By the time July was about to end, after a month of training and warm-up matches, Tang En had basically confirmed the First Team roster for the new season.
※ ※ ※
Adriano Moke had been having a hard time recently. When he received the call from the First Team, he was very excited. He thought that after working hard for nearly a decade, it was finally time to realize his dream.
But the cruel reality had knocked him down.
The First Team's Boss, who always liked to wear sunglasses and rarely smiled, almost never gave him a look of approval. He could feel that he was treated differently compared to the other players who were also transferred from the youth team.
Of course, his own performance might not be too good …
He realized that the Boss preferred players who were not afraid of physical confrontations in a match, and even actively sought out physical confrontations. And people like him, who relied on techniques to avoid physical confrontations, were not very popular.
Since being promoted to the U16 team, he had suffered a total of three serious injuries, with the most serious one when he was on loan at Sunderland last season. He admitted that he was afraid of direct physical contact with strong opponents, but he also believed that if he could reasonably avoid these physical confrontations with techniques, then he could not say that he was wrong. Why must there be physical contact? If I can train my techniques to the point where the opponent's defenders can't even catch me, then there is no need to collide with the opponent head-on.
From the start of his first injury, he put this idea into practice. Therefore, his techniques improved the fastest in the team, and he was also the best. In the confrontations with his peers, he was always good at using exquisite feints to deceive the opponent, or using his outstanding speed to bypass the defenders in advance. This method made him successful in every aspect in the youth team, and it was very pleasing to the audience. Because of this, he was also considered by Greenwood to be the most promising youth in this youth team.
But all his advantages did not work in South Wilford.
When he first appeared on the field for the First Team in a warm-up match, he faced the fierce defenders of the League One team and tried his best to use his advantages to break through, but it only made him look like he was running away.
He still remembered it very clearly. When he was too close to the ball and was sandwiched by two defenders and lost the ball, he glanced at the Boss on the sidelines, who was shaking his head.
He was substituted midway in that match and sat on the substitutes' bench, panting heavily and not saying a word. He knew he had messed up. But this was only the first match. Everyone had one chance, right? He comforted himself in his heart.
Therefore, in the following matches … he was still substituted in the middle of the match, or he was only substituted near the end of the match.
On the other hand, Chris Cohen, who was already 22 years old and was still hanging around in the reserve team, had always been the target of ridicule by Moke. He had joked with the others that this person's talent was mediocre and he did not have a future. However, Chris Cohen had suddenly shown a side of him in the first team that surprised Moke.
He was brave and obedient. His performance on the pitch was at ease, as if he had been playing for the first team for several seasons.
On the left flank, Cohen was not only attacking, but also actively defending. Every time he saw him chase back from the front field and force the opponent near the corner flag, Moke, who was sitting on the substitute's bench, would sneak a glance at the boss. Then, he would be jealous to see the boss nodding with a smile on his face!
Why!
Until now, he did not think that he was inferior to Cohen. In terms of talent and technique, he was way ahead of him. Cohen's technique might only be limited to stopping the ball before passing it out … Would he use his heel to lift the ball past someone? Would he continuously cycle without tripping over the ball? Would he use continuous spikes to change directions to accelerate past someone? Would he lift the ball up while running at high speed to avoid the opponent's flying tackle? Would he step on the ball and turn around to pass someone?
Watching him play football only makes me frown. It's simply like a miner playing football. There's no sense of beauty at all!
But looking at him, he had a higher chance of staying in the first team than Moke …
Moke felt that it was unfair.
※ ※ ※
"There's still 15 days before the new season starts. The main roster can also be confirmed, "Tang En said to Dunn and Kerslake in the office. Tang En said to Dunn and Kerslake in the office, "Leave this kind of offending people to you guys." He chuckled.
"I'll do it." Kerslake took the initiative to take over the task.
In fact, it was mainly to inform the players who had been transferred from the youth team and the second team, as well as the youngsters who had just joined the team this summer. Just like how he transferred them to the first team, Kerslake called them one by one to inform them if they wanted to continue training with the first team or temporarily return to the youth team or the second team for training. This job would indeed offend people … Of course, if the other party was smart enough, they would understand that the one who made this decision was still Tony Twain, the boss.
"In addition, there are three English Championship teams and one League One team interested in Kris Commons. Sell him if the price is right … "Twain waved his hands.
Commons' standards had not been able to keep up with the team's requirements for a long time. It was only now that Twain decided to sell him. On the one hand, it was for the sake of increasing revenue and reducing expenses. They wanted to sell the players who could not contribute much to the team and still had to be paid by the club at the same time. On the other hand, they naturally did not want Commons to be on the bench for the rest of his life in the Forest team. Even if he could not play in the Premier League, it was better to play as the main force in the English Football League Championship than to waste his time here.
Although Commons was very loyal and did not have any complaints just because he was a substitute here, Twain still had to harden his heart and sell him. In the end, Twain still had to ruthlessly sell him.
The third reason was that he had found someone who could replace Commons — Chris Cohen.
Twain had seen every bit of Cohen's performance in the past month and remembered it in his heart. He felt that the ability that Cohen had displayed was completely above Commons. Furthermore, he had played in the reserve team for several years without any complaints. It was clear that he was the kind of player who could accept the fate of being a substitute. Twain liked this kind of player the most — he had the ability but no opinions. He would not become an unstable factor in the locker room.
※ ※ ※
After the day's training ended, Kerslake announced to the players that a few young players would receive a call from him that night to inform them if they would be registered to participate in next season's English Premier League.
For these young players, the most crucial moment had arrived.
Moke returned home uneasily and continued to wait anxiously for the assistant manager's call.
He was filled with the illusion that he still had hope of entering the First Team. The basis for his thoughts stemmed from the two warm-up matches before, where he had played a little more than before. He believed that it was his outstanding skills and swift breakthroughs on the right side that had moved the boss.
After a month, his goal had changed — he no longer had the extravagant hope that he could become the team's most promising young star. Instead, he wanted to be able to play in the First Team, even as a rotational player.
The young man who had been full of dreams back then had no choice but to throw his unrealistic dreams aside.
At 9.30pm, the call that he had been waiting for came that would decide his fate.
※ ※ ※
David Kerslake took the players' contact list and found the name "Adriano Moke" on it.
This was his last call for the day.
It was also the only different call.
Previously, when he called, he would smile and tell the other party the results. But now, he needed to put on a straight face before making the call — this was not something that could make others smile.
Kerslake had done many things to offend people. He and Dunn were Tang En's left and right hands. Most of the time, Tang En appeared in front of the players with a likable image. He blended in with the young lads and looked happy and harmonious. As for the trivial matters that needed to offend people, they were handed over to Kerslake and Dunn to handle. Of course, the big matters that involved offending people were all done by Tang En. For example, scolding people in the locker room.
"Hi, Adriano Moke?" The call went through.
"It's me, sir!" It was unclear whether the voice on the other end was excited or nervous. It sounded different from usual. It almost made Kerslake think that he had called the wrong number.
"Hmm …" Kerslake paused for a moment. "You've trained very hard in the team. To be honest, I'm in awe of your skills. Your breakthroughs on the right flank are also very sharp. " What he said was not compliments or comforting words. Those were truly Moke's strengths. Good was good, bad was bad. "Some of your extraordinary moves are beyond my imagination. Other than clapping and cheering, I can't do anything else."
After the praise …
"But." Kerslake took the phone away and coughed softly. "I'm sorry to inform you that you're not in the plans for the First Team this season. Of course, I'm talking about the plans for this season. You still have many shortcomings. We hope that you can continue to accumulate experience in the reserve team matches and overcome those shortcomings. At the same time, you can also choose to go out on loan to train … "
※ ※ ※
Moke did not listen to what the assistant manager said next. When he heard "I'm sorry to inform you that you're not in the plans for the First Team this season", his ears were already filled with static.
I'm done for?
That was the only thought in his mind.
As for when he thanked the assistant manager and hung up the phone, he did not even know.
He felt indignant.
In the youth team, he was the best one. When he was not even seventeen years old, he had already received many invitations from other teams. Those scouts tried to persuade him to sign with their team, but were all rejected by Moke. He was from Nottingham. His family had been Nottingham Forest fans since his great-grandfather. He only wanted to play for Nottingham Forest.
Whether it was David Kerslake, Dunn, or Greenwood, the previous youth training directors all thought highly of him when they were in charge. They assured him that he would have a bright future at Nottingham Forest.
He would become an outstanding Forest player like George Wood. Every week, he would wear the Nottingham Forest jersey and dedicate beautiful passes and breakthroughs to the fans who supported him, as well as goal after goal …
His room was covered with posters of the greatest star players in the history of the Forest team. When he first joined the Forest youth team, he began to have the same dream — one day, when he retired from the Forest team, all the fans in the City Ground stadium would stand up and shout his name.
Now, all of that was gone. He could not even enter the First Team!
※ ※ ※
At the start of the second day's training, Tang En and his coaches were a little surprised to see Adriano Moke doing his warm-up in the middle of the team.
Tang En glanced at Kerslake.
The other party hurriedly explained, "I gave him a call and clearly rejected him."
"Maybe he's not satisfied," Dunn said from the side.
"I …" Tang En was just about to speak when Kerslake ran out. "I'll go talk to him again."
※ ※ ※
"Moke!" Kerslake strode in front of Adriano Moke with a straight face and reached out to grab his arm. "What are you doing here?"
"Participating in training, sir." Moke's arm was grabbed, so he started to move his legs.
"Didn't I tell you clearly? Yesterday on the phone, I told you that you should go to the reserve team to participate in training and competitions. "
"You said it very clearly, sir. But I don't think the reserve team can help me improve. "Moke stopped and looked straight at the First Team assistant manager.
Their argument attracted the attention of everyone else in the training ground. The players who were warming up also stopped what they were doing and turned to look at Kerslake and Moke, who were holding each other.
"Then you can choose to go out on loan to accumulate competition experience. Just like the last two seasons! "
"Is it a Premier League team?" Moke asked.
"That depends on whether there are any Premier League teams interested in you." Tony Twain's voice rang out beside the two. He glanced at Moke, then turned to Kerslake and said, "Looks like you're in some trouble, David?"
"I'm sorry, Tony. But I … "
Tang En interrupted him and directly asked Moke, "Didn't Kerslake tell you clearly on the phone yesterday? Your current level is not up to the First Team's requirements. But you can accumulate experience by participating in the reserve team's competitions or going out on loan to correct your problems. "
"But I don't think my level is that bad. I don't think the reserve team or the English Football League Championship will help me improve my level, boss. "Even when facing Tang En, Moke did not avoid his gaze. "My technique is the best in the youth team in the same batch. I'm also very fast. You've seen me play before. Did my breakthroughs in the wings not leave a deep impression on you? "
Tang En stared at the kid for a while, wondering where he got his courage from.
Then he turned to look at Kerslake.
"He was indeed outstanding when he was in the youth team …" Kerslake shrugged a little awkwardly. "One on one, almost no one can defend against him without fouling."
"I won't let my players not foul in an official match," Tang En said.
"Do you know what your problem is, Moke?" Moke, "he turned his head and asked.
"Physical confrontation. But I have a way to avoid these confrontations. My technique is outstanding, and I'm very fast. Even if three people surround me, I can escape in time. I'm very smart. I know how I should do my best to bring out my strengths and avoid my weaknesses … "Moke was like a salesman, desperately explaining the various advantages of the product in his hands. He wanted to stay in Nottingham Forest's First Team, no matter what.
Tang En stared at him again, as if he wanted to see through him.
※ ※ ※
When Tang En also intervened in the dispute between Kerslake and Moke, the players present no longer disregarded the coach's orders and gathered together to see what was going on.
Now they all understood. It turned out that Moke had been excluded from the boss's plans for the new season. He was dissatisfied and wanted to ask for an explanation …
This kid was really daring! It must be known that no one had ever done this in the Forest team that Tang En coached.
"Do you want to bet?" Eastwood ran around the crowd. "Bet on whether that kid will be able to stay as he wishes? I'll be the banker. The odds for him to stay are 1: 20. The odds for him to leave are 7: 1! "
"200 pounds. I bet he won't be able to stay. I don't like that kid. "Pepe also joined in. He indeed had a reason not to like him. Every time they practiced within the team, Moke would always pick a defensive player like Pepe, who had already proven himself in the English Premier League and European football. If he succeeded, he would be very excited. This really made Pepe feel insulted. If it wasn't for the fact that the boss didn't allow internal fights, Pepe couldn't guarantee that he wouldn't punch Moke's nose.
Pepe took the lead, and more and more players joined in. 100, 50, and up. However, no one was optimistic that Moke would be able to stay.
"Hey! Hey! "The Romani screamed. "At this time, we should bet on the unpopular player." If everyone bet on Moke to leave, then he wouldn't be able to earn anything from this bet … According to his odds, if he bet on Moke to stay, and if Moke really did stay, then he would be able to earn two thousand pounds for a hundred pounds. If he did not win, then the money would naturally belong to Eastwood alone. If he bet on Moke leaving and Moke really left, other than having to return the original 100 pounds, Eastwood would have to pay another 14 pounds. Unless everyone bet on Moke leaving and Moke stayed, he would have to wait to lose money …
"Betting on the unpopular player will definitely lose. We're not stupid, Freddy. Look at your own odds. Who do you think would be willing to bet on him winning? "Everyone laughed. It was not that everyone disliked this lively kid like Pepe, but everyone knew the consequences of going against the boss.
"1,000 pounds. I bet he can stay," George Wood said from outside the circle. Everyone was stunned and turned to look at him.
"Reason?" Pepe asked.
"Someone has to let him earn some money." He pointed at Eastwood and said.
"Pfft!" Eastwood frowned and did not seem to appreciate it. Although many years had passed since George Wood broke his leg, his view of Wood had not changed much. "Don't worry. If you accidentally win, I won't go back on my words."
If Wood really won, Eastwood would have to pay him 20 times the 1,000 pounds — 20,000 pounds.
Even for a professional player, this was not a number that could be casually taken out without pain.
Although with Wood's participation, there was finally someone betting on the unpopular player. But the others were still betting on "Moke will definitely leave".
The young players who had just joined the team this season hesitated for a while outside the circle before squeezing in.
"Aren't you going to play, Cohen?" Bostock, who had placed his bet, squeezed out again and realized that Chris Cohen was still sitting in the same spot. "The coaches don't care anyway. A small bet is fine."
Cohen shook his head. "I don't gamble." He looked at Moke, who was still confronting the two coaches.
"Moke, that kid … is definitely going to be unlucky this time." Bostock leaned against him and sat down. Actually, everyone knew that Moke looked down on Cohen. Perhaps it was because of their positions. One on the left and one on the right, they would always be compared. And Cohen was obviously more liked by the boss. This made Moke, who thought highly of himself, somewhat unable to accept it.
"He's a stupid wretch."
Bostock looked at Cohen with a little surprise. This was the first time Cohen had expressed a negative opinion of Moke. In the past, when Moke intentionally or unintentionally targeted Cohen during training, he would always respond with silence.
"He thinks he's the best among his peers. He thinks that after coming out of the youth team, he should have a smooth journey. He fantasizes that he would receive orders in a critical match, save the team at the end, and become famous in one battle. He uses flashy techniques to please the audience and commentators. He thinks that he can become a world-class star player by beating five people in a row and represent England to lift the UEFA European Championship and the World Cup. His teammates with mediocre talent just have to try their best not to drag him down and try their best to create space for him to perform. He should be the symbol of this team, the number one star player. The media would circle around him like flies all day long. The beauties would change every night. He would be touted by the fans as the most outstanding talent in the team's history. All the big clubs waved cheques at his door, begging him to join them. The manager threatened the club chairman that if he sold him, he would hang himself. When he retired, everyone turned out to send him off. Before he died, a bronze statue of him was erected outside the stadium. The most hardcore fans' stand was named after him. The most outstanding player award in England is named after him … "
After saying so much in one breath, Cohen turned his face to look at the surprised Bostock. He smiled. "I've had this kind of daydream before."
※ ※ ※
Tang En retracted his gaze. "Very good, kid. I'll give you one last chance now. Prove your ability to me. Use your actions to tell me that my previous judgments were wrong. If you can do it, I'll let you stay. If not, you'll go where you're supposed to go. "
"I accept!" Moke nodded forcefully.
Tang En turned and walked away. He instructed the staff to move a small goal into the penalty area at the side of the stadium.
"Put it here." He pointed to the penalty area on the right side.
After doing all this, he stepped on a football and beckoned Moke over.
"The penalty area is so big. Two against two. I don't care what method you use to shake off the defender, and then whether it's a shot or a pass to your partner … If it's a shot, you have to score to win. If it's a pass, you have to ensure that your partner scores after receiving the ball from you to win. Do you have any objections? "
"Is there a goalkeeper?"
"What's the use of a goalkeeper in such a small goal?"
"Can I choose my own partner?"
"Of course. You can pick the player in the First Team who you think has the best shooting skills."
Moke looked at the small goal, then pointed to Eastwood, who was busy calculating the bets in the distance. "Freddy Eastwood. I want Freddy to be my partner."
Tang En nodded in agreement. "Very good." Beside him, Kerslake turned around and shouted, "Freddy! Come here! "
Eastwood ran over with a puzzled look. "What's the matter, Boss?"
"Two against two. You and him partner." Tang En pointed to Moke. "The two of you from there …" He pointed to the penalty area on the opposite side of the goal. "Start the attack. Attack all the way here. Let him lead the attack. You have to cooperate with him and open up an opening for him. He might not pass the ball to you, but he might shoot himself. Just like an official match. "
Eastwood froze for a moment, then smiled. "No problem, Boss."
"Alright, you've formed your team. It's time for me to find an opponent for you. "Tang En turned around and glanced at the players who had gathered to watch the show. Then he said to Kerslake, "Go call George and Pepe over."
Kerslake was stunned. He did not leave. "You're not joking, are you, Tony?"
"Of course I'm not joking."
"But the two of them …"
Tang En looked at the confident Moke standing in front of him and said, "Since we want to establish ourselves in Nottingham Forest's First Team, we naturally have to challenge the strongest opponents. We're not a team fighting to stay in the league. If we can't beat George and Pepe, don't even think about winning against the strongest opponents in the world. Don't you think so, Moke? "
Moke nodded. "Yes, Boss. Rather than playing against weak opponents, I'd rather participate in the reserve team's matches and choose to be loaned to the English Football League Championship. "
Tang En snapped his fingers. "I like this character. Call them over. "
When Eastwood heard their conversation, his face turned a little ugly.
※ ※ ※
Kerslake strode to the front of the players and waved his hand. "George, Pepe. Come out! "
Now everyone knew what the Boss was going to do. The crowd was in an uproar.
"Hey, George! You're not going easy on them just to win money, are you? "
"Pepe! Teach that kid a lesson! Stick close to Freddy, don't let him have a chance to shoot! "
Kerslake looked at the group of people, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. Did they secretly start a bidding war for this matter?
Pepe and Wood stood up. He glanced at the captain beside him. "I'll do my best, Captain."
"Do you think I'm the kind of person who would go easy?" Wood retorted.
The two men followed Kerslake to the few people waiting over there.
Tang En repeated the rules he had just said to Pepe and Wood. Finally, he emphasized, "This is not training or acting. This is an official match. It's a crucial battle that determines whether we can enter next season's Champions League! I hope you all bring out your full strength and attitude. If I see anyone not doing their best, you know what the consequences will be. "
Then he retreated out of the penalty area and let Kerslake be the referee.
"Come on, guys. There's a total of five rounds, three wins and two losses! "
A group of people gathered around to watch this special match.
※ ※ ※
Just like in an official match, Eastwood kicked off from the "center circle" and passed the ball to Moke. He ran forward himself and helped Moke attract Pepe's attention.
Moke dribbled the ball to meet George Wood.
When the two were only three meters apart, Moke's upper body suddenly swayed. The football appeared behind his head and flew behind George Wood.
He used his heel to lift the ball past him!
"WOOOOOW —" Someone whistled off the field. This move was indeed magnificent. But the actual effect …
Wood turned on the spot and opened his arms to block Moke, who was trying to go around him. Then he calmly kicked the football to Pepe, who was receiving from behind.
Kerslake's whistle rang. "The first round is over. George and his team won!"
A cheer came from the side of the field. Of course, they were not cheering because Moke lost. They were happy because they had the hope of winning some money.
Moke clenched his teeth and stared at the calm-looking captain.
Beside him, Eastwood shrugged and spread out his hands.
In the second round, it was still Eastwood who passed the football to Moke, and then Moke went alone.
This time, he planned to use his sudden start to change direction and accelerate to shake off George Wood who was in his position. He was very confident in his speed. Even the captain's speed was very fast. But turning around was always slower than breaking through in a straight line, right?
After a feint, he successfully broke through Wood. The defending side that needed to turn around was indeed at a disadvantage. But just as he was about to continue breaking through Pepe in front of him in his excitement, he was knocked from the back and staggered.
He desperately wanted to keep his balance and keep the ball. But in the face of such an intense collision of bodies, everything was futile.
He staggered and brought the football out of bounds. Pepe even stood in the same spot and did not move.
"Foul!" He shouted unwillingly.
"A reasonable collision." Kerslake said to him. "The second round is over. George and Pepe win."
"It's your own body that's too weak, kid!" Pepe laughed at him in front.
Eastwood shook his head slightly.
In the third round, the Romani still passed the football to Moke and ran forward. But he did not expect this person to pass the ball to him. Obviously, Pepe thought so too. He left Eastwood and stood behind Wood, waiting to pincer attack with Wood from the front and back.
This time, Moke's eyes seemed to be able to spit fire. He stared at Wood. His dribbling speed did not change at all.
He stepped to the left and bypassed the football.
Wood was unmoved.
He stepped to the right and bypassed the football.
Wood was unmoved.
Fake spike with his right foot.
Wood was unmoved.
His right foot came back again.
Wood was still unmoved. He just followed his speed and retreated.
He raised his right foot and made to continue to spike the ball. Just as his foot landed, Moke's toes rubbed against the football. The football did not roll to the left but went straight through between Wood's legs!
The group of people below screamed: This kid pierced Wood's crotch!!
Wood was stunned for a moment — he did not think that he would be pierced through by the opponent's crotch — then he saw the opponent speed up and bypass him.
Pepe turned pale with fright and was about to go forward to defend. But he saw Wood suddenly turn around and chase with big strides. Just as he was about to touch Moke, he stretched out a hand and grabbed onto the kid's shoulder. Then he lowered his body and pulled his hand back. His legs split open and he shoveled the football under Moke's feet.
Shoveling the ball from behind!
Moke did not even have time to be happy. He fell head first and rolled a few rounds with the ball before stopping.
There was a sudden silence outside the stadium. Everyone was thinking in their hearts: The captain really can do it …
Moke laid on the ground and looked back in surprise at George Wood who was still in the position of shoveling the ball. He could not believe everything that had just happened.
Kerslake's whistle sounded. He ran towards the two and showed a yellow card to Wood, "Foul! The third round is over. George and Pepe win! "
Moke suddenly reacted. He jumped up from the ground and pointed at Wood, shouting, "Why! He fouled! He fouled! Why did he still win?! "
"Because your attack is over." Kerslake explained.
"But he used a foul to stop me! Isn't fouling not allowed in the rules? "Moke did not let it go. Because he knew that it was best of five. If he lost this round, he would be eliminated.
Looking at Moke's angry face, Kerslake really could not connect him with the person who was always proud of himself in the past.
"Have you ever seen a football match where there was not a single foul for ninety minutes?" The coach who had coached Moke in the youth team asked with a cold face.
"This is not fair!" Moke was stunned for a moment and continued to shout, "Using fouls to stop an attack is not fair! If he did not foul, I would definitely have broken through! "
"Nonsense!" Kerslake also shouted. "You passed Wood and there is still Pepe in front. When you pass Wood's time and pass Pepe, Wood will also rush back! You continue to pass! Can you pass all eleven people on the field?! "
"As long as you enter the penalty area …"
"Don't worry, they will knock you down before you enter the penalty area, just like what Wood did to you just now!"
"That is a foul!"
"Have you ever seen a football match without fouls?! What did Tony say just now? Treat this as an official match! In an official match, your opponent is not a pole that you can pass easily! Not a robot that does not have self-awareness! "
Moke was completely dumbfounded.
"Best of five, you've lost, Moke. Now, go back to the reserve team! "Kerslake said coldly as he pointed to the field on the west side.
The surrounding players at the side of the field saw the scene in front of them and suddenly felt a little unbearable. No matter what, the set of moves he had just passed George was indeed beautiful. It made people want to slap the table and praise it.
"David." Tang En walked in and extended his hand to stop his assistant. "Let him finish the remaining two rounds." Then he turned to Moke and said, "Seeing that you almost succeeded in breaking through George, I can give you another chance. I can give you one more chance. Even if you win one of the five rounds, you can stay. Now, you still have two rounds left. "He raised two fingers.
Kerslake turned back to look at Tang En. He did not think that this was an additional gift from Tang En at all. On the contrary, he felt that Tang En wanted to completely destroy Moke's belief. Because based on Moke's current performance, it was impossible for him to successfully win one round.
Moke silently picked up the football and walked back to the starting point.
Eastwood, who was completely a foil, sighed and shook his head as he followed back.
On his fourth attempt, Moke once again planned to directly charge when he faced Wood. This time, Wood did not even need to turn his body. He had already judged in advance and blocked his position. Moke crashed head-on into him and the ball was intercepted.
There were no longer any sounds of discussion or booing at the side of the field. All the players were shocked by the scene they saw. Actually, everyone knew how good Moke was. He had no chance of winning one-on-one against Wood. What shocked them was that Moke was still charging and Wood's meticulous and serious style of carrying out orders even when he was facing a weak opponent. Many people switched positions with Moke in their hearts and felt that if he were to face such a Wood, he would only feel despair …
Pepe looked at Wood competing with Moke in front and shrugged his shoulders at the back. He turned around and made a face at his teammates who were watching from the outside. How could this match be called a two versus two? It was totally George Wood fighting against Adriano Moke alone. Eastwood and himself, this pair of unlucky people, were just passers-by …
※ ※ ※
Fifth round.
Moke continued to challenge Wood. Pepe leaned over, ready to charge up once Wood turned his back on him. Although he knew the chances were slim, he could not always let Wood be the main character. As for Eastwood? Let him walk in front of the door.
This time, Moke no longer charged directly. Instead, he dribbled the ball diagonally to the side. He stuck Wood inside and let the football go outside. He used his body as a wall to block Wood's charge and possible tackle. That way, even if Wood wanted to tackle the ball, he could judge in advance and push the football away to avoid it.
After running a few steps, he made a feint to make an emergency stop and cut inside. He tricked Wood into swaying his center of gravity and continued to knock the football forward!
But was it so easy to get rid of Wood? Moke would not be so naive. After widening the distance a little, he adjusted again and raised his leg … to pass the ball!
The football was about to pass through. But a leg stretched out from behind and the tip of his foot rubbed against the football. The ball changed direction and flew straight out of the "end line."
The group of onlookers finally breathed a sigh of relief.
George Wood managed to catch up at the most crucial moment. In five matches, he did not let his opponent escape from his defensive zone once. No matter what method he used, he won.
Moke saw the football suddenly change direction and fly out. His knees weakened and he knelt on the ground.
His partner, Eastwood, walked up at this moment and said to him, "Do you want to hear my thoughts, kid? That last ball, what a pity. "He shrugged and walked away.
Wood stood up and patted the grass off his butt and walked away as well. He did not say a word to Moke.
Two black figures appeared in front of him. Moke raised his head. It was Kerslake and Tang En.
"You've lost, Moke," Kerslake said expressionlessly.
"I know, coach …" Moke lowered his head and said softly.
"Do you know you've lost, or do you know why you lost?" Tang En asked.
"I shouldn't have done it alone …"
"What kind of reason is that?" Tang En snorted.
"Sorry, Boss. I'm not sure … "
Tang En raised his foot and stepped on the solid ground. "Keep your feet on the ground, kid. That way you'll go further. "Then he reached out his hand to pat Moke." Your technique is not bad. Keep it up. Now go report to the reserve team. If you want to be loaned out to play matches, make an application. "
With that, he also turned and left.
"Go back and think about it, Moke. I hope these five matches today will be of some help to your future path. "Kerslake finally revealed a smile. "You have talent, but football is not played with talent."
Moke opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something, but he was interrupted by Tang En's voice. The two's attention was attracted by what was happening over there.
"What are you spacing out for? What are you spacing out for? Hurry up and start training! The show's over, all of you go back! We've already wasted too much time … Freddy! What are you doing?! "
"Wow — Boss!"
※ ※ ※
When Moke retracted his gaze, Kerslake had also left. He stood alone at one end of the field, watching the group of First Team players who had started training.
Chris Cohen, whom he had always looked down on, was currently jogging in the team with his head lowered. Before this summer, he was just a nobody who played in the reserve team and seemed to have no future ahead of him.
From today onwards, he was a member of the First Team, and he had to replace him to play in the reserve team …
※ ※ ※
Grandly recommending a new book: Chasing the Deer, Three Short of One, Book Number: 1107306, Author: Seeing the Bug in the Wild. There's a link in my cover, everyone go ahead and click on it!
Just by looking at the title, you can roughly know what the story is about. However, it is different from ordinary similar stories. The main character of this book is very unique, and the people around him are bound to be unique as well. The story itself is even more unique …
Written by a friend, I started reading from the moment he started updating, and finished reading the update progress in one go. Now I'm stuck in the dilemma of whether I should read it every day or save it up to fatten it up before killing it. It can be said that the writing is very attractive and very to my liking … In short, this is a very entertaining book, a book with sufficient quality assurance.
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