There was not a single match between December 21st and December 25th. On Christmas Day, everyone can relax the nerves that have been stretched taut for a year, and enjoy the festival.
The Christmas atmosphere had been wafting in every corner of the city since the beginning of December. Like the Spring Festival in China, Christmas was the most important holiday of the year in Western countries.
At this time, even someone as troubled as Tang En had no choice but to temporarily put aside his worries and celebrate the holiday with everyone.
It was just that due to the team's recent poor results, the Christmas within the club was somewhat dull.
The Christmas tree was still placed where it should be, and every player also had a small gift. However, the atmosphere was much colder. The poor results had caused some people to not think about the holiday at all. They did not know what their future would be like, and it was really not interesting.
Shania called to ask about Tang En, and repeatedly asked him to find a chance to relax and not drag his body down. They still had a tacit understanding not to talk about that matter. Shania seemed to have made up her mind for Tang En to take the initiative and not force him. As for Tang En, there were many things that troubled him, and this was also one of them. He had not found a solution to the troubles in the team, and there was even less for the matters of the relationship.
He only laughed it off and chatted casually with Shania like before, careful not to touch on the topic that made him feel awkward.
It was only when he returned home late at night and faced the dark and cold house that he felt how inconvenient it was to be one less person by his side.
Tang En spent Christmas with Dunn at George Wood's house. Every time he saw Sophia, he felt that her face was getting paler and paler. This winter did not look too good for her.
However, Sophia looked at Tang En with a little more worry in her eyes. Tang En had already forgotten to shave, and his hair had not been trimmed. It was getting longer and longer. The color of blood in his eyes was increasing, and his eyes were red and a little turbid.
"Mr. Tang En, you have to take care of your health," she reminded him when they were eating.
Tang En laughed and said, "I'm in good health! It's nothing. It's just that I've been so busy recently that I've forgotten about my personal hygiene. It's alright, I'll shave and cut my hair when I get back. "
Sophia said softly, "I'm not too sure about the team's matters. It's just that George has not been in a good mood recently, and his face is gloomy." She looked at George Wood, who was buried in his food, her eyes full of a mother's love and worry.
Hearing her say that, Tang En also remembered that Wood had not been in a good mood recently. Although his condition was considered stable, it was not outstanding. Is it because of the team's slump or are there other reasons that are hard to say?
"Ahem, it's not a big deal. Winter will pass, won't it? Didn't Shelley say that if winter comes, spring will be far behind? Did Shelley say that? "Tang En turned his head to ask Dunn.
Dunn nodded.
"Have a good Christmas. Don't mention anything else today. It's just a holiday!" Tang En raised his glass.
He didn't want to hear about the things that had been bothering him for half a year. Just let him forget about it! At the very least … he didn't want to frown anymore tonight.
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Coming out of Sophia's house, Twain found his white jeep in a row of cars on the street. He and Dunn got in and started the engine, but they were not in a hurry to drive away.
He just sat in the driver's seat in a daze.
Dunn turned his head to look at the dazed Tang En and asked, "What are you thinking about?"
"Many … many things."
"The team or Shania?"
Tang En grinned and said, "Both."
"I know I probably shouldn't say this … But, do you plan to continue being with Shania like this? She's confessed to you. As a man, shouldn't you express something? "
Tang En covered his face with both hands and rubbed them hard. "I know … But I still don't know how I should face her …"
"Do you love her?" Dunn asked straightforwardly.
"I don't know …"
"Why don't you shake your head and say 'no'?"
"I don't know …"
"Are you afraid and worried about the age difference between you and her?"
Tang En didn't say anything.
"If you were 22 years younger and the same age as her, would you like this girl?"
"Bang!"
Tang En and Dunn looked up at the same time. Through the front windshield, they saw a red firework blossoming in the distant night sky.
"I think … I should like it."
Dunn smiled and didn't say anything else. He just looked outside in a daze, admiring the beautiful fireworks blooming one after another in the night sky.
Tang En turned the steering wheel and drove the car out of the parking space.
"Do you want to see the fireworks?" he asked.
Dunn shook his head. "I don't want to join in the fun. Let's go home. "
Tang En nodded and didn't object. He had no interest in the fireworks display that showed off the good times of the year.
2008 was about to pass. Should I miss it, or not?
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Nottingham Forest's first game after Christmas was a home game against the Northern powerhouse, Newcastle.
For ordinary people, the Christmas break had just begun. They could choose to go anywhere in the world for a holiday, as long as they had the money. For the football fans, enjoying the high level of the Premier League was the best vacation they could have.
The Nottingham Forest fans still remembered how their team lost to Newcastle a month ago at Newcastle's St James' Park. Now that they were back at home, they had to take revenge!
For Tang En, even if it wasn't for revenge, they had to win this game. They had to win.
His team had lost three games in a row in the league. Since December, other than winning the last game of the Champions League group stage, he hadn't won another game. This situation could not be allowed to continue!
Take down Newcastle and put an end to this depressing and suffocating day! There must be a new atmosphere in the New Year. Welcome the New Year with victory, and welcome the rebirth of Nottingham Forest tomorrow!
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"If the English Premier League had a monthly poll for the most disappointing team or the worst team, I'd definitely vote for Nottingham Forest in December!" The experts did all kinds of analysis for the game on television.
"Three games in a row. Nottingham Forest dared to lose to Blackburn Rovers at home. How can you see the momentum of the defending champions? It's just that with van Nistelrooy gone, it feels like half the sky has collapsed … Could it be that Forest's previous results were all earned by van Nistelrooy alone? "
"Of course we can't deny this team's performance because of one game's loss. But for Nottingham Forest now, it's not as simple as one game's loss. Their poor performance has been going on for a long time. Their wins are frightening, and their losses are inexplicable. Is this still the Nottingham Forest we're familiar with? Tony Twain's Nottingham Forest is known for winning games without any suspense. They're known for their stability. Even if they lose, they lose clearly. "
"Without van Nistelrooy and the absence of van der Vaart and the others due to injuries, Nottingham Forest's offense seems to have lost direction all of a sudden. They don't have a clear line of thought … Look at the players running blindly on the field, not knowing what to do. When the ball is at a player's feet, it all depends on individual skills to fight alone. Even if they pass the ball … it's only because they have teammates around them, so they pass the ball out. They don't have a clear line of thought at all — why they should pass the ball, how they should pass the ball. There's nothing, nothing at all. Even if Nottingham Forest were to face Newcastle at home like this, I don't think they could win. The betting companies are unanimously not optimistic about Nottingham Forest's chances. I believe it's not without reason … "
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Facing his players, Twain no longer wanted to say things like "we must win this game." He believed his players also heard it and did not want to hear it anymore. Instead of shouting these useless empty words at the top of their lungs, for example, do something practical —
"The full backs should take turns to assist, pass more high balls, and pass the ball towards Žigić's head. We have to make full use of Žigić's height and body. Use the simplest way to defeat them! Use offense to force the opponent to follow our rhythm. We must score in the first 30 minutes! And one goal is not enough. We can only consider defense after two goals! After establishing our lead, we can return to our familiar method and slowly wear down Newcastle … "
He spoke very seriously, without the slightest hint of joking with the players in his tone. The players also listened with solemn faces. They all knew the current situation the team was in. They could not afford to lose anymore … They could not afford to lose anymore.
Although they should be cautious now, Twain still decided to use a large-scale attack. This kind of arrangement was also in line with his character — whatever was riskiest would come. He was a gambler, and a gambler who had lost until his eyes were red.
"Remember! Try to minimize mistakes. If we lose the ball in the front field, don't wait to return to the back field to defend. Snatch the ball back! We're the home team, we can't let this go. If Newcastle are afraid of us, that would be even better! "
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After the start of the match, Nottingham Forest did indeed explode with a huge amount of energy, displaying the momentum of the defending champions. It really scared Newcastle for a while. After all, a starving camel is still bigger than a horse. Even though the tiger has fallen to the plains, it still has its power. Nottingham Forest, who was forced to a dead end, made Newcastle flustered and did not know what to do.
Seven minutes had just passed when Ribéry took advantage of a mistake in Newcastle's defensive line to break into the penalty area and score with a low shot.
The City Ground Stadium was thunderous with cheers. Tony Twain even jumped high and waved his arms vigorously in celebration of the goal.
What a great game!
Well done, Franck!
"Even though he's been plagued by transfer rumors recently, Ribéry's performance in Forest is still remarkable. This goal is very important! Look at Tony Twain's excited face on the sidelines, as if he was the one who scored … "
Unfortunately, good times did not last long. Before the end of the first half, Newcastle launched a fierce wave of attacks. The battle in front of the goal was chaotic, and Owen finally found an opportunity to shoot into the net to equalize the score!
The City Ground Stadium temporarily fell silent. Twain also stood on the sidelines, not knowing what expression to make.
Seeing the huge change in him, the commentator still teased, "Tony Twain should really be given a device to record his pulse and heartbeat … His heartbeat must be far above normal now!"
During the halftime interval, Twain's face was livid as he angrily reprimanded the defensive line for being too hesitant in handling the ball. "Dribbling the ball in that kind of place? Dribbling what?! Don't tell me you think you can dribble the ball directly into the opponent's goal? Release the ball quickly! Release the ball quickly! How can you not remember what I've said countless times? What's the first requirement for the defenders? It's not to show off your superb footwork in front of your own goalkeeper, it's to quickly get rid of the danger! As long as the ball stays under your feet for a second longer, we'll be in danger for another second longer! The way you handle the ball will only give Newcastle's bastards endless confidence, telling them: the ball is under our feet, hurry up and snatch it! Once you intercept it, you can directly threaten the goal! "
"If you can't find a suitable target to pass the ball to, just kick it out of bounds! Don't bother with so many messy things! "
"Also, if you run out of stamina in the second half, the full backs don't have to assist … I'll say it again. Fight for the lead from the start of the second half! The initiative of the game will always be in the hands of the leading team! I don't want the game to drag on for 90 minutes without a winner being decided. We can't afford to drag on! "
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After the start of the second half, Forest performed proactively, while Newcastle held their defensive line firmly. They did not let Forest have any more chances.
In a situation where they could not break through in a mobile battle, the importance of a set piece was highlighted once again.
In the 17th minute of the second half, Nottingham Forest received a corner kick. Bale drove the ball into the penalty area. Everyone in Newcastle was focused on defending against Žigić, but they forgot about the little Ayala.
The Argentine center back leaped high and accurately found the ball's landing point without anyone marking him, then did a beautiful lion's head flick!
"They're in the lead again! Ayala's brilliant header! Žigić provided the best cover for him! Nottingham Forest leads Newcastle by 2: 1! "
Tang En fiercely hugged Dunn beside him, hugging him so tightly that the sound of Dunn's bones could be heard. However, Tang En was still undecided. He just clenched his teeth and exerted more force.
In the end, it was Kerslake who saved poor Dunn — he turned around and hugged Tang En. Only then did Tang En let go of Dunn, who was almost out of breath.
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"F * ck! F * ck them! F * ck those northern bastards! Nottingham Forest will definitely win! "The fans in the stands were also in a frenzy.
Forest's consecutive defeats made everyone simmer with rage. As an opponent who had beaten them in the first half of the season, everyone hoped to take revenge on their home ground.
Newcastle's new manager, the legendary striker Alan Shearer, still had the same lines on his face as when he was young. Newcastle's style of play was also the same as those lines. He would not give up just like that, nor would his team give up so easily.
At home, he led the team and caught Tang En off guard, a beautiful 2: 1 sniper. In an away game, he still wanted to double down on this temporary colleague who used to commentate on the World Cup with BBC.
In the latter half of the second half, Forest's stamina began to show problems. Ayala suffered a leg cramp and was replaced by Woodgate. Ribéry ran out of stamina and was replaced by Leighton Baines. Bale was moved to the midfield, but his main task was to defend.
At this time, Tang En could no longer think about things like "a one-goal lead is the least secure". He would be thankful if they could win with one goal. So, with a wave of his hand, everyone retreated, leaving only Žigić in front as a bridgehead. He fought for headers and harassed Newcastle's rear defensive line, not letting them be too arrogant.
All that was left was to keep looking at his watch, counting the minutes until the end of the match …
After Newcastle saw that Nottingham Forest did not have the strength to attack, they turned the tables and pressed forward to attack. They vowed to equalize the score before the end of the match!
Every time he saw Newcastle's attack threaten the goal guarded by Edwin van der Sar, Tang En's heart would beat wildly, afraid that his worries would become reality in the next second.
He stood on the sidelines with his back straight. Even though his back was sore, he did not notice it at all.
Right now, all his thoughts were on the match, in front of his own goal.
No matter what, I can't let Newcastle equalize the score!
This was the only thought in his mind.
※ ※ ※
In the 88th minute, Martins used his speed to force his way into the penalty area. The Nottingham Forest players did not dare to tackle the ball, afraid that the referee would award a penalty kick to Newcastle at such a sensitive moment. After all, even if Martins shot, it might not go in …
Martins did not choose to shoot when the angle was not big. Instead, he feigned a shot and passed it in!
Alan Smith swept the ball to the ground under Kompany's pull.
Tang En clenched his fists until his knuckles turned white. He leaned forward and stared nervously at the ball that rolled under Edwin van der Sar's armpit and into the goal …
"Alan Smith! Alan Smith! It was unbelievable! It was unbelievable! They equalized the score at the last minute! Newcastle United's relentless attacks had finally paid off! Ah! Look at Newcastle's substitutes' bench … They've gone crazy! Narrowly escaped death! "
The commentator roared hysterically. The Newcastle players and fans cooperated with him. They were cheering to their hearts' content.
But all of this was no longer important in Tang En's eyes.
A wave of tiredness suddenly hit him.
He felt very tired, very sleepy, and very cold.
"… This goal is a heavy blow to Nottingham Forest! Their players are at a loss … Four matches without a win, four matches without a win … The whole of December, for Nottingham Forest, is as cold as the North Pole! They lost three points again … Let's see Tony Twain's expression. Faced with such a blow, I really don't know what he can say … "
No one could see Tony Twain's expression because he was already asleep.
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