149 The Better Interceptor Part 2 (1/2)

Chapter 149: The Better Interceptor Part 2

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

If the two wings could not soar, there would be no chance in the middle and no hope of winning. Tang En would have to hope that God would lend a helping hand again. But Tang En did not think that God was ”Lei Feng.” If everything required a miracle, what was the point of him as a manager?

In reality, his current issue was not worrying about what Bolton Wanderers would do. It was obvious that Allardyce was very satisfied with this away game score of 1:0. The entire team had been recalled. Kevin Davies was only in front field for show, and he had taken the initiative to give up a number of shots that had given both sides a chance; after all, his injury had not fully recovered, and he dared not risk it.

Tang En's problem was that he could not make any substitutions now. Through the recent games, Rebrov had just started to play with confidence. If he was brought off in the first half, it would truly be all for nothing.

After watching the game for nearly thirty minutes, Tang En caved and decided not to make Rebrov play as the striker anymore, not even as the occasional guest player. The twenty-nine-year-old ”veteran” had come to the point where he had to use his experience and passing to assist the team, and was not scoring goals. He and Shevchenko were not the same type of players after all.

”Rebrov!” He stood on the sidelines and shouted towards the field. His voice traveled over the Bolton Wanderers fans in the south stand of the City Ground. ”Retreat!” He waved his hand towards the halfway line, and the meaning of this hand gesture was clear.

Having played in the midfield for a few matches, Rebrov too felt that playing as the striker was quite uncomfortable now, and he was glad that the manager had changed his mind.

Back in midfield, Rebrov's performance was much better than it had been for the previous thirty minutes, and the Forest team was able to organize some effective offense. And at the same time, because of his presence, the three Bolton Wanderers defensive midfielders could not help being distracted while trying to guard the middle; they were clearly aware of Rebrov's recent repeated use of long shots. This gave McPhail and Ashley Young a chance to be active on the wings.

After Ashley Young received Rebrov's pass, he used his speed to forcefully break through Iván Campo and Simon Charlton. Eastwood's deft running position shook off the center back who was marking him. He then swung a header to shoot at the goal, but the header was slightly too high. Although there was no goal, the City Ground burst into loud cheering. It seemed that, against the odds, the Forest team might be able to score in the first half.

Tang En saw the way Freddy Eastwood was rubbing his head with regret, but he was not as disappointed as his team looked. At least he knew now that the Forest team had been revitalized.

※※※

”Eastwood! Oh—he missed a chance to score!”

”Opportunities like that don't come often! The Forest team has only just awakened from their slumber in the latter part of the game's first half. Their attacks are gradually getting more menacing, but it's not nearly enough! Manager Tony Twain's move to let Rebrov return to the midfield was right. With him there, the Forest team's offense is as slick as oil! Just look at Ashley Young's breakthrough! It was truly beautiful; Iván Campo and Simon Charlton were powerless against his speed. But it was ultimately thanks to Rebrov's passing. He sent the ball directly where Ashley Young was sprinting to, and not to his feet. That way, Young could take full advantage of his speed...”

Allardyce had come to realize the threat of Rebrov in the midfield, so he signaled to Nolan on the sidelines to mark the Ukrainian.

Nolan was younger, physically stronger, and more than enough to deal with the twenty-nine-year-old Rebrov. But, just when he had just made the adjustment, Tang En followed suit.

When he saw Allardyce's signal to Nolan on the sidelines, Tang En knew what he was going to do. It was nothing more than letting a defensive midfielder closely mark the core of the Forest team's offensive organization and using all possible means to curb Rebrov's play.

That tactic was often employed by the La Liga managers against Real Madrid's core midfielder, Guti, during the 06-07 season. As long as Guti was guarded, the entire Real Madrid team was essentially guarded as well. This was because Guti was the key figure in controlling Real Madrid's offensive momentum.

Rebrov was playing this role for Nottingham Forest now. His experience could help the team control its rhythm, and tell it when to divide, when to control the ball, when to be fast and when to be slow. His experience was a cut above the rest of his teammates. After all, he was a veteran who had played in the UEFA Champions League, and of a different level from the Forest team boys in the midfield.

Bolton Wanderers intend to use young Nolan to grind Rebrov down, but... have you asked for my opinion, Mr. Allardyce?