The Wimbledon players were sitting in the humble visiting dressing room, while their manager Eames was standing in the middle of the dressing room.

Nothing happened, no big hole suddenly appeared under his feet, and he didn't suddenly disappear into the room.

"Don't stare at my feet." Eames thought it was funny, he clearly said it was a legend, but there were always people who thought it seemed to be true.

"I'm not going to disappear in front of you all of a sudden, now take your mind back to me. Let's talk about the game. First of all, in the first half of this game our main strategy was to defend and wait for opportunities to counter-attack. Try not to concede a goal, or as little as possible...... Then go head-to-head with them in the second half! Now listen, our goal is to win this game. ”

Eames finally spread his cards in the final moments.

As he said this, there was an exclamation in the small locker room.

Win this game?

Beat Chelsea?

Many players looked at each other and saw "disbelief" in each other's eyes.

Did we hear you right? An amateur team looking to beat Chelsea? This is crazy!

Only a few of them looked as usual.

When the players were almost surprised, Eames continued: "Actually, I have had this idea for a long time, I definitely didn't come here to beat them on a whim. Before we knew who our opponents were, I wanted to win this round of the FA Cup. Does one ask why? Eames glanced around, and no one questioned.

"It's good, because you don't have to ask why. Q: Why win? That's a stupid idea! Why win? Because we are players, we are born to win! Do any of you play to lose? Eames asked.

"No, you won't admit it now. But your performance has been telling me unmistakably that you don't care if you lose! ”

Eames was a little louder, and to the players, it looked as if their boss was angry.

It's not like, Eames is just angry right now. For the past half month, he has been cautious, for fear of increasing the pressure and burden on the players. But there will always be a day when the reckoning comes, and when it comes to the game, if he doesn't tell the team what he thinks, then the team won't be able to function as he envisioned.

He held back his anger for half a month, and finally found an outlet for catharsis.

"Have you forgotten what team we are? We are Wimbledon!! Our predecessor was Wimbledon who dared to spit at Anfield and dare to snatch the Liverpool title at Wembley! What did they call us then? Eames crossed his hands on his hips and asked his teammates, "Crazy Gang!! ”

He yelled.

"Do you think they call us 'Crazy Gang' just because we are rough and foul? There are so many teams in England who are rougher than us, so why are we the only ones called 'Crazy Gang'? Let me unravel this mystery for you now—" Eames opened his arms and looked around. "As Wimbledon fans, you must know Dave. The name Bassett (dave_bassett), right? ”

Everyone nodded.

It was one of Wimbledon's biggest legends in football history, and Wimbledon had only a glorious time that began with him. It was he who led Wimbledon from an obscure unknown to a top-flight side known in League One.

Although he didn't lead the team to the FA Cup in 1988, all Wimbledon fans believe that the team was able to pull off the dragon-slaying miracle at Wembley because of the decorated manager.

Dave. Basset used to be a Wimbledon player, he was funny and humorous, and I am afraid that few people could associate him with words like "mad gang" and "madhouse", but it was in his hands that "wild gang" was born.

Some people think that Wimbledon is called the "mad gang" because of their rough movements, frequent foul play, and brutality, like a bunch of unreasonable madmen.

But in reality, Bassett has a different view on this.

"Now let me tell you why we were called the 'Crazy Gang' back then!" Eames said, waving. "That's because we have a spirit -- a gangster spirit! What is the 'Gangster Spirit'? The spirit of the madness is a kind of 'never-say-die attitude'!! This attitude allows us to dare to challenge opponents who are far stronger than us, and we have repeatedly created miracles! But look at you now......" he shook his head, pointing at the player.

"Do you think defeating that moving Milton Keynes is a 'mad gang' heir? No! It's not even close! Milton Keynes doesn't want to inherit the mantle of the 'Mad Gang', and you don't have the qualifications yet! There are no more than five people on our team who are qualified to be called 'Crazy Gang Players'. He opened his palm and showed it to everyone.

Joe. Shirin puffed out his chest. He considers himself lucky that if he hadn't been drawn to Chelsea, he probably wouldn't be on the list of 'Crazy Players'.

Everyone glanced at Chu Zhongtian in unison.

Because it seems that the people with the most fighting spirit are Chu and Xilin.

"The victory in the last game made you flutter, but this game has made you all show your true colors! The real 'mad gang' will not be afraid of the opponent because they are many times stronger than them, and give up in advance! What kind of like 'it doesn't matter if you win or lose'! On May 14, 1988, when we walked into Wembley Stadium, the whole world was saying that we were going to lose and that the title belonged to Liverpool. But what is the result? The 'Crazy Gang' doesn't know what 'giving up early' means!! I tell you, the madmen have never been in the habit of bowing their heads to others! The people of the crazy gang will not admit defeat to death!! ”

With each last few words, Eames swung his fist vigorously, and the way he gritted his teeth seemed to have exhausted all his strength.

He gasped for breath a little, and for a moment there was only the sound of his heavy breathing in the dressing room, and all the players were silent.

'How's Chelsea going? What's the difference between it now and that game 14 years ago? The whole world didn't expect us to win, they thought it was a big win for us to get to this point, and we should thank God for playing against Chelsea...... Sadly, there are people in my squad who think so. With the bookmaker, our odds to beat Chelsea in this game are five hundred to one! Do you think we have a 1 in 500 chance of beating Chelsea? ”

"Do you really want to be a 'mad gang' player? Do you really think you're the best representative of Wimbledon football? Well, now is such an opportunity! Eames said, pointing to the door of the locker room. Beat Chelsea, be fearless on the pitch and show the whole of England that you really are the ones who have inherited the moniker of 'Crazy Gang' and not a bunch of cowards in the garb of 'Wimbledon'! This is the real test, but what is it to beat that Milton Keynes team? We must go through battles with powerful opponents to show our value as a 'mad gang'! ”

Eames's words made some people's blood boil, and one of them stood up suddenly.

Everyone turned their heads to look and found that it was Chu Zhongtian, the only "foreign aid" in the team.

Chu Zhongtian stood up as a conditioned reflex, because he was too excited. But when he stood up and was stared at by everyone, he felt that he couldn't just sit down, otherwise it would be too embarrassing...... Eames also looked at him: "Are you going to say something, Chu?" ”

"Uh......" Chu Zhongtian scratched his head, he looked at his teammates in the locker room, everyone was looking at him. Joe. Shirin was still winking at him, as if encouraging.

"Yes, boss, I have something to say to you." Chu Zhongtian plucked up the courage to say.

In the past, he was relatively silent in the locker room, because the person in charge of managing the locker room was not him, but the captain Kevin. Cooper, who was in charge of mediating the atmosphere in the locker room, was not the one who worked by Joe. Schilling and Gavin. Borger is in charge. He is always very silent and silently does his part.

It was the first time he had spoken in front of everyone before the game.

"I don't know what people think of this fight, but I want to win." Chu Zhongtian spread his hands, "I know that the opponent is very strong, and it is still on their home field, and more than two-thirds of the people are their supporters. But I want to try. The game hasn't started yet, and I don't want to throw in the towel yet. Uh......" Chu Zhongtian scratched his head again, "I'm done." ”

After that, he looked at everyone and received no response, so he sat down again, wondering if he had messed up his first public speech. I don't seem to be as impassioned as my boss said, it's too bland, right?

Eames slapped his face, but he wasn't applauding Chu Zhongtian, he was reminding everyone that it was time to play.

Joe. Xi Lin stood up and pulled Chu Zhongtian up: "I believe they are just a little uncomfortable because it is the first time they have seen you speak in public so actively." Well done, man. ”

Andy. Sullivan patted Chu Zhongtian on the shoulder from the other side: "Well, I also want to win." Let's work together! ”

When Chu Zhongtian was walking towards Yongdao, Gavin. Borger leaned in.

"Hey, I said...... Of course, I don't want to lose, but the difference in strength is there, even if we work harder, at most we will just lose better, right? He was obviously trying to defend himself, because he had been scolded by his boss just now - Eames did not name him, but everyone knew who he was.

"How do you know if you don't try? Even if you try, you end up just 'losing better', so I don't think there's anything to complain about, right? Chu Zhongtian turned his head to look at him and said.

"Uh......" Borjie was speechless when asked by Chu Zhongtian.

The players all ran out of the dressing room, with Eames and Ingrid staying.

Looking at the locker room, which had become empty in the blink of an eye, Eames sighed. "You know what, Nicky? From the beginning to now, I thought that the only kid who was closest to the 'mad gang' was that kid, and now I'm right. ”

Ingrid nodded, he knew which kid Eames was talking about.

"What he said just now, Pooh said it fourteen years ago. Even though the two of them used completely different tones and words, I thought Pooh and the kid were a bit alike...... Although the two of them are completely different styles of players, they are both very strong in their pursuit of victory, such people...... It's a natural leader. ”

"He's still a little jerky."

"Everybody has it once, take your time, I'm looking forward to his future now. It's a pity ......"

"It's a pity he's only been playing for two years."

Eamesmo was silent.

"Let's go, it's time for us to play." Ingrid walked to the door and beckoned to him.

※※※ Chu Zhongtian stood in the corridor, in front of him and behind him were his teammates, and beside him, less than half a meter away from him, were Chelsea players in blue shirts.

Although the boss of Eames has explained to them what a "frenzied spirit" is, few people can keep their cool when the real stars stand in front of them.

People want to look like their opponents, with dignity, but in fact they always have their eyes on the big stars who are chatting with themselves.

They curiously looked at the group of stars who were said to make more money than their entire team, stars who could only be seen on TV, but now stood in front of them, talking very casually, looking much calmer than the players at Wimbledon.

is worthy of being a seasoned professional player, and this group of hillbillies is really different.

Chu Zhongtian is also looking at the Chelsea players, but he is not chasing stars, nor is he curious, he is looking at who his opponents are in this game.

In many cases, it is possible to infer the intention of the opposing head coach for the game just from the starting lineup.

It is said that although Wimbledon Athletic are the biggest dark horses of this tournament, it is not too difficult for Chelsea to overcome them. So he's going to see if that's really the case in terms of Chel's lineup.

Hasselbaink in, Mutu in, Lampard in, Glen Charles (Grnkjr), Joe Murphy (Murph) Cole (joe_cole), Petit, Terry, Huth, Geremi, Babayaro, Cudicini.

These people were standing before him.

In fact, Chu Zhongtian can't tell whether this is a substitute or a main force, because the strength of Chelsea's substitutes and main players is not too far apart, Abramovich bought the team last summer, and then spent 128 million pounds to buy players everywhere, and his generosity has made West Ham United, Southampton, Sunderland, Blackburn Rovers ...... and so that the team survived the financial crisis.

And many of the players he bought were hot people in the transfer market at the time, and these people could become undisputed workhorses in any team they put in. But at Chelsea, they had to start from the bench.

So Wimbledon now face a new problem - even if Chelsea don't take them seriously and send a substitute to play, it doesn't bring the two teams closer in terms of quality difference...... If Chelsea's all-out squad was 100 kilometres away from Wimbledon, they should now be 95 kilometres away from Wimbledon.

It seems that it is really not easy to win.

Chu Zhongtian retracted his gaze, and the shouts of the fans outside were heard in his ears, he raised his head, and through the steps, he could see that there were reporters waiting at the exit in front of the team. Going out is a completely different stage than before, bigger and broader, but also more challenging.

It's like a candy box, and you never know what flavor of fruit candy is in it until you open the lid.

Standing at the front of the line, the captain Kevin, who had been silent. Cooper clapped his hands back, reminding his teammates who were busy making eye gestures to their opponents: "It's time to play, guys!" ”

Hearing this, Chu Zhongtian came back to his senses and slowly exhaled the qi in his chest. Then step forward.

With the appearance of the players in front, the noise outside became louder, and every player who ran out was greeted with unhesitating applause and cheers from the fans.

It's a completely different feeling from the ninth tier.

Chu Zhongtian stepped up the steps.

I've always listened to you, Mom. If you ask me to learn to draw, I'll learn to draw. If you tell me to give up football and go to high school, I'll go to high school. If you ask me to go to university, I'll go to university. If you tell me to study hard, I will study hard...... But this time, allow me to oppose you once because it's really something that can't be given up.

Chu Zhongtian accelerated and ran out.

Boom, the cheers, applause, and flashing lights rushed to his face, almost making him unable to stand.

He ran forward, looking up at the stands around him, trying to find Emily and them, but he found that Stamford Bridge was so big that it was full of people at a glance, and he couldn't find the familiar slogans and faces in them.

※※※ "Let the audience and friends wait for a long time, the players of both sides have appeared!" ”

Hearing this, Chu Zuo, who was sitting alone in front of the TV, came to his senses. He quickly took a sip of strong tea and stared at the TV. The wife has gone to the bedroom, angrily said that he wants to rest early, now there is only himself in the living room, out of the consideration of saving electricity, he turned off the light, the only light source in the living room is the TV screen, and in order not to disturb his wife's rest, he also turned down the sound very low. If he hadn't wanted to hear what the commentary said about his son, he wouldn't have opened his voice at all.

He saw the Chelsea players running out of the pitch and beside them, the player in the yellow shirt was probably Wimbledon.

He stared at the TV screen, watching carefully, expecting his son to appear. When the commentator introduced the starting list just now, he happily told the audience that Chu Zhongtian, who was highly anticipated by the Chinese people, was in the starting list.

When he saw the eighth person, the face that couldn't be more familiar appeared in the camera.

He clenched his fists.

That's his son!

The son on the TV is looking around, looking curious.

"Be attentive!" The father couldn't help but remind the TV.

It took him a while to realize that this was not the time for him to sit on the sidelines and watch his son play...... It's the FA Cup, and he's separated from his son by a whole Eurasia.

Chu Zuosheng, who was concentrating, didn't notice at all that behind him, the bedroom door quietly opened a crack, and in the gap there was a pair of eyes reflecting the light emitted by the TV screen......

(To be continued)