250 Wood’s Struggle Part 1 (1/2)
Chapter 250: Wood’s Struggle Part 1
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Forest's defeat by Liverpool appeared to be only a small setback. In the following match of the English Premier League, its fourth round, Nottingham Forest won the match with complete domination. On an away field, they won by 4:0 and eliminated Colchester United from League One (Previously Second Division).
On November 14, in the 13th round of the League matches, Nottingham Forest won by 2:1 in their home field against Middlesbrough, sustaining their continued victory in the battle with Steve McClaren.
From an outsider's point of view, Forest seemed to have no problems and was set to keep moving forward on the right path.
But in their 14th round in the League on November 20, Forest Team lost to Tottenham Hotspur by 0:1 in an away match.
Their streak of unluckiness was just beginning. On November 25, in the third round of the UEFA Europa League Group Stage, Nottingham Forest was defeated by 0:2 by Villarreal CF from Spain. In front of the Argentine Román Riquelme, George Wood was as helpless as a child on his first field appearance. When Wood guarded Riquelme, he found Riquelme particularly difficult to deal with. The Argentine's changing pace often confused him, causing him to be at a loss for how to defend. He was entirely at his mercy.
Later, Albertini went to assist Wood and could not help to organize their offense. Riquelme alone managed to hold back Nottingham Forest's four midfielders.
After the match, the Spanish media gave Riquelme a high score of nine points (a score he lived up to) while giving George Wood a low three. The media evaluated that George Wood's show of utter ignorance in the match about what he needed to do and his terrible performance was directly linked to Forest's eventual loss.
In the face of the overwhelming speculation of the media after the match, Tang En simply said, ”I will never make any public comments on my players after matches,” and dismissed the lot.
The truth is, if we had won, it would have been perfectly fine with saying something nice; both the media and we would be happy. But we lost, so I'm sorry. I only criticize my players discreetly within the boundaries of the locker room. Why should I tell you, the reporters?
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On the day the match ended, Forest team took a flight back home to prepare for the League match set for three days later.
On the flight back to the UK from Spain, Tang En took special notice of Wood. The boy seemed very quiet. He did not usually talk much to begin with, but now he was practically mute.
They had lost a match in the League's Group Stage, but it was an away match. Furthermore, their situation was not so dire that they would be unable to further compete if they had lost that match. Their next match was on their home ground against Partizan Belgrade, a team which was not strong. So long as they got a draw, they would be able to advance.
Everyone knew this well. So, after a brief lapse of unhappiness, the other players recovered quickly. Even for the younger players, their understanding of football went much deeper than George Wood's. Since they had begun their training, they had met with more than their fair share of defeats and had learned how to cope with them. With a defeat of this degree, there was no need to be upset for even a few days. Just a few hours were enough. After waking up, there would be no changes to the way they lived and the world as they knew it.
Aboard the plane, they all did their own things. They chatted, listened to music, slept and rested. It was no different from any other away match.
Only Wood remained in the shadow of failure.
Tang En had turned to look several times and noticed Wood looking upset with his brows tightly knitted. He had had that expression since the final whistle of the match. When everyone's mood was equally terrible, their expressions looked about the same. But now, with only Wood this way, it seemed out of the ordinary.
Tang En looked around and rose from his seat to walk to Wood's. He patted Albertini's shoulder.
”Demi.”
The Italian understood what his manager wanted to do and stood to swap seats with Tang En, switching to sit next to assistant manager David Kerslake while Tang En sat by Wood.
Wood was so absorbed in his own world that he did not notice the change. ”George,” Tang En said.
Wood shifted his gaze to him without turning.
”Did you already give your mum a call?”
He nodded in reply.
”Hm…” Tang En shifted his position and placed his pillow on the back of the seat. He closed his eyes to take a nap. ”Did the two of you talk about the match?”
Tang En could not see Wood's expressions or actions but heard his low reply after a brief pause. ”Yes.”