"Sir, you should cover your head" Nirvonoko directed the team's last practice on the sidelines, but unfortunately the weather was not beautiful, the rain has not stopped since eight o'clock in the morning, and it is getting heavier and heavier, his assistant coach Harry repeatedly warned: "This day is not suitable for training, such a heavy rain will catch a cold." ”

"Hell! Brother Harry, it's not a big deal to get a little rain," Neil replied, his wet hair hanging down heavily, a handful of loose hair sticking to his forehead, it was not difficult to imagine how embarrassed he was at the moment, but this time he didn't care, the rain in the south of England was soft and gentle, he had experienced it countless times in the past years, and it felt as if it took him back to the gray days of his youth in Chesterfield. He remembered the coach who could only roar, he remembered the pain when he was tackled, and then he was sick for a week after the first training session in the heavy rain, and the rain poured cement water into his stomach, ah, he remembered that he was still young.

Neil thought he had forgotten these things a long time ago, Cardiff City is not a warm north, the rain here is cold and merciless, cold to the bone, it is said to nourish germs, it is a health killer, this kind of rain is for them to play, you see Portsmouth has canceled training and moved indoors.

"I'm soaking wet," Harry grumbled, "it's all wet to the bone" The woods around the training ground were thick, and the sound of rain falling from the leaftops was accompanied by the sound of the ball breaking through the air, "Boss, I'll have to see if there's enough hot water, and even better if I had some hot food, and spikes for the night game." ”

"Prepare some warm wine for the kids." Nirvonoko's voice was a little hoarse, he knew that it would be better to have a spicy glass of warm wine at this time, he never minded the players drinking, as long as he knew how to control it, there was no problem. Fans, experts, and the media always like to set countless rules and regulations for players, this is not allowed to drink, that is not allowed to touch, can not do anything, he is leading a group of men, and he is not a kindergarten child, and the kindergarten child is not so obedient, right? He was a professor at the university, and he loved a group of real players, not a group of good baby students.

"Of course some wine is good," Harry repeated wistfully, then ran towards the hotel lobby with his umbrella in hand.

When he was ready, the players finished training and walked to the room, their clothes clinging to their bodies, dripping water as they went, but even the youngsters held their heads high and did not lose their pride.

"I hope the heavy rain will make you sober up a little" Nirvonoko stood at the top of the stairs, directing everyone, this time without the obedience of those bosses to interfere with him and focus on his own business, "Leave your shoes below, the hotel staff don't want to watch you step on the mud and go upstairs, set your own alarm clock for half an hour after returning to the room, take turns to take a shower first, come down to eat when the alarm clock rings, get ready, if you are not ready, stay in the hotel." ”

The players were certainly ready, they took off their shoes and handed them over to the assistant coaches, and Harry knew that everyone was wearing a lot of styles, and he didn't say a word or say a word about the delicious meal. Doing their own thing.

When the bell rang for dinner, everyone came down just in time, and by this time Neil had changed into dry clothes and was sitting by the window, staring at the raindrops lapping against the window, the glass was blurred and the water was dripping, and the rainy night was about to fall, and he could only barely make out the red and green traffic lights at the far end.

Seeing the players coming out of the way, he was eager to talk to them, to warn them of the impending storm, and if they were to be promoted to the finals, they would have to deal with the shadowy Portsmouth forces, they had to take the lead and see what would happen, they had to limit Icardi's movements, Mane's breakthroughs, but at the same time they had to find the weak points in Pompey's defence and keep attacking. Can the midfielder take it down? Can Bobby tear through the opposing defense? Did Portsmouth have any underdogs? Did Hydward have any underdog enemies? Will that youngster named Louis Brent still play? He didn't even know.

The road at night is rough and dangerous, Pompeo's army is more like a group of bandits, they roar through the dense forest, Manchester United and Arsenal are all killed by them, and when they see the knights chasing them, they disappear without a trace like ice and snow melting, even good players like Liverpool have worked hard to take down this group of people, and at this moment Neil's only men and horses are a group of embarrassed troops who have been beaten four balls, and the only barrier is their loyalty.

No! He thought that the past should be for him to pass, and at this moment his team should go north to Wembley, and the Cardiff City fans are looking forward to the team, they must play bloody and play with courage or there will be no hope.

The rain blocked out all the sounds of the outside world, but Neil's memory was clearer and clearer, as if he had seen the Cardiff City fans lining up in the pouring rain, their determined eyes pressing down on him like an invisible mountain, and he couldn't breathe. Warnoko knows everyone in the team inside out, Anthony Gerrard is committed to his brother and his faith all day long, centre-backs McNaughton and Gunnarson always have conflicts, he has to mediate whenever there is a dispute, Tom Heaton is always the most reliable link in front of the goal, his classic saves are countless, Bobby has scored a lot of goals, but he is not sure if this young man is strong enough, Short is like Giggs to Ferguson, but he is already old

"Eat more, there's a tough battle to fight in the evening" Short's voice pulled Neil back from his thoughts, and the players sat side by side, McNaughton and Gunnarson sat together, and Bobby, who looked skinny, curled up next to the tall Heaton, they were chatting and talking, and the atmosphere was not bad.

However, everyone seemed to be carrying a sword, and a large group of people surrounded the restaurant, and the smell of wine spread through it.

'It's a shame we lost 4-0 away from home, we didn't even have a goal. Vonoko's voice reached the ears of every player, who put down their knives and forks and listened carefully to the manager's instructions.

'The last time we lost to Liverpool on penalties in the Carabao Cup final at this dinner, we didn't expect to be in the white shirt again so soon, Short, if I'm not mistaken, this is the third time we've reached the promotion play-offs?

Short, who had wrinkles on his face, hurriedly stood up and replied, "Yes, sir." ”

"We've fallen on the final stage four times, and I dare to ask if Mr. Short is still not my loyal ally?"

"Of course!" He replied firmly.

All the coaching staff stood up silently, all eyes focused.

'Norton and Gunnarson have always been one of my favourite players,' he said to the two players under the chandelier, 'and if you help each other, you'll be the best centre-back duo in England. ”

The two exchanged uncertain glances, but still stood up: "As you wish." ”

Vonoko's gaze continued to drift, "Tom has saved too many balls that are impossible to save, I want to ask, how do you feel about this game?" ”

Tom Heaton towered like a hill: "Too good to be good, the little ones at Portsmouth don't want to break our goal." ”

Neil, who was sure they had won 70, picked up the glass on the table, "In the name of the Cardiff City fans and family and friends, to everyone. ”

For a moment, he didn't know whether the roar of the crowd was more pleasant, or whether the painful expression on Portsmouth's face was more pleasant!