Football: The Journey of a Coach

61. Preparation for the second leg of the League Cup

After Ian Wright came to Selhurst Park, Crystal Palace ushered in a series of fierce fights. Basically once a week they would play in the league, but under the leadership of Daniel. Crsytal Palace, who played twice, won one draw and one defeat.

Unwittingly, the team originally aiming to avoid relegation had accumulated 50 points, after two defeats

Crsytal Palace, which was ranked 3rd in the standings, dropped two places to 5th in the standings.

There is a 3 point difference from third place Cardiff City, basically, Cardiff catch up their points and immediately move ahead of Crsytal Palace. But the points difference between the top six of the Championship league is not far away, Crsytal Palace are still eligible to participate in the race for positions one and two.

For now there are still many teams under him who are able to subvert Crystal Palace completely. But the current ranking is enough to make players and Daniel himself wary, fearing if they miss again the team will be thrown from the hunt for promotion quota to the premier league next season.

Now that the atmosphere in the team after the arrival of Ian Wright has improved, the mentality of young players who had fallen because of losing in the semi-final of the first leg, now begins to slowly improve with the help of veteran players. Now that more and more scouts were coming to watch the team training in the public practice sessions, it was clear that the team was getting more and more attention.

The tight schedule from the beginning of the January transfer window is finally over, in order to prepare for the second leg match against Tottenham Hotspur in a moment. Daniel decided to rotate his players, among the rotated players, there were names like Alan Lee, Deco, Ryan Shawcross, N'golo Kante, and almost half of the first team rested.

Although in the first leg Crsytal Palace was beaten three goals, Daniel will not deliberately show the gesture of surrender. If Daniel as a coach has no intention of winning, his players will also know what it means. Not only will this affect the condition of the team in the league, it can also upset the mentality of the team he has worked hard to improve.

On injury, Crsytal Palace do not have any serious injured players now. Maybe only a back injury from Deco, which had clashed with opposing players. But that can be overcome after good treatment, Deco can certainly play against Tottenham Hotspur.

Deco age levels have indeed begun to decline due to the age factor, but this does not prevent him at this time, Daniel will need Deco strength during the second leg.

Others have also had minor injuries, Jamie Vardy for example. He suffered a blow to his nose during the match yesterday, his nose was broken when accidentally to the elbow of the opponent.

However, after being examined by a team of Crsytal Palace doctors, it is certain that the wound will heal in a few days.

Even with a bandaged nose, Jamie Vardy kept training every day, as if he had never been injured at all.

"If we can be promoted this season, we can win the league Cup!. My life will be precious!. What injury is this?!" Vardy told Lawrance when asked, he will always be a fighting man.

***

The team that has been doing well lately, has finally reached the ears of the new owner. Daniel, who had not paid much attention to the transfer of ownership, was a little surprised when he was called by his uncle to inform him that Crsytal Palace had officially acquired a new owner.

Of course, what makes the top of the club relieved is finally the completion of the complicated sales drama, this indicates that there has been a reduction in one problem in the camp of Crsytal Palace.

Daniel initially worried about the team's survival, but due to the league's increasing schedule, he ruled it out. Daniel relied solely on news sources from his uncle Wayne Rooney.

Anyway, Wayne Collins is now the interim manager of the team, of course he is very clear about how things are and the atmosphere that is in the top people of the club.

"Do well, Daniel!. I think if the new owners decide to include new management, they will have a hard time teasing you if the team's performance is stable! " Wayne Collins knows that now Crsytal Palace are in a critical period, a single distraction could undo their hard work from the start of the season.

So as much as possible, he makes Daniel and his players not to worry about the new owners, just focus on the pitch.

Crystal Palace, who at the start of the season had entered the guardianship of the city council, and lost the coach in the middle of the season, certainly put the players down.

However, under such circumstances, young talents get more playing opportunities, and Daniel can see their developmental potential. Of course, some players are really not enough for his taste. Next season, Daniel feels they do not need to blend in at Crsytal Palace again, Daniel is now experiencing the cruelty of professional football.

“I'm afraid the new management will encourage these players to move to a new club!” Daniel's concerns are actually quite basic, now many big clubs have set their sights on Crsytal Palace. Sooner or later, these players will leave the team.

"Danny, why are you worrying about all this now?! The real thing is to play the current game well! "Wayne laughs.

At a pre-match press conference the semi-final second leg of the League Cup against Tottenham Hotspur was held at the team's training headquarters as scheduled

" Daniel, how are you preparing for this game?!. Will Deco be able to play?!" The first question came from a brunette reporter from the tabloid Mirror.

" Deco ready!. It's definitely not an easy match.In terms of experience and mentality, of course Tottenham Hotspur will be ahead of us. But before the final whistle goes off, anything can happen.”

This question Daniel is convinced because he rotated his players in yesterday's game. So the confused reporter, not knowing if it's rotation to stay strong in this game, knows it's the injured Deco.

 “ Daniel, what do you think is the probability of your team making it to the final?! Can you make a prediction?!” ask the bespectacled bald reporter from The Guardian tabloid.

" Anything can happen!, as long as we don't give up. I believe with Crsytal Palace players, they will try their best to beat Tottenham Hotspur, even if it will be difficult!. "

The press conference continued, and almost enough to ask Crystal Palace about themselves, the reporters began to ask Daniel's views on the performance of Tottenham Hotspur and their coach, Harry Redknapp.

" Coach Harry Redknapp is one of the best managers out there, no doubt!. This match will not be easy, but we will not just hand over the ticket to the final!. "

Tottenham Hotspur are currently ranked fourth in the English premier league standings, having balanced attack and defence. Harry Redknapp as coach has done his job properly, now they just enjoy the results.

As a fellow team from the city of London, the press conferences of both teams were held at about the same time. Perhaps it's a tacit understanding between the two camps, Harry Redknapp's three-goal lead promises to deliver their best game yet. No matter the score in the first leg.

" Crystal Palace are in poor form now, but this does not make the opponent easy. So we have to be careful in this game! "

In the North London Derby matchup last week, Tottenham Hotspur managed to beat their arch rivals Arsenal 2-1 at the Emirates stadium, this alone has been a joy for them.

Tottenham Hotspur put a lot of energy into the game, it's also a form of respect from Harry Redknapp for young coach Daniel Ward.

But in fact, there is no stamina or physical advantage at Crystal Palace.24 teams in the Championship play more games than teams in the Premier League.

Moreover, the current Crystal Palace lineup is not thick, the team has been supported by strong will and good cooperation. In terms of physical condition, Crystal Palace are no better than their opponents Tottenham Hotspur.