"It's a good day." On the Wilford training ground, Bale shaded his eyes and squinted at the sky. As far as he could see, the sky was blue and the sun was shining brightly. "We'll play in such good weather in the last round of the league tournament."
"That's good. I hate rain. " It was Şahin who said this. As a technically delicate midfielder, the slippery field was a torture for him.
The team had just finished a training session and were gathering to rest.
The atmosphere in the Forest team had always been good, so they would get together to chat even during a break in training.
The topic naturally shifted to the ownership of the league title.
The Nottingham Forest players were relatively rational. Everyone knew that the ownership of the league title did not depend on their team alone.
"I called Bendtner yesterday," Bale said, and everyone turned to look at him.
"I asked him if he was going to start. He said he was going to start. Then I hope he can try his best to beat Arsenal … "
"You actually went to beg him?" Pepe said disdainfully. Until now, there were still people in the team who could not stand Bendtner's defection from the team.
"After so many years … We're still friends." Bale pursed his lips. "It's not a request. I just asked him to show sportsmanship … "
"How did he answer?" A teammate was more interested in Bendtner's reaction.
"He didn't agree or refuse."
Pepe snorted again, "Look at him now. What did he get after leaving the Forest team? No championship title, no honor for so many years. Playing in the UEFA Europa League every year is the highest pursuit … "
Bale knew Pepe looked down on Bendtner, so he did not continue.
Wood, who had been listening on the side, said, "Don't care about others. We just have to win this game." What he said was right, but also meaningless. It was simply nonsense. Everyone had no interest in continuing to discuss the topic and quickly turned to it.
"If … I mean if, if we don't win the league title, how will the boss eat the table?" Ibišević tried to make his tone sound like he was joking.
But everyone stared at him.
"Uh, well, let's not talk about this …" Ibišević raised his hands to the sky.
"Hey, are you guys under a lot of pressure? Tomorrow's game … "It was Woodgate who said this.
"Are you under a lot of pressure?" Someone next to him immediately asked.
Woodgate said truthfully, "Yes."
"I'm fine …" Pepe lay on the grass with a blade of grass in his mouth. "As long as we win the game, whether we can become champions depends on the result of the game between Arsenal and Manchester City. Thinking about it this way, I don't feel any pressure anymore. But I still have to say, leaving my fate in someone else's hands really pisses me off. "
"I'm also very unhappy."
"Me too."
The group of people echoed in agreement.
Pepe looked at the white clouds in the blue sky and murmured, "No matter how much pressure we face, it can't be greater than the boss' … Every time I see the boss, I think that after I retire, I will definitely not be a coach, at least not a head coach …"
Everyone heard his words and looked over. The boss was chatting with the coaches on the other side.
※ ※ ※
"I always feel that the team is lacking in fighting spirit …" As a coach who had just become a full-time player, Eastwood clearly had a better grasp of the psychology of his teammates than other coaches.
Tang En didn't say anything. He just glanced over. Kerslake smiled and said, "Then what do you think we should do, Freddy? Gather everyone together and shout slogans? "
Eastwood didn't care about Kerslake's words. He frowned and said, "Maybe it's the reality that we can't guarantee the title even if we win the game that makes everyone feel that it's useless to work hard …"
Kerslake still wanted to object. He thought that Eastwood was worrying for nothing. He had led the Forest team for almost ten years. Naturally, he knew this team better than anyone else. But Tang En spoke first, "You're right. Don't talk about them. Sometimes when I think about this reality, I lose my fighting spirit … "
Kerslake opened his mouth and looked at Tang En in shock.
Tang En lowered his head and was silent for a while before he said again, "I f * * king hate this feeling … Leaving my fate in someone else's hands, and it's someone I hate. It's very powerless. "
Eastwood looked at the boss without saying anything. He could understand this feeling because he felt the same.
"I have many ways to ensure that we win against Sunderland, be it tactically or psychologically. But I feel very bored right now. Do you think Wenger will give us such a chance? Will they make mistakes? If I were Wenger, I would ask the team to defend to the death as long as they score a goal. There's no difference between 1: 0 and 5: 0 at this point. " Tang En said to his colleagues, "The Football Association has prepared two sets of plans. They will bring two championship trophies to the Emirates Stadium and to us. But the trophies brought to us are replicas. Everyone thinks that the possibility of Arsenal losing the title is too small. "
"A month ago, I promised everyone a better tomorrow. We can win the Premier League, the FA Cup and the Champions League. We can become the great Treble. But looking at it now, the probability is too small. It's no wonder that they lose their fighting spirit. "
Tang En looked at his watch. The break time was over. He immediately changed his expression and said, "Alright, forget what I said just now. Don't let them see anything unusual. Continue training! "
He regained his energy in an instant. Eastwood had seen such a scene once before. It was in the 31st round, after Nottingham Forest's difficult 3: 2 away win against Aston Villa. Tang En was also fatigued at first, but then regained his energy in an instant. It was like he was a different person.
Was this a way for him to adjust himself?
※ ※ ※
"Alright, that's all for today's training. I hope you don't stay out too late and rest early." Tang En spoke to the team before ending training. "Tomorrow's game is very important. A season's hard work depends on those 90 minutes. But don't be too nervous. It's just a league game. "
Tang En waved his hand and dismissed the team.
He was the last person to leave the training base. He packed his things alone before driving away. When he drove to the training base's entrance, he saw Pierce Brosnan waiting at the door. Brosnan hurriedly waved at him when he saw him come out.
"What's the matter, Mr. Reporter? I'm in a hurry to go home. It's not good to let my wife wait. "
"It's been very quiet in the media these two days. I wanted to ask you. Tony, are you really not going to say anything? "Brosnan came up and asked.
"Say what?"
"We all thought you were going to play some psychological warfare again … Give your opinion on Wenger and Arsenal, put some pressure on Manchester City or something …"
Tang En looked at Brosnan and thought for a moment. Then he said, "Alright then. Just say that I wish Arsenal the league title in advance. To be honest, I don't think Manchester City can pose any threat to Arsenal. They've already qualified for the UEFA Europa League and have no more desires. Besides, you know that Manchester City's relationship with us has always been tense … I'm mentally prepared. Arsenal winning against Manchester City is a matter of course. After all, the two teams are not on the same level. Of course, we'll definitely win the game against Sunderland. I said we'll have a victory to bid farewell to the City Ground stadium. "
With that, he pointed to Brosnan's little notebook. "Have you written it all down?"
"That's all?" Brosnan was a little surprised.
"No, that's all. Just publish it as it is. There's still one more day. "
After dealing with Brosnan, Tang En drove away.
Brosnan looked at the words he had jotted down and really could not find anything worth hyping … What he said was the truth. First of all, Arsenal and Manchester City were indeed not on the same level. Second, Manchester City did indeed qualify for the UEFA Europa League ahead of time. It could be said that they had no desires for this last game. Third, it was also a fact that Manchester City and Nottingham Forest had a bad relationship. They did not need to work hard to defeat Arsenal for an unnecessary game and let Forest reach the top. They were not the living gods of the new century. Fourth, Manchester City's current manager was McClaren. This man's personal feud with Tang En was enough to write a book. What reason did he have to fight Arsenal to the death to help Tang En? He might even deliberately give three points to Arsenal and then proudly watch how Tang En ate the table. Fifth, Bendtner and Ashley Young did not have a good relationship with Tang En. They also did not need to work hard to defeat Arsenal to help Tang En's team win the title. Even though Nottingham Forest was their parent team, they had left for many years. That little bit of affection was long gone. Sixth …
There was no need to analyze anymore. If this analysis continued, Manchester City had already given Tony Twain a lot of face by not taking the initiative to score an own goal.
"What kind of psychological warfare is this?" Brosnan frowned. When did the truth become a means of psychological warfare?
※ ※ ※
"George, tomorrow is the last round of the league tournament, right?" During dinner, Sophia asked her son.
Wood nodded.
"I saw on TV that your chances of winning the championship are very small?"
Wood nodded again.
"Then …" Sophia hesitated. "Then Mr. Twain is going to eat the table in front of the media?"
Wood looked up at his mother. "It's just that the chances are very small, not completely hopeless, Mom. Don't worry. "
"But if you and Arsenal both win, won't the championship still be theirs?"
"It's also possible for Arsenal to lose or draw. They are not guaranteed to win. "
Sophia wanted to say more, but she chose to keep her mouth shut when she saw the expression on her son's face. She did not know much about football. Since her son said there was still hope, she would believe him.
※ ※ ※
Gareth Bale had recently found a girlfriend. The girl was not a public figure. She was just an ordinary pretty girl who was still a university student. The two met at a dance and fell in love. They were passionately in love. The girl liked Bale's star status, which made her feel very proud in front of her classmates.
Tonight, Bale had dinner with the girl at the place where she lived. Then, just as the girl was looking forward to a night full of passion, Bale suddenly said he was going home.
"Go home?" The girl stared at Bale as if she had heard something incredible.
"Yes, I have to go home."
"Oh, don't be like this. Gareth. You're not a child. Do you still have to go home to sleep at 9: 30 every night? "The girlfriend pressed her delicate body against Bale, hoping to use her sexy body to keep her boyfriend. "Your parents are not with you. Even if you spend the night at my place, they won't say anything …"
That's right, Bale had moved out of the house and lived alone. And it was not that he had never stayed over at his girlfriend's place. But tonight was special.
Bale pressed his lips on his girlfriend's mouth, but to her disappointment, he did not stick his tongue in. He just skimmed away.
"Not today, Shannon."
Bale broke away from the girl's embrace. He could still feel his girlfriend's disappointment.
"Is it because tomorrow is the last round of the game?" Shannon sat on the bed and looked at her boyfriend.
Bale looked back at her. It was summer, and Shannon was only wearing a spaghetti strap dress. Now the strap had already slipped down to her shoulders, revealing a large area of her white, swaying breasts. If it was a little lower, he could see the bright red spots. She has such a good figure … Bale admired in his heart. But such temptation did not work on him.
Gareth Bale nodded.
The girl suddenly became a little willful. She asked loudly, "So for you, do you love football or me?"
Bale was stumped by such a question. He did not think it was difficult to answer. He just did not expect Shannon to ask such a stupid question …
He looked at the beautiful girl who was almost naked and shrugged. "From tonight to tomorrow, I love football more."
With that, he opened the door and strode out.
Feeling insulted, the girl grabbed a pillow and smashed it against the door. Then she threw everything on the bed that could be thrown to the ground and cried bitterly on the bed. She had known Bale for three months, and it was the first time she had seen him so heartless.
It seemed that sleeping with him didn't mean that she understood him …
※ ※ ※
Bendtner and Ashley Young sat in the bar on the second floor of the hotel. Their teammates were all here to relax, drink, play billiards, chat, and dance to the explosive music. The team's goal for the season had been achieved. This last round of the league tournament was more like a formality — everyone just had to play ninety minutes of the game and then they could pack their bags and go on holiday.
Bendtner knew that in another hotel not far away, the Arsenal players must have gone to their rooms to rest early under the supervision of manager Wenger. Compared to them, the Manchester City teammates seemed to be on holiday in London.
A teammate staggered over with a beer and asked loudly, "Nicklas, how are you spending the summer?"
"Going home." Bendtner replied.
"So boring …"
The person mumbled and gulped down half a glass of beer, then raised his glass to Bendtner. So Bendtner also raised his glass in greeting, but did not drink.
When the person left, Ashley Young turned to Bendtner and said, "Look at them … I bet we'll lose at least three goals at the Emirates Stadium!" There was a hint of disgust in his tone.
"It's normal to relax. It's been such a tough season. We've qualified for the UEFA Europa League in advance anyway." Bendtner's face was expressionless.
Ashley Young laughed loudly when he heard Bendtner say so, "Ha! The goal of a team that claims to be the richest team in the world this season is to enter the UEFA Europa League … Do you know why I left? Liverpool doesn't pay me as much as I get here. I crave glory, but Manchester City can't give it to me. "
The live music was loud, and Ashley Young was not afraid of his words being heard by others.
"The people here are like that …" He pointed to his teammates who were indulging in fun and said, "When they transfer from other teams, all they say is' I'll help Manchester City win the championship 'and' I'm not here to get a high salary '… But in reality? The money in hand is still the most practical. They have no fighting spirit. The locker room only cares about how much more they can get the next time they renew their contract, where they go to play after the weekend games, and how many beautiful women there are on holiday after the season. I care about these things too, but I care more about the championship title! "
"I've had enough. Even if Liverpool doesn't look for me, I'll ask to leave. "
Bendtner listened to his teammates' complaints in silence and asked, "Can Liverpool give you the championship title?"
Ashley Young reacted. He knew what Bendtner meant by this question. As long as Nottingham Forest was there, Liverpool would always be suppressed. They were originally in second place this season, but now they were pushed to third place by the Forest team. Last season, Liverpool was still first in the league until the 30th round, but the final league title was still Nottingham Forest. Going back further … Forget it, don't think about it.
"At least … there's a group of players there who want to fight for the championship title, and not a group of 'professional players' like this … If they can get paid, it doesn't matter if they sit in the audience." Ashley Young found the difference between Liverpool and Manchester City, and he specifically emphasized the word 'professional players'.
This time it was Bendtner's turn to be silent. Ashley Young hit the nail on the head, and he had nothing to say.
All these years, the atmosphere in Manchester City's locker room had been bad. The manager, McClaren, was not the kind of iron-fisted manager who could control the locker room. To be honest, he lacked enough charisma and was a far cry from Tony Twain. In addition, the Manchester City club's top brass were Emiratis, and they lacked the desire to make the players loyal to this top brass. Even the Manchester City fans would boo their own players at home games, booing the "mercenaries" who only came for money. This team was really an anomaly in the Premier League: everyone knew that Manchester City had no chance of fighting for the championship title. Coming to Manchester City was tantamount to saying goodbye to the championship title. But there were still a number of players who switched to Manchester City every year because they could get a higher salary than they could at their former clubs. They did not have to go to a place like Qatar to make a fortune, and they could continue to stay in the eyes of Europe's top competitions and the mass media.
The two men were silent for a while, perhaps realizing that it was not good to criticize their teammates here.
Later, Ashley Young suddenly sighed faintly, "I think Nottingham Forest is really unlucky now. Their opponent in the last round of the league tournament is not considered strong, but Arsenal's opponent is also very weak. The boss did not arrange for me to start, and I can't wait for him not to let me play for the entire game, lest I go up and embarrass myself. The boss himself might even be looking forward to Nottingham Forest losing the championship title … "
Bendtner glanced at him, "I don't think the boss is such a narrow-minded person … He's quite a good person."
"Yes, a good person. What kind of good person does he have to be to bring out such a locker room … I can't wait for an iron-fisted manager to use a big stick to knit the team back together. Then we can get a high salary, and there's glory to fight for. How good, how good … "
Ashley Young downed the beer in his glass in one gulp, and then got up to leave.
"I'm going back to my room to rest. This music is terrible."
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