738 Super Ibi’s Troubles (1/2)
The only light source in the dim video screening room came from the big screen in front. The drawn heavy curtains made the room seem like it was night. The German language that sounded in the room was completely incomprehensible to Twain, but it did not matter. He could understand what the commentators were jabbering about by filling the gaps in his mind. The key was that he could repeatedly hear a word popping up among the German spoken: ”Ibišević!”
Every time the commentators, full of enthusiasm, called out the person's name, the birth of a goal would be shown on the screen. Sometimes the commentators did not shout in that way and instead yelled out, ”Super Ibi!”
No matter what the tall player on the screen was called, he always scored goals. He shot hard, jumped for the header, leaned on the opposing defender, and turned to shoot...
”While watching the best of the highlights any player will look like an awesome player like Pelé and Maradona, but, at the very least, we know what the other party's strengths are. He's very good at scoring goals.” Once they finished watching the video, the screen faded to black, and the room was dark, Twain opened his mouth to speak in the dark, ”Also I want to ask, isn't anyone sitting next to the switch?”
”There are only three of us here, Tony. Dunn and I are next to you.” Kerslake's voice rang out in the dark. ”In addition, the data indicates that his assists are also very good.”
”All right, I'll go...” Twain had just gotten up and knocked down the chair next to him. A yelp could be heard as he scolded, ”Damn chair!”
Dunn thoughtfully took out his cell phone to illuminate the room for Twain, but the light was too weak.
Twain did not grope about. He directly kicked over everything blocking in front of himself. Amid the crashing objects, he went to where the switch was and turned on the lights. All three men squinted their eyes when the bright white light came on.
The room was in a mess. Several chairs laid scattered about in the room. Twain picked them up to put them upright.
”Back to the topic just now,” he said. ”What do you think of this man?”
Dunn did not say a word while Kerslake shook his head and said, ”We're looking at a video of him a season ago. His performance that season was amazing. But, Tony, Bundesliga regularly produces 'ordinary strikers' who only hit the big time for one season. Look at his performance last season. It was as if he was a different player in the video. I don't think highly of him.”
Twain did not make any comments yet. He just turned to Dunn.
”It's a risk, Tony.” Dunn's words were simple, but he did not explicitly object. To tell the truth, he also could not make up his mind.
Twain nodded and said, ”I can understand your concerns. He scored 37 goals in the 08-09 season and almost broke Gerd Müller's record of 40 goals in a single season. It was absolutely a miraculous performance. Based on the performance of that season alone, we can't even buy him with 30 million. But, in the 09-10 season, his performance was completely incomprehensible to people. He only scored 10 goals in the season. It was a far cry from previous season's performance.”
”Since you know all that, why did we still have to watch his video?” Kerslake asked.
”Because I don't think the man's success was accidental. Instead, his strange performance last season was accidental.” Twain chuckled and said, ”I like his background story and his character. I think his success is definitely not down to luck. There are many reasons why he played poorly last season. First, the tactics Rangnick devised for Hoffenheim had been studied by the Bundesliga teams. Hoffenheim was not a newly promoted team but a participating team in the Champions League. Obviously, no one looked down on them. Second, as the Bundesliga's best goal scorer and Europe's best striker for the 08-09 season, Ibišević was the focus of his opponents' marking, which somewhat limited his play. Third, competing in multiple tournaments left Hoffenheim's team exhausted and in poor form. This affected Ibišević's goal scoring. Fourth, there were injuries. He suffered an injury last season and had not been able to get back into form after a two-month break. It's a little strange but understandable. A player's form is not something we can fully grasp. So, I don't think his decline in goals last season has anything to do with his individual ability. Do you want to hear why I'm optimistic about him?”
Kerslake nodded.
”Psychological quality.” Twain retracted three of his fingers he had just extended, leaving only one. ”Why did I say his success was not accidental? Look at his experience for the lower level leagues and as a substitute. Those are valuable assets for a striker. He has a good mindset and has never given up on his efforts to be a good striker. That is very important. Bayern Munich's leading striker, Luca Toni, did not do well in Fiorentina before he became famous, but he eventually broke out. I believe Ibišević can be the second Luca Toni. He just needs a bigger stage, and Hoffenheim is no longer suitable for him. The boss there would never have more money than the UAE royal family. They spent so much money, yet Manchester City did not win a single title, nor did Hoffenheim. I think Nottingham Forest is an entirely new stage suitable for him to play to his full potential.”
”Also, thanks to his poor performance last season, we shouldn't have to spend too much money on him now. Moreover, as a Bosnian who had lived in the United States, he also speaks fluent English. To play in England without any linguistic problems, it would help him fit into the team better and faster. The striker is the one who needs to adapt to the style of the team as quickly as possible. It is beneficial for him and us.”
Kerslake looked at Twain and asked, ”So in actual fact, you've made up your mind, haven't you?”
”Don't say that, David.” Twain laughed. ”I always listen to both your opinions.”
”Since you've said what you're supposed to say, what other opinions can we have? Isn't that right, Dunn?” Kerslake turned to ask Dunn, who sat next to him.
”Tony believes that a player's psychological quality can determine his achievements,” Dunn said. ”I reserve my opinions on it. As an assistant manager, I support the manager.”
”That's it!” Twain gave a clap and exclaimed, ”Tomorrow, let our guy sound out Hoffenheim!”
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