157 EFL Cup Part 2 (1/2)
Chapter 157: EFL Cup Part 2
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Having been a full back, Walker was truly an expert at defense training. Even a player like Eastwood had been trained till he resembled a defensive midfielder, not to mention George Wood, who was extremely talented in defense.
Even if Walker hollered next to his ear, he did not even crease his brows, and he certainly did not complain. He just did what the coach said the next time. Tang En liked this point about Wood the most: he was hardworking and willing to strive for his and his mother's future. Compared to those ”prodigies”, who became famous at eighteen, he did not give himself the chance to relax and slacken.
Tang En also did not worry that Wood would lose his way in fame and fortune, because the goal he was fighting for on the field and training ground was not the same as those young geniuses whose dreams had already come true. He seemed to always have a sense of crisis in the depths of his heart. And that sense of crisis was like a whip at his back, flogging and inciting him to constantly move forward. Tang En thought this also might be related to the poverty that he witnessed and experienced as a child.
Sophia once told him that the house they lived in, when they first met, already had the best condition, because Wood was able to make enough money. So, he had to wonder, what kind of awful conditions did they live in, in the past? When Sophia did not mention it again, Tang En did not ask. The important thing was that, now, they lived well, as the club found a rental house near the training ground for Wood, and the landlord was a hardcore Forest fan. What's even better, when he heard that it was for a new Forest star player, the rent was reduced by half!
This was not a million-pound mansion in The Lace Market, but it was good enough for the Woods. There were no downstairs tenants returning home late at night. With a lower level and an upper floor, it was spacious and wide, bright and clean. There were no children begging for money, or shady-looking men in the vicinity. Surrounded by nature, such a place was ideal for Sophia, who needed to be near the outdoors, and take care of her health.
Once his mother's condition was stable, and he no longer had to wear himself out with worries about feeding his family of two, Wood would be able to devote himself to the sport of football. Tang En had even suggested to Evan that the club pay for Sophia's treatment, partly out of sympathy and concern for this kind and beautiful woman, and also partly due to ”selfish” considerations. I mean, one had to wonder what kind of player would Wood develop into if his worries were all resolved?
The situation was just like when he had asked himself one and a half months ago, ”How would Wood play in his debut match?”
He was really looking forward to it ...
As to whether Walker would stay or go, Tang En had never asked him to stay in front of Walker. Even when he was joking, he did not want to make things difficult for Walker.
Everyone had to choose his own path. As to whether this path was easy to walk or not, or the scenery ahead was beautiful or not, one had to personally walk it to know. Therefore, whether Walker's decision to leave was right or not, that was his business.
What Tang En could only put his efforts to, at least while they were still working together, was to try and leave Walker with good memories. In the future, if Walker wanted to come back to help him, he would open the door wide to welcome him.
What gave him a headache was wondering, where was he going to find an assistant manager, with whom he had a rapport and was compatible with? Currently, the division of work in the football world was very meticulous. The managers would throw many specific tasks to the assistant managers. They were unknown and obscure in the media and the public eye, but their role in the team was irreplaceable. There were even incidents of players, who only submitted to assistant managers, and did not to listen to the managers.