307 Fallen Behind Part 1 (1/2)

Chapter 307: Fallen Behind Part 1

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

During the halftime interval, Twain praised the entire team and gave special praise to Crouch. However, he did not praise Crouch for lifting his jersey to dedicate the goal to Eastwood. Instead, he praised Peter Crouch's keen senses. As for the players' affection for Eastwood, it was enough that Twain knew it in his heart. Twain felt that it would be a little affected if he made too much of it.

He did not know if Eastwood was watching the game. He would leave it to him to thank Crouch and his teammates when he returned.

The Forest team's ground attack tactics surprised Everton and the team had scored a goal at the end of the first half. Twain affirmed this tactical play and praised Mikel Arteta. He knew very well that the Spaniard was now urgently in need of praise, so he was generous with it. Arteta did a good job. So why not say what he wanted to hear?

In the second half, Twain asked the whole team to continue sticking to this style of play. He was intimidating Everton with Mikel Arteta, whom the Forest team had and not them.

After the game began, the Forest team continued to suppress the midfield. Arteta used offense to press on, and George Wood completely froze Everton's most threatening player, Tim Cahill. He would not let him do what he was best at, which was to rush up from behind to shoot the ball towards the goal. With Wood around, Arteta could make full use of his offensive talent and neatly sort out the middle of the Forest team's front field.

Everton did not have Arteta, so their offense was messy. They knew that they could not afford to lose this game, but they did not have a good solution. Cahill often could only choose to shoot long range shots when he had possession of the ball. It was obvious that such offensive efficiency would be low.

And what about Nottingham Forest? They continued at their own pace, which was not too fast and not too slow. Everything was under Arteta's control.

The past twelve days were not a waste of time. During those twelve days, Twain clearly told the players, Arteta is the core of the team; all tactics we carry out will revolve around him. It's the same for the game. You have to listen to him and follow his pace. Arteta's pace is Nottingham Forest's pace.

And now, the result of the twelve-day training was properly validated on the field in this game.

Although the score had remained unchanged at 1:0, Everton was unable to gain even the slightest advantage on the field. They were kept frantically busy by the Forest team. Looking at this, Twain was confident about the Forest team's performance for next season.

”Take a look at this Spaniard. Manager Tony Twain has a pretty amazing judgment of players. Mikel Arteta, whose performance in Real Sociedad was terrible to watch, only had two clubs interested in him during the winter transfer period, and now they are both here on the field. Moyes hesitated at the time, hoping to review Arteta's ability through the loan. But Tony Twain made a direct offer to Real Sociedad to take away the player. Now, Arteta returns the trust of his manager. His performance is phenomenal!”

Andy Gray briefly introduced Mikel Arteta's relationship with both teams. He could bet that Moyes had never regretted it as much as he did now.

Gray guessed right. Arteta's performance gratified Tony Twain, and made David Moyes, in the next wall, felt like he was on pins and needles.

As time passed in the second half, Everton's situation did not improve. Moyes sat in the technical area, crossed his arms in front of his chest, and coolly watched the field. No one knew what was on his mind.

Perhaps now he knew that the board of directors' indecision had not only cost him a good player but much more.

※※※

In the latter part of the second half, Nottingham Forest, continually spurred on by Arteta, repeatedly launched attacks on Everton's goal. Finally, in the 77th minute of the game, Ribéry received Arteta's clever pass and scored again.

Even worse than the 2:0 score, Everton had no way to regain control of the game. They had two defensive midfielders on the field, but no one had a clear idea on how to attack. Everyone wanted to equalize the score as soon as possible. However, some of them wanted to shoot a long ball from the backfield to break through so that it would be quicker and more direct. The others thought they should advance steadily, layer by layer, and strike hard. They thought that they should have the possession of the ball at their feet before they could attack.