After defeating Sunderland, Nottingham Forest welcomed the eighth round of the league tournament. Considering the Champions League group stage on October 1st and the fact that the opponent was not strong, Tang En once again used rotation. This time, he even changed the starting goalkeeper.
Akinfeev had joined the team for some time, but apart from playing in the pre-season friendlies and the EFL Cup, he had not been allowed to play in the important league tournament and the Champions League group stage. This was clearly not the treatment that the number one goalkeeper in Russia wanted to see. He had been a little depressed recently. Kerslake told Tang En about his observations and asked him to pay more attention to Akinfeev's recent mood, so as not to affect the stability of the team's internal locker room.
There were a lot of newcomers this season. Getting along with the other teammates in the locker room was a problem, and it needed to be handled carefully. The Forest team's miraculous good results were inseparable from the fact that they had always had a united locker room. Tang En did not want this fine tradition to be destroyed.
He also knew that some players would have psychological problems if they did not play for a long time. Therefore, rotation sometimes required not only a simple tactical consideration, but also factors outside of football.
The eighth round of the league tournament against Portsmouth was an opportunity. Tang En decided to give the marginal players a chance to perform. Before leaving for Portsmouth the day before the game, Tang En internally announced the starting list for the next day's game. Akinfeev became the starting goalkeeper as he wished. Leighton Baines was the starting left back, and the starting center backs were Kompany and Wes Morgan. Piqué sat on the bench. The starting right back was not Chimbonda, but the China player, Sun Jihai. The starting defensive midfielder position was not the unshakable George Wood, but Sidwell, who had joined the team in the new season. Like Akinfeev, he only had a chance to play in the EFL Cup, a competition that Tang En did not value at all. It was a sad thing to be George Wood's substitute. The left midfielder was Petrov, the right midfielder was Lennon, and the attacking midfielder was van der Vaart. The starting strikers were Arshavin and Bendtner.
This lineup had changed almost all the players that could be changed, making people wonder if Tang En still wanted to win away games. No matter what, Portsmouth was now a mid-table team ranked tenth in the Premier League. What's more, they were playing at home in this game. Their strength was not to be underestimated.
Therefore, when the Forest team's starting lineup was revealed by the media, it led to the dissatisfaction of the Portsmouth team. They thought they had been underestimated. Think about it. His opponents in the Premier League had sent out all their main players in the match against the newly promoted teams. Even if there was a rotation, it was a regular rotation of a few positions. What about him and himself? They actually changed all 11 players in the starting lineup all at once. If this wasn't looking down on them, what else could it be? Even if they were to rotate, they wouldn't rotate like this, right?
Harry Redknapp, manager of Portsmouth. He was a veteran in the English football world and a legend. He was also very unhappy with what Tang En had done. He was an old man who would be respected wherever he went. Although Tang En did not openly say in the media that he looked down on Portsmouth, did he have any other meaning in doing so?
That was why he had secretly expressed his dissatisfaction with Tang En during the interview. "I'm very happy to see Forest implement such a rotation. That way, we won't have to play too hard in the match the next day." Even a fool could see the meaning behind those words.
In response to the soaring resentment of the Portsmouth people, Tang En did not make any counterattack or explanation. Because there was really nothing to explain about this matter. Did he say "I'm not looking down on you"? No, Tang En actually looked down on Portsmouth. He believed that with the Forest team's current strength, even if it was an away game, there was no possibility that they could not take down Portsmouth. In the fifth round of the league tournament, Arsenal, with one player sent off, faced the match with ten players and defeated Portsmouth 3: 1.
Nottingham Forest was also a team on the same level as Arsenal. Taking down Portsmouth was a victory in Tang En's plan.
The Forest team, who went to Portsmouth with such a rotating lineup, encountered very, very tenacious resistance at Fratton Park.
Yes, no one could have imagined their tenacity.
Redknapp made good use of Tang En's contempt. He told his players before the game to teach the arrogant Nottingham people a lesson and make Tang En regret only sending such a lineup to fight against the "Pompey Army."
At the beginning of the game, the Forest team showed their powerful strength to the opponent. Bendtner received Petrov's side pass and smashed the goal guarded by David James with a header. This goal made Tang En cross his legs in the technical area again.
But then …
"Oh oh oh! It's incredible! Incredible! " The commentator roared excitedly, "Such a big score before the end of the first half almost announced the end of the game!"
The huge score gap was 4: 1. But the team in the lead was not Nottingham Forest who scored first, but the high-spirited home team, Portsmouth.
"In the 43rd minute, Kanu scored his second goal of the game! It's also Portsmouth's fourth goal! It's amazing. The Pompey Army's performance in the first half of this game is like a real champion team. Everyone played their best. Every Portsmouth player's active performance on the field made the Nottingham Forest players helpless! "
That's right. The Nottingham Forest players were stunned and could not believe the score in front of them. 1: 4. They had only lost to Liverpool once. This score was the most painful loss since Tang En led the team.
Tang En had long put down his legs. At this time, he stood on the sidelines with his hands in his pockets and a serious expression on his face as he looked at the field. He maintained this posture and expression for 20 minutes. These 20 minutes were the 20 minutes when the situation on the field changed drastically. Portsmouth scored four goals in 20 minutes and completely stunned Nottingham Forest.
The whistle at the end of the first half finally sounded. Tang En walked back to the tunnel with a black face. The television cameras followed him and everyone could see how ugly the expression on his face was.
"I think Manager Tang En should consider adjusting the lineup in the second half … if he doesn't want to go back to Nottingham with this score." The commentator joked.
The Forest players returned to the locker room dejectedly. They thought that what awaited them would be a storm of abuse.
But it did not.
Everyone saw that the dark expression on Tang En's face was no longer there.
"I know there was some discussion about our lineup before the game. They all said that this is a contempt for Portsmouth. Changing the starting eleven is a contempt for Portsmouth and underestimating the enemy. So, the Portsmouth players went crazy in the first half trying to beat us. But I don't agree with this opinion. I don't think it's a contempt for Portsmouth. On the contrary, I think those messy remarks are a contempt for you. " As Tang En said this, he spread out his hands. "Why does everyone think that I'm looking down on them just because I've rotated a set of starting lineups? That's because they think you're weak. You're Nottingham Forest's Second Team. That's why they feel insulted — to let a Second Team play against our First Team. If this isn't contempt, then what is? But … "
Tang En paused. "Who the f * ck said you're a weak Second Team? I've long said that those who can stay in Nottingham Forest are all outstanding players. Otherwise, they can't even enter the Forest team. I don't have any bullsh * t difference between the First Team and Second Team here. Those who can represent the Forest team are all the best players in the world! The most outstanding … There's no f * cking one of them! Those sh * t think that your starting lineup makes the Forest team's strength drop by two levels. Who the f * ck is looking down on who? "
After swearing, Tang En took a little breath to stabilize his emotions and slowed down his tone. "If you don't do anything and let the score in the first half become the final score of the game … then I'm sorry to say that even if I don't agree with the outside view, your title of 'weak' will be firmly established. Then, as long as I let you play in the future, the media and some idiot experts who don't know anything will say, 'Look, Nottingham Forest's rotation system is a joke. These people will only drop the Forest team's strength by two levels. Portsmouth can give them four goals! This is simply looking down on us and insulting us! '" Tang En imitated the expert's tone vividly. He saw that the expressions in the eyes of the dejected players had changed. He knew the time was ripe, so he asked, "Are you willing to let this happen? Are you willing to be regarded as a weak second-string team? If anyone wants to be insulted like this, raise your hands! "
No one raised their hands, nor did they yell "no" in response to Tang En. They just gritted their teeth and clenched their fists so hard that their knuckles turned white.
They were in a good mood. They would first suppress their anger in their hearts and vent it on their opponents in the second half.
Tang En hammered the last nail in Portsmouth's coffin. "In the second half … I'll tell you honestly, unless you're injured or exhausted, I won't make a f * cking substitution. You must use your own actions to prove that even if I, Tony Tang En, change the starting eleven in one go, this lineup is still at the top of the Premier League! If any idiot feels insulted, then let them be insulted! "
Tang En, who walked out of the locker room with the agitated players, sneered in his heart.
Mr. Redknapp, you know how to use the media's evaluation to motivate the players and give me a 4: 1. Very good, very good. Don't tell me I don't know how to use what you use? The bastards of Portsmouth, wait for my wrath.
Who do you think I am? I'm Tony Tang En. The only team in the world that can beat me by three goals is Liverpool. A team that can beat me by more than four goals hasn't been born yet!
※ ※ ※
"4: 1!" At the start of the second half, the commentator repeated the score that made Tang En extremely unhappy. If he were watching TV at this time, he would probably pick up the television and throw it out the window. This score had a special meaning for Tang En. It always reminded him of his previous weakness and powerlessness. And now he hated that feeling very much.
"I don't think there's any hope for Nottingham Forest. With such a second-string lineup, facing an angry Portsmouth and trailing by three goals, everyone in the Portsmouth team can almost play ten points. On the other hand, looking at Nottingham Forest, Akinfeev's Premier League debut, which cost Tang En six million pounds, was simply a disaster. The Russian number one goalkeeper swallowed four shots in a row in forty-five minutes. I really don't know if he has ever suffered such a heavy blow in his career. In addition, look at Sun Jihai. He's no longer the 'China Sun' he used to be in Manchester City. His right flank is frequently broken through by his opponents. And Sidwell … Poor Sidwell. He's always compared to the 'monster' George Wood. But who asked Tang En to let him be George Wood's substitute? "
The Sky TV commentator jabbered on about the Forest players' terrible performance in the first half.
Before he could finish speaking, he had no choice but to change his words.
"Ah … The ball's in!" Due to the suddenness of the incident, his emotions were not built up enough. This "the ball's in" sounded devoid of passion. Perhaps there was another reason why his voice did not sound so excited — the goal was scored by Nottingham Forest.
Just two minutes into the second half, Nottingham Forest equalized the score to 2: 4.
Three minutes later, Nottingham Forest scored another goal. Arshavin avenged his Russian compatriot, and the Forest team equalized the score to 3: 4.
The Portsmouth people panicked.
The commentator also lost his voice. The contrast was too great. It was like a slap to his face. Faced with the crazy Nottingham Forest that he had just belittled, he really did not know what to say …
As soon as the Forest players took the ball, Fratton Park was filled with deafening boos. The Portsmouth fans wanted to create some trouble for the Forest team's crazy counterattack through this method, but it was to no avail.
The commentator quickly adjusted his emotions and threw himself back into work.
"What a beautiful goal! Nicklas Bendtner's breakthrough shot! Nottingham Forest equalized the score to 4: 4! This is a miracle! Nottingham Forest … has actually reversed the situation of being three goals behind! Manager Tony Twain must have said something to his players at halftime. The looks in these people's eyes are different. Is the Forest team satisfied with the equalization of the score? No … I don't think that's the case … Portsmouth is going to be out of luck. "
"Rafael van der Vaart!! A beautiful long shot! 5: 4! Nottingham Forest has reversed the score! "
"Petrov will take this free kick. His run-up distance is very long … The football hits the human wall! The sideline … The ball goes in!! Portsmouth is really unlucky! For example, a thirty-four-meter long free kick in the goal, it actually hits the sideline of the human wall and goes into the goal … Poor James, 'What can I do?' "
This was already Nottingham Forest's sixth goal. From 1: 4 to 6: 4, the Forest team only took twenty-seven minutes. During this period, Portsmouth did not have a chance to fight back at all. They could only watch the Forest team score one goal after another. They watched their players gather together to cheer, and then gather together to cheer again …
Was this the end?
"Number! Seven! Seven! "The commentator gritted his teeth. He felt that it was a little unbearable to watch. Was Nottingham Forest not afraid that they would not be able to go back after the game in front of so many home team fans on someone else's home ground?
Obviously, Tony Twain and his men were not worried about the problem he was worried about. Now they just wanted to celebrate.
Bendtner waved his fists vigorously and celebrated his hat-trick amidst the overwhelming boos. As van Nistelrooy's substitute, there were not many opportunities to perform so incisively.
Redknapp sat in the technical area. His white-haired appearance looked particularly old. The Portsmouth players were like the Forest players in the first half. They looked confused and did not know what was going on.
What caused things to turn out like this? If they could not win the game with a score of 4: 1 and a three-goal lead, this football game was too insecure, right?
Some people looked to the visiting team's technical area for answers. They could not see Twain's expression because he was leaning against the back of the chair and his left and right sides were blocked. Everyone could only see him crossing his legs and swinging them.
Twain fulfilled his promise during the halftime interval. He did not change a player, nor did he make any tactical adjustments. He did not even supervise the game on the sidelines. At the start of the second half, he sat in the technical area. When Lennon equalized the score to 2: 4, he crossed his legs. Later, even when his legs were numb, he did not put them down. He wanted to use this method to tell everyone that everything was normal and there was nothing to worry about.
※ ※ ※
The seventh goal was the Forest team's last goal of the game. After massacring Portsmouth, the Forest team put down the sharp knife that had been soaked in blood in satisfaction and began to reap the fruits of victory.
When the referee blew the whistle to signal the end of the game, it was music to the ears of the Portsmouth players, because they were finally free … They were freed from Shura hell and did not have to face the glaring 4: 7 score on the field and suffer.
At the post-match press conference, the media was curious about the huge difference in the Forest team's performance between the first and second half. He raised his hand and asked, "Mr. Twain, we're interested in what you said to your players during the halftime interval to make their performance look so different?"
In front of the many media, especially the local Portsmouth media, Twain smiled and answered, "What did I say? I just told them to respect their opponents. "
As soon as these words came out, there was an uproar below the stage.
Then, without waiting for others to ask, Twain explained himself, "Before the game, you all said that my lineup was an insult and contempt to Portsmouth. I did not give any explanation at the time because I thought there was no better way than to use the actual game to pay tribute to my respected Mr. Harry Redknapp." At this point, he turned his head to look at the Portsmouth manager, Redknapp, who was sitting next to him.
The old Redknapp's face turned red and white. He was embarrassed.
"Now, I'm very, very happy and satisfied with this score. It's not because we beat Portsmouth by such a big score. But because we finally used our way to clear up the media's rumors — we did not have the slightest intention of disrespecting our opponents, belittling our opponents, or insulting our opponents. On the contrary, we respect Portsmouth more than any other team and value Portsmouth more. You see, the score of 7: 4 is proof of that. "
The local Portsmouth media collectively lost their voices at this moment. They could only look at Twain's proud smile on the stage and greet his relatives countless times in their hearts. They finally had a taste of what it felt like to be slapped in the face by themselves.
That night, BBC's Match of the Day talked about the game. Lineker smiled and said, "The Portsmouth media tried to provoke Tony Twain, and they lost badly."
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