Gino Pozzo's remarks were published in the Nottingham Post, and upon reading them, David couldn't help but feel a bit bewildered. While in his previous life, he knew that the Pozzo family had a reputation for treating football as a business, they were undeniably influential figures in the sport. David couldn't shake the feeling that Gino's comments were misguided and, frankly, a little foolish.
"Could it be that the opponents are just idiots in this life?" David wondered. His confidence in his own team was bolstered by what seemed like a slip-up from Pozzo, but he didn't dwell too long on it. Instead, he focused on what his team could prove on the pitch—actions would speak louder than words.
In the upcoming match, Notts County would face Cambridge United, a team struggling at the bottom of the league. Cambridge United, constantly fighting relegation, was a club that looked likely to face the drop again this season. David knew that with their current form, Notts County, regarded as a top team even in the Premier League, had the upper hand.
Meanwhile, Mansfield was set to play league leaders Brighton in what was expected to be a crucial match for the standings. David, ever the tactician, knew that a draw between those two would benefit Notts County, as it would give his team the chance to overtake Mansfield and reduce the gap to Brighton.
David's prediction came true. In an exciting, high-paced match, Mansfield and Brighton drew 1-1, each earning a point. This result was a golden opportunity for Notts County to capitalize on. All they needed to do was secure a win against Cambridge United, and they could climb into second place, right behind Brighton.
The next day, the match against Cambridge began, and as expected, the underdogs set up a defensive wall from the start. Their strategy was clear: park the bus and try to hold Notts County to a draw. However, Cambridge's squad simply didn't have the quality to match up with Notts County.
Notts County had the height advantage, especially in the center of defense, where Westerman and Mertesacker, both towering at over 1.9 meters, caused problems for Cambridge's defense. With such a physical presence, Notts County exploited Cambridge's weakness in aerial duels, launching a series of dangerous crosses into the box. The two central defenders, Westerman and Mertesacker, dominated the aerial battles, often winning headers or flicking the ball on for teammates to pounce on.
The game was all but decided by halftime. Notts County led 3-0, and Cambridge's defense looked completely overwhelmed. David had expected a tougher challenge, but the match had turned into a rout. With such a commanding lead, Luff, the manager, began making substitutions early in the second half, resting key players and controlling the tempo of the game.
David, watching from the sidelines, remarked, "No one dares to face Notts County with this purely defensive attitude now. With our height advantage, it's hard for any team to keep us out." His observation was spot on—teams would need to rethink their approach when facing Notts County's strength in the air.
Luff agreed, smiling at the situation. "This is the result of our hard work and strategic planning. It's proof that teams can't just park the bus against us."
As the game wore on, Cambridge United had no answer to Notts County's attacking pressure. With the game already decided, Notts County eased off, playing possession football and managing the match comfortably. By the 60th minute, all three substitutions had been made, and the team was in full control.
In the end, Notts County secured a 3-0 victory, moving into second place in the standings, surpassing Mansfield. The win sent a clear message to the rest of the league: Notts County was a force to be reckoned with, and no amount of defensive tactics could stifle their potency.
The post-match interview turned to Gino Pozzo's previous comments about Notts County. Luff was asked about his thoughts on the notion that intensive defense was the key to stopping his team. With a wry smile, Luff responded, "If, as Mr. Pozzo said, defensive tactics are the best way to deal with Notts County, I think today's result speaks for itself. I hope other teams try this tactic as well—it will give us plenty of opportunities to relax and enjoy the game."
Back in Mansfield, Pozzo, now red-faced and embarrassed, couldn't help but feel the sting of the defeat. His team's poor performance, combined with the fact that Notts County had overtaken them in the standings, left him speechless. Even with his thick skin, Pozzo knew he wouldn't be stepping into the spotlight anytime soon. It was clear: Notts County's rise was unstoppable, and Pozzo had just learned a painful lesson.