Tang En's quick decision to sign Ibišević shocked the English media.
Previously, the media knew that Tang En wanted to buy a "classy" striker, so they linked many names to Nottingham Forest. But no one guessed that he would buy Ibišević, who was generally looked down on!
Some media said that if Tang En did not deliberately go against them, then there was something wrong with his brain. Some media expressed different opinions. They said that if Tang En really wanted to go against them, then there was something wrong with his brain.
"A striker who only performed well in one season and spent 90% of his career in lower-level teams, and whose performances were unsightly, would actually have high hopes for Tang En. What did he say before? 'Our goal is the Champions League.' Now, please allow me to laugh for three minutes … "Carl Spicer appeared very excited on the show because he had found another excuse to attack Tang En. He laughed very happily in the "Football Matters …" program.
Ever since Tang En led the team to fourth place in the Premier League and successfully obtained a place to participate in next season's Champions League, Carl Spicer's days had not been easy for a period of time. Tang En had scolded Spicer by name in his own column, and Spicer could not even retaliate. Because he had said with certainty that he was not optimistic about Forest before the season. He did not expect that by the end of the season, Tang En's team had really done what he thought they could never do. The Scouts had won. Even if Carl Spicer had his teeth knocked out, he could only swallow it. He could not be like Tang En, that mad dog, and scold him for any reason. Since he wanted to criticize Tang En, he could not become the target of his criticism. He had to maintain a "fair image" in the eyes of the public, which he had been emphasizing all along.
Now, after holding it in for a few months, he had finally found a reason to scold Tang En openly. Naturally, he wanted to mock him on the show and do his best to do so.
"I don't deny the miracle that Hoffenheim created in the 08-09 season. At that time, I was also excited for that team. But clearly, Tony Twain is being emotional. He must like that team as much as I do, because Hoffenheim's performance reminds him of Nottingham Forest's performance when they first returned to the Premier League. But you can't buy people based on emotions. Calmly analyzing Ibišević's level, even a fool could see that he would never succeed. I think the German media described it very well – Ibišević scored all the goals of his life that season! Look at his results in the 09-10 season, it's terrible … "Carl Spicer covered his face. "For such a player, even if the club only spent 1.5 pounds, it would be a waste! Not to mention ten million euros and a Petrov. It is said that Tony Twain personally went to Hoffenheim. He had a secret talk with Rotthaus. We don't know if there is any secret deal between them … "
Although he kept saying "I don't know", he deliberately drew everyone's attention in this direction.
"I don't think we have to wait until the first of September. I can now give Ibišević the title of the summer's most failed signing and the new Premier League's biggest flop of the new season. He deserved it! I had already prepared popcorn and drinks. I was waiting to see Tony Twain and Ibišević make a fool of themselves when the new season started. Super Ibi? Twain should be thanking the heavens if it's not a 'super joke'! "
※ ※ ※
Carl Spicer was not alone and helpless every time he scolded Twain, because there were many people in the media who doubted and disliked Twain.
That was why he could rely on scolding Twain to get a job hosting a new show at Sky Television.
He was seen as the representative of "Twain's Haters" because he was always at the forefront, using sharp words and words to attack Twain. He was the most famous and the most persistent one. Other people might change their view of Twain on certain matters, but Carl Spicer would not.
With such an introduction, it was not difficult to understand why the press conference where Twain introduced Ibišević to the media and fans would become another battlefield.
This time, Carl Spicer personally came to Nottingham as a Sky Television reporter, as if he was determined to fight it out with Twain.
The press conference was held at three in the afternoon in the press hall of the City Ground.
A total of 30 reporters came. Carl Spicer sat among them and chatted happily with the others in the same line of work. He did not hide his disgust for Twain at all, and used it as his trademark to show off everywhere. In their chats, he mentioned more than once that there might be some inside story behind this transfer.
When Twain brought Ibišević and the press officer out together, the scene quickly quietened down. The reporters returned to their seats and quietly waited for the assistant to ask questions.
The moment Twain sat down, he saw Carl Spicer sitting in the front row, grinning. He obviously knew what Spicer had been talking about in the past two days, but he did not bat an eyelid and began to introduce Ibišević.
Such an introduction was plain and ordinary. The reporters knew very well about Ibišević, and what they wanted was to raise their hands and ask questions.
After Tang En finished speaking, Ibišević also did a self-introduction. He did not boast about his crazy performance in the 08-09 season, nor did he mention his terrible performance in the previous season. He only praised Nottingham Forest's glorious past and expressed his desire to contribute to the team in a low-key manner.
When the two were done, the press officer indicated that the reporters could freely ask questions.
Carl Spicer was the first to raise his hand, pointing it straight at the ceiling, as if afraid that Tony Twain, who was in front of him, could not see it.
The press officer, Sandy Albert, who had a tacit understanding with Twain, deliberately did not look at Carl Spicer. His gaze went around him and pointed at the reporters in the back row.
But this reporter's question was similar to Carl Spicer's. "I am a reporter from . May I ask Mr. Tony Twain if you have any questions? May I ask Mr. Tony Twain, other than Ibišević's outstanding performance in the 08-09 season, he has never proven that he has the ability to play in a top team in a top league. Is this transaction too risky? "
"Any transaction of a player has its risks. I'm not a prophet. I only buy players that I think are suitable. "
The second reporter to stand up was from the British football magazine "442". He was also concerned about whether Ibišević could adapt to the English Premier League and meet the team's requirements.
Twain's answer was, "I think he can adapt to the English Premier League and meet the team's requirements."
The reporter pressed for a reason.
"He's very strong physically and is a very well-rounded striker. He can score goals himself and create opportunities for his teammates. In the penalty area, he can put pressure on the defenders and pull them out to control the ball. His mentality is calm, which can be seen from his experience. I can't find any flaws. "
"But his goal scoring is not stable." The third person was Carl Spicer. He kept raising his hand and waving it in front of the press officer. Twain indicated to the press officer that he could point at him. He stood up and did not introduce himself. That was the first thing he said. "And he only scored a lot of goals in that season. His performance in the other seasons is enough to prove that he's just at the bottom of Europe!"
Twain laughed coldly. "Whether he's at the bottom or not is not up to you, Mr. Spicer." He glanced at Ibišević, who was sitting next to him and trying hard to maintain a smile despite the slight awkwardness.
"How about this, Mr. Spicer. Do you want to make a bet? If Ibišević can score at least 20 goals in all competitions in the new season, then you'll shave off your thick head of hair. If he can't, I'll shave off my head. How about it? "
The scene was in an uproar. Even Ibišević turned his head to look at his manager in surprise.
Twain, on the other hand, smiled confidently at Spicer.
Carl Spicer also smiled and said, "Very well, I agree. If I lose, I'll shave my head on my show. If you lose, you have to hold a special press conference for everyone to watch you shave your head. "
"Deal!"
This was a situation that no one had expected at all, but it looked like both sides were happy to see it happen.
The small uproar caused by the bet gradually disappeared with Spicer's silence. Everyone's eyes focused on Ibišević again.
The questions they asked the Bosnian were still filled with doubts.
The English media's sharp and unkind questions made Ibišević force a smile to deal with it. In the end, Twain signaled the press officer to end the press conference and brought Ibišević to the stadium to meet more than 300 fans.
Bentley and Fernández held the press conference together. At that time, about 1,500 fans came, most of whom came for Bentley, the England national team's main right winger.
Only about 300 people came to welcome Ibišević. Most of them were from Fat John's group. They came because of Twain.
Among the Nottingham Forest fans, there were also many people who were completely pessimistic about Ibišević's future. Although they liked Twain, they really could not hold any expectations for Twain's transfer.
A striker who had only scored 37 goals in a single season and was unknown in the other seasons, with his total goals probably not exceeding 37 … was actually going to be a member of Nottingham Forest, whose goal was to return to the top. Such a person and such a thing could only appear in Hollywood inspirational movies.
Of course, they would not openly oppose it, but this cold and quiet meeting was also a kind of expression of their emotions.
Fortunately, Ibišević's mentality was really good. He never thought he was a big star and should enjoy the treatment of being cheered by tens of thousands of people. Even if there were only 300 fans, even if there were more than 30 reporters, even if 99% of them were there to question him, he still seriously showed his skills in front of everyone with a smile on his face. He took the jersey and the team scarf to attack the reporters for photos and kicked the autographed football into the stands.
One must know that this was already the biggest scene he had seen since joining the various teams, and it was a "big scene" just for him alone. He knew that in fact, it was because he had once scored 37 goals in a single season, almost breaking Gerd Müller's record, and at the same time, was lucky enough to be awarded the European Golden Boot.
He could not ask for too much.
After the cold and unenthusiastic welcome meeting, the staff moved away the baffles with Nottingham Forest's name, team emblem, and the main and secondary sponsors. The reporters and fans also left the stadium together.
Now, there were only two people left on the empty stadium.
Tony Twain and Ibišević. They stood at the place where they had just thrown the autographed football to the fans.
Twain was explaining to Ibišević about the conduct of the English media.
"… They're all like that, each and every one of them fence-sitters. When you're good, they'll praise you. When you're bad, they'll scold you. There's no need to take their words to heart. Like me, I'm always going against them. Whether they scold me or praise me, it won't make me change my view of them. People have to stick to their own things. Those reporters won't stick to it, so we'll stick to it ourselves. "With that, he looked at Ibišević with a grin.
"The media is the same everywhere, coach …"
"Call me 'Boss.'"
"Yes, Boss." Ibišević was an honest man. His experience made it impossible for him not to be honest. Unrealistic fantasies had long been thrown to Mars. Being low-key was a character he had learned from the time he left his country at the age of 15.
"I took the liberty of making a bet with that reporter without your consent. Do you have anything to say? "
"Me? I'll do my best to help you win the bet … "Ibišević was as low-key as ever.
"No, no." Twain shook his head like a rattle drum. "You shouldn't say that at this time. You have to say, 'No problem, Boss! I'll personally shave that bastard's head! '"
Looking at the somewhat surprised Ibišević, Twain chuckled. "This is our Nottingham Forest style. And … this isn't helping me, it's helping yourself, Ibi. If you don't perform well, you'll be the only one out of luck. I'll put you on the substitutes' bench or in the reserve team without mercy, no matter how much money I spent to buy you. If I smile at you today, I might be able to drive you out with a black face tomorrow. You must have encountered this kind of thing many times. You don't need me to say anything more, do you? "
Ibišević nodded silently.
Twain patted his broad back hard.
"You can't lose face even if you lose the game. You can't vent that anger no matter what. If they doubt you, you must go against them. First of all, you must never admit defeat verbally. I don't care what you think in your heart. You must be stubborn to the end verbally. "
"But … if I really lose …"
"I never think about things that haven't happened yet. I'll think about it when I really lose the bet and have to shave my head. "
Twain beckoned Ibišević to go.
"You'll like it here. I promise. We have the best fans, the best teammates, and the best manager here. "He grinned brightly.
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