Title: We Are Red Rebels
In fact, Scarlett was waiting for Levi at the entrance of the apartment, but she just wanted to ask him if he could find an opportunity to do an exclusive interview for the Manchester Evening News. However, she didn't know why, every time she saw Levi's nasty look, Scarlett felt a surge of irritation.
In the end, despite Levi's retaliatory kick, the next day she was also accused by the editor, which fueled her new hatred, directing all her resentment towards him.
But despite her resentment, Scarlett was still very persistent and believed, at least she did not target New Manchester United in her attack this time. In the report, she neutrally expressed her views, thinking that New Manchester United's hope of victory was slim.
However, there was almost no discussion about this game within New Manchester United. Everyone seemed to regard this game as an ordinary Northwest Division B game, which was exactly what Levi and Bruce wanted to see.
Two days after the draw, New Manchester United sat in Butchers Knives Stadium and overcame their visiting opponents with a 5:1 score, achieving another victory in the Northwest Division B League. Then the team rushed away one day in advance.
Perhaps due to the importance of this game to the team, the injured Carkinson and Williams hoped to accompany the team. After discussing with Bruce, Levi finally agreed to their request.
Since New Manchester United was only a semi-professional team of the tenth level in England, it was naturally impossible for them to stay in five-star hotels like the giants who visited London. They could only stay in a quiet and comfortable small hotel, and then train in a university training ground.
The starting lineup of New Manchester United in this game was not unexpected. The forwards were still Jonathan McTen and Rodriguez Giggs. These two partners were the key to New Manchester United's siege this season, especially Jonathan McTen. So far, he had scored 32 goals in the league, making him the top scorer of the tenth league, and Rodriguez Giggs had also scored 21 goals.
As for the midfield, Frank Clark and Darren Lyons were left and right forwards. Due to the injuries of Markinson and Ben West, Bruce could only use a balanced position. Stephen Smith and Victor Moses partnered, but both men's defensive capabilities were worrying. Fortunately, Arsenal had also used a double-back strategy this season.
The central defenders were still the partnership of Steve Bruce and Gareth Turner. The cooperation between the two central defenders was getting better and better, but because Bruce also had to take care of the team coach's duties, coupled with his age, his physical strength could not support the entire season, so Danny Collins had played a lot of games this season.
On the right was Kevin Evan, and on the left was Evra. These two full-backs were also the only ones that New Manchester United could use. If there was another injury, they would be forced to play a three-back lineup.
The goalkeeper was Robert Kane. This young player had performed well this season and was a relatively stable player among New Manchester United players. However, Drouy Stein had made it clear that they would promote Robert Kane to be the main goalkeeper next season. Even Levi's playing cards to David Pace would not work.
Due to the full complement of injured personnel and the shortage of staffing, there was almost no suspense in the main lineup of New Manchester United. It had been continuously announced in the newspapers before the game. If one was familiar with it, it meant that even the personal abilities of the players and the team's tactics were clearly disclosed.
This reminded Levi of Real Madrid, which was because of the media's attention. As a result, every move of Real Madrid had attracted the attention of the media. The tactics had almost no privacy at all, and at the same time, it put great pressure on the players. This was also a major cause of Real Madrid's subsequent loss of the Champions League.
"What's wrong? Did you not sleep last night?" In the hotel room, Walsh saw Levi, who kept yawning after waking up, which was very different from the usually spirited man he was.
"It was late to sleep. David and Roy made several phone calls last night." Levi casually made an excuse. In fact, Beckham and Keane's phone call came after 9 pm, but Levi did not fall asleep until 2 in the middle of the night.
I don't know why, anyway, just lying on the bed and turning over and over, thinking about tomorrow's game, how could Levi not fall asleep? This was the first real match of New Manchester United on TV, but the opponent was so tough, Arsenal. This made Levi worry, would his team be defeated?
"What? They really want us to crush Arsenal for them?" Walsh asked with a smile.
Levi smiled, "Roy did think so. He said if he could, let our players go all out and crush Arsenal players. After the kickoff, two or three main players were directly eliminated."
"Ah? He's so fierce?" Walsh laughed, and everyone could hear that it was a joke.
However, Levi's imitation tone was so wonderful that he learned enough of Keane's posture.
"David and others told us not to have too much psychological pressure, after all, Arsenal is too powerful!" When talking about this, Levi's smile froze.
Yes, everyone knew that Arsenal was like an unattainable Mount Everest for New Manchester United. Even Levi knew it, but when everyone said that, it felt very difficult to accept.
People couldn't be arrogant, but they couldn't be resigned either, could they?
"I don't want to resign?" Walsh knew Levi very well and immediately understood his mindset.
Levi nodded. "Yes, I'm not resigned. Although I know it very well, I still feel uncomfortable, especially as the game gets closer and closer, the unwillingness becomes heavier."
"Just a few days ago, I was still telling Bruce that we couldn't beat Arsenal. At that time, I felt that I was very sensible, so I thought the problems were very clear and organized. But now I find that I can't judge it. I just feel that I'm so damn unwilling!" At the end, Levi gritted his teeth.
"This is normal because it proves that you still have a fighting spirit. You don't want to lose, even in the face of a game where everyone thinks we should lose. And even if you lose completely, you are still struggling. Even in the last breath, you are still fighting hard and want to shout, I don't want to lose!" Walsh also seemed very excited.
Although he was over thirty years old, in fact, he was still a very passionate fan; otherwise, he would not have always supported Levi until now.
"What do you think I should do?" Levi asked wryly.
Walsh came over, sat next to Levi, patted his shoulder to comfort him, and said, "I think you should speak up, tell your thoughts to the players, at least let them know that their boss is not giving up on the game, even if it's a game that everyone expects us to lose."
Levi looked at Walsh, and after a while, smiled bitterly, "Andy, I didn't realize that you are still a great eloquent persuader!"
Walsh immediately laughed.
On the bus to Highbury Stadium, all the players were quiet. Everyone bowed their heads, some looked out the window, some closed their eyes, and some even boredI apologize for the oversight. Let's continue from where we left off:
their fingers, but no one made a sound.
Bruce sat in the first row, next to him was Kassel, who worked part-time as Bruce's assistant.
Levi hesitated for a while, and finally stood up.
The cough sounded like thunder in the quiet bus compartment, awakening everyone, including Bruce, to Levi, who was walking to the aisle of the bus, clearly planning to say something.
"Uh... a few days ago, the woman who lived upstairs was the female reporter who often reported on us. She told me, hey, hooligan, you beat Arsenal, you lost!"
At this point, Levi laughed to himself. "After I heard it, I didn't feel anything. I just thought, ah, I lose, I lose to Arsenal. But I don't know why, a friend called me and said, man, don't burden yourself too much against Arsenal!"
"Then I have been thinking, as if people all over the world think that we are going to lose. Why?"
Levi spread his hands and asked all the players in front of him.
Although Levi was not the head coach and he was very young, in fact, his prestige in this team was not lost to Bruce at all. This was not an ordinary team; it was also founded by Levi. If this team were likened to a person, then the head coach would be the brain, controlling behavior, but Levi would be the heart.
"Seriously, I am unwilling, I am TMD unwilling. I don't understand, on what grounds do we believe we must lose? Is it because we are the tenth team? Or is Arsenal a strong team? But once these are on the football field, is it related to the outcome of the game?"
"Football matches are played by 22 people. The outcome of the game is determined by the 22 people on the court. Whether it is a giant or not, whether it is a tenth team or a Premier League team, there is no relationship at all. So I ask you, are you willing?" Levi said more and more excitedly.
"Tell me, guys, will you be willing?" Eventually, it turned into a question for the players.
Everyone looked up and stared at Levi with red eyes.
"I'm not willing!" The injured Carkinson first stood up and shouted.
"I'm not resigned!" Evra shouted.
"Me too!" Lyons followed.
Finally, all the players on the entire bus stood up and shouted "Not willing!"
"Well, if you are not willing, then we will reclaim our dignity on the court and show everyone that we are not the Little Red Devils; we are the Red Rebels. We are not afraid of any opponents, even the super strong teams from the Premier League. They can be beaten down all the same, because our Red Rebels are fearless!"
Bruce, behind Levi, seeing Levi's impassioned declaration, immediately laughed, "This kid is quite convincing!"
Walsh kept nodding, "But at least after hearing it, I also feel fired up and want to rush onto the field to do a great job!"