Football: The Journey of a Coach

62. The White Hart Lane

Harry Redknapp has a lot of research on how Crystal Palace play, a team he nurtured very dynamic in the premier league. But when he first watched a video of Crsytal Palace's game, he found that this team coached by Daniel Ward likes to press opponents to the full.

The attitude and movement between the players is close, they also have fast wingers.

Therefore, Harry Redknapp did not expect his team could easily beat the opponent in the first leg semi-final. So that today he appeared very cautious in the press conference and gave a high evaluation of Crystal Palace.

"The Crystal Palace team led by Daniel impressed me a lot!, their defensive line was relatively deep and the overall integrity was maintained very well. I don't think this game will be easier than last week against Arsenal!"

It's also one of his tactics, comments and high praise could be more likely to put the Crystal Palace youngster off the hook.

So let's say Harry Redknapp had no problem playing the opponent psychologically before the game.

In fact, Daniel also knew that excessive commenting would not be good. At a news conference at the team's training base, several reporters also praised Crystal Palace's performance this season.

Daniel calmly faced all this and said. "I won't deny that our performance has been good. But we still have a lot of shortcomings of our own, every time I say the next game will be a new challenge for the team!. "

The match will be held at Tottenham Hotspur's home ground, with White Hart Lane being the holy site for the North London-based club. White Hart Lane was first built in 1899, Tottenham Hotspur has played more than two thousand matches in this stadium since its inception.

White Hart Lane Stadium can accommodate more or less than 36,000 thousand spectators, the pride stadium of Hotspur supporters has played various matches such as the World Cup, European Championship, UEFA Champions League.

In addition to the football matches to be held at White Hart Lane, the stadium can also be used as a concert venue or other major events.

Its proximity to Crsytal Palace's home ground in Croydon, makes team transport relatively convenient, and it's not a hassle for Palace fans to go to White Hart Lane to support their beloved side.

In addition, there is no harm in getting acquainted with arriving early, Crystal Palace team can be more adaptable to the situation in the opposing stadium.

In preparation for the game, Daniel moved his team to North London one day before the game and stayed at a hotel close to Tottenham Hotspur. Crystal Palace, who have a new boss now, have no problem with finances.

Living near the stadium had its own reasons for Daniel, indeed Croydon was also in London, but it took a long time to take a bus from Croydon to the stadium the next day, so careful preparation will make it easier for the team.

You should know that even though the league cup does not seem to be very influential compared to the FA cup, it still sparks a lot of enthusiasm from fans. Even today this event is still the second domestic event that is much sought by the middle and lower teams, the enthusiasm of the fans is also very high, this is what makes Daniel prepare early.

The players can rest in the hotel, Daniel has been trying to create a more relaxed and happy atmosphere for the team before the game, but tonight the players are not allowed to go out to the bar or drink alcohol.

    

***

The next morning, Daniel arranged for the players to jog early in the morning, and this was all morning practice. There was no way the other team could relax like him, there was even a need to search the field for practice on the morning field. But this time it was different, Daniel let everyone rest.

The match will be held at five in the afternoon, after lunch break, Crystal Palace will take a bus from the hotel to White Hart Lane Stadium at three in the afternoon.

There were not many fans of both teams on the route that the bus passed. After all, this was still early before the match started. Many fans may have just left home.

In the player's inlet, reporters were already there waiting, and flash lights were flashing nonstop.

Daniel didn't do anything special on the match, his clothes were still the same as before. He wore a sports shirt with the Crsytal Palace symbol on his right chest, with a messy beard on his face, then eye bags under his eyes. Daniel did not expect the heavy burden to be borne by a coach.

This performance surprised the players a bit, but was different to the coaching staff. Lawrance and Joey Collins have an appearance that is no different from Daniel. The three of them stayed up a lot just for this match, but in contrast to Daniel and Joey who were single. Lawrance still performed better than the two of them, the effect of having a wife at home.

After getting off the team bus, daniel who looked like this also surprised the reporters a little. But in contrast to the reaction of the players, journalists have seen a lot of messy performances like this.

This is because of the great burden of being a coach, not even a few coaches who are unable to cope with the rigors of coaching life decide to retire early. To be honest many are amazed by Daniel, at that young age has been able to bring Crsytal Palace to the semi-finals of the league cup.

Many reporters called out his name out loud, hoping Daniel could receive an interview for them in no time.

Interviews in this place are not mandatory, and not necessary, but many reporters are willing to wait here because some coaches or players may also stop here for a short interview.

With a flat face, Daniel walked past the group of reporters, he did not intend in the slightest to stop and conduct an interview.

The team's equipment manager has arrived at the stadium first, and the dressing room has been tidied up.

The players are all in a stable state, the result of Daniel's hard work to make them forget about the three-goal deficit. The players have been a lot to let go of the burden of attachment will go to the final, at this time what is thought by them is only playing according to the direction of the coach.

A lot of players are amazed by the Tottenham Hotspur dressing room, the dressing room at White Hart Lane Stadium is huge and the facilities are very sophisticated, nothing compared to a small team like Crystal Palace.

Just kidding, this is the stadium of England's top-level professional team. Of course it cannot be compared to Crsytal Palace who almost entered into the trusteeship of the city council, and almost declared bankrupt. If Simon Jordan remains stubborn not to sell Crsytal Palace.

Lawrance and his team led the team off the field before the game. Warming up before the game is a fixed pattern to adapt to field practice, and Matthew Lawrance has clipped with players. So Daniel gives the responsibility to oversee the training of the team, he just needs the players to follow his direction. If anyone disagrees, Daniel does not hesitate to get rid of it.

In the solitude of the dressing room, Daniel thought back to his first arrival from the future, it would coincide with his year here.

Back in 2009, a year had passed quickly. It was unbelievable when Daniel thought about it again, from the beginning being Croydon FC's interim coach, then being Neil Warnock's assistant coach, and finally leading himself as the main coach.

Thinking about this again, made him very eager to laugh. He was widely praised for being able to bring Crsytal Palace with many problems to be one of the teams to look out for.