<h4>Chapter 717: Here Comes The Wolf</h4>
<strong>Trantor: </strong>Nyoi-Bo Studio <strong>Editor: </strong>Nyoi-Bo Studio
Dunn felt like he was reliving the days before Twain took over his body.
Besides getting busy training the team every single day, he also has to put in time and effort into analysing data regarding their opponents with his colleagues,e up with a thorough n to help the team win, hold tactical meetings and devise the tactics that the team would employ during the match.
Afterwards, all that was left for him was to wait for the match tomence…
He came to the miserable realization that nothing had changed about him all this while. He still has not improved as a manager…
He was only capable of thinking about all the situations that could arise during the match and prepare for them in advance. Once the match started however, he would slowly lose control over the match. He could notpare to how Tony Twain was able to adapt and alter his tactics based on what was happening on the pitch. Not in a million years.
The team’s results were very, very terrible.
His only constion was that the team did manage to get a win under him.
Both Nottingham Forest and Dunn lived through a dark and gloomy January when Twain was critically ill and his condition was at its worst.
The team kept up with their horrendous performance that they had put in throughout December and did not manage to secure a single win during the first 3 weeks of January. It was only on the veryst day of January that they were able to attain a gruelling 2-1 win over Aston Vi in an away game.
That was also the day when Twain announced to the public that he was about to be discharged.
Due to their 10 consecutive losses during December and January, Nottingham Forest slipped further down the ranking table and was ranked 12th with just 36 points at the start of February.
Ribéry’s departure from the team had greatly impacted the team’s pre-existing tactics as well. When he was still a yer for Forest, the left nk was pretty much his own personal passageway. Now that he has left to y for Real Madrid however, the Nottingham Forest whose forte was attacking down the nks was akin to a bird that had lost half its wings.
Dunn was against the idea when An Adams insisted on selling Ribéry for money to help the team through its difficult times. But, who would listen to what an assistant managers says? Did he have a better rtionship with the club’s owners than An?
Moreover, he was not someone who liked getting into a dispute with others. Since the higher-ups in the club had already decided to sell Ribéry, all he could do was to tweak the team’s tactics and have the team get used to ying without Ribéry on the left nk.
Perhaps no one in Forest wishes to admit it just yet, but everyone else all believe that it will be impossible for Nottingham Forest to be the champions in anypetition for the remainder of this season. In fact, it will be extremely challenging for them to even qualify for Champions League football next year.
The team finally started ying better after Twain was discharged from the hospital.
Winter was also starting to pass by slowly. It did not matter how far away Spring was… It has toe one day.
The team went undefeated in the league for the whole of February under Dunn, attaining three wins and one draw.
They went up by two rankings as a result, and was ranked 10th with 43 points.
He was also crowned ‘Manager of the Month’ for February in the Premier League.
It was rare for a young man from China to receive such an honor and thus, it garnered a lot of attention in China. Numerous Chinese media outlets flew over to Britain to gain an interview with the man they dubbed as ‘The Rising Chinese Power Amongst International Football Managers’. Dunn’s poprity in China went through the roof for a short period of time.
Amidst all the buzz surrounding Dunn, the name Tang Jing shone the most. That was because she could get ess to exclusive information that no other news outlets was able toy their hands on. She considered herself to be Dunn’s sole spokesperson on many things rted to Dunn.
There were many rumors involving her and Dunn in China. One particr rumor that was widely epted by many ‘gossipers’ was that there was something going on between the beautiful reporter and Dunn. They believed that their rtionship has gotten so intimate that it has crossed the boundaries of what is eptable between a reporter and an interviewee. There were spections that the two were actually a couple, and there were even posts online made by someone who imed to be a student studying abroad in Nottingham that vividly described how he ran into Dunn and Tang Jing on the streets, and how they were hugging and kissing each other and being intimate.
Tang Jing never tried to defend herself against the spections. She felt that it was actually beneficial to her job for the public to have such misunderstandings about her rtionship with Dunn.
As for Dunn, he never cared about such baseless rumors. As long as there was nothing between him and Tang Jing, he would continue to ept Tang Jing’s exclusive interviews and provide her with the information she needs.
Additionally, it was actually a big plus for him to maintain a good rtionship with Tang Jing. It was certainly not because of the fact that he would be able to have intimate interactions with a beautiful woman; everyone needs to get that straight, but rather, he could avoid spending time and effort on all the other random reporters from different news bureaus, magazine publishers, tv stations, radio stations and websites from China and focus on his work instead.
However, the enthusiasm and interest that the Chinese and the Chinese media had for Dunn quickly died down soon after. Nottingham Forest suffered a crushing defeat against Mourinho’s Inter Mn during the knockout stages of the Champions League.
Mourinho was finally able to clinch a victory against Nottingham Forest, but he did not look particrly pleased with the result during the press conference after the second leg of the match.
The discerning ones would definitely understand the reason behind his displeasure. The team that he won against was a Nottingham Forest led by Dunn, not a Nottingham Forest led by Twain. It was akin to the despair that one would feel after finding out that the person that they had just painstakingly defeated was not the bitter enemy they wanted to defeat.
To Mourinho, defeating Nottingham Forest was secondary. Defeating Tony Twain was his primary objective. It did not matter if Tony Twain were to manage a team that was not Nottingham Forest as long as he could defeat Twain.
※※※
March soon arrived, and Nottingham Forest was still performing poorly. The team have not lost, but had only managed to attain 2 draws and 1 win.
It seemed as though everyone lost confidence in the team following Twain’s departure. Ominous signs began to appear within the team as well. The yers began to lose the fight and determination that they used to have. They would sink into a state of utter helplessness when the opposing team scores against them, even if the other team was a team that was weaker than them. They would typically give up trying to level the score if the other team continues to lead them by a goal with 10 minutes left in the match./update by vipnovel
George Wood was infuriated at his team mates’ck of tenacity. But, he was only the captain of the team, and could never emte the kind of influence that Tony Twain has over all the yers.
The media made the following evaluation of the current Nottingham Forest team:
“Tony Twain has an issue with his heart. Likewise, Nottingham Forest is also having an issue with their hearts. Without motivation and fight, the team is no different from a mid-table team in the Premier League. They absolutely don’t look like a team that was crowned two-time champions. The word going around is that Twain is still ‘shutting’ football out of his life as per his doctor’s instructions. I wonder if he would get so angry at the sight of Forest’s current state that he would rpse and be admitted into hospital once again?”
It did not matter how skilled Dunn was at training and formting tactics for the team. Even an outstanding assistant manager like him was at his wits’ end about how to deal with the psychological issues of his yers.
The bliss that he felt over the team’s sesses in February had all been washed away to some faraway ind. Now, he has to face a team suffering from a low morale every day, and his brows have never eased up.
In April, while Tony Twain and Shania were enjoying their vacation in Brazil after professing their love for each other and bing engaged, Dunn was all the way in Britain mulling over how to help get the team out of their predicament.
The team’s results was akin to the performance of the Dow Jones Industrial Average during the financial crisis after entering April. It kept going on the decline and did not look like it would turn for the better.
On 4th April, Matchday 31, they lost to Everton in an away game 0:2.
On 11th April, Matchday 32, they lost to Wenger’s Arsenal 1:3 at home.
On 18th April, Matchday 33, they lost to Ferguson’s Manchester United 1:2 at home.
On 25th April, Matchday 34, they drew 1:1 with ckburn in an away game.
To the British, the cold and damp winter had long passed. It was now spring, the season that signified the resurrection of life.
However, at the City Ground stadium in Wilford, the frigid winds of the winter continued to wreak havoc around every single person rted to Nottingham Forest, and they did not look like they were going away anytime soon.
※※※
It was the afternoon of 2nd May, and a game for Premier League’s matchday 35 had just concluded.
The Forest Bar was silent despite being packed with people. The final score for the match appeared on the television screen, but no one seemed bothered by what they saw. They had all be apathetic to it. Nottingham Forest had just lost again at home to Bolton Wanderers 0-2.
In the past, the Forest fans would look down on teams like Bolton Wanderers. Forest would never lose against a team like that, even if they were the away team. But now, the tables have turned and they were getting bullied by a team they never thought highly of.
What made them feel even more disgruntled was how the yers performed against Bolton Wanderers. They yed as though they had no interest in the match at all. The consecutive defeats in the league have caused them to lose their fightpletely.
The fans were enraged by what they saw in the yers.
“This isn’t Nottingham Forest!” Someone broke the silence with a holler. “I won’t acknowledge such a team as one that is befitting of the name ‘Nottingham Forest’!”
No one echoed his sentiments, but his words did elicit many sighs.
“Tony… How much longer till Tonyes back?” Someone asked in a soft voice.
These words prompted interest from a number a people, unlike the previousment.
“Don’t tell me they have already sacked him? It’s been five months…”
“How is that possible? Don’t talk nonsense! Dunn’s title is still clearly ‘assistant manager’.”
“What’s going on with Tony’s condition now? The media can’t seem to get hold of any precise information about the matter either…”
“Didn’t they say that his condition has turned for the better?”
“Then, if it has gotten better, why isn’t he back? Can he bear to watch his football team get bullied by an opponent like Bolton Wanderers?”
“Since it concerns the heart, who can say for sure what’s actually going on with him? I actually think it’s best if Tony doesn’t return to the team during this season. If not he’d probably be so upset that he has to be re-admitted into the intensive care unit.”
“You are right, with how the team is performing right now, we definitely won’t qualify for Champions League next season! Maybe we won’t even qualify for the Europa League too!”
All the discussions ended with a sigh.
Kenny Burns quietly listened to the discussions among his customers as he wiped the sses in his bar.
The current Nottingham Forest is actually not performing that terribly right now. He has seen worse.
Few would agree with his view, but he did not mind. He believed that Twain would find a way. As a spectator all he could do was to keep waiting and see what transpires next.
※※※
The yers had finished showering and changing their clothes, and they all returned to the bus in groups of three or four.
Dunn reclined wearily against the seat in the changing room and refused to get to his feet.
He suddenly understood what Twain was feeling during the final moments of the match against Newcastle.
He must have been exhausted.
Or, to be more precise, mentally exhausted.
Kerke returned to the changing room to see Dunn sitting in there all by himself.
“What’s wrong, Dunn?” He took a look at hisplexion. “Don’t tell me you are suffering from a heart disease as well.”
Dunn forced a smile. “Close to suffering from one.”
Kerke was well aware of the team’s current situation. There was nothing he could say tofort Dunn after seeing the state that he was in.
“I feel like I’ve let everyone else down. If Tony was here… He would have told the yers off at half-time, ‘You guys actually let a team like Bolton Wanderers take the lead?’ And after that he would have tweaked his tactics and try to get the team to do aeback in the second half… We might be able toe up with very precise tactics for the team, but we can’t get the yers to execute our tactics with zeal.” Dunn shook his head and threw his hands out as he finished his words.
“Dunn, that is not something that you are responsible for. Honestly, you are already doing a great job…” Kerke could not find the words to console his colleague.
It was inevitable that he would bepared to Tony Twain from the very first second that he took over the job as caretaker manager. The criticisms against the man from China have never ceased now that the team is not performing well. The acerbic British media seemed to be exceptionally harsh with their criticisms of the Chinese.
Be it charisma or his track record as a manager, Dunn could not hold a candle to Tony Twain.
“I’ve suddenlye to aplete understanding of what Grant must have felt when he was at Chelsea.” Dunn said out of the blue.
That’s right, every manager before him were ‘the special ones’. Their sessor was nothing more than an average Joe.
Kerke found their conversation to be utterly pointless. After all, the problems with the team did not lie solely on the manager, but on the entire team itself.
One particr thought had begun to manifest itself within the team, and that is that since they are not going to be able to win anything this season, why should they work so hard for? All they need to do is to avoid relegation and wait for the boss to return next season and then start all over again under him.
Additionally, rumors about how the team is going to go through a major overhaul after the season ends, and how the club intends to use the money earned from the sale of yers into resuming their construction works of the new stadium have never stopped either.
Nobody knew what lies in store for them in a year that is fraught with so many issues.
The issues with the team right now are not just about how they are ying on the pitch. There are also issues with the management of the club.
He did not want to continue discussing about such a depressing topic anymore, so he decided to ask something else for a change. “Has Twain contacted you?”
Dunn nodded.
“How is his health condition right now?”
“ording to him, there are no issues whatsoever.”
“Then… Does he know about the current situation of the team?”
“I think he does.”
“Did he say when he intends toe back to the team?”
Dunn shook his head. “No. I think he’d only return after the season has ended. With the team as it is now… It’s pointless for him toe back, right?”
Kerke fell silent again. Dunn had just brought up a crucial point. Even if he was Tony Twain the ‘King’, he would only get bogged down after he returns, given how the team is inplete shambles currently. He risks tarnishing his prestige and reputation if he returns. A smart way of handling the situation would be to stay away from all the mess ande back when this disastrous season is over. He can then build a new team from scratch and disy the control that he has over the team as well.
Kerke had no doubts that the sly and intelligent man would do just that.
※※※
Twain switched off the television, and shook his head profusely.
Shania looked at Twain nervously from the side, fearful that he would suddenly copse to the ground as he shook his head.
Dous was nervous as well. He was on standby as he sat near Twain.
Twain slowly sat down, and did not say a word for a while. It was as though the air in the room had solidified. The room wentpletely quiet, and the atmosphere felt oppressive and ufortable.
Shania asked cautiously after some time had passed, “Uncle Tony?”
Twain looked at her and smiled. “I’ve realized it, Shania.”
“Huh?”
“My heart is truly fine now!”
“Huh?” Both Shania and Dous were stupefied. What is going on?
“I was able to watch that infuriating match from start to finish. And I still feel well after it!” Twain stood out and started moving his arms and legs about to show that he was feeling well.
Shania led out a long sigh. “Can you not scare others like that, Uncle Tony?”
Twain grinned. “But I was truly very mad earlier. I was thinking that if I was on the manager’s seat then, I would have given them a dressing down at halftime, and the words that woulde out of my mouth would be as ugly as they can possibly get. I even thought about what I would scold them about as I sat there. I imagined myself to be extremely angry and I kept putting myself in that emotional state because I wanted to see just how far my heart could take it. From how I see it, I think my heart’s ready for myeback.”
Seeing that Twain was fine, Dous used the excuse that he wanted to rest earlier to leave the living room and return to his room. He then closed the door behind him and provided a space for Tony and Shania to speak to each other.
“Uncle Tony, do you really intend to do that?” It was rare for Shania to have such a serious and grave expression on her face as she spoke to Twain.
Twain just smiled as he nodded his head. “Yes. I’ve thought about it for a while and I feel like I can’t escape from it any longer.”
“But what difference does it make for you to go back now, Uncle Tony? The team is already in shambles, and there’s only a few matches left in the league. Do you think you can lead the team back to the top of the table and be champions again by going back?”
“Ha!” Twain led out augh. “Don’t even think about bing champions of the league, Shania. I think it’s impossible for the team to even qualify for the Europa League.”
“Then why do you…”
Twain reached out and held a slightly discontented Shania in his arms. His hand caressed her lustrous brown hair while his nose sniffed at her hair. The scent of a young woman wafted into his nostrils and left him feeling bewitched.
“It’s not about what kind of results I’d obtain after going back, Shania.” Twain murmured as he closed his eyes. “It’s just that I only truly feel alive when I return to the team. It’s great to live a life with you and Dous taking care of me, but that’s not the kind of life I want to live. Haven’t you already noticed it? That I seem like a man who has lost all his energy these few months.”
Shania buried her face in Twain’s chest and began to recall the scenes from the past few months. She then realized that what Uncle Tony said waspletely right. The Uncle Tony who had left football and his managerial position did not seem like the Uncle Tony from before. She could not understand the reason behind the difference before this, but now she can.
For the past few months, Uncle Tony has been behaving like any other middle-aged man, but the Uncle Tony from before these past few months was not like any other middle-aged man.
He was unique, he was the ‘one and only’, and he was someone who ‘cannot be reced’. Men like that possessed a distinctive charm. It felt as though blinding lights would burst out from his body at any time. It waspletely different, or even the pr opposite of the Uncle Tony who would smile the whole day and listen to everything that the doctor told him, or the submissive and obedient Uncle Tony who would let himself be watched over by a nurse.
One was a fearless wolf who could roam about the wilderness freely and howl at the skies, while the other was a tame sheep who was watched by the sheepdog in the farm.
I wonder which Uncle Tony it was that made me fall so deeply in love with him, regardless of what happened to me?
I am afraid it is not the Uncle Tony that I have seen over the past few months.
She ced her ear against Twain’s left breast. “I can hear your heartbeat… And it sounds a little fast?”
Twainughed and embraced her tightly. “That’s because I can’t help but feel excited at the thought of the life that I’m about to start living again.”
He raised his head. He felt as though he could already hear the cacophony inside the City Ground stadium: the cheers and songs for Forest, the boos against their opponents, the ear-splitting sound of the whistle going off, and the dull sounds of the football being kicked and bodies colliding with one another…
Those sounds came at him like the waves of the Antic Ocean and they stirred him from within. His nuclear-powered heart was starting to get restless inside his chest.
If anyone thinks that I, Tony Twain, would turn into a tame sheep after suffering from a heart disease and lying low for five months, then they are utterly mistaken!
Ladies and gentlemen! Have you all heard of the story ‘The Boy Who Cried Wolf’?
I have never lied. This time, the wolf has reallye!