253 Heavy Responsibility Part 2 (1/2)
Chapter 253: Heavy Responsibility Part 2
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
Because Keane was transferred from Nottingham Forest to Manchester United, he accepted media interviews before this game and talked about the game.
”I was never surprised by the arrival of this day because I've always known Nottingham Forest would come back.” The Irishman was still very fond of the team who brought him into the top English leagues, ”Even today I still thank Mr. Clough; I'll never forget everything that he had taught me in his lifetime...”
When Keane had played for the Forest team, the Forest manager at that time, Brian Clough, had doted on him a lot due to his amazing talent. His requirements would be met as much as possible, and every time he wanted to take time off Clough would agree without question. After Keane's outstanding performance in the first season, Clough even gave him a brand-new Ford car. At that time, Clough was Keane's most respected and admired person. However, due to what had happened later, the outside world had always thought that their friendship had faded away.
At a time when many football clubs wanted to buy Keane, Keane had been at a crucial moment of renewing his contract with the Forest team. Clough naturally assumed that Keane was using these transfer rumors to put pressure on the Forest club and get the salary that he had hoped for. Consequently, Clough publicly chided him as a ”greedy kid” in the newspapers. Nonetheless, it was not these trivial matters that led them to part ways. It was when, after a terrible performance in a game, Clough slapped Keane in front of everyone in the locker room doorway.
Only now, after Brian Clough had passed away, did Keane then once again publicly reveal his respect for the old man. But was it too late?
Without going too far off the topic, in short, Keane expressed his respect for Clough in the interview, and then mentioned the current Forest team. ”I don't agree that this game will be relatively easy for Manchester United. No game is easy for Manchester United. Not to mention, the Forest team is still ranked above us.”
Keane had become a Manchester United man through and through. It might be sad for the older fans to hear him mentioned. But the younger Forest supporters did not feel that way because they had another Roy Keane: George Wood, who had quickly become the new darling of City Ground by virtue of his performance.
After he lost to Villarreal CF, only the media outside Nottingham criticized him. Nottingham's local media and fans remained confident in Wood.
”George Wood is the best!” said a banner on the away stand at Old Trafford, a counter-response from the Nottingham Forest fans to the harsh media.
At the present, the players from both teams, who had just warmed up on the field, had returned to their respective locker rooms to make final preparations for the game that was about to be kicked-off.
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”In fact, our recent achievements are not bad.” Ferguson stood among the players and paced back and forth. ”We've won a few crucial games. But we are Manchester United, and we are not going to be satisfied with being in the top ten like ordinary teams. We're aware that we've also unaccountably lost a few games.”
Manchester United's locker room was silent, with everyone focused on listening to their boss's speech. In this room, there was only one boss; that was Alex Ferguson. Those who dared to oppose him, and those who dared to show disrespect to him, would be kicked out uncompromisingly. Jaap Stam and David Beckham were examples.
”I'll say it again; Nottingham Forest is a strong team. If anyone else thinks that they're just insignificant clowns, you can raise your hands now, and I'll replace you with someone else. That Portuguese guy, Mourinho, underestimated that team, and Chelsea lost as a result. Souness was tricked by Tony Twain's modesty, so Newcastle United lost. Do you want to be an idiot who gets ridiculed by your opponents after losing a game?”
The players shook their heads.
”That's right. We all like to mock idiots, but I don't think anyone likes to be the object of ridicule. We're at our home ground for this game, so failure is absolutely unacceptable!”
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The visiting team used the locker room on the other side.
”Compared to their powerful offense, Manchester United's weakness is in its defense.” Twain stood in front of the tactical board and analyzed their opponents for the players. ”The weakest link in their team is the goalkeeper. Their sixth place ranking after fourteen rounds in the league this season has a lot to do with the instability of their goalkeeper. Tim Howard, did well in his first year, but his problems are all being exposed this season.
Truthfully, the Forest team's problem was their goalkeeper as well. The Forest team still had very few games in which they did not concede a ball. Darren Ward's ability did not qualify him to be the main goalkeeper in the Premier League. But Twain had neglected the issue during the summer transfer and now he regretted it.
”Rio Ferdinand is an outstanding center back, but he has never had a stable partner. Wes Brown, John O'Shea, the Frenchman, Mikaël Silvestre; none of them were qualified to be center backs. We can make use of that in this game; bypass Rio Ferdinand, and break through his partner. If Ferdinand comes to help fill the gap, seize hold of the gap he's left and pass the ball!