Football: The Journey of a Coach

25. First Debut

    Crystal Palace is more than 100 years old, has a wide influence in the Croydon region and has many fanatical fans of the age range, the attendance rate at their stadium was very high on weekdays, on 28 December Selhurst park was full of supporters.

A few years ago, Simon Jordan took over and saved the team when Crystal Palace were about to go bankrupt. This time the team went through a critical moment situation once again.

On the surface, Crystal Palace is now in a board trust, waiting for buyers to come, but still on the verge of a pullback. Moreover, the change of coach in the middle of the match season, which is very fatal for the performance of the team. For many Crystal Palace fans, this kind of game is really something they should watch.

Daniel has a lot of support from the players, but the fans are not necessarily. They are still at the stage of waiting and seeing, if the results obtained are bad. Crsytal Palace fans will not hesitate to swallow Daniel.

A few days ago, William Carlton announced that Daniel Ward would be the team's interim head coach. Not only the reporters, but also many Crystal Palace fans were confused.

They weren't too happy to see the inexperienced boy become the team's head coach. But what they can do, the state of Crsytal Palace is rocking right now because of their own owner Simon Jordan.

Crsytal Palace fans also want to bring in famous coaches like Steve Bruce, or Rafael Benitez, as well as Sir Alex Ferguson. But they know it's just wishful thinking.

At the game, Daniel bought tickets to his uncle Wayne Collins's family. And the exciting Elizabeth, also got a VIP ticket invitation.

***

" Okay, gentlemen. Let me repeat our tactical arrangements again. First stand firm, prioritize defense in the first half. Follow the formation as usual, do not be affected by the atmosphere around. Keep your position." Daniel taps the board inscribed with the players' positions, remembering them.

" Follow tight pressing defensive tactics, when your opponent is holding a guard ball with two or three players nearby. Remember only one player near the ball can press, the other keep the opponent nearby."

" When there was a chance of a counterattack, instantly look for an empty space. Take advantage of speed as well as short passes to stab directly into the heart of the opponent's defense." Daniel clearly explained the strategy used by Jurgen Klopp at Borussia Dortmund. But with his own arrangement adjust the condition of Crsytal Palace players.

Crsytal Palace this time play with a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Goalkeeper: J. Speronies

  

Defense: N. Klyci, R. Shawcross, M-g. Lawrence, D's. Butterfield.

Stroker: V. Moses, N'golo Kante, N. Corle, S. Kerry (c), D. Ambrose.

Mother: A. Lee

***

Controlling a player's dressing room is a very difficult job, and it's easy to cause misunderstandings. Fortunately, his team did not have much of an excess ego. And with the support of some dressing room bosses, Daniel can temporarily control the hearts of players.

If he is lucky in the future, winning game by game, Daniel can fully control the dressing room.

After making sure his team listened to the strategy instructions well, Daniel exited the players' dressing room to welcome the away team coach.

Daniel, dressed in a formal club suit with a tie inside, led the coaching staff from the players' tunnel to the home side's bench.

“ Mr Robbins, hello”. Daniel Ward walked off the bench, towards the opposing coach. Then shake hands and say hello.

" Daniel Ward, right?. " Mark Robbins smiled, shaking Daniel's hand.

" Right Mr. Robbins, sorry earlier did not say hello to you quickly". Daniel says.

"It's okay!" . Robbins smiled cheaply, held Daniel's hand with one hand, and patted him on the shoulder with the other, "May it work!".

"Thank you, and good luck to you too." Daniel also politely sent blessings, and of course everyone prayed inwardly for the other party to be unlucky.

Mark Robbins is 39 years old this year, he only started his coaching career in 2007. The first team he coached was Rotherham United, he took over Barnsley this summer.

Barnsley's last six games set a record Never lost, Barnsley's overall strength is nothing special. Robbins led the team unbeaten in 6 games, sounding very good, but in six games two swallowed three draws.

Judging from his coaching resume, 39-year-old Mark Robbins is arguably new to coaching. But Robbins is not a simple character, he used to be a professional player, and he is also a product of Manchester United's youth training. He has a great relationship with the history of Crystal Palace.

In the third round of the FA Cup, Manchester United faced Nottingham Forest Nottingham very strongly in that season. In what was arguably a classic game, Mark Hughes helped youngster Mark Robbins to score the only goal.

Then Manchester United made a big step in the FA Cup, beating Crystal Palace 1-0 in the final and winning the FA Cup 89-90 season.

Alex Ferguson finally won his first important championship, and stabilized his coaching position, then he became a Premier League hegemon.

People called the game against Manchester United's turning point Ferguson, and Mark Robbins' shot was cited as one that saved Ferguson.

Mark Robbins became famous for his one goal, but his development at Manchester United was not what many expected. He failed miserably, then left Manchester United and gradually moved to the English Championship and League One.

In other words, because of the kick back then he earned an outstanding reputation. And Barnsley hired to coach, after he left Rotherham United.

Many home fans are a bit skeptical of a young head coach like Daniel, but luckily they chose to wait for the first game on the pitch.If the result is not good in the future, it will be hard to say.

***

After the referee whistle, the official match begins.

The Crystal Palace players firmly implemented Daniel's tactical setup by waiting and pressing tight.

And Mark Robbins himself, obviously has a different idea about this game. Six rounds of invincibility gave him great confidence, Crystal Palace themselves had difficulties recently. Of course he wants to steal three points at home, that is evident from the Barnsley game that started attacking at the beginning.

    

After a brief trial, Barnsley began attacking half of Crystal Palace's pitch.

"Hold your position, stand looking for space. "

"Close to him."

" What you're doing is shut up, take care of your fucking opponent."

There was a loud scream and swearing from the side of the Barnsley bench, as the adrenaline increased. Mark Robbins didn't even realize he was swearing. He stood in the command area and kept calling his players.

Crystal Palace's improvised defensive line is difficult to break through Barnsley's attacking line-up. In fifteen minutes Barnsley who controlled the ball powerless to break the Palace defense, which is guarded by a duet old and young. Ryan Shawcross and Matthew Lawrence.

Even time and time again Mark Robbins' heart had to be tested, with a quick counter-attack from Crsytal Palace. Fortunately, luck was on his side. Because of the Palace striker, Alan Lee wasted many golden opportunities.

As of this moment, seeing his attacking midfielder lose the ball by a clever tackle from a player named Kante. From Kante the ball moves to the middle, then goes to the left side of the field, quickly heading to the penalty box. Winger number 17, Victor Moses gave a cross into the middle of the penalty.

Mark Robbins saw the number 9 striker who failed to convert chances into goals, empty without the guard of his defenders who were late to help the defense.

" He's an empty fool, take care of him." Mark Robbins eyes as if out looking super fast attack Crsytal Palace.

But it looks like Goddess of fortune has left Barnsley, in the 22nd minute Crsytal Palace scored through Alan Lee.

Mark Robbins could only be transfixed holding his hair, seeing Crsytal Palace players celebrating in a corner.

" What I'm seeing is, a very fast attack ripped through Barnsley's defenses. Starting from the defensive midfielder Palace, Kante. Heading to team captain Derry, Moses sprints fast, and concludes with a classy header from Alan Lee. What a beautiful, truly beautiful attack Crsytal Palace at the moment." Home side Ian Wright commented, exclaiming to be happy to see his old team play like the Barcelona team.

After the celebration of the first goal, the referee blows the whistle to restart the course of the match.

    

Lawrence at the back keeps remembering to his team-mates not to jumawa, he himself is one of the coaching staff members and he best understands Daniel's tactical thinking.

So he would alert his teammates from time to time, asking them to pay attention to position, protection, and assistance in defense.