24 The Manager Seated On The Viewing Platform Part 2 (2/2)
As they walked past that corridor, they looked at the sign on the floor which read ”No passing through this area” and thought it was strange. They did not understand the situation at all. However, since it was already on the ground, the sign was most probably not in use anymore. So, they stepped over the sign and walked past it.
”... if they are unable to improve their situation 15 minutes into the second half, I think McAllister will definitely make his assistant manager put Gary McSheffrey in, even though he still has some light injuries. As for who will be substituted off the court, that will be depend on the performance of the players on the field.” Tang En put aside the tactics board, as he continued talking non-stop. Walker, who was listening by the side, was full of respect for him, while Bowyer was full of smiles.
”As for all of you...,” Tang En said as he pointed toward the players, ”no matter what, all of you must always remember that 1:0 is the world's most precarious score. A one ball lead will give your opponents boundless dreams and impulse. If you want to completely kill off their motivation, then you just have to score even more goals, more and more goals! For the second half, we will play defensive and counterattack, and force them on the offensive. More long passes. Eoin?”
Jess stood up.
”Can you tell me what the condition of the grass on the field is?”
”The soil is very loose, and feels like I'm unable to fully exert my strength. It is also very slippery.” Jess explained, as he thought that the manager was blaming him for not positioning a few of the balls well in the first half.
Tang En nodded his head. ”The entire team should do more long passes, and at the same time, be on guard for the enemy's long passes.” After which, he turned around and said to Walker, ”Des, let the players do their warm-up every ten minutes. If they manage to score a goal in the first 15 minutes of the second half, then we won't make any changes and continue our defensive counterattack. Let everyone play slightly more patiently. This is their home ground, and they will definitely not be content with drawing with us. As the match goes on, they will definitely continue to force their offenses. And that will be our chance. You have to grab every opportunity that appears. If you waste and squander away those opportunities, you will be punished for it.”
Tang En looked at the players in the changing room and felt a slight headache. That was because English football's requirements were different from other places. Only five substitute players are allowed to be brought onto the field in each match. Not counting the substitute goalkeeper that had to be replaced, there was not much choice left to choose from. That was one aspect of English football that Tang En disliked. Both the Serie A and the La Liga allowed for up to seven substitute players, so why was England's one so special?
”Ian, if there are any unforeseen circumstances, you and Des may discuss and act accordingly. We played well for the first half, so just continue to play like this for the rest of the match.”
He lowered his head and looked at the time. It was almost time for him to go. He left the remaining time for the assistant managers as he had to go.
”That's all. I hope that 45 minutes later, we can bag home three goals.”
After bidding farewell to everyone, Tang En turned around and exited the room. After that, he walked with the two people who were waiting for him outside, to the viewing platform.
”They agreed to our request for a change of seats?” Realizing that they were not walking in the direction where they were previously seated, Tang En asked.
”Yes, we will be sitting with the Nottingham Forest fans.”
”You guys are really trustworthy partners.” They were unable to tell whether Tang En was really praising them or if he was being sarcastic. But they paid it little heed. They had only interacted with him for a mere hour or so, but they had already gotten used to this person's sharp tongue and his way of speaking.
Speaking of which, Tang En's sharp tongue was one of the reasons why he was not liked back when he was still in China. He was always speaking the truth and made rational comments, but the truth and rational comments tend to be displeasing to the ears.
When the three of them came to the Nottingham Forest fans viewing platform, most of the fans were already seated. The stadium's awning was very limited in size and was unable to cover the whole of the viewing platform. The first few rows were directly in the rain. Tang En looked at those fans who shrunk their necks and persisted in the cold rain, and cursed, ”B*stards. Coventry has to count themselves lucky that they are no longer going to a match with Nottingham Forest as the home ground. At least in this season.”
He walked straight for the front row, and stood with the other fans in the rain. The two bodyguards, however, were miserable. The shrunk their necks and hopped about. ”I say, Mr. Twain. The seats they allocated us are not here.” One of them pointed upwards, to somewhere that was sheltered by the awning.
Tang En shot the two of them a look and said, ”If you wish to go, just go. I want to stay with my fans.”
”I'm afraid that's not possible. We cannot let you stay too far away from us,” the two of them said as they appeared to be in a tight spot.
”Then you two may stay here with me.” Tang En pointed to a spot on the ground, and was extremely happy on the inside. He had finally found a suitable chance to get back at these two people.
The two of them looked up at the sky which was still drizzling and sighed as they could only accept the result.
The conversation between the three of them attracted the attention of the surrounding fans. Nottingham Forest fans managed to quickly discover that the person over there was their manager, Tony Twain.
”Mr. Twain?” A burly fan walked toward him and asked with some uncertainty in his tone. When he saw Twain's face, he cried out in surprise, ”So it's really you! Is there any trouble?” He shot a hostile look at the two people beside Tang En.
This fan, who had a threatening appearance, made the two FA disciplinary committee guys feel slightly nervous. Luckily, Tang En got them out of their predicament. ”No, there's no trouble. I was just discussing with my two friends over here, where we should watch the match. Is there anyone seated here?”
”There was, but now there isn't.”
”That's good, we'll watch the match from here, then.”
Catching wind that Nottingham Forest's manager was there, the fans from all over the viewing platform rushed forward. They either shouted Twain's name respectfully, or his nickname, in order to express their heartfelt respect toward the substitute manager. This was because his team played a soul-stirring second half in the previous match. Tang En's conversation with the fans was also mostly centered around that match. Although the head referee ultimately stopped Nottingham Forest's advance, in the fan's eyes, the manager, Tony Twain, who led the team to score four goals against West Ham, was still the hero.
Tang En was elated to know that he was viewed by the fans as such, once again proving that he was suitable to walk the path of a football manager. He did not put on the airs of a manager who was distant. Instead, he chatted with the fans in the loud and noisy stadium, joked with them without any restraints, and enjoyed himself thoroughly. Those two pitiful chumps from the Football Association however, were squeezed out of the crowd and shrunk their necks in an attempt to endure the assault of the cold rain. No one seemed to care about them at that point.
Once the match began, Tang En was completely surrounded by Nottingham Forest fans. The two disciplinary committee members were squeezed two rows back and spent the rest of their time keeping watch on Tang En's every move. Before coming to Coventry, they had been specifically instructed by Palios to be wary of that Tony Twain, for he was a cunning person.
That's right, extremely cunning!
At that moment, the two of them nodded their heads at the same time in agreement.