After two consecutive victories, if some local media in Luton still doubted that it was merely a flash in the pan, the next win made everyone sing Luton's praises.
On August 16, in the second round of the league, Luton faced Gillingham away.
This was Gao Bo's first away league game with the team. He approached it with utmost caution, paying attention to every detail—from road conditions to weather forecasts.
John Aston, a veteran of the team, was astonished by Gao Bo's meticulousness. Back in his playing days, coaches would simply say, "Go out there, lads, kick their asses, and we'll celebrate at the bar tonight!" Then the team would charge forward, relying on sheer determination. It wasn't professional, but it fit the English character.
Alcohol had long been intertwined with English football, and it wasn't until the 1990s that top-tier teams began discouraging drinking during training and matches. Gao Bo himself had curbed his drinking habits to set an example, only indulging during holidays.
For every game, Gao Bo insisted on gathering as much intelligence as possible about the opponent. He analyzed their strengths and weaknesses to fine-tune Luton's strategy. From marking key players to exploiting defensive gaps, these detailed adjustments gave the team immense confidence before every match.
"Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never lose." This philosophy was central to Gao Bo's approach.
However, such analysis wasn't typically the head coach's responsibility. John Aston was adept at directing training and managing team operations but lacked expertise in data analysis. Similarly, the team's fitness coach, Mel, and other staff members had specialized roles.
Thus, Gao Bo had to shoulder this work himself. Despite Luton's strength in League Two, he understood that even Premier League teams sometimes faltered against lower-league sides. And with Luton's 30-point deduction, their margin for error was nonexistent. Gao Bo couldn't afford complacency.
Gillingham, relegated from League One last season, posed a significant challenge. They retained most of their squad and were considered promotion favorites this season. But Luton's stunning performance flipped expectations.
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Before the game, many predicted Gillingham would dominate. Luton's big win over Port Vale in the previous round was dismissed as luck against a weaker opponent. But this time, playing away against a formidable team, Luton shocked everyone.
Gillingham struggled to adapt to Luton's high pressing. Forward passing lanes were consistently blocked, and their long balls were neutralized by Luton's young center-back, Jeffrey, who excelled in aerial duels.
On the attack, Luton's offensive play dismantled Gillingham's defense.
In the 12th minute, Luton's striker Charlie Austin struck first, seizing an opportunity in the box to score.
Just six minutes later, Austin doubled Luton's lead with a brilliant header from Kevin Keane's cross, the ball bouncing into the corner of the net.
The first half belonged to Austin, but in the second half, it was Vardy's time to shine.
In the 68th minute, Vardy broke free with a perfectly timed run, slotting the ball home to make it 3-0. Five minutes later, he repeated the feat, taking advantage of another through ball to secure a 4-0 victory.
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As the final whistle blew, Gao Bo exhaled in relief and rose from the bench. Calm throughout the game, he credited the thorough pre-match preparation. The match had unfolded exactly as planned.
Within the first ten minutes, Luton pressed aggressively, scoring two goals. Around the 70th minute, another offensive surge added two more.
Gao Bo had anticipated Gillingham's substitutions and tactical changes, mapping them out on the board during pre-match preparations. Everything had gone as if the game had followed a script he'd written.
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"Kevin, come to the press conference with me," Gao Bo said, stepping into the locker room.
Inside, the players were celebrating wildly, but the noise quickly died down as Gao Bo entered.
The players had come to view Gao Bo with awe. In just a few games, his ability to seemingly "predict" match outcomes earned him an almost mystical reputation. Some even jokingly referred to him as a wizard.
Despite being only 27, Gao Bo commanded respect. He maintained a professional distance from the players, aiming to establish the authority of a head coach rather than camaraderie.
"Yes, boss!" Kevin Keane replied. Though older than Gao Bo, even he now referred to him as "boss."
Luton's emphatic 4-0 win over promotion favorites Gillingham wasn't just a victory; it was a statement. Under Gao Bo's leadership, the team was defying all expectations.