<h4>Chapter 151: You''ve crossed the line!</h4>


    The Millwall yers felt a deep sense of regret; they should have listened to Aldrich''s advice and avoided reading the newspapers or even turning on the TV the next day. A day earlier, headlines buzzed with predictions about Millwall''s chances of clinching a treble; just twenty-four hourster, the entire team found themselves facing a barrage of criticism.


    Overall, the assessment of the team was that theycked maturity and stability.


    Individual yers were also dragged out for public scorn.


    Pires was criticized for his poor dribbling: too selfish, too individualistic.


    Nedved didn''t score—unworthy of being a spiritual leader.


    Larsson and Trezeguet had precious few opportunities: underwhelming performances, with the exception of one penalty and a goal from open y, their disy wasckluster.


    Schneider was reproached: "Is crossing the only thing you can do? Can''t you manage a decent shot?"


    Young Spanish defender elgra was particrly targeted for the two counterattack goals that came as a direct result of his mistakes. Even though he was more of a center-back than Southgate, he couldn''t match Southgate''s maturity!


    Keller had long been the focus of media derision as well. There was a prevailing belief that Millwall''s goalkeeper was their weak link; he could be counted on to concede the goals he shouldn''t, while the ones he should save would sometimes slip through.


    Aldrich, the head coach, naturally faced mockery from all sides, treated like a drowning dog, with every passerby eager to swing a stick at his head.


    Seeing the news, the yers naturally felt resentful; even the most rational among them couldn''t maintain theirposure.


    Aldrich had a broader perspective. This was the usual way of Fleet Street; nothing was surprising about it.


    The British entertainment media certainly operates with its own set of sessful strategies. In essence, it''s about praising some while criticizing others.


    If someone was in the spotlight, they''d amplify it to celestial heights, causing all eyes to focus on them.


    If they were down, they''d stomp on them until they couldn''t suffer anymore. Sympathy was a scarcemodity.


    No one is perfect; mistakes happen and teams endure their share of defeats. This is news, and Fleet Street turned thesemon elements of football into sensational headlines.


    Fairness and objectivity? Forget about it.


    Football is part of the entertainment industry, and adapting to the fickle British media is not something neers can do quickly.


    Aldrich chose to grant his starting yers a week off, meaning they wouldn''t y in thest two matches of the season. By the time they recovered from their exhaustion in April, they would aim to finish the season strong and gear up for the FA Cup at Wembley.


    Before thest league match at the end of April, Aldrich held a routine pre-match press conference.


    Many reporters showed up, and after the media''s savage attacks in the past two days, they were eager to see if Aldrich would slip up or reveal any locker room secrets.


    However, to the disappointment of Fleet Street, after the drawn game with Leeds United, the Millwall locker room was surprisingly calm.


    Even when yers were interviewed, they merely expressed standard titudes: "We didn''t perform well. Leeds yed excellently; congrattions to them for staying up."


    After drawing with Millwall and considering the other match results, Leeds United had secured their survival in the league.


    This oue made Manchester United smile, as it meant they would face Leeds next. Though there was a rivalry between the two, Leeds'' spirit would surely wane after securing their safety.


    "In recent days, many of the main yers have been absent from training. I hear you gave them time off. So, who will you send out for tomorrow''s match at St. James'' Park? Theoretically, Millwall still has a shot at the title."


    Facing this question, Aldrich locked eyes with Richard from the Daily Mail.


    He was an old acquaintance, having followed Millwall sincest season and never missing a press conference.


    In the past two days, while the Daily Mail also participated in the media''s vilification of Millwall, it was not Richard writing those articles. Their long-standing rapport meant there was no need for unnecessary conflict, and he preferred to maintain the rtionship while still creating news.


    After all, anyone can kick someone when they''re down. Richard didn''t need to hurt his own standing, especially since he wanted to hear real news from Aldrich.


    Aldrich paused for a moment, contemting the prospects of winning the championship.


    Is there any hope for winning the title?


    Yes.


    Assuming Millwall emerges victorious in both of their matches, Newcastle United would need at least one loss and one draw, while Manchester United can only manage to earn 4 points in their two games.


    An expert evaluated this scenario''s probability, and while it''s uncertain how he calcted it, he provided a rather bleak oue: 2.78%.


    Quite urate, indeed.


    Aldrich replied calmly, "Since the first round of the league, Millwall has never been at the top of the table, so we haven''t experienced any significant psychological disparity. I''ve said countless times that we are a young team focusing on each match. The growth and development of the yers are our primary goals. No matter the oue of the season, I am satisfied with the team''s performance. Furthermore, I emphasize that it was you who continually shouted that Millwall would win the title. Now, you feign concern over our championship prospects. My team and I only want to y well in every match; that''s all."


    "So for tomorrow''s away match against Newcastle, is your n to develop younger yers?"


    "My n is to have the yers y a fantastic game at St. James'' Park, to showcase their abilities. That''s our goal."


    "Could you share the starting lineup for tomorrow?"


    "Goalkeeper: Butte. Defenders: Zambrotta, Materazzi, elgra, Capdev. Midfield: Gattuso, Viera, Back. Forwards: Solskjaer, Van Nistelrooy, Shevchenko. Do you need the substitutes list too?"


    "That''s enough, that''s sufficient. Uh, excuse my curiosity, but who are Capdev and Van Nistelrooy?"


    Some reporters stared nkly, unable to recall who these two were.


    Aldrich shrugged: "Capdev is the full-back we signed from Spainst summer. He has adapted to our team''s system over thest season, and I''ve decided to give him a chance to show what he can do. Van Nistelrooy came to the club a couple of years ago but hasn''t yed much. However, his recent performances have improved, and I believe he has the potential to be a regr first-team yer."


    Aldrich''s decisions regarding his lineup were not impulsive orst-minute; ording to his original n, both Capdev and Van Nistelrooy should have made the rotational squad by early April. However, this n was hindered by the team''s "crazy" state.


    For young yers, it''s impossible to buy them one day and have them start the next. Aldrich had given them a whole season to limate to Millwall—yers like Lampard, Rio Ferdinand, Capdev, and Mills all needed time to integrate, as Millwall''s tactical system ispletely different from the mainstream 4-4-2. Adapting to the football philosophy here requires a lengthy process of learning, understanding, and practicing.


    Youth and reserve teams are essential stages for yers before they step into the first team, especially since they are still quite young.


    After concluding the press conference, Aldrich returned to his office to sort through reports from various departments before heading home to rest for the next day''s match against Newcastle.


    His phone rang.


    Upon answering, he heard a Scottish voice that sounded somewhat irritable.


    "Aldrich, what the hell are you doing? Are you throwing away tomorrow''s match?"


    Ferguson, focused not only on his own team but also on Newcastle United''s situation, was keenly aware that Manchester United trailed Newcastle by three points. Ferguson pinned his hopes on Millwall being able to take down Newcastle.


    However, Aldrich had announced his starting lineup a day in advance, clearly indicating that Millwall wasn''t fielding its strongest side—none of the starting eleven were present!


    "Unless I''m mistaken, how I arrange my starting yers is none of your business!"


    Aldrich''s brusque tone left Ferguson momentarily silenced.


    "Can you really watch Keegan win the title? He''s never had any respect for Millwall!"


    "Is that supposed to provoke me? It won''t work! My key yers need to rest. If I field them, the injury list will only grow. Alex, if you respect me, you''ll refrain from interfering in how I manage the team. You''ve crossed the line! If Millwall loses to Newcastle tomorrow, it won''t be because I wanted to gift Keegan a championship. If Millwall beats Newcastle, it won''t be because I''m killing myself to help Manchester United win!"


    Following a lengthy silence on the other end of the line.


    "I apologize for what I just said. Aldrich, about the trade we discussed earlier—can you give me your answer?"


    "Nedved isn''t interested in moving to Manchester United. No matter how much you offer, I don''t n to sell. I have a deal in ce with Stam: if Millwall doesn''t win the league this season, Stam will stay for another season. You can ask about his price again next summer. If he decides he wants to stay then, I can only say sorry. Solskjaer can leave, but Manchester United has to make a decent offer; you said he''s going to be a starter at Manchester United. He''s been a substitute at Millwall this season yet has scored more goals than Cole, who''s a first-team regr for Manchester United. If you want this trade done quickly, let''s make it smooth and easy."


    "What''s your asking price?"


    "Do you know how to negotiate? My asking price? I''ll tell you directly: eight million pounds."


    "Are you joking?"


    "Joking? How many goals has Cole scored for the six million pounds you spent on him? With two league matches remaining, he has only scored 11 goals. Bergkamp cost Arsenal seven and a half million pounds and has scored how many this season? Ten. My Solskjaer is just a substitute and has scored 12 goals in the league and four in cup matches; do you really think I''m joking?"


    "Final offer: five million pounds."


    "Well, we can''te to an agreement. Selling a forward who can score nearly twenty goals a season for five million pounds? Ha!"


    "Six million pounds, that''s my final offer."


    "Seven million pounds, or we say goodbye. We''ll remain friends, but let''s not discuss this trade anymore."


    "Deal!"


    As Aldrich hung up, he could hear Ferguson grinding his teeth on the other end.