178 The Red Forest Part 1 (1/2)
Chapter 178: The Red Forest Part 1
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
This was a truly hard-to-explain situation, as the fans were more confident of winning than the players on the field! They did not know what happened in the locker room. Despite the fact that the team was trailing behind, they still believed that the team would win.
Why was that?
It was probably because Twain's team had a series of outstanding performances, making the fans willing to believe that they could accomplish anything that was usually hard to do.
What will happen if the team let the fans down in this match?
No, we cannot lose, must not lose, and also, will not lose this game!
He turned and walked towards the locker room. He wanted to make up for the team's mistakes, before the start of the second half. He wanted to let them know how much these fans believed in them.
If we lose this game, how are we going to face the more than 20,000 Forest fans in the stands? Although they will still be in the stands, singing and clapping for us while braving the wind and rain, shouting ”Come on, it's ok. We still have the play-offs” ... can we accept this trust and tolerance with a clear conscience?
But, when he marched back to the locker room, he almost got knocked down by the player who opened the door. Opening the door, the first person to come out from the inside was Ashley Young. When he saw Twain, he was a little surprised. But he quickly set his face and said very seriously to Twain, ”Boss, rest assured! We're not going to let them go on a frenzy attack on us in the second half! You know... none of us wants to lose, either! We all want to go to the Premier League!”
”Yes, Boss! If you're still angry, watch our performance in the second half!” More and more players rushed out, speaking all at once.
”We're not going to lose to those West Bromwich Albion sons of bitches!”
Twain had not reacted yet, when Walker's voice rang out from inside, ”Why are you still dawdling? Time to get on the field!”
These people hurriedly left the confused Twain, and ran towards the field. Twain looked at Walker, who quickly walked out from the room, then asked in puzzlement, ”What's going on, Des?”
Walker smiled and said, ”I told them you were very, very angry and very, very disappointed in them. I told them that almost everyone's transfer was personally decided by you. But, at the crucial moment, they had failed your expectations, instead ... and I scolded them as cowards who could not bear the pressure and burden of responsibility, so then their eyes all turned red!”
Looking at the man who was about to leave the team, Twain felt for the first time in the game that he was not his subordinate, but rather, was an excellent, dedicated assistant manager, his priceless and invaluable right-hand man.
”Thank you, Des.”
”Why are you thanking me? This is my last game as an assistant manager in the Forest team. I don't want to leave with any regrets for myself.” Walker shrugged, and then he looked back at the empty locker room, saying, ”It's me who should say thank you, Tony. In the first half of the season, I repeatedly asked myself, 'Is there no chance to see the Forest team return to the top league again?' That period was a mess, and I couldn't convince myself to continue to stay. So, now, I thank you.”
Twain patted him on the shoulder, then said, ”Let's go, Des. We still have forty-five minutes left.”
”Ok.”
※※※
After the second half of the game restarted, it was still raining, and the ground was still wet and muddy. However, the mental state of the Forest players was completely different. Having overcome their psychological obstacles, they moved with ease, gradually unleashing their true strength.
And the leading West Bromwich Albion had evidently slackened at the City Ground. After fifteen minutes of the halftime interval, they entered the game state a lot later than the Forest team. From their frequent mistakes made during the Forest team's intense pressure, and their interception suffered after the start of the game, it was evident that they could not adapt to the sudden accelerated tempo of the Nottingham Forest team.