Did anyone still remember the match on May 10th? This week, everyone was shrouded in a dark cloud: the players, the coach, the team doctor, and even the goaltender, Ian McDonald. Did they still know what kind of opponent they were facing now, and what kind of match it was?
Tang En sat in the home team's technical area in the City Ground stadium, looking blankly at the ongoing match on the field. His mind was a mess, and his ability to command on the field, which he was so proud of, had long disappeared into some corner.
The team was at a disadvantage, being utterly defeated by the visiting Sheffield United. They were completely unable to organize an effective defense or offense.
This could not go on. A voice spoke to Tang En from the depths of his heart, but it sounded as if it was reverberating from a faraway place, illusory.
For the past week, the team had not carried out any targeted training, and even the number of systematic training sessions could be counted on one hand.
As a coach, Tang En also did not carefully study his opponents in the play-offs. He could not even tell the players how to deal with the team in front of them.
Gavin's death was like a nightmare that haunted these people. Everyone was out of form, and the match was like torture to them.
The stands in the City Ground stadium were nearly 90% filled, but the score was not satisfactory. 0: 1. This was the score after half of the match, and Nottingham Forest was behind.
"Tony, we should do something to save the situation!" Walker was one of the few who had recovered, and he anxiously reminded Tang En.
"Yes, you're right, Des. We should do something … "Although he said that, Tang En sat in his chair without moving. He was just repeating Walker's words mechanically.
Seeing Tang En like this, Walker sighed helplessly.
Sitting in the VIP box, Evan Doughty glanced at the field, then turned to his father and said, "Do you really think highly of him?"
Nigel Doughty nodded. "The people that Hart has his eyes on have never let me down."
Evan, however, shook his head. "I don't think highly of him. Maybe his performance in the regular season is outstanding, but what's the use of winning a hundred games in unimportant matches and losing the most important one?"
"Evan," the old man's tone was more serious. "Watch your words. There's no such thing as' regular season 'here. Don't bring that basketball stuff to England. You are going to lead a club in the future. If you say something like that, the media will laugh at us. "
"Oh, sorry, Dad."
"Don't you like Twain?"
"Hmm … how should I put it?" Evan looked at the television, which happened to show a close-up of Tang En. He sat in the manager's seat, motionless and expressionless, like a dead man. He could not come up with a better solution for the team's current situation. "Privately, Tony and I have been to London together. I think he is a very interesting person. But I don't think he's stable enough. I can't figure out his temper, personality, and preferences. I don't understand him. Sometimes he's good, and sometimes he's terrible. Like now … "
Nigel was a little surprised by his son's logical reasoning. He turned to look at Evan. "Did you put in a lot of effort after returning to America?"
Evan shrugged. "No matter what, your son is a top student at Harvard. Don't look at me with such surprise. In addition, Allan gave me a very detailed plan, in which he also thinks that we should reconsider the manager candidate. "
"Alan? Allen Adams? Why are you still with him? "
"Dad, he is my financial advisor." Evan's voice was a little angry. "Allan has helped me a lot for my company to be where it is today."
"Up to you." Nigel shrugged slightly. "I don't like that glib American anyway." He suddenly thought of something and asked, "Does Carly still disagree?"
Evan nodded. "She doesn't like the English weather and food. She will stay in America with Ben. But don't worry, I will visit them often. "
Nigel murmured, "You, your wife, your son … are all Americans now."
Even though Forest pulled a goal back in the second half, Sheffield United still scored another goal before the end of the game. The final score was 1: 2, Nottingham Forest's home loss. Sheffield United left the City Ground with a satisfied smile on their faces, but all the Forest fans' eyebrows were tightly knitted together.
The home advantage was gone. Then, six days later, on May 16th, at Sheffield United's home ground, Barramore Lane, what fate would await them?
At the press conference, Forest Team's sudden downturn became the focus of attention for many media outlets. However, Tang En refused to give any opinion or explanation. No matter how the reporters bombarded him, he answered them with a "no comment." As for the loss in the game, he took all the blame on himself.
Pierce Brosnan originally did not want to put another stone on the poor manager, but he realized that there was a question that no one asked. They were all entangled in such a trivial matter as why Forest's suddenly slump. His professional attitude as a journalist made him decide to throw this embarrassing question to Tang En.
"Manager Tang … After the home loss, have you thought about the possibility of us staying in League One at the end of this season?"
Tang En stared at Brosnan for a long time. The young man also met his gaze without flinching. In this silent contest, neither of them could defeat the other.
Finally, Tang En left the press conference with a sentence.
"I won't let such a thing happen."
"… Although Manager Tang En claimed at the press conference that his team would obtain the final victory and successfully advance to the Premier League. But to be honest, I'm not optimistic about his team. Sheffield United scored two away goals on their home ground. With the current state of the two teams, it's really hard to guarantee that they can beat Sheffield United in an away game. "
The BBC's "Match of the Day" program was playing on the television. It was a little similar to the "World Football" that Tang En watched every period in China. However, "Match of the Day" was more of a talk show. It was the most watched football program in England's history. The current manager was Gary Lineker, who was once famous in the world of football. His golden partners were two of Liverpool's strongest center backs — Alan Hansen and Mark Lawrenson.
The person who said that was Mark Lawrenson, who rarely appeared on the show. He had a pair of gray eyes and a signature beard.
Hansen and Lawrenson's views were the opposite. He believed that Manager Tang En was a trustworthy person. If he said it could be done, then it would definitely be done.
Lawrenson thought that Hansen's views had no basis at all. He could not convince himself and was too idealistic.
Then the two began to bicker as usual. No one could convince the other. At this time, Lineker, who had been watching the show with a smile, jumped out to mediate. He made a suggestion.
"Since the two of you are not convinced, I think we should make a bet."
"Good idea, Gary." Both of them agreed.
So, Lineker looked at Lawrenson's face and smiled maliciously. "Mark, you started this topic. You have to be responsible to the end."
Lawrenson touched his lips and then made up his mind. "Okay! If Tang En's team is promoted to the Premier League after this season's play-offs, I'll shave off this beard! "
Lineker and Hansen whistled at the same time. Hansen even clapped excitedly. "Mark, don't try to deny it. This is a live broadcast. The entire British audience is acting as a notary. "
Lawrenson widened his eyes and said, "I never go back on my word." When he spoke loudly, the beard on his lips would move. It really felt like he was blowing his beard and glaring at him.
Lineker, who was beside him, suddenly said, "Very good, Mark. Actually, I've long found your beard an eyesore … "
Looking at Lawrenson's surprised expression, Hansen laughed out loud on the show.
This laughter was transmitted through the television and resounded throughout Burns' bar. Everyone else raised their heads to look at the laughing television. Only Tang En, who was hiding in a corner and eating, was not interested in the discussion of the commentators. He buried his head and used his spoon to dig at the rice grains covered in sauce on his plate.
After he finished his meal, he placed the money on the table and walked straight out of the bar. He turned a blind eye to the people who wanted to say hello to him.
Burns looked at Tang En's back and gently shook his head.
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