Godfather Of Champions

Two stadiums, four changing rooms, yet the atmosphere were totally different.

In the home changing room of the Etihad Stadium, the Arsenal players were relaxed as they listened to music and discussed excitedly about how they were going to celebrate this league title that they worked so hard for. Not even Wenger thought that Forest could create a miracle again, even though he just found out that Nottingham Forest was leading 1:0 at home.

Manchester City’s performance in this game today did not surprise Wenger —— There was indeed no need for Manchester City to work hard for this game. Nobody wanted to get injured in the last game of the season after all. If they went all out knowing that their opponents were Arsenal who would do everything for the league title, it would naturally be difficult for them to avoid injuries. They might as well just show up for the game and then go for a vacation after that.

Meeting an opponent like this during the last match of the season was really lucky for them. On the other hand, look at Tony Twain’s situation —— Sunderland, a team who must beat Forest to be able to stay in the Premier League.

Under such circumstances, if Arsenal still could not become champions, Wenger did not know what other opportunities there could be for his team to win the league.

After two years, getting the league title back from Nottingham Forest. There would be no regrets even though they were knocked out of the Champions League by them.

※※※

At Sunderland’s changing room at the City Ground, manager Nielson was giving a passionate speech in the middle of his team with his fists clenched, “It’s just a goal! Arsenal is already leading by two goals. The Nottingham Forest players will definitely know about this news during the halftime break. What does this mean for them? It means their league title is gone! Their morale and confidence will both be dealt a severe blow, and this would be our chance… Defeat them and let us stay in the Premier League!”

The players all looked fired up by his speech. Boss is right, Nottingham Forest will definitely be affected by it, and that will be our opportunity, we just need to take the chances for a couple of counter attacks… For our survival in the Premier League, we’ll go all out for these 45 minutes!

If not now, then when?

※※※

Arsenal’s changing room was exuberant and relaxed, Sunderland’s changing room was filled with unrest and hope. Nottingham Forest’s felt more like the calm before the storm.

All the players enquired about the situation in the other stadium from the coaches and teammates on the substitute’s bench the moment they left the field. They heard loud boos coming from the stands twice during the match and they wanted to confirm if it meant that Arsenal was leading by two goals.

The answer were unanimous. Both the coaches and their teammates told them about this cruel fact with a helpless look and nodding motion.

For a moment, everyone grew silent as they sat in the changing room, not knowing what to say or what to do. They could only wipe away the sweat on their bodies like a machine.

Twain was in the changing room all this time; he did not say anything either.

The Forest players were all hoping that their boss would say something then, even if he was scolding someone. Otherwise, this silence would be too unbearable…

Bale opened his mouth to speak but stopped himself, he turned to look around and found that everyone had habitually looked down. He started to hate this action all of a sudden.

Are we going to just give up like this? Even Boss, who’s usually so arrogant, has accepted this result?

This unbearable silence lasted for five whole minutes.

※※※

Brazilian samba music was playing in the changing room. Manchester City had so many Brazilian players that it was becoming more and more like a Brazilian team. Robinho, Elano, Jo, Alex… All these players from Brazil were twisting and turning along with the music in the changing room, as if they were enjoying the fiesta again this year.

There were also people joining in, everyone’s thoughts were no longer on the game.

Bendtner was the only one who felt pain as these samba music were like extensions of the Arsenal fans’ mocking, reverberating in his ears. He felt as if his head would explode. He hated the atmosphere of the changing room and he would rather everyone sit squarely while manager McClaren kicked the door in to give all of them a scolding.

He might feel more comfortable if there were shouts and curses of, “What bullshit was that in the first half?”

He covered his head with the towel he used to wipe away his sweat, leaned on the wall, closed his eyes and tried his best to calm down.

But the noisy and happy rhythm of the music made his efforts for naught. All sorts of weird thoughts popped out in his head along with the music.

Are we going to continue like this for the second half?

Can I request to be substituted? Hmm… probably not, I guess? Then I should find a chance to get two yellows, or injure myself… Anyway, I don’t want to play anymore.

What kind of lousy game is this, we’ve already lost our will to fight before the match. Is it a proud and honorable thing to watch others lift the champion’s trophy in front of us? Are these people dancing in the changing room not ashamed of the current score line? Do they wish to fail? Didn’t we get together to form a team to win and be champions?

Bendtner lifted his head slightly, he saw Ashley Young watching the performance of Robinho and co with a smile on his face from under the towel. The smile was cold. At that moment, he started to envy Ashley Young, because… He is finally free.

Bendtner had a thought.

※※※

After allowing the awkward and unbearable silence to continue for five minutes, Tony Twain finally stood up from his seat. Along with his action, everyone’s eyes were on him.

“Everyone knows about the situation of the other game, I’ll not go into it. Is this result making you depressed? We worked so hard in the first half and we only managed a one goal lead whereas Arsenal got a two-goals lead so easily? I have the admit that this result is not to our advantage. I have no way of asking you guys to become champions because the way to becoming champions is not in our hands,” Twain said as he opened his arms.

“All we can do now is to play our own game. Forget about the championship for now,” Twain said. He looked at his players and realized that they did not have much reaction. He smiled, “Are you guys depressed because of what I said? You thought that I will stand here, wave my fists and shout that victory belongs to us and the championship belongs to us, didn’t you?”

The players did not answer, but Twain could guess from their expressions.

“I just want you to put down your burdens. I’ve been thinking about this question earlier, if we continue to play with the burden of being champions on our backs, we might even lose to Sunderland in the second half… Don’t, don’t look so unbelieving,” Twain pointed at a few players and said, “Your minds are filled with Arsenal, Arsenal, Arsenal… You don’t even know who our opponents are today, do you? Newcastle? Tottenham Hotspurs? Or… Real Madrid? Fellows, when you’re looking at the target far away, pay some attention to your feet. If you get tripped by a small rock, you’ll become the laughingstock of everyone. When that happens, not only would Arsenal win the league title, they can also mock us for our incapability without remorse!”

“Indeed, we’re behind Arsenal by one point. Arsenal has a very comfortable lead, that’s a fact too. But this should not be a reason for us to give up. Play this game against Sunderland properly, don’t give them any chance to come back, next…” Twain stopped when he reached here. What should he say next? Pray to God that they would become champion? Wait for the blessings of lady luck?

“No,” Twain shook his head, “Even if the whole world doesn’t believe in us, we have to believe in ourselves. Arsenal cannot announce that they’re the champions until the last second of the game! Similarly, you cannot announce that it is the end! Let me tell you guys, I have not given up yet, I’ve never given up! I’ve always believed that my team is the best team in the world, and we should logically achieve all the glory. Some people are worried for me, if I lose the league title, how am I going to eat a table? Let me tell you guys… I’ve never thought about this problem because I firmly believe that we will not lose!” Twain shook his fist with vigor, his tone suddenly becoming very passionate. “If you do not have the same state of mind as I do, you won’t be able to smile at the end of this intense fight! It is always better to believe in yourselves instead of believing in others! I’ve said it before, do you remember who your opponents are in this game? Let me tell you, it’s Sunderland! That unlucky team that is destined to be relegated! Crush them!”

If there was an apple in Twain’s hand now, he might just be able to crush it.

※※※

Nielson was making his adjustments to the tactics for the second half. He was confident that he found a Nottingham Forest’s loophole.

“Their state of mind is not balanced now. A one-goal lead is not enough for Twain. This is Tony Twain’s habit, he’ll definitely want his team to press more in attack, that will be our chance… The two Forest full backs were very active in the first half, they’ll probably be even more active in the second half. Everyone said that Tony Twain is conservative, but deep inside, he is a very crazy man, he can continue to press forward in the second half for victory. That’s why I want you to launch an attack the moment you intercept the ball, pump the ball forward. As long as we can enter the penalty area once, it’ll do!”

The tactics board was all messed up by him and he kept talking non-stop. He could not care if his players understood him, all he could think of now was, “There’s not much time left, I have to let them know what to do in the second half!”

“Continue to press them over the whole pitch and tactical fouls… Of course, try to foul them further away from our penalty area. Don’t be afraid of being exhausted, I’ll emphasize it again —— This is the last game of the season, if you don’t go all out, this will also be your last game in the Premier League. Run even if you’ve a cramp! If you cannot continue to create pressure for them, you’ll be the ones at a disadvantage!”

“Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, get the ball back if you lose it. Be more ferocious and they’ll be afraid of you! Think about what Forest is feeling now. Their championship is gone!” Nielsen even repeated this last sentence three times.

Nielson was not an impressive tactician, otherwise Sunderland would not have been in this situation —— The Irishman Quinn still had the backings of a rich financial group. But he was not an impressive speaker either, under the current special circumstance though, what he said still had some provocative effect. The Sunderland players’ eyes turned red and they were prepared to fight till the end in the second half.

Topple the arrogant Nottingham Forest and destroy their dreams of winning the title as well as ensuring their own safety. This season would be perfect.

※※※

The samba music finally ended, but Bendtner did not feel that his torment was over. Because McClaren was preparing the tactics for the second half…

Robinho was still bobbing his head on his seat, as if the music did not stop. He had already been substituted. At the start of the second half, the main striker was being substituted for the young striker in the team, the 20 years-old Jack Reed. He had only played five times for the team this season, all as a substitute.

McClaren was already training the rookies for the team.

As the top scorer of the team, Bendtner was still considered an important member and he would continue to play in the second half.

Bendtner really did not know whether this was a good or bad thing for him. When McClaren announced that Jack Reed would be replacing Robinho, he secretly stole a glance at Ashley Young and found out that he was also looking at him, only he could not hide the sympathy he had in his eyes.

At this moment, a sentence popped up in his mind.

People from Nottingham Forest were always a tough fit to the environment they were in. That was because that man was too special, so the team that he brought up was also too special, and people coming from that team would naturally be special too.

If Nottingham Forest were in the same situation now, that man would probably give everyone in the changing room a piece of his mind. He could not tolerate failure, much less failure without any fighting spirit like now. It was very tiring to play for him, seriously, it was as if he was being forced to run forward by a mace every day without stopping.

But one day, when they were allowed to stop and take a break, to catch their breath, they would find out that they had run up the mountain when they looked up. That was when they could finally straighten their exhausted bodies, take a deep breath and take a good look at their surroundings.

They could see all the mountains in a single glance…