Chapter 33: A Difficult Relegation Team
The heavy rain could not dampen the enthusiasm of the fans, and Tottenham's die-hard fans stayed in the stands for a long time and did not want to leave.
Tottenham players waved to the fans in the rain to thank them for their support.
Seeing this scene, for some reason, Benjamin's eyes were a little red.
Isn't that what he's trying to do for the purpose?
……
"Mr. Lewis, you and your team have won eight in a row in all competitions, how do you feel now?
Are you confident that your winning streak will continue? If the winning streak is ended, will the team's morale be affected and the situation will take a turn for the worse? ”
Well, counting the game before Benjamin took charge, Tottenham has indeed won eight in a row.
Among them, the next seven consecutive wins were achieved under the leadership of Benjamin.
That's not a problem anymore, is it? Benjamin organized the language a little.
"Winning streak? To be honest, I didn't pay much attention to it.
It's my job to try to lead the team to as many wins as possible, and of course I really want the team to continue their winning streak.
But what I hope is more that it doesn't become a pressure on the players, and that even if the winning streak is ended, it doesn't mean anything.
We will still do our best to win the next games! ”
"So are you happy with the performance of the players today?"
'Still satisfied, Man City are a strong opponent and it was a tough game.
We were able to beat them because of the hard work of every player on the pitch.
Even in the face of the unfavorable scene where the score was overtaken, the boys still did not panic and equalized the score in time.
I'm so proud of them! ”
"And what about Danny Rose? He gave away a penalty today and then equalised himself, so how do you assess his performance? ”
Benjamin smiled, and he knew someone was going to ask the question.
"There's no doubt that Danny is a fantastic player and that foul was just an accident and that doesn't change the fact that he played well today!"
Manchester City, who missed out on reaching the top of the Premier League table, looked a little disappointed after the game.
"I don't want to talk about the top of the table, it's a shame to lose this game.
We played a great game and had a chance to win it, but unfortunately Sergio Aguero's injury changed the course of the game.
However, there is good news, Jovetic has proved his quality and believes he will soon find his rhythm. ”
Manuel Pellegrini was right, and if Sergio Aguero had not left the pitch injured, the outcome of the match might not have been the case.
Because of the Manchester City manager's remarks, Tottenham's victory has greatly decreased.
The media on the second day also adopted the narrative that it was Sergio Aguero's injury that gave the home team a chance.
Otherwise, Benjamin's side may not have won the game at home, which seems to be quite convincing from the scoreline alone.
Benjamin didn't care.
The loser's rhetoric could not affect Tottenham Hotspur, who were soaring and morale were on the rise.
"Tomorrow's opponent is Hull City, who are in the relegation zone, so cheer me up! Don't be careless! ”
Benjamin could see that the team seemed to be a little arrogant, and what should be said still had to be said.
Whether the players listen or not is another matter.
The lion fights the rabbit, and he also uses all his strength, there is no weak team in the Premier League, if you really want to look at the point ranking or the value of the player, you think that the strong team will eat the weak team, then the reality will teach him to be a man.
In the 24th round of the Premier League, Tottenham Hotspur played away against Hull City, who are in the bottom half of the standings.
Ousmane Dembele was sidelined with an injury, and after learning that it would only be a minor problem that would heal in a week at most, Benjamin saved points for a medical card.
With the help of Zhang Hai's integrative medicine, the Belgian midfielder recovered well, but out of prudence, he was not included in the squad.
Tottenham Hotspur, who have won consecutive games since the start of the game, have no scruples about playing attacking football away from home.
Benjamin also didn't spend points to buy a status card, and if a team like Hull City had to be opened, then how many points would not be enough.
Unexpectedly, the head coach of the home team, Steve Bruce, set up a bucket formation at his home stadium.
Again and again, the attacks were in vain, and the stalemate on the field could not be broken for a long time.
The Tottenham players also realized that something was wrong, and they finally remembered what Benjamin had told them before.
It's still careless!
The Lily Army accounted for more than 70% of the possession, and the number of goals scored in the first half went straight to double digits.
However, they couldn't break through the home team's goal, and the score was still 0-0.
On the way back to the dressing room, Kane repeated his pre-match coach's remarks.
Could it be that the boss had expected this to happen?
'I'm very unhappy with the way you played in the first half, what did I say to you before the game?
Don't be careless! How do you do that? How many people have played to their full strength?
I'm going to give you another 20 minutes in the second half, and if you can't take the lead, I'm going to replace the three guys who were the worst. ”
No one wanted to be the worst player, and in the second half, Tottenham's players continued to attack the home goal with a positive attitude of 120,000 points.
Sadio Mane and Lamela moved further forward to the front line, and Tottenham's 4231 was changed to 433.
This is also a tactical change that they often practice in their usual training.
England midfielder Huddlestone, who moved from Tottenham to Hull City last summer, was in the middle of the pitch today and was impressive defensively.
Huddlestone made a steal at the back and found teammate Sean Lang with a pinpoint long ball.
The Irish striker shot wide from Vertonghen's interference and didn't look like much of a threat to the Spurs goal.
In fact, this is already a wake-up call for the visiting team.
"Protect yourself! Second, the fight for penalties is a little more positive! ”
The Lily Army still has the upper hand and controls the initiative on the field, but it is difficult to find a goal.
When the appointed time came, Benjamin chose to trust the players on the field and did not make substitutions.
As the clock ticked, the game came to an end.
If they can draw at home to Tottenham, they can snatch a point from a north London side who have been in a burst of form of late.
For Hull City, it seems acceptable.
In the eighty-ninth minute, another shot was fruitless, and the home team launched a quick counterattack.
Hull City goalkeeper Harper kicked the ball up front and Sean Lang picked up a cross from team-mate Jelavic and burst into the box at high speed.
Amid the shouts of more than 20,000 home fans at Kingston's communications stadium, the Irishman shook off Walker and Vertonghen before stabbing a left-footed shot into the net.
1 to 0! Tottenham have conceded a goal!
Benjamin smiled helplessly.
Is this the tenacity of the relegation team?
And Sean Lang's goal is too beautiful, and he may not be able to score the ball if he is given ten more chances.
But it was clearly unreasonable to put that down to luck, and Hull City did beat many expectations at home today.
With regular time at the end and referee Anthony Taylor giving five minutes of stoppage time, Tottenham is really running out of time.
Benjamin replaced Lamela with a strong Townsend, and then brought on Chadley to replace N'Golo Kante.
The formation changed from four-three-three to four-two-four, with four strikers up front and making a last-ditch push.
In the last minute of stoppage time, Danny Rose crossed from the side, Chadley's header at the front point rubbed back, and Townsend's follow-up shot finally penetrated the home team's goal!
One-to-one!
Tottenham equalised in the last minute!