66 Fight With Ones Back To The River Part 1 (1/2)
Chapter 66: Fight With One's Back To The River Part 1
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Was there anyone who remembered the match that took place on May 10th? That week, everyone was in a fog. The players, managers, team doctors, and even the gatekeeper, Ian McDonald. Were they clear about the opponents they were about to face, and what kind of match it was?
Tang En sat in the home team manager's seat and looked blankly at the match happening on the field. His mind was completely muddled, and the ability to direct the team on the spot, which he was previously so proud of, had disappeared into some random nook or cranny, nowhere to be found.
The team was currently at a disadvantage, and was being utterly destroyed by the guest team, Sheffield United. The were completely unable to make any effective defensive or offensive advances.
The match can't go on like this, a voice from the depths of his mind said to Tang En. However, the voice appeared to be reverberating from a faraway place and was extremely illusory.
For the past week, the team had only done a few of the regular systematic training exercises and did not undergo any niche-targeting practices.
As the manager, Tang En also did not carefully analyze his opponents for the playoffs. In fact, he was even unable to tell the players how they should deal with the current team they were facing.
Gavin's death was like a nightmare that haunted them. Everyone was out of form, and the match appeared to be a real ordeal for them.
The viewing platforms of City Ground were almost 90 percent full, but the score was unable to satisfy them. The score at halftime was 0:1 with Nottingham Forest trailing behind.
”Tony, we should do something to salvage the situation!” Walker anxiously reminded Tang En, being one of the few people who had recovered.
”Yes, you're right, Des. We should do something.” Although that was what he said, Tang En remained seated in his seat, not moving at all. He was merely repeating Des' words mechanically.
Seeing the current state that Tang En was in, Walker sighed helplessly.
Edward Doughty, who was seated inside the VIP lounge, swept a look across the stadium, before turning to his father and saying, ”Do you really hold high hopes for him?”
Nigel Doughty nodded his head. ”The people who Hart thought highly of have never disappointed me before.”
Edward shook his head in response. ”I don't think he is as good as you make him out to be. Perhaps his performance during the regular season was very outstanding. However, what's the point of being able to win 100 unimportant matches, when he loses the most crucial ones?”
”Edward,” the old man's tone became slightly more serious, ”be mindful of your choice of words. There is no such thing as 'regular season' here. Don't bring your basketball terms back to England. You are someone who will become the leader of a club in the future. Saying these kinds of things will allow the media to mock us.”
”Oh, I'm sorry, dad.”
”You don't like Twain?”
”Erm… How do I put it?” Edward looked at the television set, which happened to be showing Tang En's close-up. He was sitting expressionlessly in the manager's seat without budging, as if he were a dead person. Regarding the team's current predicament, Tang En could not come up with a better solution for it. ”I've gone to London with Tony in private before, and I find him to be a very interesting person. However, I feel that he is not steady enough. I can't seem to get a grasp on his temper, character, and what he likes. I don't understand him. Sometimes he's very good, but sometimes he's very terrible, like right now.”
Nigel was slightly shocked at the clear and logical explanation of his son. Turning his head around and looking at him, Nigel said, ”Did you put in a lot of effort after returning to America?”
Edward shrugged his shoulders. ”Your son is still a talented student who studied at Harvard, after all. On top of that, Allan came up with a very detailed plan. In his plan, he also feels that we should reconsider the manager for the team.”
”Allan? Allan Adams? Why are you still with him?”
”Dad, he's my financial advisor.” Edward sounded slightly annoyed. ”To date, Allan's help has been vital to the success of my company.”
”Whatever.” Nigel slightly shrugged his shoulders and said, ”In any case, I don't like that sweet-talking American.” As if he suddenly recalled something, Nigel asked, ”Is Carrie still against the idea?”
Edward nodded his head. ”She doesn't like England's weather or food, and, therefore, will be staying with Ben in America. But don't worry, I'll visit them regularly.