Team Spirit

Chapter 20: Bounty Hunter Players, Fighting Strong Enemies

Without Barton stepping up, it is unknown how long this palace drama brought to the team by George will end.

After the fight, Barton realized that he had lost control again, and quickly walked to Lu Kai and prepared to apologize in a low voice.

Lu Kai raised his hand to stop him: "No need to apologize, you just defended the dignity of me, the head coach, and the club."

"Strike when the time is right. You are a hero!"

Barton was stunned.

This was the first time anyone had looked at his behavior from this perspective.

What is a confidant?
What does it mean that a gentleman will die for his friend?

Barton's eyes turned red, and he said sincerely: "I will never let anyone hurt you!"

Lu Kai responded to Patton with a hug.

Barton then quietly asked, "Um, does China have any other methods for treating old injuries?"

Old injury?

Lu Kai lowered his head to look at Patton's lower abdomen.

Good boy, so this is what you came here for!

……

In the end, George left the team and became a permanent fan of Dartford, vowing never to come back.

Barton has become the main player of the team and can directly participate in the next game.

The amateur league does not have a strict player registration process. As long as there are enough people, you can play, no matter when the players joined.

But it is precisely because of such a relaxed system that a group of "bounty hunter players" have emerged in the amateur league.

They take money to join certain teams at the end of the season and help them play a few key games.

Some clubs have multiple teams, with the first team playing in the fifth and sixth tier leagues and the second team playing in the ninth, tenth and eleventh tiers.

Then when the first-team players are free, they come over to help the second-team team bully the weaker opponents.

For example, Dartford's next league opponent "Westfield" has such a habit.

They play in the first team in the sixth tier, and players often come to help play for the second team in the ninth tier.

The opponent has reported the case many times, but unfortunately nothing has been done.

Because their first team is the pride of Kent, the county football association often protects them.

The society of human relationships is the same everywhere.

Those who say that Europe and the United States are unkind are simply not of the right level or are bullied by others because they are from outside the area.

On March 1, 2000, the 3nd round of the Kent Premier League kicked off.

The pond court wasn't packed with people, but it was basically surrounded on all sides.

More than 300 local fans cheered for Dartford.

The Pond Stadium welcomed a strong opponent, Westfield, ranked third in the league.

This team itself is only at the relegation level.

But there are always first-tier teams coming to play.

At most, nine out of eleven players were first-team players.

It was fine today, as after the long away trip, only three first-team players from Westfield came with us.

They stepped onto the court without a doubt and became the starters.

Forty-five minutes later, the Pond Stadium was filled with wailing.

Zero to two!
Dartford trailed by two goals.

The three main players of the opposing team are obviously stronger than the others on the field.

"That's the new player Lu Kai brought in? He's such a loser, isn't he?"

"He made too many mistakes. How could such a player be a Manchester City youth player?"

"The team's second goal came from his mistake."

"I have to say, this kid is too young and his playing skills are far inferior to George's."

Button's debut was a failure.

He hasn't been able to integrate into the team yet, his coordination is very unskilled, and he makes a lot of mistakes. Of course, it's not that Barton has a problem with his adaptability.

It is easy to go from frugality to extravagance, but it is difficult to go from extravagance to frug

Training with a second-tier team in England, the tactics, the coordination, the speed, the passing... you can't compare to the ninth-tier team at all.

Patton played in a way that was comfortable for him, and his teammates couldn't keep up.

Half a step ahead is a genius, one step ahead is a madman.

All of Patton's delicate moves turned into mistakes because his teammates couldn't keep up.

During the halftime break, Lu Kai was furious.

As the team lags behind, fans have little desire to spend, and convenience store business has been greatly affected!

In order to turn losses into profits, Lu Kai took the initiative to adjust his tactics.

"Barton, your style of play is more suited to a big team, and the rhythm here is different from ours." Lu Kai tried his best to protect his teammates' pride. "In the second half, you will mainly cooperate with me and Ashley Young. We will adapt to you."

"The rest of the time, you play more conservatively."

Patton nodded.

"Ashley Young, in the second half, I'll launch an attack with you on the left side. Use your dribbling advantage to create opportunities." Lu Kai drew a diagram on the tactical whiteboard. "Even if we can't break through, we must cause damage."

"To Madera, you must be ready to race at any time. After we attract the opponent, Barton and I will find a way to send you a through ball to take advantage of your speed."

Alfred saw that Lu Kai had finished giving his instructions and continued, "Yes, that's what I meant. Let's play like this in the second half."

"As for the others, I believe everyone..."

After the chicken soup was poured, all the team members were full of energy.

The second half began immediately.

……

In the 47th minute, Lu Kai came to the backcourt and passed the ball back and forth with Patton.

Barton made this kind of cooperation with his teammates in the first half, but his teammates did not understand what he meant and did it themselves when the ball came to their feet.

Influenced by Manchester United's continental tactical transformation and Arsenal's beautiful football, today's big teams actually emphasize continuous passing.

This kind of continuous and rapid back-pass can easily create some opportunities.

As a result, the other side thought that Patton and Lu Kai were provoking them, so several people came to surround them, leaving a gap on the left side.

Lu Kai made a diagonal pass, Ashley Young received the ball and accelerated, blasting the opponent.

The cross from the bottom was blocked by the opponent and went out of the baseline, resulting in a corner kick.

After Patton took a corner kick, Lu Kai headed the ball.

Unfortunately, it's a little high.

In the 53rd minute, Ashley Young failed to find an opportunity after dribbling on the left and passed the ball back to Lu Kai.

Lu Kai passed the ball back to Patton.

Barton made a long pass directly to the right.

Thomas Madera chased after the football at full speed.

Unfortunately, due to interference from the opponent's defender, the ball was stopped too far and was cleared by the opponent's goalkeeper.

Although the score has not changed, many people have felt Dartford's strong rebound.

With both wings flying together, scoring a goal is just a matter of time.

Westfield's No. 18 midfielder from the first team felt this change in "momentum".

Start emphasizing the toughness of defense to teammates.

In the 58th minute, when Lu Kai retreated to receive the ball, the opponent's No. 18 player followed him.

After Lu Kai received the ball and turned around, the opponent's No. 18 immediately stepped forward and kicked.

His kicking is very scientific and not entirely a steal, but leaves room for adjustment.

If he fails to complete the steal, he will extend his legs and trip Lu Kai.

Aggressive defense + intentionally knocking down the opponent = increasing intensity!
but……

Lu Kai turned around and stepped on the football continuously, and with a Marseille turn, he passed by player No. 18, leaving the opponent no chance to foul.

(End of this chapter)