528 We Can Win (1/2)

Since George Wood started his career in professional football, he had given people the impression that he was excellent in defense and worthless when it came to offense. Before when everyone played against Nottingham Forest, they would not think about defending against George Wood. He almost never went up and crossed to the other half to participate in the offense. There had even been a football pundit who joked that Nottingham Forest ”has twelve players in defense and only ten players when it comes to offense” to illustrate how little Wood contributed to the team's offense.

However, three and a half seasons later, everyone discovered that the other half of the talent that resided within the body of the ”genius in defense and rubbish at offense” was slowly awakening. His defensive performance in the game was more average, but the few times he participated in the offensive had been impressive.

How much more potential could be uncovered from this kid.

※※※

”George Wood's shot! It was a pity that there was no goal, but this attack embarrassed Makelele. We rarely see Makelele like this. He was completely at a disadvantage when he used his body to compete.”

Terry ran over to help, but he did not manage to make it in time. He was only on time to help Makelele up. ”Do you need any help?” He had asked out of kindness but only made Makelele feel despised. He shook his head hard and said, ”it won't be like this next time, I promise.”

He had to admit that he underestimated Wood when he defended against him because his previous impression of the man had made him think that Wood would not be much of a threat.

He looked at Wood's back and clenched his fists.

I'll make sure to repay this humiliation by double!

※※※

George Wood's shot from the left flank did not make Chelsea adjust their defensive strategy. They still placed their heavy forces on Ashley Cole's side. It seem they were deliberately permissive of George Wood.

The commentator tried to make a case for the arrangement, which, of course, were only the reasons he thought of. Some commentators liked to rely on their own understanding to form judgements on the game and use their own brains to replace the two managers. It seemed to be more professional than the managers in command of the games, which was quite able to deceive a part of the audience to support their views. If they guessed right, it was just luck. If they guessed wrong, then they made jokes to divert from the topic.

”Chelsea did not make any defensive adjustments on this side of Wood. That's actually normal. Although Wood actively performed in the offense during the game, he is not a professional attacking player after all. His offensive is less threatening than Ribéry, Lennon, and the others. Chelsea can't rush to adjust its defensive focus just because of his brief breakout performance. Ashley Cole's side is obviously under more pressure...”

In fact, it had nothing to do with which side had the bigger threat. Chelsea did not adjust due to its trust in the veteran player, Makelele.

Makelele had faced a variety of offensive players in his career and many of them were world-class experts. He had a lot of experience and had weathered all sorts of challenges. He could handle George Wood.

Once van der Vaart had an inkling of the idea, he did not hesitate to transfer the football to the left flank this time. Compared with the last time, this time his passing, whether in terms of strength, speed, and accuracy, was just right. George Wood could stop the ball effortlessly.

Wood stopped it, but Makelele also came up.

Everyone expected Wood to make another relentless breakthrough but did not realize that Wood was in a precarious situation on the field.

The football was stopped at his feet, and Makelele stood less than three meters opposite him, standing in wait. He did not rush up to grab the ball, so he did not know what to do.

Similarly, as a defensive player, Wood could feel the oppressive power emitted by Makelele; the kind of oppression that came with the confidence he could stop him no matter which side he decided to break through.

From a professional standpoint, Makelele's position blocked very well. Furthermore, Wood was not good at thinking of his next move once he stopped the football.

He was better suited to the kind of work that kept the football moving, such as the successful breakthrough just now where he made his next move in an unconventional situation. He did not have to think too much and just followed his body's instinctive reaction.

Once he let his body stop and gave his brain a chance to think, his mind would jam.

What should he do?

Makelele quietly looked at this man in front of him and the ball at his feet. He did not try to poke the ball. He waited for Wood to make his move. Don't know what to do? Just as I thought, this boy has too little experience in offense. His stunning performance was just purely instinctive. I just need to box him out and he will not know what to do.

When van der Vaart did not see the appearance of another beautiful attack, he looked over at Wood in puzzlement.

There was clearly a void in the back. As long as he could break through, he could create another threat. Wood decided to force a breakthrough. In the last confrontation, he knew that his physical advantage was very obvious. Since he could do it the last time, he should be able to again this time.

Wood suddenly kicked the football forward and got ready to start. At the same time, Makelele quickly turned around and separated him from the football. Wood had not accelerated yet and just started before he knocked into Makelele's back. He tried to knock the Frenchman away, but instead of pushing him aside to clear the path, he pushed Makelele toward the football ahead.

Makelele took advantage of the momentum to catch up with the football and intercepted it.

The opposing defense had succeeded.

Wood was stunned for only a moment before he quickly counter-pressed. He pounced on Makelele.

Essien came up to get Makelele out of the bind, otherwise the ball that he just intercepted from Wood was likely to be robbed back by Wood. That would be more humiliating.

After the football was passed to Essien, Wood changed his target and turned around to pounce on Essien.

Makelele looked at his opponent's back and shook his head gently. Interesting guy, he switches roles so quickly after being tackled. He doesn't seem to be affected by the loss of the ball at all... Or is he ready to lose the ball at any time? Makelele suddenly wanted to laugh. It did look like the mind of a defensive player.

Although he was the enemy, Makelele liked the taciturn lad. Maybe it was because there were currently fewer players who specialized in defense and met standards.

On the pitch, they did not receive any attention but were indispensable players on every team. It was very paradoxical.

But boy, I know you're physically strong and fast. Defense is not a job that solely relies on the body to dominate.

※※※

”The contest between Makelele and Wood...” murmured Twain off the field. ”It must have been that bastard Mourinho's idea.” He turned to looked at the Chelsea technical area. Mourinho was staring intently at the field.

Mourinho was actually willing to use Makelele to mark George Wood. Twain did not anticipate that. He thought Makelele would follow van der Vaart all the time.

Now van der Vaart was followed by Essien, and George Wood was entangled with Makelele. The flank where he wanted to attack Ashley Cole was heavily guarded by Chelsea.

The game went into a deadlock again. The Forest team's offense did not pick up for a long time.

Twain quickly scanned the big screen with the game time on it. It was now the 68th minute of the game.

He decided to make a substitution.

There was no one on the substitutes' bench. The players were out warming up. Every once in a while, they were summoned by the assistant manager, Kerslake to warm up to make sure that they could play at any time when needed.

”Go get the little monkey,” Twain ordered Dunn.

Soon, Gareth Bale ran back looking excited. When he saw Twain, he asked, ”Chief, is it time for me to play?”

Twain nodded and took the tactical board from Dunn's hand. He pulled Bale to the sidelines.

”You go up there and support the offense. Do you see where Wood is now?” He asked, pointing to the field. Wood just taken the ball on the flank and Makelele had rushed up. This time, Wood did not choose to force a breakthrough but passed the ball to van der Vaart. This move was a bit desperate, as it was van der Vaart who had passed the football on him.

”I see.” Bale nodded.

”Our offense on the right flank is blocked, and now Wood lacks support on the left flank. If you cover and run alongside from behind, Makelele will suffer.”

Leighton Baines was stronger in defense than Bale, but what Twain needed now was offense and not defense. He wanted to take down Chelsea in this away game, and not just to be contented with a draw.

”If you must be firm when you run alongside to the back, you cannot hesitate. Otherwise Makelele won't be diverted. You just sprint ahead and don't think too much about defense during the attack. Don't think about what will happen if you lose the ball. Just remember, when you rush up, there's George Wood behind you.”

When Twain said that, Bale laughed even more happily.

”All right. Get ready to play. Go and take this vest off.”

※※※

”Nottingham Forest makes a substitution; number 2 Gareth Bale replaces number 22 Leighton Baines.”

The stadium broadcast announced the latest tweak that Nottingham Forest made.