Chapter 67 A stumbling match

After the game against Rangers, Sheffield United and Norwich City were tied with 67 points. Due to the goal difference, Norwich City finally returned to their coveted second place in the league.

The Sheffield United players were naturally a little disappointed.

Although it was previously decided to rotate veterans, keep the team healthy, and finally have a complete lineup to play in the play-offs.

But when he really lost his promotion spot to the Premier League, even Li Mo couldn't help but feel a little regretful.

Moreover, in the next game, Speed ​​gave Li Mo a day off and asked him to rest at home without even going to the game.

After repeated inspections, the team doctor ensured that Li Mo's body was absolutely healthy and there was no problem. However, Speed ​​and the team manager were all frightened by the unexpected situation in the last game.

They can withstand the injury of some players at the last moment of the league, but among these players, Li Mo is definitely not included.

Speed ​​would rather let Li Mo rest for one more game and risk losing points in the next round, rather than want this kid to have any problems again.

Li Mo was a little helpless, but he could only obey the coach's arrangements. He couldn't say to the handsome guy Speed: "I'm really fine, because I died!"

On April 9, in the 40th round of the English Championship, after a tough away game against Rangers, the league leader, Sheffield United finally played its home game.

The opponent in this round, Middlesbrough, is also ranked relatively low, close to the bottom, and is not a great threat.

Li Mo took a rest, so Chide started in this game and partnered with Vardy on the striker.

In the midfield, Drinkwater also came on as a substitute in this game, and Stephen Quinn returned to the central midfield position.

Montgomery still started the game, serving as the defensive midfielder, with Matt Ritchie as the left midfielder, and Sean Lowry as the right midfielder.

The four defenders at the back, from left to right, are: Andy Taylor, Nosworthy, Maguire and Matthew Lowton.

The goalkeeper is still the veteran Simonson.

Maguire has moved his position again. Although he has been playing as left center back before, Matthew Lowton will move forward more in this game, and Speed ​​needs him to help cover up defense from behind.

Speaking of which, the training plan that Master asked Maguire to lose weight has shown remarkable results now.

Although it is said that you cannot lose a lot of weight during the season, as it will affect the player's condition, Maguire has been eating and training strictly according to the plan.

Up to now, his weight has remained at around 91 kilograms. Before, it was heading towards 95 kilograms, and it was very difficult to control it.

Moreover, under the master's special training plan, Maguire's body flexibility and flexibility have also been maintained well. At least he is not too slow to turn around for a defender of his height.

Speed's use of Maguire, from the beginning, he tried to take the front as much as possible and let others help him cover up defense, and gradually changed to letting Maguire wipe his ass on the wing, allowing him to decide whether to attack in advance based on the situation on the field.

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This step of change is likely to change Ma Datou's entire career.

His head-on confrontation is strong enough. After a few more years of growth, how many forwards in the Premier League would dare to face him head-on?

The most important thing is to enhance the flexibility and flexibility of the body as much as possible while maintaining the ability to resist, and the other is to accumulate experience.

And as long as Speed ​​is in charge of Sheffield United, Maguire will not lack opportunities to practice in games.

Compared with Li Mo's previous life, Maguire's current career will only start better and develop better.

Of course, no one can say for sure about the future. Injuries and club changes will be uncertain factors, but at least in a stable environment, Maguire will enter his peak period earlier and have fewer shortcomings.

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At the beginning of this league round, Maguire lived up to Speed's trust and performed extremely well in the right center back position.

After Matthew Lowton came in, Middlesbrough hit the ball behind several times, but Maguire destroyed it in advance.

Moreover, Maguire is tall and has long legs. After losing weight, he can run very fast. Although he cannot match the speed of the opponent's wing, he can attack first and destroy the ball.

However, the cooperation between Cheddar and Vardy is very average, and there is no chemistry between them on the offensive end.

Vardy runs a lot and also runs fast. Many times if he gives the ball slowly, he will be called offside.

But Brother Chide is a bit slow to begin with, and Vardy often runs past him before his pass passes.

In the past, Li Mo could also play ball for Brother Chide and let Brother Chide take two shots. However, Vardy mainly plays without the ball. At this time, his ball-holding offense has not been developed yet. The two of them played together.

That's an awkward situation.

This resulted in Sheffield United defending very well in the first half, but they did not create many opportunities on the offensive end. They could only rely on crosses from Matt Ritchie and Matthew Lowton to open up the situation.

But after 45 minutes, Middlesbrough did a good job in marking. Brother Chide immediately misfired when faced with a double team. Vardy was even worse. He kept running and rarely received passes.

This half directly exposed Sheffield United's offensive weakness without Li Mo.

In the past, when Li Mo was on the court, even when facing double teams, he would try his best to take out the ball.

He is also the first choice for crosses from both wings. Even if he cannot complete the header, Li Mo can still header the ball back, or directly control the ball within his body.

When Li Mo is on the court, Vardy can run with confidence, and when he gets an absolutely good opportunity, Li Mo's passing is also very comfortable and timely.

Even Brother Chide can get a lot of shooting opportunities under the control of Li Mo.

But without such a "big brother in the frontcourt", Sheffield United's frontcourt offense seems to have no backbone. The routines are still the same as before, but the effect is completely different.

In the 64th minute of the second half, the Middlesbrough winger broke through Andy Taylor and was tripped to the ground by the latter, winning a penalty kick.

This makes Sheffield United's situation even worse.

Faced with this penalty, Middlesbrough's top scorer Scott McDonald scored his tenth league goal of the season and helped Middlesbrough take the lead at Sheffield United's home court.

Andy Taylor's mistake made Speed ​​very dissatisfied and strengthened Speed's determination to introduce a left-back in the summer window.

But the game continued, and Speed ​​quickly adjusted, bringing on Chris Morgan, letting Nosworthy play at right back, and moving Matthew Lowton forward.

There were only the last twenty minutes or so of the game, and Sheffield United's style of play was much simpler.

Look for set kick opportunities in Middlesbrough's frontcourt, or let the two wingers take the ball and see if Ched Evans and Vardy can push one in.

The speed advantage of Matt Ritchie and Matthew Lowton allowed them to find a lot of opportunities in the frontcourt. However, facing Middlesbrough's shrinking defense, Ched Evans and Vardy really had no points to grab.

good opportunity.

After the game entered the 85th minute, Speed ​​waved his hand and Maguire rushed directly into the Middlesbrough penalty area, acting as a high forward.

When Li Mo was not on the court, Maguire was the Sheffield United player with the best header, and Speed ​​also took a gamble.

Maguire's height and strong physical fitness allow him to disrupt Middlesbrough's penalty area defense.

In the third minute of stoppage time, Maguire finally overwhelmed the Middlesbrough centre-back and headed the ball to the front of the Middlesbrough penalty area.

Vardy stretched out his foot like a ghost, and then the football stumbled into the gate of Middlesbrough.

After scoring, Vardy was so excited that he knelt down at the corner flag. Speed, with his heart beating fast, happily hugged his assistant coach in celebration.

Being able to equalize the score at the last moment, the Sheffield United fans at the scene also understood the difficulty of the players and sent them cheers and applause.

Two consecutive draws, it seems that Sheffield United got off to a bad start in the final moments of the league sprint.

But the good news is that Li Mo will return to the field in the next game. Speed ​​and all the Sheffield United players are relieved.

The game without Li Mo is too difficult. Li Mo has to be the big brother at the front so that everyone can play comfortably!

Although today's update is a bit late, I still shamelessly ask for votes and monthly recommendations. Brothers, please support me~
Chapter completed!