Godfather Of Champions

Nottingham Forest ushered in the eighth round of the league tournament after their victory over Sunderland. Twain rotated the team again when he considered the Champions League group stage match on October 1st and that the opponent was not strong. He even changed the starting goalkeeper.

Akinfeev had been on the team for quite some time, but apart from pre-season friendlies and the EFL Cup, he had not been allowed to play in important Premier League and Champions League group stage games. This was clearly not the treatment the Russia top goalkeeper wanted to have, and he had been a bit sullen recently. Kerslake told Twain about the situation he had observed and asked him to pay more attention to Akinfeev’s mood so as not to affect the stability within the team’s locker room.

A number of newcomers had joined this season, and the interaction between them and the rest of their teammates within the locker room was a problem that needed to be handled with caution. For the Forest team to be able to achieve such miraculously good results, they had to have a unified locker room which they always had. Twain did not want the tradition to be destroyed.

He also knew that some players would have issues if they did not play in the game for a long time. Therefore, a rotation sometimes required more than just a simple tactical consideration. It had to also consider the factors outside the game.

The eighth round of the league with Portsmouth was an opportunity. Twain decided to give the fringe players a chance to perform. Before setting off for Portsmouth Harbor the day before the game, Twain posted the starting list for the next day’s game. Akinfeev became the starting goalkeeper, Leighton Baines was the starting left-back and the starting center-backs were Kompany and Wes Morgan. Piqué was put on the bench. The starting right back was not Chimbonda, but Sun Jihai. The defensive midfielder’s position was not the unfailing George Wood but Sidwell, who joined the team in the new season. Like Akinfeev, he only had a chance to play in the EFL games, which Twain basically did not value at all. It was a sad thing to be a substitute for George Wood. The left midfielder was Petrov, and the right midfielder was Lennon. The attacking midfielder was still van der Vaart. The starting strikers were Arshavin and Bendtner.

The lineup changed every possible position that could be changed, making people wonder if Twain still wanted to win in the away game. Portsmouth was still a midtier team in tenth place in the Premier League, not to mention that this was a home game for them. Their strength was not to be taken lightly.

Subsequently when the Forest team’s starting lineup was revealed by the media, it displeased the Portsmouth team, who thought they were being underestimated. If their league opponent exhausted their main force with a newly promoted team, even if they were to rotate, it would only be a regular rotation of a few positions. However, when it was a game with their team, they actually changed all the eleven starting players. What else could it be if it was not a belittlement of their team? Did they need to rotate to such extent?

Harry Redknapp, the manager of Portsmouth and a renowned veteran of English football, was upset that Twain had done so. He was an old chap who was respected wherever he went. Therefore, in an interview, he surreptitiously expressed his displeasure with Twain. “I’m glad to see the Forest team execute such a rotation. We won’t be playing too hard tomorrow.” Any fool could discern the meaning behind his words.

Twain did not respond or explain. There was nothing to explain. Could he say, “I don’t despise you”? No, Twain was actually disdainful of Portsmouth. He believed that with the Forest team’s current strength, even if it were an away game, it was possible to defeat to Portsmouth. In the fifth round of the league tournament, Arsenal beat Portsmouth by 3:1 even though they played with ten players, as one player was sent off.

Nottingham Forest could be said to be at the same level as Arsenal. Taking down Portsmouth was a victory well within Twain’s plan.

The Forest team, which went to Portsmouth Harbor with a rotated lineup, was met with extremely tenacious resistance at Fratton Park.

Indeed, no one could imagine such tenacity.

Redknapp took full advantage of Twain’s disdain and told his players before the game to show the arrogant Nottingham players what they were made of and make Twain regret that he had only sent that lineup to compete against the “Pompey team.”

At the start of the game, the Forest team showed their strength to their opponent. With Bendtner receiving Petrov’s pass from the flank, his header smashed open the goal guarded by David James. The goal gave Twain a reason to cross his legs in the technical area.

But what happened next…

“Oh, oh, oh! It’s unbelievable! Incredible!” the commentator roared excitedly. “The massive gap in the score before the end of the first half almost declares that the game is already over ahead of time!”

The massive gap in the score was 4:1. However, the leading team was not Nottingham Forest, who was the first to score. Instead, it was the highly motivated home team, Portsmouth.

“In the 43rd minute, Kanu scored his second goal of the game! It was also Portsmouth’s fourth goal! It’s absolutely amazing. The Pompey team acted like a real championship team in the first half of the game, with everyone playing in their best form. Every Portsmouth player’s active performance on the field left the Nottingham Forest players completely helpless!”

That was right. The Nottingham Forest players stared blankly, unable to believe the score in front of their eyes. They had only ever lost to Liverpool with a score of 1:4, which was their worst defeat since Twain led the team.

Twain had long since uncrossed his legs. He stood on the sidelines, with his hands in his pockets and looking grimly at the field. He maintained this pose and expression for twenty minutes, during the sudden changes on the field. Portsmouth scored four goals in twenty minutes and completely stunned Nottingham Forest.

The whistle, which signaled the end of the first half, finally rang. Twain took the lead to walk back to the tunnel with a black look. The television cameras followed him all the way. Everyone could see how ugly the expression on his face was.

“I think Manager Twain should consider adjusting the lineup in the second half… that is if he does not want to return to Nottingham with that score.” The commentator quipped.

Looking dejected, the Forest players returned to the locker room. They thought a stormy rant awaited them.

But there was none. The dark, stormy expression on Twain’s face was gone.

“I knew there was some talk about our lineup before the game. They all said that by rotating the starting eleven players, it was showing contempt to Portsmouth, that we despised Portsmouth and underestimated our opponent. So the Portsmouth players went crazy in the first half trying to beat us. I do not agree with that view. I don’t think this was us showing disdain for Portsmouth. On the contrary, I think those nonsensical remarks showed contempt toward you.” Twain spread his hands. “Why would the outside world unanimously agree that when I rotated the starting lineup, I was looking down on the opponent. That’s because they think you’re all weak and that you’re Nottingham Forest’s Second Team, so they feel insulted that the Second Team would play against their First Team. If that’s not underestimation, then what is? But…”

Twain emphasized each word. “Who the hell said you were the weak Second Team? I’ve said long ago that only the outstanding players can stay in Nottingham Forest. Otherwise don’t even think about getting through the front doors of the Forest club. I don’t have any bullshit difference between the First Team and Second Team here. Only the best players in the world can play for Forest! The best of the best, not one of the f**king many! Those sh*ts think just because you’re the starting lineup means you pull the Forest team’s strength down by two notches. Who are the f**king ones showing contempt here?”

After he vented, Twain took a slight breath to stabilize his mood and softened his tone. “If you just going to let the score of the first half be the final score of the game, then it’s a real shame. Even if I do not agree with the view, your “weak” label will become real. After that, whenever I let you play, the ignorant media and certain idiotic pundits will say, ‘Look, Nottingham Forest’s rotation system is a joke. These players will only bring the strength of the Forest team down by two notches. Even Portsmouth can overwhelm them with four goals!’ This is an insult to us!” Twain imitated the pundit’s tone to perfection, and he saw the look in the eyes of the dejected players change. He knew that the time was ripe, so he asked, “are you willing to let such a thing happen? Are you fine to be considered as the weaker Second Team? If anyone accepts such an insult, raise your hand!”

No one raised their hands, and they did not yell “no” at Twain either. They just gnashed their teeth and clenched their fists until their knuckles turned white.

Their emotions ran high, and they bottled up their anger within so that they could vent it at their opponent in the second half.

Twain nailed the last nail in Portsmouth’s coffin. “In the second half, I’m telling you the truth, I’m not going to make a damned substitution unless you’re injured or physically exhausted. You have to prove it with your own actions. Even if I, Tony Twain, replace the starting eleven players in one go, the lineup is still at the top level of the Premier League! If any idiot feels insulted, then humiliate him!”

Twain sneered internally as he walked out of the locker room with the excited players.

Mr. Redknapp, you know how to make use of the media analysis to motivate your players and obtain a 4:1 score. Well, well, don’t think I don’t know how to make use of the same stuff you used? You Portsmouth scumbags, wait to accept my fury.

Who do you think I am? I’m Tony Twain. Liverpool was the only team in the world which could make me concede three goals. The team that can make me concede more than four goals has not been f**king born yet!

※※※

“4:1!” Once the second half started, the commentator repeated the score, which made Twain extremely upset. If he was watching television, he would have probably thrown it out of the window. The score was of special significance to Twain and always reminded him of his former weakness and powerlessness. He hated that feeling.

“I don’t think there’s much hope for Nottingham Forest… With a Second Team lineup up against the furious Portsmouth team and three goals behind — everyone in the Portsmouth team played in top form, and looking at Nottingham Forest, the Premier League debut of Akinfeev, who cost Twain six million pounds, was nothing short of a disaster. Russia’s number one goalkeeper swallowed four bullets in forty-five minutes. I wonder if he has ever been hit so hard in his career? Also, looking at Sun Jihai, who is no longer the ‘Chinese Sun’ from Manchester City, his right flank was frequently broken through by his opponents. And Sidwell… poor Sidwell will always be compared to George Wood, the ‘monster’, but why would Twain make him the substitute for George Wood?”

This Sky TV commentator jabbered on about the Forest players’ poor performances in the first half.

Before he could finish, he had to suddenly correct them.

“Ah… a goal!” He was not emotionally prepared and the “a goal” sounded flat. Perhaps there was another reason why his voice did not sound that excited — the goal was scored by Nottingham Forest.

Nottingham Forest pulled the score to 2:4 two minutes into the second half.

Three minutes later, Nottingham Forest scored another goal, which Arshavin helped his fellow Russian score, and the Forest team successfully turned the score to 3:4.

The Portsmouth players panicked.

The commentator was also speechless. The contrast between before and after was too great; it felt like a slap to the face. He did not know what to say about the crazy Nottingham Forest team he had just ridiculed.

As soon as a Forest player took the ball, Fratton Park stadium broke out in deafening hisses. The Portsmouth fans wanted to create trouble for the Forest team’s frenzied counterattack, but to no avail.

The commentator quickly modified his emotions and got back to work.

“What a terrific goal! Nicklas Bendtner’s breakthrough shot! Nottingham Forest successfully evened the score to 4:4! It’s a miracle! Nottingham Forest actually turned the tables on the situation where they were three goals behind! Manager Tony Twain must have said some things to his players during the halftime interval. These players have a different look in their eyes. Will the Forest team be satisfied with the equalizer? No… I don’t think that’s the case. Portsmouth is going to be out of luck soon.”

“Rafael van der Vaart!! A beautiful long shot! 5:4! Nottingham Forest reversed the score!”

“Petrov’s taking this free kick. His run up distance is long… and the football struck the human wall! On the outer edge… and the ball’s in!! Portsmouth is completely out of luck! Just take this free kick from thirty-four meters away from the goal. It actually entered the goal because it struck the outer edge of the human wall… Poor James could only go ‘what can I do?'”

It was already Nottingham Forest’s sixth goal. The Forest team took twenty-seven minutes to go from 1:4 to 6:4. During that period, Portsmouth had no chance to fight back and could only watch the Forest team score one goal after another. They could only helplessly watch the Forest players gather to celebrate, and then gather again to celebrate soon after…

Was this the end of it?

“Number! Seven! Goal!” The commentator gritted his teeth as he announced. He felt that he could not stand idly by and watch. Was Nottingham Forest not afraid that they would not be able to return home after the game since they overwhelmed the home team with seven goals on the other team’s home ground in front of so many home team fans?

Obviously, the problem he was worried about did not worry Tony Twain and his men. They only wanted to celebrate without restraint.

Bendtner waved his fists vigorously and celebrated his hat-trick amidst the earth-shattering boos. As a substitute for van Nistelrooy, there were not many opportunities for him to show off with such brilliant performances.

Redknapp sat in the technical area, looking particularly old with his gray-haired appearance. The Portsmouth players were like the Forest players in the first half. They looked lost and had no idea what had just happened.

What caused the situation to come to this point? If they could not win this game with a 4:1 score and a three-goal lead, this football game was too unstable, wasn’t it?

Some people cast inquiring glances at the visiting team’s technical area. They could not see Twain’s expression because he leaned against the back of the chair and the left and right sides were blocked. All everyone could see was the annoying way he put his ankle over his knee and shook his crossed legs.

Twain fulfilled his promise at the halftime interval. He did not substitute any player nor make any tactical adjustments. He did not even supervise or direct the game on the sidelines. He sat in his seat in the technical area at the start of the second half and waited until Lennon pulled the score to 2:4 before he put one leg the other. Even if his legs went numb, he did not put them down. He just wanted to convey to everyone that everything was fine and there was nothing to worry about.

※※※

The seventh goal was the Forest team’s last goal for the game. After the massacre of Portsmouth, the Forest team contentedly put down the dagger soaked in blood, and then began to enjoy the fruits of their success.

When the referee blew the whistle at the end of the game, it was nothing short of relief for the Portsmouth players because they were finally freed from Asura hell, without having to face the glaring 4:7 score on the field and accept the ordeal.

At the post-match press conference, a reporter puzzled over the huge disparity in the Forest team’s performance in the second half, and he raised his hand to ask, “excuse me, Mr. Twain, we are interested in what you had said to your players during the halftime interval to cause their performances to appear so remarkably different?”

In front of the many media outlets, especially Portsmouth’s local media, Twain smiled and replied, “what can I say? I just told them that they had to respect their opponent.”

There was an uproar below the stage.

Then, without waiting for anyone else to ask questions, Twain explained himself. “Before the game, you all said that my lineup was insulting and contemptuous of Portsmouth. I did not explain anything at the time because I thought there was no better way to pay tribute to my esteemed Mr. Harry Redknapp than with an actual game.” Having said that, he turned his head to look at the Portsmouth manager, Redknapp, who sat next to him.

The old Redknapp’s face flushed and paled and was extremely humiliated.

“Now, I’m very, very happy and satisfied with this score. It’s not because we beat Portsmouth with such a significant score. Instead, we finally shed light on the media’s rumors in our way — we did not have the slightest intention to disrespect, despise and insult our opponent. Instead, we respect Portsmouth more than any other team and value Portsmouth more. You see, the 7:4 score is a testament to that.”

The Portsmouth local media collectively lost their voices. They could only look at Twain smiling smugly on the stage and curse him silently. They finally got a taste of their own medicine.

That night’s BBC Match of the Day talked about the game. Lineker smiled. “The Portsmouth media tried to provoke Tony Twain, and as a result they lost badly.”

Pubs of all sizes in Nottingham filled with joyous laughter that night.