206 The List For First Team (2/2)

Kris Commons, Franck Ribéry, Ashley Young, and Aaron Lennon; Tang En believed that the four of them would be able to match up to his demands, or he would not have needed to buy them in the first place.

This was different from the finals of the EFL against Middlesbrough. Tang En's defense emphasised the importance of midfield control and would not easily yield the midfield to their opponents. That ran the risk of letting the opponents lay siege to Nottingham's goal, which was too dangerous.

Whether it be offense or defense, the midfield is territory that Tang En needed to claim. A chain reaction resulting from a loss of control in the midfield was terrifying. This was also why Tang En put in so much effort into the midfield compared to the forward line.

George Wood and Albertini should both be starting midfielders. Defense was entrusted to Wood, who was young and exceptionally strong. While supporting Wood in defense, Albertini would mainly be using his experience and passing to facilitate movements in the midfield. He had done the same for Italy's national team and AC Milan. Tang En trusted that he would have no problems with it at Nottingham.

On the defensive line, one of the main positions was sure to go to Hierro. Despite being already 36, Tang En had no doubt that Hierro would be able to take up the role. His experience was what he team needed most on the field. For all his slowness in turning and his other weaknesses, Wood would be there. What was there to be afraid of?

Hierro's partner should have been Matthew Upson. Wes Morgan and Piqué were still too unskilled. Clint Hill's problem with defensive positioning resulted in him only being able to play as a substitute. The good news for Piqué was that although the center back is unable to act as the main force, Tang En intended to let him try out being a right back instead. In Tang En's recollection of history, when Piqué was initially on loan to Real Zaragoza FC, he was unable to be fielded at all. It was only when Diogo got injured that Piqué was arranged to play as a right back. He ended up performing well in the new position.

At the beginning of that season, to make up for the 20 matches for Piqué under competition regulations, Real Zaragoza FC wasted no time in casting Piqué as a jack-of-all-trades. He played as center back, side back, and even Defending Midfielder. In all of those positions, Piqué did well. From that, Tang En realised Piqué's ability as an all-rounder. Although he would not intentionally push Piqué to be a jack-of-all-trades simply to fulfil the promise he had made, any manager would love to have a few all-rounders on their team.

Whenever the team is down a member because of injury or sickness, having one more well-rounded player means having another option and some buffer time. Of course, Tang En's focus for Piqué would still be the Center Back position. This was both his favourite and best position.

Before and after their summer training, they played a number of friendly matches. Most of their opponents were teams from England, since Nottingham was still not well-known enough to be invited overseas for friendly matches.

There were both wins and losses. At that point, Tang En did not really care about the results. Friendly matches were not designed for the pursuit of victory. To managers, there were usually two main functions of friendly matches: To check the physical conditions and forms of the players upon their return to the team after the rest period (this way, any issues discovered would be quickly resolved), and to allow the manager to observe any difficulties between old and new players, test tactical strategies and their actual results in implementation, find the most suitable strategy for the current team and make progress with it, etc.

Friendly matches belong to the classic trope of ”the process is more important than the result.” In such matches, Tang En would be most concerned about the performance of the new players and how well they were assimilating into the team. Then, based on how they did, Tang En would decide if he should give them more opportunities right from the beginning of the League.

Although Nottingham would participate in multiple leagues, Tang En had no intention of using a rotation system. The stability of the formation was more important than anything else. Additionally, his team did not have the luxury of doing that. Tang En needed to determine the main formation for the new season through the friendly matches and then do further adjustments.

It would be impossible for Hierro to hold out through the entire season. Though he would be part of the main force in the beginning, Tang En was considering gradually giving more playing opportunities to Piqué. The future still depended on the young.

In Albertini's case, things were different. From his age and condition, it would not be too difficult for him to be one of the main midfielders throughout the season… Unless he got injured. Tang En intended to stabilise the center of the midfield, which fell to the partners George Wood and Albertini. Throughout training, he nurtured their ability to work together. Even though one spoke Italian and the other English, they still had the common language of football.

The feedback Tang En received from training filled him with confidence in his plan. Albertini and Hierro were both amazing players and great older brothers. As Tang En hoped, they did their best to guide the children on the team.

Even though Piqué came from Barcelona and Hierro from Real Madrid, they were both Forest players with red Forest jerseys now. Several times, Tang En witnessed Hierro taking the initiative to stay back and lead Piqué through additional training, and to share his own successful experiences in learning when he should take opportunities to advance, when he should pull back, and how he should box out his opponents.

And Albertini and George Wood were a match made in heaven. George Wood was a little quiet, but had a kind of arrogance along with his low self-esteem. Such a character is not usually well-liked, yet Albertini was able to get along well with the unsociable person. Tang En even made the effort of casually asking Albertini his thoughts about his little partner in the midfield. Albertini liked Wood very much as he felt that Wood was serious, hard-working, and not at all lazy.

Even when Albertini had been in the renowned AC Milan, he had not liked much publicity. Rather, he was approachable and helpful, winning the respect of his teammates. Otherwise, how could he have become the vice-captain of AC Milan? Understanding that, Tang En chose to give the Captain's armband to Albertini on his second day after joining the team. To make someone who had only been on the team for two days, and who did not even know how to speak English, the captain of the team—the media was incredulous. But Tang En stuck to his guns, and the results were not bad at all.

After putting on the Captain's armband, Albertini seemed even more motivated. He was always taking the initiative to help out members of the team, regardless of if they were old players or new. He did not seem at all hesitant about whether or not was appropriate to do as a new member himself. Perhaps this was what it was like for a born leader.

When Tang En asked Wood to learn more from Albertini, he asked, ”What should I learn?”

At first, Tang En wanted to list out Albertini's strengths for Wood to take note of, but after thinking about it, he realised it would be too cumbersome to list them out one by one. There were simply too many. Instead, Tang En replied, ”Learn everything about him, whether it is on the field, or off.”

Since that was what Tony Twain had said, George Wood naturally did it.

Although Tang En only had only intended to look for an experienced veteran for the team to strengthen the deployment in the midfield, he had unexpectedly found a great teacher for Wood. It was fantastic. Tang En then decided to develop George Wood's leadership ability.

As the manager, he also needed to nurture a supporter. Otherwise, in times of crisis, who would willingly stand up for him?

With George Wood brought into professional football by Tang En himself, he was the best candidate.

While Tang En led the First Team in their final preparations before the new season, Dunn's work in the Youth team also took off slowly. Unlike Tang En, Dunn still was not trusted by the rest of his colleagues on the youth team. But soon, through his hard work, he would make them look at him differently. After all, this work was all too familiar to him.

He spoke fluent English and was familiar with everything in this country. He was as familiar with Nottingham as with his own house. He almost knew all the names of those on the Youth team… After he was brought back to Nottingham Forest, he could feel memories sleeping somewhere deep inside of him begin to stir.

To be brought back to Forest by Tang En was a great opportunity for him. His passion for football and dream of being an extraordinary manager had never died. The Youth team was only his first step.