Tang En made his way to Kerslake and the two started chatting in a low voice . The other members had also slipped into a relaxed mood quickly, finding those they were on good terms with to mingle . As the locker room livened up, everyone's attention was diverted from the Captain's Armband to other places .
Tang En glanced sideways at Wood . He did not look for anyone to chat with, and no one approached him . He was just staring blankly at the Captain's Armband .
Kerslake noticed the same thing . "Tony, is this too early?"
"It'll happen sooner or later . There are benefits to having it happen earlier… I don't think George is the sort of person who will crumble under pressure and responsibility . Otherwise…"
Tang En thought about Wood, who worked to feed his family while worrying about his mother's illness . All that time, they also had to stay in a dangerous environment with a need to be constantly alert, having no peace at all .
"…He would have crumpled by now . By putting the Captain's Armband on him, I hope he can become even more mature and learn to consider things from a well-rounded perspective, giving him the ability to see the bigger picture . "
Kerslake nodded . He understood Tang En's good intentions . There was no need for him to worry about Wood . It was someone else he was worrying over .
"You assigned Anelka to play as a reserve in this match . Was he . . . dissatisfied with anything?" he asked quietly .
Tang En retrieved his gaze from Wood, turning instead to Anelka who sat in another corner of the locker room .
"Right now… I can't tell . He's quite introverted; he wouldn't easily express some of his emotions . "
"Didn't you explain to him?"
"What about? I've already said . I'll just treat him like any normal player . Isn't it normal for the players to be either on the starting line-up or reserve line-up?"
Tang En still chose to treat Anelka coldly .
Kerslake laughed .
Tang En was well-aware of what he was doing . Whatever he said now would not be the least bit persuasive . His tone softened as he said, "I'll find a chance and speak to him… but not now . "
As the final player to join the team as a new member, Anelka seemed rather misplaced in the lively locker room . He sat alone in a corner with his headphones on, listening to music .
※※※
Forest's starting lineup for the match was not much different from the final segment of the last season . Tang En did not use the newly-joined Anelka on the forward line . Instead, he partnered up Mark Viduka and Nicklas Bendtner . In the midfield, the position of left midfielder was firmly held by Franck Ribéry . Meanwhile, for the position of right midfielder, Forest chose to use Ashley Young, who had greater chemistry with the team, in this match . Aaron Lennon was put on the substitutes' bench .
In the center of the midfield were George Wood and Mikel Arteta .
In the position of center back, the starters were two young champions - Brazilian midfielder Pepe and Spain's National Youth Team player, Piqué .
In fact, the entire defensive line in Forest's starting line-up was made of youths . The starter left back was Leighton Baines, 20 years old, and the right back was Chimbonda, who was 26 .
Within this team Edwin van der Sar was one of the oldest, his experience becoming strikingly important on the youthful Forest Team .
Tang En instructed George Wood to mark Riquelme . Riquelme's actions were slightly slower as he liked maintaining possession of the ball . That would be Wood's opportunity . Whatever the method—even fouling—he must not allow Riquelme to be comfortable with the ball . He must give him neither the space nor the time to .
Boxing out Riquelme was equivalent to completely disabling Villarreal CF's offense .
On Forest's side of the offense, due to their deployment of two center forwards, their main offensive direction would be from the two wings . In matches, Sorin was quite active; his favorite activity was to run back and forth on the wings, making use of his enthusiastic sprints to supplement the offense of his team . However, Tang En did not intend to especially manage the Argentine madman and his tendency to cut forward . Since Sorin was fond of advancing forward to assist, Tang En planned to go all out on the offense to suppress him . With both of their wings launching ferocious attacks, it would force Sorin backward, allowing him to stay only on the defense without daring to attack .
This was Forest's home ground . Tang En hoped that the team would be able to establish the grounds for their advancement in this match . He wanted to absorb the lesson he had received last season from the match against Sporting CP; for two-legged matches where they first played at home and later away, he certainly could not allow the deciding moment to be left to the away match .
※※※
Not long after the beginning of the match, City Ground became a cacophony of noise stemming from the audience .
From the start of the match, George Wood made his attitude clear: he was going straight for Riquelme .
The away team Villarreal CF won the toss; they were to kick-off . As the core of Villarreal CF, Riquelme very quickly received a pass . He was the person launching the attack . Like a wolf in search of food, George Wood rapidly closed in on him .
After half a season of experience, the George Wood of today was not the same boy who had been easily toyed with by Riquelme .
Foul .
George Wood had tripped Riquelme .
Riquelme lay on the ground and looked up at Wood . He recognized the kid . In the previous season, this boy was toyed with to the point of helplessness . It directly led to Forest's loss in that match, while he himself was selected as the match's best player .
How was it that when meeting him again after half a season, he was actually donning the Captain's Armband?
He was the captain of Forest?
"George Wood is wearing the Captain's Armband for Nottingham Forest . This is somewhat surprising . With Albertini injured, the best candidate for captaincy should be Edwin van der Sar . Honestly, I don't think much of Wood as a captain . He could be an amazing defensive midfielder—a genius at defense—but, such talent is separate from being a captain . I don't understand why Tony Twain would make such a choice… Look at when they were tossing the coin earlier; his awkward performance is truly worrying!"
The commentator did not praise Wood's defense this time around . Meanwhile, Forest fans felt that the commentator was being too noisy, spouting nonsense that had nothing whatsoever to do with the match . What about Wood becoming the captain? He was a player groomed by their Youth Team; their own people! As fans, they supported Tang En's decision to make him the captain .
Numerous fans began to reminisce about the times they had had, while Forest was still competing in League One, of John Motson commentating for them . Since Forest's rise to the English Premier League, Motson's voice had practically vanished from their ears . It was just too bad that England's BBC channel had failed to attain the broadcasting rights for the English Premier League .
Although Martin Taylor and Andy Gray were extremely popular commentators, they remained objective towards the Forest Team . On the other hand, John Motson made his fondness for Forest obvious; it was something that truly won the favor of Forest fans .
After tripping Riquelme, Wood ran back to the team .
Sorin came forward to give his Argentine comrade a hand . "Are you alright?"
Riquelme shook his head .
"Watch out . That lad… I've heard some things about him . Last season, he kicked the Brazilian from Sporting CP and caused a major injury . "
Riquelme looked at Sorin, who nodded . "I'm not kidding . That Brazilian is still lying in the hospital . And for 18 months . "
Tang En made his way to Kerslake and the two started chatting in a low voice . The other members had also slipped into a relaxed mood quickly, finding those they were on good terms with to mingle . As the locker room livened up, everyones attention was diverted from the Captains Armband to other places . Tang En glanced sideways at Wood . He did not look for anyone to chat with, and no one approached him . He was just staring blankly at the Captains Armband . Kerslake noticed the same thing . Tony, is this too early? Itll happen sooner or later . There are benefits to having it happen earlier… I dont think George is the sort of person who will crumble under pressure and responsibility . Otherwise… Tang En thought about Wood, who worked to feed his family while worrying about his mothers illness . All that time, they also had to stay in a dangerous environment with a need to be constantly alert, having no peace at all . …He would have crumpled by now . By putting the Captains Armband on him, I hope he can become even more mature and learn to consider things from a well-rounded perspective, giving him the ability to see the bigger picture . Kerslake nodded . He understood Tang Ens good intentions . There was no need for him to worry about Wood . It was someone else he was worrying over . You assigned Anelka to play as a reserve in this match . Was he . dissatisfied with anything? he asked quietly . Tang En retrieved his gaze from Wood, turning instead to Anelka who sat in another corner of the locker room . Right now… I cant tell . Hes quite introverted; he wouldnt easily express some of his emotions . Didnt you explain to him? What about? Ive already said . Ill just treat him like any normal player . Isnt it normal for the players to be either on the starting line-up or reserve line-up? Tang En still chose to treat Anelka coldly . Kerslake laughed . Tang En was well-aware of what he was doing . Whatever he said now would not be the least bit persuasive . His tone softened as he said, Ill find a chance and speak to him… but not now . As the final player to join the team as a new member, Anelka seemed rather misplaced in the lively locker room . He sat alone in a corner with his headphones on, listening to music . ※※※ Forests starting lineup for the match was not much different from the final segment of the last season . Tang En did not use the newly-joined Anelka on the forward line . Instead, he partnered up Mark Viduka and Nicklas Bendtner . In the midfield, the position of left midfielder was firmly held by Franck Ribéry . Meanwhile, for the position of right midfielder, Forest chose to use Ashley Young, who had greater chemistry with the team, in this match . Aaron Lennon was put on the substitutes bench . In the center of the midfield were George Wood and Mikel Arteta . In the position of center back, the starters were two young champions - Brazilian midfielder Pepe and Spains National Youth Team player, Piqué . In fact, the entire defensive line in Forests starting line-up was made of youths . The starter left back was Leighton Baines, 20 years old, and the right back was Chimbonda, who was 26 . Within this team Edwin van der Sar was one of the oldest, his experience becoming strikingly important on the youthful Forest Team . Tang En instructed George Wood to mark Riquelme . Riquelmes actions were slightly slower as he liked maintaining possession of the ball . That would be Woods opportunity . Whatever the method—even fouling—he must not allow Riquelme to be comfortable with the ball . He must give him neither the space nor the time to . Boxing out Riquelme was equivalent to completely disabling Villarreal CFs offense . On Forests side of the offense, due to their deployment of two center forwards, their main offensive direction would be from the two wings . In matches, Sorin was quite active; his favorite activity was to run back and forth on the wings, making use of his enthusiastic sprints to supplement the offense of his team . However, Tang En did not intend to especially manage the Argentine madman and his tendency to cut forward . Since Sorin was fond of advancing forward to assist, Tang En planned to go all out on the offense to suppress him . With both of their wings launching ferocious attacks, it would force Sorin backward, allowing him to stay only on the defense without daring to attack . This was Forests home ground . Tang En hoped that the team would be able to establish the grounds for their advancement in this match . He wanted to absorb the lesson he had received last season from the match against Sporting CP; for two-legged matches where they first played at home and later away, he certainly could not allow the deciding moment to be left to the away match . ※※※ Not long after the beginning of the match, City Ground became a cacophony of noise stemming from the audience . From the start of the match, George Wood made his attitude clear: he was going straight for Riquelme . The away team Villarreal CF won the toss; they were to kick-off . As the core of Villarreal CF, Riquelme very quickly received a pass . He was the person launching the attack . Like a wolf in search of food, George Wood rapidly closed in on him . After half a season of experience, the George Wood of today was not the same boy who had been easily toyed with by Riquelme . Foul . George Wood had tripped Riquelme . Riquelme lay on the ground and looked up at Wood . He recognized the kid . In the previous season, this boy was toyed with to the point of helplessness . It directly led to Forests loss in that match, while he himself was selected as the matchs best player . How was it that when meeting him again after half a season, he was actually donning the Captains Armband? He was the captain of Forest? George Wood is wearing the Captains Armband for Nottingham Forest . This is somewhat surprising . With Albertini injured, the best candidate for captaincy should be Edwin van der Sar . Honestly, I dont think much of Wood as a captain . He could be an amazing defensive midfielder—a genius at defense—but, such talent is separate from being a captain . I dont understand why Tony Twain would make such a choice… Look at when they were tossing the coin earlier; his awkward performance is truly worrying! The commentator did not praise Woods defense this time around . Meanwhile, Forest fans felt that the commentator was being too noisy, spouting nonsense that had nothing whatsoever to do with the match . What about Wood becoming the captain? He was a player groomed by their Youth Team; their own people! As fans, they supported Tang Ens decision to make him the captain . Numerous fans began to reminisce about the times they had had, while Forest was still competing in League One, of John Motson commentating for them . Since Forests rise to the English Premier League, Motsons voice had practically vanished from their ears . It was just too bad that Englands BBC channel had failed to attain the broadcasting rights for the English Premier League . Although Martin Taylor and Andy Gray were extremely popular commentators, they remained objective towards the Forest Team . On the other hand, John Motson made his fondness for Forest obvious; it was something that truly won the favor of Forest fans . After tripping Riquelme, Wood ran back to the team . Sorin came forward to give his Argentine comrade a hand . Are you alright? Riquelme shook his head . Watch out . That lad… Ive heard some things about him . Last season, he kicked the Brazilian from Sporting CP and caused a major injury . Riquelme looked at Sorin, who nodded . Im not kidding . That Brazilian is still lying in the hospital . And for 18 months .
Chapter end
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