160 Wizardly Twain Part 2 (2/2)
When the Forest players returned from their warm-up, they saw that Manager Tony Twain had already taken off the ”Taoist robe” and put on a dark red suit. The compass was nowhere to be found. Both teams' starting lineups were drawn on the tactical board, the wall facing them was a large Nottingham Forest team flag, and all towels were neatly placed in their respective positions.
It looked no different from a regular team locker room. Thus, they did not even think about the matter of the ”south locker room curse”. There was only a single thought running through their minds now: Middlesbrough, the finals, and the Championship Trophy!
Gazing at the expressions in these people's eyes, Tang En was very satisfied with their mental state. Their gazes were firm, and not so erratic, like they had been two days ago. Back then, with one glance, he could tell that they were too preoccupied, and did not have the heart to prepare for the game.
Now everything was good, his team had entered the best state, and he was smart enough not to mention that curse anymore. When everyone was seated, and the locker room had gradually quieted down, Tang En spoke, ”Guys, the moment has come. This is the final, and I hope you understand that. It's not an insignificant pre-season game, and it's not a game that you lose, where there will be a next one. It's the EFL Cup final, that we will to f**king wait for another year for another chance at, if we lose! So, buckle down and chant aloud with me: 'This is the final in the live national broadcast!'”
”This is the final in the live national broadcast!” The beginning voices were still a little jumbled, and not very orderly. Some people were fast, and some people were slow, some people's pitches were high, and some people's pitches were low, but soon, everyone was unified in their chanting pace.
”This is a great opportunity for me to make a mark!”
”This is a great opportunity for me to make a mark!”
”This is the perfect stage for everyone to witness my ability!”
”This is the perfect stage for everyone to witness my ability!”
Tang En vigorously fist-pumped, and the exaggerated powerful body language symbolized him. He swung his clenched fist and pounded into the void, allowing the players to feel an unparalleled, powerful force being smashed into their bodies, along with their boss's action.
”Let us trample on the carcass of Middlesbrough and go to Europe, in the name of the English Football League Cup champion!”
”In the name of the champion!”
After leading the round robin chanting, Tang En watched those impassioned players and laughed, ”Does anyone still think that what I'm talking is an impossible joke? Is there still any doubt that we can beat the Premier League team? Does anyone think that a Premiership team is stronger than a League One team? Does anyone think we can't win?”
No one hesitated this time, as everyone loudly replied at the same time, ”No one!”
”Very good! Do you believe in me? Do you believe I will lead you to victory?”
”We believe!”
”Fantastic! I believe in you too, I believe you can defeat our opponents and win the championship! We are a team, and we are one. I believe in you, and you believe in me. We can overcome all the opponents in front of us, because they block our progress. Why have we practiced so hard on our defense for a week? Since you first stepped into the world of professional football and received your training, you have shed sweat and tears every day, and even bled and suffered injuries. What is it all for?”
He turned around and erased both teams' starting line-ups on the tactical board, and wrote a big word on it -- ”CHAMPIONS”.
”For the championship! Only the championship can reward everything we've invested, only the championship can satisfy our hunger and make us happy. In addition to this ...” He forcefully swung his hand, and made a knife-cutting action, ”... We will not accept any other result!”