Chapter 99: Stalling for Time
I can't guarantee anything else, but the affection between the players within the Notts County club is definitely something David is proud of.
Despite the fact that this group of players comes from many countries, David has always built a sense of family within the club, and even if some of the players don't become friends who don't talk about everything, at least there will never be such scenes of close feuds.
And the scene that is happening on the field now is undoubtedly not a real infighting.
These guys are acting!
The purpose is also very clear - to delay time!
At this point in the game, how could Notts County, who were leading the score but fighting with one less man, not use some informal means!
Ben Foster was still dancing and shouting in front of goal, and the Tottenham players quit and protested with the referee against Notts County's delay.
There were protests and good reasons, and the referee could not pretend to be invisible, but could only warn Notts County to put up the wall as soon as possible, otherwise he would blow the whistle.
Ben Foster's play was over, and he immediately became serious, staring at the ball with a solemn expression, the position of this free kick is very dangerous, if the free kick footwork is good, the probability of scoring directly is not low, he can not take it lightly.
When he finishes performing, it's someone else's turn.
The Notts County human wall moved forward little by little in full view, and the referee didn't pay attention to it, and these people moved forward by more than a meter.
The referee was about to blow the whistle but was interrupted by a protest from the Tottenham players.
The Tottenham player didn't need to speak at all, and pointed directly at the wall of Notts County, and the meaning couldn't be more obvious: "Referee, look at the old man, these bastards are almost standing in front of the ball!"
Naturally, the referee could not let go of the Notts County human wall's behavior, and walked forward to signal the human wall to step back and keep enough distance.
The Notts County player was obedient and immediately retreated, but when the referee turned around and quietly moved forward, as if the doll was being manipulated by a remote control.
The Tottenham players were very dissatisfied, this time they were not just protesting, they kept putting pressure around the referee, and then let Notts County delay it so much, the free kick was not yet taken, and the 90 minutes were over.
"Once again, I warn you, if the wall moves any further before the whistle blows, I'm going to pull out the cards!" The referee gave a warning to the wall of Notts County with a blank face.
Tottenham players and referees thought to themselves, this time, Notts County will not play tricks!
They didn't see the eye contact between the players lining up the wall.
When the Tottenham players were once again under pressure to take the penalty, they broke out in a frustration.
Sheringham slammed into the wall, his hands slammed into Kuyt's body, and the heads of the two men were pressed together.
"Bastard, do you dare not play these little tricks!" Sheringham's saliva had already squirted all over Kuyt's face.
However, before the two of them could make the next move, the referee's hurried whistle had already sounded, and it soon appeared beside the two.
After separating the two, the referee did not hesitate to take out the yellow card and show it to Sheringham, and then turned around and showed it to Kuyt, which is considered a major fifty board.
"Sir, it's they who are moving ahead of time, they're stalling for time, these guys are provoking your majesty!" Sheringham stood in front of the referee and protested unconvinced.
"That's why I gave him a yellow card!" The referee replied with a blushing face.
That's right, he gave Sheringham a yellow card for pushing and Kuyt for moving early.
Sheringham and Kuyt turned and walked away.
At this time, David was extremely sorry in his heart on the sidelines, if Kuyt fell directly to the ground just now, I am afraid that Sheringham would not only get a yellow card, but he would be driven out of the field directly!
But fortunately, the purpose of Notts County is just to stall for time, Kuyt's yellow card is expected, anyway, this game is already the final final, even if he has a yellow card on his back, it doesn't matter, as for Sheringham's yellow card, it is completely a windfall.
After such a fuss, for two minutes, no free kicks were given, and the Spurs fans in the stands were already booing.
The Notts County fans are applauding loudly, and at the same time disdainful in their hearts, how can there be justice and evil on the football field, it is all about winning and fighting, and now it is Notts County who are playing these methods, if it is Tottenham Hotspur who is in the lead, I am afraid you will have more fun.
Sheringham was angry, and the free kick came to the goal with a heavy cannon, but unfortunately, this shot hit the anti-aircraft gun and flew directly into the stands.
Notts County, who escaped the disaster, managed to delay the time, and the gains were obvious, but the situation on the field was still not very favorable for them, because Tottenham's attack was still sharp, and they could only defend passively.
Ben Foster scrambled to kick the ball away, Notts County passed a few kicks, the ball returned to Tottenham's feet, and Tottenham's attack unfolded again.
In the 83rd minute, a foul in front of the Lahm box gave Tottenham another chance for a free-kick, and similarly, Notts County used the means to delay for more than a minute, which almost made the Spurs players cry.
Hoddle was grim-faced on the sidelines, he knew that his free-kick tactics had failed, and it was simply self-defeating to play this game with Notts County at this time.
If this pace drags on, all the game time is spent in dead ball, coupled with the general imbalance of the players' mentality, and the penalty shooting strength is not very good, continuing to use the free-kick tactic is simply helping Notts County delay time!
In desperation, Hoddle could only let the players play with open hands and feet, anyway, it has reached this point in time, and the superfluous arrangements are useless, and nothing is simple and rude to be direct and effective.
Feeling the change in the opponent, the Notts County players' defensive line was built further back, as if everyone was holding hands to isolate the penalty area, and idlers were not allowed to enter.
Even if you can score, then don't score the ball, you're not welcome here!
In the 86th minute, Les Ferdinand's shot was blocked by Ben Foster.
In the 87th minute, Ledley King grabbed the first point of the header, but unfortunately the ball went slightly over the crossbar.
In the 88th minute, Ben Foster was yellow carded by the referee for delaying the kick-off.
In the 89th minute, Les Ferdinand received a 45-degree cross from the wing and shook his head and hit the post, and the Notts County player grabbed the second point and cleared the ball with a big foot.
At the same time, the fourth official held up a sign for stoppage time on the sidelines, and there were five minutes of stoppage time in the second half.
As regular time entered the final minute, Tottenham's players ran like frenzied flies, with a clear purpose but no coherence.
For five minutes, Tottenham threatened mostly with crosses from the flanks or corners, a situation that was seen in many late games, and Tottenham were no exception.
But against Notts County, such an attack is really hardly a lethal threat.