It was already dark when he returned to London. Aldrich returned to the community apartment, parked the car in the garage and walked straight to Yiwen's home across the street.
The lights were not turned on in the living room, and there were candles with flickering flames on the table. Her carefully prepared dinner was placed on the dining table. When she saw Aldrich arriving, she smiled happily and said, "Just in time, the sobering time has just passed."
As she spoke, she poured two glasses of fragrant red wine from the decanter.
Aldrich pulled up his chair and sat down, his expression suddenly a little absent-minded, obviously thinking about something.
Yiwen sat opposite him, propped up his chin and said with a faint smile: "Let me guess what you are thinking."
Aldrich came back to his senses, picked up the wine glass, raised it in greeting, and said, "Thank you."
"Are you worried about the team's condition? Is it possible that it could be reversed by Manchester United?"
Aldridge sneered and shook his head: "Manchester United may indeed be able to achieve a complete victory in the final, but let Millwall lose 5 of its last seven games. This is a miracle for Manchester United. How could it happen?
?”
The league is tied again today, this is the sixth league draw since the second half of the season.
"You're really not worried?"
Yiwen seemed unwilling to accept that his guess had failed.
Aldrich raised his eyebrows and said: "Actually, I am satisfied with the current situation. Even if I lose points in the next game, I will probably laugh when I get home."
"Ah? How is that possible? This lie is too lame."
"It's true."
"Who would believe you would be happy that your team couldn't win?"
"Only in the current situation and in the league."
"Why?"
"Because I don't want the team to win the championship before mid-April."
Yiwen looked puzzled. The man in front of him was always different from what others thought.
Seeing the doubts on her expression, Aldridge smiled and explained: "There are voices from the outside world who think Millwall can create a more glorious history. They criticized me. They think that as long as Millwall uses the best football in all games,
If you play with a strong lineup, you can set a record and advance the rotation many, many times.
If the championship is successful, the data of wins, goals, etc. will be refreshed to an unprecedented height. I do not deny that this statement is correct to a certain extent, but I cannot let the team win the championship before mid-April. No, fortunately Manchester United
They have performed well recently, but it would be bad if they gave up."
"What's wrong? Is it wrong to successfully defend the title early and shift the focus to the Champions League and FA Cup early?"
"Theoretically, this is correct, but the league is the most important arena after all. If the title is successfully defended in mid-April or even earlier, the players will inevitably relax mentally and be able to exert their strength when they are most needed.
The body is fine, but the mind may not be able to reach its maximum level.
In order to be in a good state of excitement, I need the team to maintain a certain sense of urgency and crisis. It is better than nothing. It is better to have something than nothing. Let this fighting spirit not be interrupted and have continuity. Think about it, they have been working hard from August to April.
, after successfully defending the league title, won’t you feel relaxed mentally?”
Yi Wen nodded thoughtfully after hearing the words, which sounded reasonable.
"Then what were you thinking about just now?"
Aldrich was silent for more than ten seconds and sighed: "Bert and Earl, they have reached the stage where their cognitive abilities are beginning to improve. I don't want to be unable to see them all the time and become strangers in their eyes."
This is human nature, and it is also the instinct of almost all living things. When they are born and begin to have cognitive abilities, whoever is close to them will appear in front of them frequently and deepen their cognitive impression, which will create a sense of closeness and trust.
Yiwen thought for a while and then said: "Maybe you should talk to Chisholm. She can't always be with Bert and Earl. From a child's point of view, at least you won't be around for a long time like her.
Holding concerts or promoting abroad.”
After half a minute of silence, Aldrich cheered up and said with a smile: "If we don't mention these anymore, if we continue talking, we will waste the dinner you carefully prepared."
The two raised their glasses together, smiled at each other, and immediately enjoyed dinner.
...
In the final round of the second stage of the Champions League group stage, Aldridge not only sent all substitutes to play in the Netherlands, but his starting lineup was also criticized by many people.
Lazio has 7 points, Bordeaux has 5 points and Feyenoord has 4 points.
Feyenoord has been eliminated.
Lazio has a direct dialogue with Bordeaux in the final round, and Feyenoord faces Millwall at home.
Therefore, for Feyenoord, this is a battle of honor and their last performance in the Champions League this season. They hope to have another real battle with the powerful Millwall.
But Millwall didn't cooperate. The other side was eliminated, but Millwall still had to prepare for the upcoming quarterfinals.
Millwall only has one player over the age of 21 in their starting lineup.
Goalkeeper: But.
Defenders: Ferreira, Barzagli, Metzelder, Cole.
Midfielder: Pedretti, Alonso, Joe Cole.
Forwards: Vicente, Villa, Joaquin.
In such a Champions League game where the outcome is irrelevant, Aldridge's training was a bit outrageous.
But he just wants to use this kind of big and high-profile game to train young players, stimulate their growth, and give them opportunities to experience it all first-hand.
In the locker room before the game, Aldridge looked at the ten lively and energetic players, plus a silent and calm Butt.
This group of heroic young players are full of fighting spirit. They never dreamed that they would start in a game of this level!
"I am a young head coach and naturally like young players. Capdevila, Helguera, Pirlo, Ronaldinho, Trezeguet and so many more are your seniors or have been here.
The players I played for have become the main force of the team when they were about the same age as you, and have won honors for the team. Time waits for no one, and the world waits for no one. I will not ask you if you are ready, even if you
I have no confidence in my heart, so I have to lie and deceive myself now. I tell myself countless times in my heart: Now, our time has come!"
Aldrich's words made this group of young people with slightly green faces stand tall and hold their heads high, as if they were expressing their determination invisibly.
"However, I will not ask you to do anything beyond your capabilities, but you must show your level in training, stay calm on the court, apply the knowledge the coaches have taught you in the game, and show your best performance as much as possible.
Okay, today is an assessment. I will rate you during the halftime break, and I will replace the three worst performers at halftime. Now, let’s go.”
Aldridge took the lead in leaving the locker room as soon as he finished speaking.
Of the 11 players in the starting lineup, Bout will definitely not be replaced. The remaining 10 players have a burning fire in their hearts, whether they want to express themselves or not want to be replaced. This is very effective for their mental stimulation.
The three giants of the Netherlands are famous for their youth training, so from time to time you can see young players suddenly emerging in Europe.
Today, Aldridge brought his youth army to Feyenoord.
The Netherlands is a blessed place for Millwall. It has had the wonderful experience of winning two European championships here. However, fans of the three giants in the Netherlands do not like Millwall, and only neutral fans will welcome their arrival.
When Millwall's youth team entered the field, the home team fans burst into loud boos.
In their view, it was a humiliation for the other party to send this lineup.
He didn't even have the idea of competing with Feyenoord, he just came here for "entertainment" with Feyenoord.
Feyenoord will reward their fans with a victory at home, and even if they leave this glorious stage, they will leave with their heads held high!
Therefore, Feyenoord goes all out to attack at home, which is in line with the tradition of Dutch football. It is simply unimaginable for a Dutch team not to attack.
Even though Millwall's young army is not yet capable of competing with the experienced and battle-hardened Feyenoord, they are making up for the gap through other aspects.
Under the influence of factors such as the tacit understanding of playing together for many years, the instillation of the overall team football concept, the extremely high tactical literacy and discipline cultivated, etc., although Millwall has been passively beaten since the beginning, the youth army is present
They were in an orderly manner, and their formation was not disrupted because of passivity, and their mentality became anxious.
Attack, fail, attack, fail, again and again, the Millwall lads fill Aldridge's eyes with admiration.
Because he saw the unbreakable tenacity of these young players, their mentality remained stable and they kept trying, without the slightest sign of collapse in the face of constant failures.
Pedretti and Alonso defended in the middle of the penalty area, and occasionally performed awkwardly, but their good sense of replacement and tacit understanding could always avert danger.
It wasn't until the 37th minute of the game that after three consecutive failed breakthroughs, Joaquin successfully cooperated with Joe Cole in a one-two. Finally, he showed his power on the wing. He dribbled the ball down and pretended to cross, and then dunked over the opponent.
The full-back cut inside, and when Villa was marked, he passed the ball back to the top of the penalty area, where Vicente appeared.
When the Feyenoord defender rushed forward, Vicente relied on his flexible foot skills to change direction and break into the penalty area, volleying directly towards the goal from a 45-degree angle.
The goalkeeper blocked the ball, but Villa unexpectedly followed up with a follow-up shot and sent the ball into the goal.
After scoring the goal, Villa ran wildly around the sidelines. Except for Butt, who raised his fists in front of the goal and cheered for Villa's goal, other young players rushed towards Villa.
This goal is a great encouragement to them, because they are no longer hiding under the wings of Nedved, Southgate and other mainstays of the team.
Their 10 young players, through unremitting efforts, tenacious defense and successive offensive setbacks, tirelessly pursued victory. Now, they are at least standing in front of the victory goal. This is a goal that can make them feel self-affirming and belongs to them.
They are young.
Aldridge lied to them and did not substitute anyone during the halftime break. This had nothing to do with the score. The substitution before the game was a complete lie.
In the second half, Feyenoord finally equalized the score after a long attack.
When the score became 1:1, Aldrich sat on the coaching bench and remained indifferent, but he silently said in his heart: Hold on, hold on, let me see more!
What kind of team can make people look forward to it?
This was the case for this young team in front of Aldrich. After being equalized, they still did not mess up. They were patiently waiting for the opportunity to give their opponent a fatal blow and would never squander any precious opportunity easily.
In the 69th minute, Joe Cole received the ball from Villa in front of the penalty area and made a long shot to lead the score again.
This time, Aldrich rushed out of the coaching bench, jumped up, and pumped his fist in the air in celebration.
The energetic young men gave him hope, the future of Millwall, and the rewards of his efforts. In such a game where victory or defeat did not matter, he felt that the fruits he had harvested so far were far greater than too many.
More games mean more.
It’s not just military training, its significance is by no means so superficial. (To be continued...)
