Chapter 45: Winning or losing is uncomfortable

In fact, the top three teams in the current League Two are the top three teams in the standings, Brighton, Notts County and Mansfield, and it is only possible to directly upgrade to League One. Among these three teams, as for the other strong teams, they have gradually been separated, and their goal is to compete for the places in the promotion play-offs.

Before the League Cup, Notts County still has a league to play. Because of the intensive schedule, Notts County once again adopted a wide range of rotations in this game, and even the goalkeeper position was started by Ben Foster.

But even so, Notts County easily defeated Hasfield and continued to make great progress.

It is a pity that the two competitors also won, and the top three in the standings did not change. Notts County's desire to reach the top was not realized in this round.

After finishing the League Two, Notts County's energy has been transferred to the League Cup. Facing the opponents of the Premier League, they are in a natural weak position, and they must be cautious and cautious.

In fact, Blackburn Club was quite depressed when the draw results came out. For them, they really did not want to face such a wonderful team as Notts County.

If a strong Premier League team is drawn, it may not be a good lottery; if a team in the middle and lower reaches of the Premier League is drawn, it may be considered a winner; if a team in the lower leagues is drawn, it should be considered a winner.

But what's the deal with winning a team like Notts County?

The scene of Notts County's bloodbath in Middlesbrough in the last round can still be vividly remembered. Where is the strength of a League Two team?

Perhaps even a mid-level Premier League team may not be able to score such a big score against Middlesbrough.

In fact, they would rather face a strong Premier League team. Even if they lose the game, they will not be ashamed, but they can face a club like Notts County, which is not inferior to the Premier League team in their opinion, but is playing in the League Two. , They don't know how to describe their mood, they should be crying without tears.

If you win, you don't show your face, and you may not win;

If they lose, it is estimated that they will follow the footsteps of Middlesbrough, and their face will be thrown into the Pacific Ocean.

Blackburn's coach Souness has been sad for a few days, thinking for several days before making the final arrangement.

In view of Blackburn's good performance in the league, temporarily ranked in the middle of the standings as a newly-promoted horse, there is not much pressure and can devote part of his energy to facing the domestic cup, so Souness decided to send most of the main lineup to play, regardless of the situation. The opponent Notts County, they still have to aim for promotion all the way. If they can really pass the test and finally win the League Cup, then they can participate in the League Cup next season. The temptation of the European war is not everyone can resist. .

However, Souness was very cautious when facing Notts County.

He knows that a large part of the last Notts County bloodbath in Middlesbrough was that Middlesbrough McLaren provoked Notts County before the game. , Maybe Notts County can win, but for Middlesbrough, it may not be such a shameful result.

So Souness did not regard Notts County as an ordinary lower league club at all, but an opponent at the same level.

Before the game, Blackburn sent a fax asking if Notts County needed Blackburn to donate their own ticket revenue to Notts County. It's an English tradition, and they still have to follow it.

When the beautiful secretary asked David for instructions on this matter, David waved his hand and said indifferently, no need!

Notts County just needs to get back half of the ticket revenue they deserve, and he will never put the club in a low-level position.

The team came to Lancashire two days in advance. Although the two counties were not far apart, Notts County, who had an idea for the game, had to adapt to the turf of Ewood Park the day before the game.

So just get there early.

Due to the recent intensive schedule, Loew has been using a rotation strategy, and the starting lineup for this important League Cup match has been determined early.

Before the game, the coaching staff headed by Loew also studied Blackburn over and over again. After all, the opponent is a Premier League team. No matter how you look at Notts County, the chances of winning the game are not as high as that of the opponent. what!

In the summer, Blackburn, who successfully rushed to the top, brought in 7 million pounds to introduce Italian striker Grabi, which is their most transfer transaction.

And Graby and last season's top scorer Matt Jensen formed Blackburn's striker. Perhaps this striker partner is not well-known in the Premier League. It can even be described as anonymity, but it is practical. represent.

In terms of midfield, the 21-year-old David Dunn is Blackburn's midfield engine. This young talent is valued by many football people. As long as he performs normally, the current England coach Eriksen will put him on the line Called up to the national team.

But David scoffed at this. What is David Dunn? Although he has heard of this young player in his previous life, it seems that this period is also the most glorious period of his career. He has been selected for the national team, but he has not made many appearances. Opportunities, not even a fringe international.

Such a player may be able to gain a foothold in the Premier League, but if he becomes the core of the team's midfield, it is obvious that the team's strength will not be much stronger.

Low is confident that the team has the upper hand in the midfield battle.

After the start of the game, the situation on the field also proved the correctness of Loew's tactics.

Alonso and the big Altintop's midfield partner did not lose the slightest in the competition with the opponent's midfield. With the help of Sneijder's retreat to get the ball, he gradually grasped the initiative on the field.

Although Dunn is also doing well, compared with Alonso, it seems that he has only a 19-year-old immature, and Alonso has become a full-fledged midfield commander.

Souness, the former Liverpool coach, stood on the sidelines with arms crossed, but his frown made him look a little absent-minded.

He knows that Notts County is very strong. Not only does it stand out in the League Two, but even if they win the Premier League, they may have a chance to avoid relegation. However, when the game really starts, he still finds it incredible.

Even if his team's midfield control is not a strong point, he is more of a high-altitude ball, but it is still a little unbelievable that he is gradually falling behind in the midfield confrontation with Notts County.

After thinking about it for a while, Souness made a gesture to adjust the attack to the players on the court. The trial is over. Anyway, the midfielder can't take advantage of it. Just give up the midfield, play more golf, and do what they are good at. The old one is fine.

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