The Legendary Chairman Novel - Chapter 114
114 The Championship ‘s Most Offensive Team
Before the game, Ipswich coach Joe Royle was also interviewed by media reporters.
Joe Royle said: “At the beginning of the season, Leeds United did exceed many people’s expectations and exceeded my expectations. Their results were very good and I was surprised by Madman Loria’s strength.” But now everyone can see that Leeds United’s tactics have been thoroughly understood by everyone. They are not worried at the moment. We, Ipswich, are confident in winning this match!
Joe Royle immediately responded to questions from reporters: “Of course, we will not make any changes. We are very confident in our offense. And this is our home ground. We will definitely have a sharp attack to defeat Leeds United. I am confident!”
Ipswich is now the most attacking side in the Champions League, scoring 42 goals in 18 games, averaging 2.3333 goals per game, a shocking rate. No wonder Joe Royle shouted before the game. He was really confident and capable.
Joe Royle was Everton’s star player from 1966 to 1974. He played for Everton for eight years, during which he played 276 games for Everton and scored 103 goals. He became Everton’s best shooter for five consecutive seasons.
After becoming the head coach, this fellow also advocated offense. It could be seen that he really had a set of offensive skills.
He is now at home waiting for Leeds United to arrive.
–Division Line–
Ipswich, Suffolk, England, 13 November 2004.
Today, Portmanlo Stadium was filled with people. Almost all of them were fans of the home team. They wore blue home jerseys to cheer for their favorite team and cheered endlessly.
There were still some Leeds United fans away today, but too few admitted defeat, seemingly less than a hundred people. This meant that Leeds United was in an awkward situation at this stage.
However, Zhong Cheng did not care too much. As long as the stadium was full, there would be no admission fee for the away stadium.
In the shabby locker room of the visiting team, Zhong Cheng was giving his players face-to-face advice.
Zhong Cheng said seriously, “This Ipswich team is very strong. They were relegated from the Premier League two seasons ago, but in the following two seasons, they did very well in the Champions League. They both entered the leveling-up playoffs and failed in the end. This shows that they are the top teams in the Champions League!”
Zhong Cheng’s words were correct. He had entered the leveling-up playoffs for two consecutive seasons and almost levelled up. This was something many teams could not do.
Zhong Cheng continued, “Joe Royle has taken over the team for a season and a half, and now his style of play is even more pure. This is a very difficult bone to chew on!”
It was rare for Leeds players to see Zhong Cheng so serious, as if they had only seen him before the game against Arsenal. Leeds United fans were shocked that Zhong Cheng had placed Ipswich on the same level as Arsenal. They knew how difficult the game was.
Zhong Cheng said: “Ipswich’s attacking line is very strong, this game we have to defend must be closely aware of it?”
The Leeds players nodded.
Zhong Cheng said: “Ipswich’s front line is a combination of high and fast. Shevchenko Kucci is an 188-year-old Finnish flying man with excellent heading ability. He is playing alongside young England U21 striker Darren Bent, a pair of highly efficient strikers.”
The Leeds United players became serious and their gazes sharpened.
Zhong Cheng said: “Here I would like to highlight Darren Bent, a fast forward who has played for Ipswich since he was 17. He made seven appearances and scored two or two goals in the Premier League that season.” After Ipswich’s demotion, the young talented striker was able to stay in the starting line-up, scoring 18 goals in 2002-03 and 16 in 2003-04. He has scored 8 goals this season, and I think you all know what that means?
The Leeds United defenders are very serious.
Zhong Cheng said, “The defensive task for this match is very heavy. Gerald and Thomas, you two must hold your ground for me. You must keep an eye on this sharp offensive combination for me!”
Zhong Cheng has studied the first year of the Champions League, Ipswich’s super attacking team was attracted Zhong Cheng’s attention, in later generations, the two of them scored 39 goals this season, Shevchenko Kucci scored 20 goals, Darren Bent scored 19 goals, the efficiency is astonishing.
This was also the reason why Zhong Cheng paid attention to this combination. The two of them were a classic combination of one high and one fast. Moreover, there was a very tacit understanding between the two of them, and there was a chemical reaction. This was even more difficult to deal with.
The Ipswich midfielder also has assists from quasi-Scottish country Tommy Miller and Northern Ireland international Jim Margilton, which is why the Ipswich team attacked sharply.
Meanwhile, Leeds United’s Boumsong was injured and was still recovering from his injuries. Zhong Cheng had no choice but to expel Pique and Vermaelen’s young centre-back team today. Whether this team could withstand the attacks of these two strikers was really hanging in the balance.
Zhong Cheng finally instructed, “Gerald, Thomas, you may have to suffer today!”
“Don’t worry, boss, we won’t let you down!” The two of them immediately said neatly.
Zhong Cheng reminded Chimbonda and Gary Kelly, “Pascal and Gary, you have to pay attention not only to Tommy Miller and the others, but also to Matthew Richards and Fabian Venice, two full-backs who have excellent assists!”
Gary Kelly nodded firmly.
–Division Line–
After he finished defending, Zhong Cheng began to talk about attacking again.
Zhong Cheng said, “Ipswich ‘s centre-back team is also a high-and-fast team, Canadian international Jason Davos, 193cm tall, and black centre-back Drisa Diallo, 185cm tall from Africa, are also working very well together. Ipswich has conceded 21 goals so far this season. Their defense is not the best, but they have some strength!
The Leeds United attackers nodded in agreement.
Zhong Cheng said, “Jason Davos turns around very slowly, so he usually drags behind and defends head-on. Drisa Diallo is fast and agile. He usually snatches up and blocks back to catch up and replenish his defense. This guy’s physical fitness is astonishingly good!”
The Leeds United attacking players listened to Zhong Cheng’s introduction, and they were all seriously and carefully thinking of ways to deal with it.
Zhong Cheng said: “Ipswich’s two full-backs came in and assisted a lot. We have to make use of the space behind them, understand?”
The Leeds United attackers’ eyes lit up and they found the center of attack.
Zhong Cheng said: “We have already lost five consecutive games in the league. We can’t lose now. And you know, this game is a six-point game. I hope you can go all out to win this game. We need this victory!”
“Victory! Victory! Victory!” The Leeds players shouted resolutely.
–Division Line–
Leeds United had arranged a four-two-three-one formation today.
Goalkeeper: Scott Carson
Fourth Guards “Left to Right”: Zimbonda, Vermaelen, Pique and Gary Kelly
Double waist: Las Diarra and Albertini
Three avant-garde “Left to Right”: Ribery, Modric and Lennon
Single forward: Huntelaar
Today, Zhong Cheng let Albertini and Modric start at the same time. The rhythm of the two cores showed that Zhong Cheng was very eager to win.
Ipswich’s formation today was a four-four-two formation.
Goalkeeper: Kevin Davis
Fourth Guards “Left to Right”: Matthew Richards, Drisa Diallo, Jason Davos and Fabian Venice
Four midfielders “from left to right”: Tommy Miller, Kevin Hollock, Tony Tining, Jim Magilton
Twin strikers: Shevchenko Kucci and Darren Bent
Looking at the formation, one could tell that Ipswich was very strong. There were a lot of international players in the formation, and they were all the ones with extraordinary strength.
At the beginning of the game, Ipswich launched a ferocious attack amidst cheers from the fans.
Ipswich’s midfielders were all international players. Although they weren’t the absolute main players today, they were already very strong. Jim Magilton was already very old and was 35 years old. It was said that he would retire at the end of the season, but he started today.
Jim Magilton is old, his speed is not good, but he has a lot of experience, he used to be the Northern Ireland international, his passing is very demonic, very coquettish!
Just five minutes into the non-match, Jim Magilton sent a very accurate 45-degree cross and the soccer ball flew over the head of Vermaelen at top speed, heading towards Finnish flying man Shevki Kucci behind Vermaelen.
Shevchenko Kucci ‘s title as a Finnish flying man comes from a celebratory gesture he made after scoring a goal, He rushed out a certain distance, then kicked his legs to the ground, and his entire body flew out into the air, as if a swimmer was about to set off. Then, he plopped into the swimming pool, and Cookie fell onto the turf.
The commentator at the time gave Shevchenko Kucci the nickname of a Finnish flying man, which has been in use ever since.
It was also claimed that Kucci’s title as a Finnish flying man was a compliment to his ability to bounce, because when he jumped up to grab the header, he really looked like a flying man.
At this moment, Shevchenko Kuchi jumped up high like a flying man.
Shevchenko Kucci shook his head and threw the ball backwards amid the wild screams of Ipswich fans.
“Finnish header!” Exclaimed Mark Lawrence.
Ipswich’s attacking prowess was indeed impressive. They had only just begun the game when they had a very good chance to endanger Leeds United’s goal.
The ball was like a bolt of lightning.
In front of the goal, Scott Carson was shocked. He immediately flew sideways and stretched out his hand desperately.
To tell the truth, Scott Carson himself didn’t have the confidence to pounce on the ball.
Scott Carson slapped the football with his right hand and was overjoyed. The Leeds United fans on the sidelines jumped up and cheered excitedly.
The football immediately bounced out and flew towards the middle of the restricted area.
“Ah, not good!” Eddie Gray suddenly exclaimed, his face deathly pale.
“Goal! Goal! Ipswich scored in just five minutes! It was their young striker Darren Bent who scored!” Mark Lawrenson exclaimed.
