The penalty kick in the 31st minute of the first half hit Forest hard, and the Nottingham Forest players looked a little listless for the rest of the game. Led by two goals in 30 minutes away from home, the opponent is still Manchester United, how to play this game?

Some people think about the league game they lost to Liverpool, which was also beaten 0-2 in the first half, and then the team collapsed completely...... It's the same today, only George? Wood was still on the run, but he looked too insignificant alone in front of United's formidable midfield.

When the whistle blew at the end of the first half, the stands at Old Trafford were filled with cheers from the Red Devils fans, who seemed to see a victory within reach.

Instead of rushing back to the locker room, Don stood on the sidelines and watched his men enter the corridor. All the Forest players who took the pitch bowed their heads as they walked past the manager – and they themselves felt that the 45 minutes of the game had been played really badly...... Ferguson, on the other side, did not rush back to the dressing room, but stood on the sidelines with a smile on his face, patting the shoulder when a Manchester United player passed by him.

The two head coaches, one expressionless and the other full of spring breeze, are as contrasting as the scores on an electronic scoreboard.

When only the warm-up substitutes were left on the pitch, Don and Alex Ferguson walked into the players' tunnel one after the other.

Pushing the door open, Don almost thought he had walked into the empty room by mistake, silent, as if there was no one.

Looking at the dejected players, Donn's original stomach of speeches has disappeared without a trace, and it is necessary to change the strategy at this time.

He coughed, alerting everyone in the room of his presence. This attracted a lot of attention for him.

When the goal was achieved, Don raised his wrist to look at his watch, and pretended to be surprised and said, "Is there something wrong with my watch?" Is the game over? David, is that okay with the table below? ”

Chris Rac knew what Donn was going to do, and he shook his head, "No, Tony. It's just the end of the first half. ”

"The end of the first half? Are you sure? Don asked rhetorically with wide eyes.

"I'm sure." Chrislak nodded.

"Uh-huh......" Donn looked at the players, "It seems that my watch is normal, and my memory is fine." In that case......"

He paused in a long voice, "Since we have forty-five minutes left, what are you doing, gentlemen?" The faces of each crying made me think that I had gone to the wrong room and remembered the wrong time. Is the game over? No! So what is it about you that way? Or ......" he waved his hand at the locker room door and raised his voice, "do you think we won't have any improvement or chances in the second half, and this game is over?!" Answer me! ”

One of the players replied sporadically, "No...... ...... owner"

"In my team, you can't give up on cowards who want to think they're going to lose before the game is over! If anyone doesn't have confidence in themselves and their fellows, they can put their hands up now, there is not much time left until the winter transfer window! ”

No one raised their hand.

"What? No one raised their hand? Were you all sleeping when you were silent just now? Well, let's put that aside for a moment......" Donn waved his hand, literally throwing it away. "Fifteen minutes after the break, I don't want to waste this nonsense. Yes, we're not in a good position right now, we're two goals down away and it looks like it's going to be tough to get back together. But that's not a reason for us to give up on this game, and in fact there is no reason for us to give up hope of winning. ”

Hearing the head coach's tone slowing down, the players who were scolded by Don just now buried their heads and didn't dare to breathe, so the players raised their heads one after another.

"Frank." Done leaned to the corner of the dressing room, looked at Ribery and said, "You're a wing-back or even a winger, remember you're only assisting Barnes defensively." I'm not going to criticize you for giving them a chance to fake a penalty, but you have to know that you're an attacking player and defending is not your first priority. You see, you've been entangled with Ronaldo several times around our penalty area, so what if we need to counter-attack if we get the ball off the ball? ”

Donne's tone was not serious, he was reasonable, and Ribery nodded frequently, and his head was enthusiastic on the field, thinking only about how to win the heads-up with Ronaldo, completely forgetting the needs of the team's overall tactics. Looking back now, I really didn't think about what I did.

"We all know that in addition to creating chances for their own goals, the wide attack also plays an important role in suppressing the opponent's wide attack. So, Frank, if you drop back too much, you're letting the opposition suppress our attack on the left flank......"

Don said this, and Ribery fully understood. He was completely led away by Ronaldo.

"I see, boss. I won't make them so comfortable in the second half! He clenched his fists and said.

Don nodded, then turned to Wood: "And ...... George. Remember your assignment before the competition? ”

Wood nodded.

"But you have too little support for the wide defence. If you were a little more positive, Ribery wouldn't be as stressed. ”

Wood opened his mouth to defend himself, but he then gave up on the idea and said nothing. It was Albertini next to him who spoke for him: "Boss, I'm not...... In fact, Keane put too much pressure on George......"

Donn nodded to indicate he knew, but he followed up on Albertini's words: "Anyone playing with Keane is going to be stressful, do you think Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira is not stressful? Same. Roy? Keane...... That's the kind of person you are. So, George, again, if you can't complete the task I gave you, I'll change people. ”

To Ribery, Donn said kindly, but to his favorite George? Wood, on the contrary, he is harsh to the point of being unkind. If it were ordinary players, in the face of such an unreasonable arrangement, I'm afraid they would have muttered a long time ago, right?

But Wood no, Wood didn't even show any change in expression on his face, and nodded: "Okay." The tone was flat and made it seem like he must not have heard Donn's words, but just responded casually.

Don didn't repeat the question, "Do you understand?", but turned to the whole team and said:

"Guys, you should know that football is a team sport, whether it's offensive or defensive, it's not something that one or two people can decide. So...... You also need to help Wood. He laughed, "Don't let Wood be Superman alone, I need eleven Supermen!" ”

"It's too easy, boss!" Eastwood raised his hand and stood up.

"Do you have any good suggestions, Freddy?" Don looked at him.

Freddie nodded and said solemnly, "Just put your panties outside!" ”

Even Viduka, who was usually more serious, couldn't help but laugh when he heard his striker say this, and his laughter was like a flare in the silent room, and everyone - including the players and coaches - laughed out loud...... The stifling air in the locker room was swept away by everyone's laughter.

As the managers reappeared on the sidelines, waiting for the second-half kick-off whistle to blow, Donn glanced at Ferguson, an old Scottish man with a looming smile on his face and a red glow.

Seeing this face, which always contained a faint smile, Tang En felt uncomfortable, and he quickly twisted his face back.

There are still 45 minutes left, don't laugh too early, Sir Alex Ferguson...... After the start of the second half, it seems that it is still a copy of the first half, Manchester United took advantage of the home advantage to launch a tidal wave of attacks on the Forest team's goal, wave after wave, and the Forest team is very embarrassed.

Ribery remembered Donn's words at half-time, but when he realized in front of him that the ball couldn't get to his feet, he hesitated and ran back...... Counterattack? That has to be done before we don't concede the ball.

Seeing that the team's situation was not improving, Donn got up from the dugout, walked to the sidelines, waved his hand and yelled at the field: "George!! ”

Wood heard Don call him, but he didn't look back, he knew what Donn was calling him for.

Keane pressed more often in the second half, which seemed to be at the behest of Alex Ferguson. Scholes and Roy? Keane, plus Wayne Rooney and Ruud van Nistelrooy, who took turns dropping back, were really tight in the middle.

Wood had never experienced such a feeling of a game – against Roy? Keane is a man who is highly stressed and has no time to catch his breath, and any negligence can lead to fatal results. He didn't have the heart to think about anything else, only the number 16 in his eyes on Manchester United.

Donn understands the current situation, as he remembers Keane's arch-rival in the Premier League when he later announced his retirement...... Or the opponent Patrick? Patrick Vieira has paid tribute to the United captain, saying Keane is the greatest midfielder he's ever played against and that he has to bring his full spirit and energy to 100 per cent. He likes the thrill of being fully committed and masterful.

Donn doesn't know if Wood will like it, but he can be sure that a full-fledged game against Keane will give George a far greater growth than he would have spent three months on the training ground.

There is a saying that has always been buried in Donn's heart, and he didn't say it to anyone: even if the game is really lost, as long as the process is as Donn expected, then he will not have any complaints. He can still withstand the pressure of consecutive defeats.

What he showed was to motivate the players, and he couldn't afford to lose as people thought.

Defeat is the only way to victory...... Of course, there must be a worthwhile failure.

※※※ "Roy? Keane got the ball, but he couldn't shoot...... He was always with George? Wood, Wood is inseparable from him. This should be Tony? Coach Donn's tactical arrangement. ”

Keane seeing George? Wood pressed up and immediately distributed the ball to Ronaldo, who saw this and pounced on Ronaldo, and the Portuguese saw him come and pass the ball back to Keane. Centre-back Piquee stepped forward to fill in but was crossed to the back of the ball, but fortunately Forest's right wing-back Leighton? Barnes received the ball in the box just in time to interfere with Rooney's ball.

Seeing this scene just now, Don shook his head from the audience. This is not good, no matter how fast you are, you can't outrun the ball.

Wood stood beside Keane and looked at goalkeeper Darren? Ward gave Barnes a thumbs up, thanking him for the timely recovery and dismissal of a threat. A flash of light flashed through his mind.

Why not?

So he walked up to Albertini and said his thoughts succinctly, Albertini quickly understood what Wood was thinking, he thought about it, and then nodded: "Although this method is not arranged by the boss, I think it can be tried." ”

Then he turned around and told everyone what Wood had thought, and not everyone agreed, and some people were hesitant, because George? Wood has never played as a wing-back in training, and Spaniard Piquee has not played as a central midfielder.

Taking advantage of the dead ball, Albertini told several of his team-mates who needed to be part of the plan: "I don't think there's anything to hesitate about. Looking at the scoreline, we are two goals down and if we can't stifle United's attack, we won't have a chance to fight back. George's idea is good, Pique, have you played at the back before? ”

The Spaniard shook his head: "No, Demy. ”

"Then why not take this opportunity to give it a try?"

"But it's an important game......"

"Leave that alone, it's not a cup final. Okay, I said that's it. Pique, usually you still play at centre-back, and if you see Keane coming up to get the ball, you push him out and press him. Then Barnes, you get inside the box to play centre-back, leaving the wide corridor for George. Is that okay? If you don't have it, do it! "At the critical moment, Albertini showed the ability and courage of a captain, and divided the new tasks with three strikes and five divisions. Of course, this also has something to do with his English level, he always avoids using long sentences with complex grammar, and uses phrases to express his meaning, so everyone understands it very well.

No one has a problem with him doing this, because everyone knows Tony? Coach Donn values the Italian captain, and the relationship between the two of them sometimes doesn't look like a mere coach and player...... Donn saw his players get together on the sidelines and then quickly separated, not knowing what was going on. Then when United attacked again, he was surprised to find that Piquet had stepped into Wood's position!

"Lower back!" He couldn't help but scream, and Chris Rac next to him asked, "Is there a problem, Tony?" ”

Tang En hurriedly shook his head: "No, no, no problem, this is very good......"

He still remembers that Pique, who was loaned to Zaragoza in La Liga, was also faced with the dilemma of not being able to play at the beginning because he couldn't play in the first team of Manchester United and Ferguson felt delayed in playing in the reserve game. However, United's contract with Zaragoza stipulated the number of appearances that Piquee had to play 20 times a season, so Zaragoza arranged for Piquee to play in the final minutes of the game, and also treated him as a jack-of-all-trades, letting him play wherever there was a shortage of people. For example, the lower back.

Originally, Piqui could only play at right-back and centre-back, but in Zaragoza he was forced by the environment, and the third position of the midfielder was also developed.

As it turns out, Pique's midfield position is just as good, although his favourite is the defender...... I didn't expect Pique's third position to appear in the Premier League two years earlier!

Pique, who played in the back for the first time, was completely ducked to the shelf, and he was a little overwhelmed in the face of Keane, and was easily shaken off, but fortunately, Albertini made up for it in time to defuse the crisis.

Piquet gestured apologetically to the captain, but Albertini smiled and said, "The first time, inevitably." In fact, there is no difference, just pay attention to your movements, the defense outside the penalty area is not the same as the inside of the penalty area, don't easily kick out, stick to him! ”

Piqué nodded his head to indicate that he understood.

On the other side, Portuguese genius Cristiano? Ronaldo was a little surprised to find that his opponent had changed someone. Layton? Barnes went into the box and looked like he was playing as a centre-back, but what about Scarface...... Ribery wants to come back to assist the defence, mind you, it's "assist". Although the frequent running up and down made him feel tired, he could still continue to hold on to it by gritting his teeth.

Wood looked up at Ribery running towards him, "What are you doing?" ”

"The boss said, help defend ......," the Frenchman stole and pointed to Manchester United's number 7.

"No, you don't." Wooder bluntly rejected Ribery's kindness, "You come back, who will attack?" Go up. He pointed to Manchester United's backfield.

Ribery tried to retort, but his mouth opened and closed, and then he turned and ran back.

Cristiano? Ronaldo was right next to Wood and could clearly hear his conversation with Ribery. The boy didn't even look at him when he spoke, and the Portuguese suddenly felt a resentment in his heart - look down on me? You think you can stop me alone? Okay, let's try it!

When Keane took the ball again to face Piqui and was about to break through, he suddenly saw Ronaldo waving at him on the flank, asking him to pass the ball over.

With such an obvious passing intention, idiots know to defend in advance!

Keane ignored it and opted instead to pass it to Scholes. Scholes fed Ryan Giggs on the left flank, and Giggs' cross created a header for Ruud van Nistelrooy, but he was deflected wide.

That seemed to give Ronaldo a chance to express his displeasure, and he waved his hand, a little upset that Keane didn't pass the ball to him. Keane glanced at him, then turned and ran back.

Donn snickered as he watched below. Ronaldo, who has just joined Manchester United, is quite arrogant and unsociable because of his self-pride in dribbling, handsome, and heavy-handed coach, and his relationship in the Manchester United dressing room is extremely bad. At that time, there was a lot of negative news about him, and he was even driven back to his Portuguese hometown by Ferguson directly because of a fight with his teammates, and it was once rumored that he was going to transfer away from Manchester United.

This kid is far from mature now......

(To be continued)