137 This Is Eastwood! Part 2 (1/2)

Chapter 137: This Is Eastwood! Part 2

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

In reality, the main reason for the media's big fuss over such an unknown player being hired was the ”gag order” which Tang En had announced after the incident with Millwall. He forbade all players and staff from accepting any interviews from the media. At the same time, the team's training had changed from being open to being closed off. Not even their fans, let alone reporters, were able to get their favorite player's autograph by the field.

The fans were more understanding; they knew that it was for the sake of the team's performance. But the media was different. Not letting them interview the team took away their ability to create news, which in turn prevented them from making money. The English media industry was very competitive, and any reporters who were unable to churn out articles would most likely lose their jobs. The media therefore hoped that the other football clubs would be more cooperative.

But Tang En understood less than anyone the minute details of all of this. He only felt that the team needed a quiet atmosphere to readjust in preparation for the series of important upcoming matches. Therefore, he directly announced the team's enclosed training, not realizing that in doing so, he was offending the media that had once liked him so much. Even his newest player, Freddy Eastwood, was not spared from it. His personal life had become an excuse to question his abilities.

Tang En had seen all of the news articles. Such doubts were enough to destroy a young player like Eastwood; he had not even done anything yet, and he was already being completely written off. If his emotional stamina were any lower, he could have been completely drowned in the media storm.

But Tang En wasn't worried. Eastwood showed no signs of being affected by it during training. Either he never read sports-related newspapers, or he was just confident in his own abilities. Tang En was more inclined to believe the latter, based on the understanding of Gypsy that he had gained over the past few days.

As such, he put the Gypsy onto the team's name list for the next match. If the opportunity arose, he would consider letting Eastwood onto the field. There was no better way to rebut the ignorance of the media than by proving them wrong through his own actions.

※※※

It was January sixth, the morning before the day of the match. Rarely seen sunlight appeared in the skies over Nottingham, putting Tang En, who had arrived at the field early, in a good mood as he waited for the players.

Because the next day's game was an away match, the team had to assemble that morning and take a coach bus to Sunderland together. In the afternoon, they would familiarize themselves with Stadium of Light in preparation for the next day's match.

Tang En saw the familiar blue tow car parked silently inside the gates. Tang En's eyes drifted along the small path outside of the training field, and in the distance he saw a man on a horse cantering towards him. The crisp, clear clattering sound hoofs broke the morning silence of the training grounds.

”Good morning, Freddy.” Tang En waited for the gypsy to approach before raising his hand and greeting him.

”Good morning, Sir.” Freddy jumped off the horse, gripping the reins tightly in his hand. He appeared to be in a fairly good mood.

”Are you getting used to life here?”

”More or less. It's very quiet here, not many disturbances. Sabina and I both like it.”

Tang En nodded. ”That's great. If you have any difficulties, just bring them up to the club. Anything can be resolved… you know, aside from building a stable.”

Eastwood laughed. He patted the black horse's neck and tidied up its glossy mane. ”It's doing fine at the pet shop. Sabina and I went to lots of places before we finally found one that was willing to take it in. No other shops had a big enough space.”

”Well, if you'd said that you were a Nottingham Forest player, I think they would have been more willing.”

”Yes, Sir, I mentioned it. If I hadn't, that shop's owner wouldn't have agreed to it.”

Tang En chuckled. ”Freddy, once you score goals during the matches, I think that that owner would be eager to sign a pet-feeding contract with you.”

The conversation topic then shifted naturally toward the matches.

”Have you seen the media's comments about you?” Tang En asked.

Eastwood nodded. ”I've seen them all. Nothing new. It's all the same old stuff.” He shrugged his shoulders and said in disdain, ”There's no proof that I'm not a good player. Will I be playing in this match, Sir?”

Tang En shook his head. ”I don't know,” he said truthfully. ”Depends on the situation. If we're unable to break the deadlock after too long, I might consider switching you in. You're the only striker that I've brought along as a reserve, so if I have to make any adjustments to the forward line, you're the only person I can switch in.”

Seeing that Eastwood was had gone silent and was petting his beloved horse, Tang En asked, ”Can you tell me why you like to warm up by riding your house before every match?”

”I'm not sure why… I've always liked horses, so perhaps riding a horse just helps me get peace of mind and calms my nerves. It actually is like that; I've never felt nervous about an upcoming match,” Eastwood answered. Tang En believed that this was the secret behind his ability to score so many goals: a calm mind.

He did not care that reporters were fixated on him, and did not care about the media's doubting of his abilities. He did not care how much he earned every week, and did not care about whether his life in a caravan was primitive or not. He did not care what looks people gave him, whether they be of anticipation or disappointment. He never thought about anything that did not concern him.

There were so many people who spent their lives thinking about how much they gained. In the end, they ended up losing even more because of it. Eastwood, the pure gypsy, only wanted to play soccer, and got his first professional contract because of it.

Thinking about this, Tang En said to him, ”Freddy, you must have heard the rumors about me, right?” Tang En was referring to the rumors that ”Nottingham Forest's manager has the ability to see into the future,” which were mostly spread from Burns's Bar.

”Are you referring to the rumors that you're a sorcerer, Sir?”

”That's right, looks like you already know! I have the ability to see into the future!”

”More accurately than us Gypsies?” Eastwood returned with a smile.

”Of course! Freddy, you will score many, many goals in the future, and obtain so many trophies and medals that you won't be able to hold them in both hands. And you will earn lots of money,” Tang En said, trying to sound mysterious. ”When that time comes, you can buy a plot of land, build a small manor and a stable, and ride your horse around every day to your heart's content!”

Eastwood laughed loudly and said, ”Thank you for your suggestion, sir. If I really end up earning that much money, I'll consider it.”