to his injury. Back then, George Wood was the Windchaser and England's golden boy. Now, facing Wood, he could only walk back while panting and bowing his head after a hasty shot. Looking at the stubble around his chin, it was hard to tell if this was Owen's new style or if he no longer had the time to take care of his appearance.
Many people did not know what to feel when they saw this scene. Eastwood, whom Nottingham Forest fans had once loved so much, would one day become like this, and it would not be long …
The first half ended with Forest Team having the overall advantage and multiple threats to Newcastle United's goal.
Hearing the whistle for the end of the half, Eastwood and his teammates on the substitutes' bench stood up and happily talked about the half that had just ended. The team was in the lead and had the upper hand in the game. Everyone was very relaxed.
The television broadcast gave Tang En a shot, then turned to the substitutes and fixed it on Eastwood's face. It followed him until he walked into the players' tunnel.
During the halftime interval, Tang En did not say anything. He only praised the players' performance in the first half and encouraged them to continue in the second.
Everyone was in high spirits and seemed to have no problem winning the second half of the game. Eastwood was still sitting in front of his locker in the locker room, looking at everyone with a smile.
※ ※ ※
When the second half of the game resumed, Newcastle United was clearly unwilling to leave Nottingham just like that. They strengthened their offense. This was not a change in the lineup or players, but a firm determination. They were determined to turn the situation around in the second half.
The game did not end as easily as Nottingham Forest had imagined.
Tang En had to make some adjustments.
First, he replaced Arteta with Albertini, using the veteran's experience to stabilize the midfield. Then, he replaced Ashley Young with Aaron Lennon, continuing to strengthen the offense on the flanks.
Both sides were in a deadlock on the field. It looked like Newcastle United had a chance to equalize the score, but with the efforts of George Wood, Pepe, Piqué, Edwin van der Sar and the other defenders, the score remained fixed at 1: 0.
From the moment Albertini was brought on, Assistant Manager David Kerslake called all the players on the substitutes' bench to warm up. Eastwood was no exception.
In the manager's seat, Tang En looked at his watch. The game had already been going on for 70 minutes. There were still 20 minutes left before the game entered the final moments of injury stoppage time.
"David, call the Romani back."
Kerslake did not expect this decision. He was a little surprised and did not get up immediately until Tang En repeated it again.
"Ah? Ah … Alright. "
Kerslake got up and walked towards the area where the players were warming up. He did not shout loudly like he usually did and then use hand signals to call the players back. Instead, he walked up directly and pulled Eastwood back.
The first to notice this scene were not the television cameras, but the fans watching the game in the City Ground. Some of them screamed.
Then, the television cameras quickly cut over. The Forest fans watching the game in front of the television saw the team's Assistant Manager, David Kerslake, pulling Eastwood back and saying something with his head lowered.
※ ※ ※
"Go on?!" Eastwood was a little surprised. He did not expect to get a chance to play so soon. He had originally thought that today's game was just for him to get a feel for the atmosphere of the game.
Kerslake nodded. "Tony told you to go back."
Eastwood hurriedly ran to the technical area.
Tang En, who was bending over to pick up the tactical board, saw Eastwood run back. He smiled and stood up. "Haven't you warmed up enough? There's no rush, no rush … "
"Do I have to go on, Boss?" Eastwood asked anxiously.
Tang En nodded. "Yes, we need to make some changes to break the balance on the field. I think it's a good idea to switch you up. What do you think, Freddy? "
Eastwood froze for a moment, then nodded heavily. "I agree with you, Boss!"
Tang En laughed. He looked down at the tactical board in his hands and then threw it out. Then, he pulled Eastwood over. The two stood on the sidelines and looked at the field.
"Freddy, although I haven't heard that sound yet. I think at this moment, there will be many people questioning my decision to let a player who has just recovered from a knee injury play in such a disadvantageous situation. What do you think? "
"They're wrong."
"Why?"
"Because you let me play at this time, Boss. If the team is leading by a large margin and you let me play, then it will prove that they're right. "
"Isn't that good? An easy game, slowly getting into the rhythm of the game, recovering step by step …"
"But then they'll think that Freddy Eastwood is already a good-for-nothing who can only play in garbage time. Even if I want to tell them that I'm not, there's no evidence. "
Tang En turned his head to look at Eastwood. The Romani's expression was focused on the field.
"I know what the reporters who surrounded me to take pictures before the game were thinking. I don't want them to get what they want. Boss … "Eastwood suddenly turned his head to look at Tang En." If you look at me with that kind of sympathetic gaze, I think I'll announce my retirement the next day. It's no big deal. I'll just go back to my dad and sell used cars. I'm also very used to living in a station wagon. But thank you, no. "
Tang En opened his mouth. He wanted to say something but did not know what to say. In the end, he realized that there was actually no need to say anything.
He patted Eastwood on the back and pointed to the field. "See what situation we're in now? The two sides are entangled together. We can't shake them off. "
Eastwood pursed his lips. "That's really bad."
"After you go up, try your best to get close to the opponent's goal without being noticed. Then look for an opportunity …" Tang En's hand pointed to the field clenched into a fist and smashed down hard. "Give me a good one!"
※ ※ ※
An out of bounds ball. The fourth official raised the sign for a substitution. Number 9 Nicklas Bendtner off. Number 11 Freddy Eastwood up!
Loud cheers and applause erupted in the stands of the City Ground Stadium.
The live broadcast shouted, "Let us welcome the Romani boy, Freddy, who has been out of action for ten months due to injury …" The announcer dragged out his voice.
The fans responded loudly in unison, "Eastwood!!"
When Bendtner came off the field, he gave Eastwood a high five. "Go get them, Freddy!"
Eastwood nodded and ran onto the field.
After clapping hands with Bendtner, Tang En looked up at the stands. He turned around. Everyone stood up to applaud Eastwood's return. But how many of these people still held the same expectations for Eastwood as before?
In the past, when the Romani played, it meant that he scored. Everyone always wanted to see the smiling boy appear on the field.
And now?
It was good that he was back. His return to the field was a miracle!
Tang En heard such a voice.
He thought again of what Eastwood had just said to him.
These people might not have done it out of malice, but such altruistic applause was even more ear-piercing.
※ ※ ※
Eastwood ran onto the field. His teammates all ran over to high-five him.
"Welcome back!" That was what everyone said the most.
When it was Eastwood's turn, he did not say anything. He just stretched out his hand and gave Eastwood's palm a hard slap. The Romani did not avoid it.
"Pa!"
※ ※ ※
"I didn't expect Manager Tony Twain to really let the Romani play," Motson said, glancing at Lawrenson next to him.
Lawrenson was silent and did not speak. He just kept stroking his bare lips with his hand.
Seeing that Lawrenson did not respond, Motson had to continue the topic himself. "This is his last substitution. It's also a gamble …"
※ ※ ※
"Eastwood received the ball from Albertini. He had his back to the opponent's goal, but he passed the ball out again. It seemed that he did not dare to make a move. The shadow of his knee injury is still hanging over him … "
"As I said, a player who has suffered a serious knee injury can't play like he used to." Lawrenson finally spoke. He breathed a sigh of relief. Eastwood's performance was in line with his expectations.
Ten minutes passed. The game entered its final ten minutes. Nothing changed with Eastwood's appearance. The two sides continued to be entangled. Newcastle looked like they had a chance, but they still could not equalize the score. And if the game ended with this score, it would be a very good result for Tang En's team. But for another person, it would be a failure.
In the 82nd minute, when Eastwood dribbled the ball in front of the penalty area in search of a chance, he was pushed down by a Newcastle player. His actions caused a small commotion. Forest's players surrounded the player who had committed the foul and glared at him, while Newcastle's players were clearly unwilling to let their own players be bullied. The two sides were truly "entangled" this time. The loud boos in the City Ground stadium added fuel to the conflict. And the cause of the conflict, Eastwood, did not participate in it. Instead, he pulled back Gareth Bale, who was about to come up to take the free kick.
"I'll take this ball," he said to young Bale.
"But …" Bale was a little hesitant. The manager had said that he had to take any free kick that could directly threaten the opponent's goal.
"Let me do it! Bale! "Eastwood emphasized his tone.
Bale looked at the ferocious Eastwood and let go of the football.
Eastwood gave Bale a smile. "Thank you."
In the midst of the conflict, George Wood, wearing the captain's armband, was in the innermost area. The referee was showing him a yellow card. He and the player who had committed the foul each received a yellow card.
If not for Albertini's quick reflexes, it was likely that his right hand would have directly gripped the opponent's neck.
At that time, it would not be a matter that could be resolved with a yellow card.
When both sides of the conflict had dispersed, those who had formed the human wall and those who had interfered with the human wall had interfered with the human wall, only then did everyone realize that the person standing in front of the football was not the familiar Gareth Bale, but Freddy Eastwood.
Everyone's first reaction when they saw this scene was to be "stunned." Has anyone ever seen Eastwood take a direct free kick in a game?
It seemed very rare …
Tang En stood up from the manager's seat, but he did not walk forward to the sidelines. He just stood in front of his seat, even blocking a little of assistant manager Kerslake's view.
"Eastwood is standing in front of the ball. It looks like he's going to take this ball. This … is really unexpected. "Motson did not know what to say after saying that. He did not have any data on Eastwood's free kicks at hand.
※ ※ ※
In front of him was a five-man human wall formed by Newcastle United. Eastwood stood behind the football, alone beside him. There was no one to give him cover for his feints and real runs.
The referee saw that the human wall was lined up and the distance was in line with the requirements, so he retreated and blew the whistle in his mouth.
Eastwood ran up and raised his right foot to shoot!
His knee, which had undergone three surgeries, moved his calf and kicked a curving ball.
The football bypassed Newcastle United's human wall and accurately drilled into the goal!
The goalkeeper, Shay Given, did not react to this goal!
※ ※ ※
“GOOOOAL！ GOOOOAL！！ GOOOOOAL！！！ Freddy Eastwood!!! "
There was a loud "boom" in the City Ground stadium, like a sudden clap of thunder.
Tang En raised his arms high and clenched his fists tightly.
Beside the scorer, Eastwood, Albertini was the first to rush up. He hugged Eastwood and lifted him up.
In the commentator's seat, Lawrenson was completely silent. Only Motson was yelling into the microphone, "This is his first game back in the stadium after ten months. A goal! It's perfect! It's perfect! I don't know how to describe this moment, but he has exceeded all of our expectations! "
Eastwood broke free from the old captain and waved his fists into the sky, roaring loudly.
Can't go back to the past? What a joke! Why would I want to go back to the past? In the past, I was just a used car salesman with a broken leg, playing football in an amateur stadium for fun … Why the f * ck should I go back to that past?!
It's fine as long as I come back?
A legendary striker has to score goals, and score lots and lots of goals!
— — —
I came back late today. Let's do the two updates together. (To be continued, if you want to know what happens next, please log on to WWW. CMFU. COM. There are more chapters. Support the author, support the original reading!)
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