Chapter 046: Dave’s tactics?

Although for the players of both teams, the war of words before the game is as boring as two shrews swearing in the street, this kind of war of words can indeed inspire the players' confidence in the game and anger their opponents. For the fans, it allows them to vent their emotions and pay more attention to the game.

A few hours before the game, Wang Li, like a paladin of the Vatican, made a "victory declaration" in the Young Guards' territory, which was very disrespectful to the host. This almost angered all Leeds fans and media. However, in their view, this was just the self-boasting of this clown-like Oriental man, and did not cause any strong rebuttal from them.

'After the game, our players will teach this little guy a lesson and tell him that the Premier League is not a place for a poor guy like him who can only show off his skills! 'That's what they all thought.

Even so, all the Leeds fans have cursed Wang Li countless times in their hearts, while the Wolverhampton fans are jubilant and cheering for their "dancing master", although there are only more than 2,000 of them...

…

There were more and more people in the player tunnel. The closer the game got to start, the louder the cheers at Elland Road became.

"Reid arranged a standard 442 formation, with Kelly and Gilgaron as full-backs, Duberry and Hart as central defenders, Matteo and McPhail as midfielders, and our... Alan Smith!!! Jermaine Pennant!!! The forward line is our superstars Viduka and Buck. It seems that Coach Reid is determined to win this game. Almost all the stars are out. Let's mourn for Wolverhampton..."

As the live commentator Williams announced the names of the team's players one by one, cheers echoed again and again at Elland Road Stadium.

Viduka, Alan Smith and young player Jermaine Pennant are the three big stars of Leeds United!

"Eh? The players arranged by Coach Dave Jones are very strange. Luzny, Butler, Naror, Cameron, Kennedy, Newton, Kamara, Miller, Iverson and... the arrogant Allen. This formation has three defenders, four midfielders, and three forwards including Allen. Did Dave suddenly become a warrior and want to fight against our great young army? It's hard to imagine."

The fans in the audience booed when the commentator announced Wang Li's name. Although Wolverhampton fans cheered with all their might, they were too few in number...

…

Amid deafening cheers, the players took their positions. Leeds United got the kick-off right and the ball rolled back and forth under Viduka's feet.

Wang Li stood behind Miller, looking at the excited fans in the stands around him, and was a little excited. "I will use my legs to prove what I said!" He said firmly in his heart.

Referee De Urso looked at his watch, put the whistle in his mouth and blew the whistle to start the game.

After the game started, Leeds United players pressed towards Wolverhampton's half.

Their nickname 'Young Guards' is not just talk. Leeds United's players are generally young. If the game goes well, they can score several goals in a row against the opponents. If they encounter obstacles, they are sometimes even worse than a Championship team.

Reid's coaching philosophy is in line with Leeds United's consistent style, which is mainly based on offense. He wants these young people to give full play to their strengths, overwhelm one opponent after another, and win the game. In the games before this season, they also played well and are now ranked ninth in the league.

On the right side, McPhail got the ball, he took two steps forward, saw a Wolverhampton player intercepting in front of him, so he passed it back to the young player Pennant who was following behind.

After getting the ball, Pennant did not pass it immediately, but after fixing the ball, he looked around, looking for an opportunity. Taking advantage of this opportunity, veteran Iverson immediately rushed to grab it, but unfortunately, he was only a forward player, and his defensive level was really not very good. Pennant just casually moved the ball to the left and accelerated past him.

At this time, he was on the left side of the penalty area, which was a very dangerous position as many players could shoot from long range, so Narul and Kamara immediately ran over to double-team him.

Pennant did not panic, he passed the ball directly to the left.

Mateo, who was on the left sideline, stretched out his foot to catch the ball, but the ball stopped a little too far and rolled forward a little. Butler in front of him saw the opportunity and ran towards the ball quickly, but it was still a little late. Mateo reacted and fell to the ground and made a sliding tackle towards the ball, and the ball fell right to Alan Smith in the middle.

Alan Smith did not stop the ball, but just rubbed the rolling ball with his toes, and the ball flew towards Viduka in Wolverhampton's small penalty area.

Viduka pushed aside Ruzzini who was defending closely, waited for the ball to fall in front of him, kicked the ball with his left foot, took a step forward, and after the ball touched the ground, he followed up with his right foot and shot directly!

"Alan...jump up...Viduka, shoot!!!...Oh, the ball hits Wolverhampton goalkeeper Oakes. Buck couldn't catch up with the ball. Oakes lost his grip just now, but he still caught it firmly..."

Just two minutes into the game, Leeds United launched a very threatening attack. From Mateo to Alan Smith, and then to Viduka, the three of them cooperated very well, and a few passes directly penetrated the entire Wolverhampton defense. Although this was also related to the offensive formation that Dave arranged today, it more reflected the strength of Leeds United. They are now ranked ninth in the Premier League, and it is by no means due to luck.

Seeing the ball in Oaks' hands, the Leeds United players immediately ran towards their own half.

Oaks threw the ball to Naraku before Leeds United returned to defense. Naraku passed the ball to Kennedy who had already run to the midline.

After Kennedy got the ball, he passed it to Wang Li who was a little ahead without even thinking about it.

Wang Li stepped with his left foot, and after the ball slowed down a little, he made a long pass to Miller who had already run into the Leeds United penalty area.

At this time, there were two defensive players next to Miller. When he saw Wang Li pass the ball to him, he ran forward desperately. However, the defensive players of Leeds United were by no means wooden stakes. They squeezed Miller desperately to make him unbalanced. After the ball fell, it was a little far away from Miller. He got anxious and fell to the ground and made a tackle to shoot!

Unfortunately, the shot was too hasty and had no power at all. Goalkeeper Robinson took two steps and picked up the ball directly from the ground.

Although the counterattack was very fast, leaving Leeds United players completely helpless, the final shot made people shake their heads. The two teams were able to engage in such a fierce confrontation just at the beginning of the game, which made the fans in the stands very excited. Although they wanted to see Leeds United slaughter all sides, being able to play such beautiful offensive football could also satisfy their appetite. Of course, it would be even better if Leeds United could take the lead.

…

After Robinson kicked the ball, the ball moved back and forth near the center line. Players from both sides fought for the ball in the middle, and the scene was intense and tense.

At this time, Cameron, who had grabbed the ball, suddenly kicked it to the left. After receiving the ball, Newton did not pass it directly back to the defender or to Iverson in front of him as usual. Instead, he rarely rushed forward with the ball.

Seeing Newton was about to dribble forward, Hart on the right side of Leeds United immediately ran over to grab the ball. However, Newton failed to let him do what he wanted. When Hart was about one meter away from Newton, Newton kicked the ball to Wang Li, who was a few meters back on the right side of the Leeds United penalty area.

After receiving the ball, Wang Li smiled in his heart, but he dribbled forward. This made the Leeds United players stunned. In such a position with dense defensive players, wasn't he afraid of losing the ball?

Wang Li had no intention of continuing to pass the ball without question. At this moment, he remembered the tactics that head coach Dave had arranged before the game: "Alan, you stay near the penalty area and use dribbling to attract the Leeds United players, and then..."