Coaching legend

The verbal battle between Steven Yellen and the Liverpool Echo was lively for a while, but it soon died down. Anyway, it was not an important matter, just a dispute of will. Now there is more important news waiting for Yellen, and Yellen has no time and energy to continue to argue with them.

Because Blackburn is about to have an important game.

On September 18, the eighth round of the Premier League, Blackburn faced Arsenal at home.

If it were two years ago, this game would be almost without suspense. Or it would be a game with clear strength and weakness, and no one would pay attention. At that time, Arsenal was invincible in the Premier League after Wenger took over. Blackburn was a relegation team hovering in the relegation zone.

The game between the two teams was completely unattractive. But now the situation is different.

Blackburn and Arsenal are now both top-ranked teams in the Premier League. Manchester United had five wins and two draws in the first seven rounds, with 17 points. Arsenal had four wins, one draw and two losses in the first seven rounds, with 13 points. Blackburn Rovers has won four and drawn two of the six games, one point more than Arsenal, and ranks second in the Premier League with 14 points.

This is a truly major drama.

Of course, if it were just that, this game would not have received so much attention.

More importantly, last season, Blackburn Rovers was scored eight goals by Arsenal at home. At that time, the shock to the English football world was really beyond words. George, who was hailed as the most promising local coach, almost left because of that game.

At that time, the condemnation of George was one wave after another, and many media had begun to count the time for George to leave. In the end, if it were not for Jack Walker's support, George would really have to leave. If that happened, it would be a very serious setback for George, a young coach.

0-8 is the shameful record of the most goals lost in a game in Blackburn Rovers' history. And George is one of the holders of this record.

In fact, Blackburn Rovers still had a chance for revenge last season, which was to beat Arsenal away in the last round. Unfortunately, that game was the last league game, and Arsenal had already won the championship. George and Blackburn players were furious and wanted to take revenge, but Arsenal didn't want to play with them.

In the last round, Arsenal even played some of their permanent substitutes.

So although Blackburn beat Arsenal away from home, George felt that it was tasteless in the end. Even those pro-Blackburn media would not think that Blackburn beat Arsenal.

Therefore, George would never give up this game. Last year's humiliation is still vivid, and George can still remember the helplessness at that time.

George still can't forget the boos and abuses in the audience. If he doesn't take revenge, George can't sleep peacefully. Since George became the head coach, that was George's biggest defeat. Can't forget, absolutely can't forget.

George didn't forget, and Blackburn fans didn't forget. Of course, Arsenal fans didn't forget.

It was just a very ordinary game, but Arsenal's away fans actually reached more than 6,000 people.

When George came to Ewood Park, a bunch of reporters surrounded him. The most common questions they asked were about the 0-8 in the last game.

George looked at the reporters who were gloating and answered coldly.

"I only answer questions related to this game. Other questions are not within my scope of answering." Then he directly pushed the reporters away and left. The players behind were also cold, because that game was a shame for everyone.

George's face did not change until he returned to the locker room. Seeing the players below, George patted the tactical board.

"How is it, does it feel familiar? Today is our seventh Premier League game this season for Blackburn. And in the seventh round of last season, we faced Arsenal at home. Do you remember the score at that time?"

George's voice was very light, but the players below were all gritting their teeth.

"Eight to zero, no, it should be zero to eight. We are zero, and they are eight. Do you remember the content of the game? John, tell me..."

George named Miku, and Miku hesitated.

"My performance was not good..." Miku finally managed to say this. But before he finished, he was interrupted by George.

"It's not bad, it's just shit. In front of Vieira, who is also a substitute for the national team, you are like a primary school student who has not graduated. You have no temper when Vieira defends you." George criticized Miku unceremoniously. Seeing Miku's red face, George didn't hesitate at all. "John, do you know? Your condition was so bad in that game that Vieira probably thought it was the easiest game he had ever played. John, are you afraid of Vieira?"

"No, I'm not afraid." This time Miku answered loudly.

"Yes, what's there to be afraid of. Last time, none of us adapted to the Premier League, and Arsenal took advantage of us." George's voice rose again. "0-8, shame, shame. Do you know what I was thinking on the field? I only had one thought, let the game end quickly. I didn't even know how I got home at that time."

"I tell you, 0-8 is a shame for all of us. But fortunately, we still have a chance. The opportunity came soon, and Arsenal came to our home again."

"I can't sleep well unless I wash away this shame."

"Do you want to wash away the shame?"

"Yes, of course!" All the players were filled with indignation. Zero to eight, what a miserable memory this is.

"Okay." George clapped his hands. "But to defeat Arsenal, you still have to rely on your strength. Now let's take a look at Arsenal's lineup."

In order to prepare for the game against Arsenal, George had an in-depth understanding of Arsenal. Arsenal's current style of play is actually becoming more and more transparent, and their offensive methods are still relatively simple.

Arsenal currently uses more of the two wings, and Vieira has gradually turned into a midfielder who can attack and defend well. But now Arsenal also has their own problem, that is, Henry, who was introduced at a high price this season, has not scored a goal so far.

Arsenal's striker failed to start the game, which has a relatively large impact on the current Arsenal.

Henry is the future gun king, and now many media are laughing at Henry. He also questioned Wenger's move of spending 10 million pounds to buy Henry. But apart from Wenger, the only one who has confidence in Henry is George now.

Others don't know, but George knows Henry's future achievements. Henry, the future gun king, is no ordinary striker. This is a super forward who can control, carry, pass and shoot. After Henry became familiar with the Premier League at Arsenal, he was a superstar that no one dared to ignore.

Arsenal was able to become a team with many offensive points and strong firepower, which was completely inseparable from Henry.

And now Henry has not adapted to the Premier League game, so Arsenal's offense relies more on Vieira's dispatch in the middle. Then use the two wingers to create opportunities, and of course Bergkamp will organize the offense in front.

When Arsenal was at its peak, Vieira could organize the attack, Pires on the left could organize, including Bergkamp, ​​and Henry in front. These people add up to become a multi-point attack and multi-point organization, making them the most difficult team to defend.

But in the current Arsenal, Overmars is very strong, but his characteristics are different from Pires. Overmars is a Dutch winger, not a winger like Pires who can organize. And Henry didn't get into rhythm.

So the offense is still very one-dimensional. It is precisely because of the single offensive method that the Premier League team has figured out Arsenal's tactics after two seasons. This is also one of the reasons why Arsenal's performance has declined this season.

"Playing on the wing. Sylvinho just came to the Premier League this season. His characteristic is that he has strong assist ability but average defense. This is a Brazilian player. Damien depends on how you play him."

"John, Pettit is probably going to be watching you in this game. Don't get involved with Vieira. Your task is to pass the ball. Don't do unnecessary pique." George knew that some introverts like to compete with themselves. That's why George warned Miku. "John, can you deal with Pettit."

"Head, I can."

George nodded and turned to look at Deco. "Anderson, Vieira is the core of Arsenal's midfield. He plays a high position and is a midfielder who can attack and defend well. What I ask of you is that when he advances, you advance as well. When he retreats, you retreat as well."

"If Vieira retreats, then you don't have to be forward, just behind him. If he dares to move forward, you can boldly play behind him."

Vieira is very strong, but George doesn't believe he can control all areas of the midfield. As long as he gets closer, there will be empty space between him and Pettit. Those other Premier League teams, their midfielders could only retreat when faced with Vieira's pressure. But Blackburn has Makelele who occupies a very good position, so George asked Deco to boldly take advantage of the space in Arsenal's midfield.

"Robert, you have to support John more in this game. Not only do you want to make a name for yourself on the left, you also have to help John and completely get rid of Pettit. Let Pettit worry about one thing and the other."

When it comes to offense, Blackburn has so many attacking points that Arsenal is completely incomparable.

"Finally, I want to say something. Henry, no one can ignore this person. As long as he gets the ball, don't let his speed increase. Don't look at Henry who hasn't scored yet. Once he finds the feeling of scoring, , then he will soar into the sky."

"These positions are what Henry is best at." George marked several areas on the tactical board where Henry is best at. "We must pay attention to these positions. We must not let Henry get the ball. Once we get it, the danger to us will be great."

"Okay, everything that needs to be done has been done. Now you go out and wash away the shame of zero to eight. Let Arsenal go back."

"Yes, let Arsenal go back." All the players shouted with their necks pulled.