For neutral fans, a derby at a football match may be like sitting on the sofa with a beer in the left hand, snacks in the right hand and stuffing it into the mouth, calmly waiting for a wonderful and fierce fair game, but for the coaches and players of both sides of the derby,
, fans, this is a war.
Millwall needs a war. On the road from a small team to a top team, the derby war must exist.
Take a look at the world's biggest clubs, Manchester United vs Liverpool, Milan derby, Italian derby, Madrid derby, El Clasico, etc.
If a wealthy team does not have a comparable derby match throughout the season, then such a wealthy team will be slightly dim, such as Bayern Munich. There is no doubt that Bayern is the most dominant team in German football, but from a public perspective, the same city
Derby's 1860, Bavarian Derby, North-South Derby, etc. will not attract strong attention from the outside world, so much so that Bayern itself
They are all working tirelessly to create El Clasico to attract attention. From Borussia Monchengladbach, Hamburg, to the contemporary Dortmund, the El Clasico opponents have changed again and again, but the tradition of the Clasico is continuity, and it is not just about picking the strongest opponent to win the title.
The reputation of derby is used to create a sensation, and the competition between strong players is exciting, but the connotation of derby culture cannot appear out of thin air.
Aldridge can't explain why Millwall and West Ham United still maintain a state of mortal enemies. This relationship has no reason to speak of after a hundred years. It is not possible to sort out the context by looking for clues in a mystery novel.
, or the problem can be solved by sitting down and talking calmly about "when will repayment of grievances be repaid?"
Behind the derby, there are always changes in the times as the background, mixed with historical, humanistic, political, economic and other factors that have developed to this day. For example, people who understand Spanish history can more easily understand the war between Real Madrid and Barcelona. It is by no means a simple football match. Behind it is
Including the Catalan nation and the Spanish ruling class
level of confrontation, and there is also half a century of political mafia behind the scenes. Even though Real Madrid was founded by Catalans in its previous life and has Catalan blood flowing in it, the hatred between it and Barcelona is
Since the end of political factors in the 1970s, strong confrontational sentiments still continue.
Millwall is located in London. Aldridge thinks this is a very lucky thing. Excluding London as an international metropolis will be conducive to the club's long-term development and rapid rise. More importantly, London has many derby opponents. Today, perhaps from its reputation
In terms of status and status, the East London Derby is in line with Millwall's strength, but in the future, Millwall can compete with teams such as the resurgent Arsenal and the rising Chelsea. In the context of the Derby, the attraction of strong confrontation is only
will be more prominent.
Millwall's bus arrived safely at Upton Park, the home of West Ham United.
The players looked a little nervous. After all, they had witnessed the "welcoming tactics" of the Hammers fans on their way here.
Aldridge said nothing to the players, just letting them feel the atmosphere on their own. Although the East London Derby is not a competition between top teams, the heated atmosphere is one of the few in England. In such a
Playing in an atmosphere is also a blessing for players. If a player spends his career playing in a quiet stadium atmosphere, he will definitely feel lacking when he retires.
Football is inherently a hot and passionate sport.
When the players put on their jerseys and went to the field to warm up before the game, they were frightened by two things.
The stands at Upton Park Stadium were packed. Millwall fans were arranged in the south stand, separated from the Hammers fans. There were two rows of security police standing in the east and west aisles. They faced the seats and were alert.
Fans from both sides came into contact.
The Hammers fans in the stands no longer blew bubbles or sang the team anthem. The fans in the east and west stands pointed at the south stand in unison and shouted wildly.
“Your support is worthless!”
"Millwall is dead today!"
...
Originally, when playing away games, Roar fans would organize large numbers of members, but today due to competition for tickets, Brady only came to Upton Park with a few hundred members. They were also surrounded by Millwall fans, but
It is not a fan organization, and there must even be members of extremist organizations among it.
In this heated and confrontational atmosphere, everyone was infected and could not remain calm at all. The Hammers fans attacked them with insults, and they began to fight back. The fans even started throwing objects at each other to attack each other.
If the police hadn't stopped immediately, taken away more than a dozen fans from both sides, and expelled them from the field, we don't know what the situation would have turned out to be.
The players who were warming up in the stadium also felt uncomfortable. The fans closest to the stands collectively insulted them, flashed their middle fingers at them, greeted their families in various ways, and even mixed in racial slurs.
Millwall's players tried their best to stay calm. This was perhaps the most nervous moment in their lives, and the grass under their feet made them extremely annoyed.
Is this a stadium?
This is simply a rotten vegetable patch!
Not to mention the bumps and bumps, there are even many places that are bare. When a ground ball is passed to a teammate who is warming up, the ball will bump up and down on the ground several times. During the bumping process, the ball will naturally change its direction slightly.
This is of course premeditated by the Hammers. Redknapp has studied Millwall's style of play, which focuses on ground passing and cutting. It is a football style of speed + technology + team.
And West Ham United still continues the rough style of play of the powerful team. They are not afraid of a bad pitch. The ball will fly anyway, not roll on the ground. The pitch is uneven and full of potholes, which will restrict Millwall.
speed.
Just imagine, on that kind of bad field, fast players have to be careful when running. If they accidentally step into a pit, they will probably sprain their ankles.
Although Redknapp is not old yet, at least his hair is not gray yet, he has the potential to be good at calculations. This field alone can minimize Millwall's technical and tactical advantages and give the Hammers
Help increase the chance of winning the game.
Aldridge, who started preparing for this game half a month ago, naturally knows all this.
West Ham United has not maintained the turf since last week's game. The intelligence collectors he sent came to take a look every day. Aldridge knew what Ray was planning in mid-week.
Because Schneider was injured in the game against Wimbledon, Aldridge had some trouble with his formation in this game.
After the players returned to the locker room, Aldridge stood in front of the tactical board and gently pushed it to the ground.
clang
The noise made the players startled. They were a little nervous and naturally were particularly sensitive to noises. They looked at Aldrich and thought that the head coach was also careless.
"Today, you don't need this. You may not know how deep the hatred between Millwall and West Ham United is. Yes, it is hatred and mortal enemies. It is impossible to shake hands and make peace. Today I was defeated by you.
I also want to make you pay the price. I danced on your grave and I still have to drag your body out and whip it to celebrate from time to time. This is the East London Derby.
, if you are intimidated and intimidated by the momentum of the Hammers, then I will be very disappointed, and you will not be able to achieve higher achievements. You are under pressure. When you see the ferocious-looking hostile fans, you may be surprised:
We don't know each other, but why do you want to kill me? I want to tell you that the football field is not an opera house, welcome to the hot and cruel East London Derby."
Aldridge spread his hands expressionlessly, and the players collectively looked up at him. There was an illusion that Aldridge was now more like an iron-blooded general, and they were the soldiers about to go off.
"In today's game, I can't say that victory or defeat is secondary, because it is more important than ever! But above victory and defeat, there is something more meaningful. What we have to show is fighting spirit, blood, and cruelty!
Fight like a man until the end and win, and the fans will regard you as heroes, just like you conquered the world, defended your homeland, and opened up the country.
The achievements of fans will be greater than Napoleon's! I have always been proud of you, you make me proud, but today, if anyone is timid or shrinks on the field, then I am sorry, I can only say frankly:
I have no reason to think highly of you anymore. Just like that, before you go out on the field, please lower your heads and stare at the team logo in the upper left corner of the jersey for one minute. Thank you."
After Aldridge finished speaking, he walked out of the locker room and went to the court early.
Many players lowered their heads to stare at the team logo on their jerseys.
Like Trezeguet, he understands better than anyone what Millwall means to him. Maybe this is not his last stop, but it gives him a stage to take off. Talking about honors may be a bit hypocritical, but more practical.
Millwall also gave him fame and fortune.
Southgate is the player among this group of players who best understands the English derby culture. Although he transferred from Crystal Palace, he has completely grown up here, and the door of the England national team has also been opened to him. All of this has
It’s inseparable from the trajectory after arriving at Millwall.
As the captain, he said in a deep voice: "Guys, try your best today."
After saying that, he stood up, and the other players also stood up. Southgate said in a low voice: "Millwall!"
"Go! Go! Go!"
The teammates said in unison.
"Millwall!"
Southgate's voice was louder.
"Go! Go! Go!"
The teammates said loudly with sharp eyes.
"Millwall!"
Southgate yelled.
"Go! Go! Go!"
The whole team roared in unison.
The door to the locker room was opened with force, Southgate took the lead, and the Millwall Lions lined up and walked out like wild beasts being released from a cage.
