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!
Twain marked Rio Ferdinand’s position with an arrow directly inserted into Manchester United’s goal.
“Keane is a problem. So during this game… Demetrio, you need to move up in your position to hinder him; don’t give him too much time to help Ferdinand.
Albertini nodded. “Okay, boss.”
“When Manchester United attacks, you have to return to defend; I’ll let George help you.”
Speaking of which, Twain glanced at George Wood. Even though the Forest team was now within his control and the atmosphere on the team was fairly good, he still could not penetrate other people’s thoughts. The media’s unscrupulous speculation, which did not care about what the Forest players thought, might really convince the rest of the team that he overly favored George Wood. Like Brynjar Gunnarsson, who was repeatedly mentioned in those nonsense reports as a direct competitor with Wood for the same position. With the media adding fuel to the fire, who knew what Gunnarsson really thought?
As young players, Piqué and Bendtner had to be substitutes. Why was George Wood able to be in the starting lineup for every game?
Could anyone guarantee that such thoughts would not emerge in the young players’ minds?
Such problems initially did not exist, or were not serious enough to produce any disastrous effects. However, due to the fact that the Forest team had lost to Villarreal, it was hyped up by the media to such an extent that it attracted Twain’s attention.
This was another reason why Twain was harsh and insolent towards the media.
I can understand that you need to create fake stories and sensational news to attract the public’s interest for the sake of sales volume and your livelihoods. After all, I’m not a moralist. I have absolutely no interest in correcting British society by calling for the return of media ethics and asking the public to reflect on the lack of media integrity. But if you target my team, don’t blame me for not giving you face.
The Chinese had a good saying: If others do not offend me, I will not offend others; if other people offend me, I will retaliate!
“George.” Wood stood up when he heard his name called.
“You have a heavy responsibility for today’s game. In addition to defending Manchester United’s number 8, Scholes, you have to pay attention to covering Demetrio. If Keane comes up to attack, you will be required to defend against him at times. Also… if our defense in our flanks is tight, you’ll have to help too.” Even Twain, not to mention the other players on the Forest team, thought that this demand was a little harsh for Wood.
How could one man deal with all ofthose situations at the same time?
Some people turned to look at George Wood in the corner, but they did not see Wood frown with hesitation. Instead, they saw him nod and reply simply, “Okay.”
Doesn’t this kid know how to complain? This is not a job that one man can do! Is he right in the head? How can he just agree to whatever the manager says? He should have his own thoughts once in a while!
Twain had not expected Wood to answer so straightforwardly. His original intention was to just mention it; but in reality, all four midfielders would still be involved in the defense. Ribéry and Ashley Young needed to retreat to assist the full backs defend.
Unexpectedly, Wood had agreed, so he grinned. “Are you sure you’re capable of accomplishing all of that, George?”
With a calm face, Wood said, “If not, you can bring me off the field.”
Was he confident? Or was he dim-witted?
Twain sighed. “Alright. Ribéry and Young, you two can be more aggressive on the flanks and create pressure for the Manchester United’s defense to prevent their two wingers from stepping forward and participating in offense.”
The two midfielders understood why Twain wanted them to do that. They both looked at Wood. Victory was most important, but now they had one more thing to look forward to. They all want to see if George Wood could accomplish all the tasks that the boss gave him, or have to be brought off earlier.
And they could tell that there were more than a couple of people with the same idea. It was clear from everyone’s expression as they looked at Wood.
