293 Wood’s Revenge Part 1 (2/2)
Eastwood was still receiving treatment outside the field. Albertini raised his voice and shouted to his teammates. ”Alright! Let us keep our focus on the field; the match is far from over!”
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Coincidentally, the stretcher Eastwood was lying on was placed near the sidelines of Nottingham Forest's technical area. Tang En saw the three team doctors surrounding the stretcher. After a brief hesitation, he decided to go over to check on the situation.
”How is it, Gary?” He saw the group of them in a long discussion and felt that things must not be too optimistic.
As expected, Gary Fleming was frowning deeply when he looked up to respond to Tang En. He pointed at Eastwood on the stretcher and said, ”It's bad, Tony. I can't make an accurate diagnosis here. He has to be sent to the hospital for a more detailed examination.”
Tang En's heart dropped. That was the worst case scenario.
”I don't think it's too bad, Boss,” Eastwood said through a grimace of pain and tightened brows.
”It's not too bad, Freddy. But you certainly won't be able to rejoin the match today.” Tang En comforted him and moved away. Fleming rose and sensibly followed him.
”Call the ambulance” Tang En instructed. ”And tell me the truth, Gary. How bad is it?”
”Tony, before he came over, do you remember him getting his leg broken by Wood?”
Tang En nodded.
”The injured spot is now only slightly better than that was.”
”F**k!” Tang En cursed lowly. He already knew how bad this would be.
The ambulance from the Royal Hospital of Nottingham University, which was stopped outside, swiftly entered the stadium compounds. They picked up Eastwood from the sidelines with Fleming also getting on board. Under the gaze of countless spectators, the ambulance sped out of City Grounds. Through the whole process, the TV camera kept going back to focus on it. It was obvious that the severity of Eastwood's injury was unexpected. The culprit behind it, Rochemback, likely felt the same way.
After seeing the ambulance off, Tang En turned his attention back to the person next to him. It was Peter Crouch, the tall center forward, who had already changed and gotten ready. Tang En sighed. He did not expect to have to so quickly use his first substitution. Although they were leading by two goals in the match, it had suddenly developed into a much more difficult situation.
”Peter. After you get in… just play the same as in usual practice. You don't have to take on all of Freddy's responsibilities. Take turns with Viduka…”
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After sending Crouch into the field, Tang En returned to the manager's seat. Immediately after sitting down, David Kerslake anxiously asked him, ”How's Eastwood?”
”Very bad,” Tang En answered as he stared into the field. ”I have an awful feeling about this. It's possible that the Romani will have to miss out on all the upcoming matches in the season…”
Kerslake was stunned by his words and fell silent, asking nothing further.
Tang En did not have any confidence about the effect of the hasty substitution. He also could not bring himself to care about how Crouch and Viduka's stylistic clash might cause Forest's offense to become disorganized. He only hoped to hold on for the next ten minutes and work on a more detailed adjustment during halftime.
Who was it exactly that had created such a messy situation? Tang En cast his gaze towards the other half of the field with Sporting CP, spotting Rochemback with ease. Of course, Tang En knew that both teams on the field saw each other as enemies. For their own victory, it was very common to make use of fouling tactics to take out the most threatening player on the opposing team. However, Tang En could not accept it happening to himself.
Fábio Rochemback!
You've succeeded!
I will remember you!