Football: The Journey of a Coach

26. Ends Sweet

Crystal Palace's starting line-up currently has over 3 players under the age of 20. And 4 players with his age over 30

Daniel will not dare to play only young players, he put some veterans on the pivot of Crsytal Palace. Goalkeeper Speroni, centre-back Lawrence, midfielder Derry and forward Alan Lee.

The veterans performed very well because of their sense of responsibility, and gradually led other players to stabilize their position. Although it takes a lot of chances for Alan Lee to score, for the championship division it is good.

Mark Robbins sent two attackers, one Ahigh and one short. Daniel Bogdanovic and Jonathan McCann for this match, Barnsley played a classic England formation 4-4-2 by relying on long passes from the back of the team.

McCann plays a second striker and is very creative, while Bogdanovic is a breaker.

Bogdanovic is just a substitute, but McCann is a major force, unfortunately he didn't score much at Barnsley last season or this season.

Crystal Palace's defensive line was excellent earlier this season, with all three centre-backs taking turns to play. They are the new signings of Ryan Shawcross, McCarthy and Lawrence. Currently Daniel chose to menduet Shawcross and Lawrence to overcome the ball over Barnsley, with the N'golo Kante tackle machine in the middle. The opponent will be difficult to get through.

Palace's shortcomings are only at their full-back, N. Clyne who is still 18 years old became a fragile point of the current Crsytal Palace defense. If Mark Robbins is really a great or experienced coach, he will see this weakness. But unfortunately Mark Robbins does not belong to both types.

In the final minutes of the first half, Barnsley had no chance. They have a lot of possession, but most of the ball just rotates in the middle.

Until the 44th minute, Crsytal Palace again get a chance from the mistake Barnsley players in passing the ball. The ball was cut by Sean Derry, the Palace captain immediately gave a breakthrough pass to Alan Lee.

Alan Lee who escaped the offside trap freely facing one-on-one with goalkeeper Barnsley, the 30-year-old striker calmly outwitted the goalkeeper and slid the ball with his right foot into the net.

Crsytal Palace were 2-0 up against Barnsley.

At the end of the first half the referee blew the whistle, and the players from both sides went to the dressing room.

Daniel's waiting for everyone in the dressing room.

"good job. We defended well in the first half, and did a series of quick counter-attacks. Very nice of you guys" . Daniel praised them with a smile.

First of all, sincere praise goes to the players who are already playing well, especially the young players who need encouragement to grow. Origin is not excessive when praising, just enough.

"Okay, I'm not going to start talking about compliments. Now let's talk about the shortcomings, focus. I'm re-emphasizing the focus, Barnsley's two initial attacks because you guys lost focus."

"Luckily they failed to take advantage of it, this is the new Barnsley friend, what if Newcastle are our current opponents. They won't fail at all, I want you to focus." Said Daniel.

Everyone agrees, the full-backs don't know when to go up, because they doubt whether their teammates are there to protect them, and the centre-back doesn't know when to go out either, I am worried that no one will fill their positions. That's what causes players to lose focus.

 The flaws they mentioned boils down to a tacit understanding. But this can not be just fixed, the team that has been gathered half a season still lacks tacit understanding. Just waiting for time for this team can finally be compact.

Daniel thought for a moment, then clapped his hands, gesturing for everyone to shut up.

Daniel quickly readjusted the system of gigant pressing, and asked the players not to be too quiet on the pitch. Reminds young players not to be afraid and keeps their minds focused.

Defense was still the focus in the second half, as Barnsley who was two goals down would sporadically attack. It was then that gaps were often formed, and the Crsytal Palace forward would make good use of them.

***

    

After the fifteen-minute break ended, both teams started to come out of the dressing room. With Daniel out recently with Joey Collins, they talked a lot about the demand to record this game. With Joey as his cameraman.

Crystal Palace's defense was still tight, the old and young duo took turns sweeping Barnsley's attack. With Kante now helping the wing defences, N was finally freed. Clynes. He with Moses formed the right side of death, all the attacks of Crsytal Palace came from there. Their speed both damaged Barnsley's left side.

Finally in the 61st minute, Victor Moses scored from a solo run. The young winger was the target of many big teams that directly pierced Barnsley's defense, before kicking the ball hard from outside the penalty box. The opposing goalie couldn't hold him back.

Daniel saw Moses celebrating from the bench, thinking that Crsytal Palace could not hold him back any longer. He predicted in January transfers the big clubs would bring money to pull him out of Palace.

" Huh..." . With a sigh, Daniel knew he had to find a new winger in place of Moses' departure.

" What's the matter boss?. " Jamie Vardy next to him saw Daniel sigh in question.

Glancing at Vardy, Daniel just said.

" Get ready, warm up five minutes."

" AH?, I'll play boss." Vardy asked in surprise.

" Yes, hurry. There's the warm up." Daniel said without looking at Vardy, he was busy trying out a strategy by concentrating attacks through the wings.

" Ready, boss". Vardy skillfully saluted the soldiers, then he started running off the bench to start warming up.

Seeing Vardy warming up, Daniel remembers that his life under Warnock was very difficult. Due to Warnock's obvious shortcomings he wanted Vardy to once start basic training. And Vardy, who is almost half a season at Crsytal Palace, has only played 8 times. That was mostly as a substitute, and only scored one goal.

In the 67th minute, Jamie Vardy came in to replace N. Corles. Crsytal Palace's playmaker was nowhere to be seen throughout the game.

The substituted Corle just sat languidly to the sidelines, he knew that his game today was very bad.

Crsytal Palace, who included Vardy, changed the formation from 4-2-3-1, to 4-4-2 with two stickers. Daniel handed Vardy a change of formation note to Derry, after he told Vardy of his own tactics.

   

Crystal Palace fans sing for most matches, See their beloved team****** discharged Barnsley 3-0. The worry of being left behind by Neil Warnock seemed to disappear immediately.

Daniel, who saw the fans joking around during the game, was speechless. Those who came to assess Daniel's eligibility to coach Palace, lost already with just one game.

It's true said the football experts about the supporters.

" It is easy to forget ".

***

The match between Crsytal Palace and Barnsley ended in a 4-1 win away to the home side.

Palace's fourth goal was created by Jamie Vardy who played as a substitute, in the 84th minute Vardy received a flat pass from Morgan Schneiderlin who entered replace Derry who ran out of stamina.

While Barnsley's consolation goal was scored by their winger utilizing N's negligence. Clyne in physical form, the winger passed Palace's right-back easily and scored from a hard kick that Speroni could not stop.

Daniel's first debut in coaching ended sweetly, Crsytal Palace stuck tight to fourth place in the standings.