Chapter 85
Chapter 85
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 85
Chapter Title: Firmly and Brilliantly (6)
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Black-Haired Tactical Genius
Chapter 85: Firmly and Brilliantly (6)
In Round 11 of the league, Bolton Wanderers drew against a top team.
Their current record stood at 7 wins, 2 draws, and 2 losses, holding onto 6th place.
A considerable number of Wanderers fans praised their first-half performance.
Of course, some hoped for a bit more fight now that Jeong-woo had announced promotion to the Championship.
Meanwhile, the atmosphere within the team was better than ever.
The same held true for Round 12 against Wycombe Wanderers, who were sitting in 15th place.
"Just like this. Exactly like we're doing now!"
On the pitch, Bolton's captain David Dignity shouted to the players gathered in a huddle.
Ahead of the match, Dignity and the other players showed their fierce determination without fail.
"We have to beat any team we can! We need to get to the Championship! Let's go! For our goal!"
Last season, such words might have drawn bewildered reactions from many.
Someone might have even retorted that it was absolutely impossible.
But not anymore.
Through repeated victories and Jeong-woo's hellish training, they had completely shed their defeatist mindset and become warriors who cried out only for victory.
Thud-!
That fighting spirit soon led to an opening goal.
[GOOOAAAL! Sensuous Ruff!]
Sensuous Ruff, silent for two games, burst between the center-back and full-back, swinging his left foot.
It was Owen's precise free kick perfectly meeting the half-volley instep.
This was one of the combo plays they had practiced countless times in training.
"Yesssss!"
Sensuous Ruff roared immediately after.
In the 32nd minute of the first half, Shearer Kane added another goal.
His instep shot from outside the arc slammed powerfully into the upper corner of the net.
The Wycombe goalkeeper could only stamp his feet in the center of the goal line, flinching as his best effort.
Despite Bolton Wanderers' recent hot streak, one point of criticism was their defense.
Lately, Bolton had been conceding in every match.
However, this was because Jeong-woo had deliberately lightened up on defense in certain games.
Against similar teams or middling opponents, he judged it better to emphasize attack.
And so, in the 37th minute of the second half, Bolton took a hit from Wycombe.
"Yesss! Let's go! Yes! Equalizer and then the winner!"
"Kill Bolton!"
It was the moment when Wycombe's subdued supporters erupted like they were having a seizure.
In the technical area, Wycombe manager Jermaine Dax yelled with veins bulging in his neck.
"Just like that! Keep playing just like that! Another chance will come!"
But that was the end of it.
With about seven minutes left in regulation time, Bolton switched to a 10-man backline defense and began time-wasting.
Even on successful counters, instead of shooting, they pushed the ball to the corners to run down the clock.
Thwack-!
"Ugh!"
In the process, an excited opponent shoved Shearer Kane along with the ball near the corner flag, sending him tumbling.
In the end, Wycombe collected three yellow cards and nothing but stress over those final seven minutes before defeat.
* * *
The media had plenty to say about Bolton's style of winning.
DJ Aaron Bench from Horwich's local radio station defended Bolton.
[To win, you can't be picky about methods. And Bolton is showing the cold, merciless demeanor of true winners.]
On the other hand, regions like Wigan, Blackpool, and Charlton—which had suffered against Bolton—poured out criticism.
[Bolton playing Middle Eastern soccer from the start... It's not fitting for English football!]
[In the Wycombe match, Bolton time-wasted for seven minutes right before the end! Is this proper winning?]
Of course, Bolton's local reaction was different.
[Intelligent soccer from Bolton Wanderers!]
[Bolton steadily piling up points with efficient, pragmatic soccer!]
Even fans were sharply divided.
Some acknowledged time-wasting as a tactic, while others saw it as deceiving the opponent.
Rather than staying silent amid the controversy, Jeong-woo clearly stated his view on SNS.
[Bolton chases only victory. Losers talk a lot.]
Alex Ferguson once said SNS is a waste of life.
Jeong-woo was doing the opposite in practice.
* * *
"Ma Goods sales have surged over the past month. Precisely, up 37.9% from last month. The number of videos uploaded for the Deoktok Challenge... Overall, it's nearly double from last month."
Jeong-woo nodded with a satisfied expression at the report from Executive Director Richard Geers.
"Should we have a company dinner?"
At Jeong-woo's joke, Richard Geers flashed his signature beaming smile.
"I'd love to, but it seems the chairman doesn't have the energy to spare."
"..."
It was an undeniable fact.
Lately, Hee-won had been genuinely worried.
'You might get shot walking alone, so just hole up in the chairman's office. If you want good food, tell me. I'll get it through my wife.'
Jeong-woo chuckled dryly.
'What deadly sin did I commit?'
Thinking it over, he had shown quite a mischievous streak recently.
Most of it was retaliation against Bolton's detractors.
The problem was it had gone a bit too far.
Now even the Wanderers were worried.
The result was the recent boost in Ma Goods sales, which had been sluggish.
Richard Geers added,
"Looking at the sales data, revenue from Buckinghamshire and Greenwich is up 30%."
The sharp rise in sales from regions other than Greater Manchester said it all.
Richard Geers went on to report a few more items.
Jeong-woo nodded attentively before speaking up.
"Um... We do need to do some remodeling in certain facility sections."
"Remodeling, you say?"
Straightening in his executive chair, Jeong-woo continued.
It had been 25 years since the University of Bolton Stadium broke ground.
There had been maintenance work in between, but now, with time's passage, the building showed some flaws.
One of them was the radiators that circulated hot water for heating on cold days.
"There are radiators installed throughout the facilities, but... some are pressurized and not working properly."
He had seen it when he first stepped into the club.
Facilities manager Thompson and his staff clutching 20L buckets, manually bleeding the radiators one by one.
'I thought they were back in the military.'
Richard Geers nodded gravely as well.
Jeong-woo added,
"I told the facilities manager to survey the areas needing remodeling. Oh, and even if the radiators become unusable, we'll leave them as is."
"As is?"
Geers looked puzzled at the idea of remodeling but leaving them untouched.
Jeong-woo shrugged.
"They've been with the club for 25 years since it was built. They're part of the history. We'll preserve them intact."
Only then did Richard Geers beam again.
"A fine idea."
Of course, inwardly, Jeong-woo thought,
'It could be an eye-catcher for supporter tours later.'
People were surprisingly curious about old things.
Next, Jeong-woo spoke about an important internal matter.
A new project.
Richard Geers listened to Jeong-woo's passionate explanation with an impressed expression.
He even added some meat to the bones, as usual.
Some time passed like that.
Knock knock!
An unexpected knock.
"Come in."
At Jeong-woo's words, the door slowly opened.
The one who appeared was none other than Tong-ah.
"Then I'll take my leave."
With their talk concluded, Richard Geers gave a Korean-style bow like Charlotte Emma and exited the chairman's office.
"Hey, Sonic's here."
Jeong-woo said with a grin.
Lately, among the Wanderers, Tong-ah was called Sonic.
Embarrassed by the nickname, Tong-ah blushed.
"Ah, no. Haha."
"Yeah, Sonic. Sit."
Jeong-woo wondered what brought this guy here but gestured to the guest sofa.
Tong-ah looked at Jeong-woo sitting on the opposite sofa.
"Here, this is from Hosap hyung."
Jeong-woo placed two teacups on the table.
Tong-ah looked puzzled.
"Hosap... hyung?"
"Hosap, not Hoseop."
"...Hosap...?"
Tong-ah furrowed his brow slightly.
Was there someone named Hosap at Bolton?
Whatever. Jeong-woo sipped the hot tea and smiled contentedly.
Then he leaned back on the sofa, crossing his legs.
"So, what's up?"
Jeong-woo had no idea why Tong-ah had come.
Adebayor asking for a meeting made sense since his minutes were controlled.
But Tong-ah was the opposite.
Wasn't he currently building fame alongside Shearer Kane and Owen Fresais?
'The fans' overflowing love should have him drunk on happiness.'
Yet he seemed to wear a troubled expression.
A chill suddenly ran down Jeong-woo's spine.
'No way this guy...! Got a personal offer?'
Plenty of clubs approached players directly, bypassing the club.
With Tong-ah's current form, rivals or even League Two teams could make offers.
'If they're bold, Championship sides might test the waters too.'
His speed alone was otherworldly.
That trait got him halfway there.
Since last season, Jeong-woo had maximized Tong-ah's playstyle.
Anyone could see the Mbappé! Son Heung-min vibe.
Maybe offers had come from the Middle East or China, as initially suggested.
'Uh, that'd be a problem.'
When recruiting him, Jeong-woo had said if Middle East or China called, he'd clap him out for a big payday.
Now he regretted that moment.
'Damn, mouth is the problem.'
He recalled that time.
When advising to grab a fortune in Middle East or China leagues, Tong-ah had seemed tempted.
Jeong-woo racked his brain in the meantime.
How to convince this guy to stay.
Then, after hesitating with his lips, Tong-ah spoke.
"A Chinese club approached me."
"..."
As expected.
Jeong-woo froze for a moment but feigned nonchalance, puffing up.
"Oh, good for you. Those guys finally recognized our Tong-ah's value. China, so... the weekly wage must be hefty?"
Meanwhile, his left fingers scratched at his crossed knee.
A habit when anxious.
He rolled his eyes, scrutinizing Tong-ah's face.
All the while thinking hard.
'Can't do without this guy.'
But the next words made Jeong-woo stop thinking altogether.
Even his fidgeting.
With a desperately earnest expression, Tong-ah said,
"Grabbing a big deal in China or the Middle East sounds good, but... I want to go higher here! So... can I really not go any further?"