Reborn in Football to Build Top Clubs from English League Two

195: Proving himself at Bramall LaneOn the stands of Bramall Lane Stadium, thirty thousand Sheffield United fans sang their team anthem in unison, the sound surging like a tide.

Red and white scarves fluttered in the night sky, each one telling the story of this steel city’s pride.

”Welcome to hell, lads!” A fan in the stands gave the Hartlepool United team bus the middle finger, the malicious boos deafening.

In the locker room, Sun Jihai was tying his shoelaces, his movements calm and professional.

This Chinese defender had been playing in England for eight years and had seen too many conceited young teams.

”James, I heard there’s a kid on the other side who runs very fast?” Sun Jihai asked in English with a Manchester accent.

James Beattie sneered, ”Speed? At Bramall Lane Stadium, speed can’t save anyone.

Only fists and muscles are recognized here.”

Head coach Kevin Blackwell pushed the door open, his face as gloomy as the sky before a storm.

”Gentlemen, those kids out there think they’re geniuses,” Blackwell’s voice was rough like sandpaper, ”Tonight, let them understand what reality is!”

”Coach, we’ll tear them apart.” Beattie clenched his fist, his knuckles cracking.

”Don’t tear, crush!” Blackwell drew fierce arrows on the tactics board, ”High press, physical confrontation, don’t let them even touch the ball!”

At the same time, the atmosphere in the away team’s locker room was completely different.

The young players of Hartlepool United were pale, the boos from outside penetrating the walls, cutting at everyone’s nerves like knives.

”Damn it, their voices are so loud.” Smalling swallowed, his palms sweating.

”Chris, don’t be nervous.” Henderson patted his shoulder, ”We’ve trained for so long, this is what it’s for.”

Vardy quietly put on his boots in the corner, there was no fear in his eyes, only a cheetah-like focus.

”Jamie, how is it?” Old John walked up to him.

”Coach, I can already smell the goal.” Vardy stood up, stretching his neck, ”Let them see what speed is.”

In the player tunnel, the players of the two teams lined up in two rows.

Sheffield United’s players were all tall and muscular, like a pack of hungry wolves.

In contrast, Hartlepool United’s players appeared smaller, but a defiant flame burned in their eyes.

”Little kids, ready to go home and cry?” Beattie deliberately bumped Vardy’s shoulder.

Vardy didn’t respond, just gave him a cold glance.

That look was as sharp as a knife.

The whistle for the start of the match blew, and Bramall Lane Stadium instantly erupted.

Sheffield United immediately showed their ”iron-blooded” nature, every tackle was full of gunpowder, and every physical contact put pressure on Hartlepool’s young players.

In the 5th minute, Beattie fouled Henderson near the midfield, his action so rough it was astonishing.

”This is the Championship, kid!” Beattie leaned over and said to Henderson, who was on the ground.

Henderson gritted his teeth and stood up, his clothes covered in grass clippings.

He didn’t complain, but re-entered the match.

In the box, Lin Feng stared intently at the situation on the field.

The Player Radar showed that the team’s physical energy consumption rate was 20% faster than expected, and the young players were quickly overdrawing themselves under such high-intensity physical confrontation.

”Boss, our boys look like they’re having a hard time.” Richard Arnold said worriedly.

Lin Feng didn’t answer, his fingers rapidly tapping on his phone.

Text messages were sent to Old John’s phone one by one.

”Change tactics, avoid direct collisions.

Use speed and passing to find their weak points.”

After receiving the text message, Old John immediately walked to the sidelines and shouted to the players on the field: ”Pass! Quick passes! Don’t linger!”

But Sheffield United’s pressure was too fierce.

They were like a pack of hungry beasts, giving Hartlepool United no chance to breathe.

In the 23rd minute, Sun Jihai’s accurate long pass found Beattie in the front field.

Beattie used his physical advantage to overpower Smalling, turned and shot!

Joe Hart flew to save, barely tipping the ball out for a corner.

”Good job, Joe!” Henderson shouted, encouraging the young goalkeeper.

But the crisis continued.

In the 34th minute, during Sheffield United’s corner kick attack, Beattie overpowered all the defenders in the penalty area and headed for goal!

Bang! The ball hit the crossbar and bounced out!

Bramall Lane Stadium let out a huge sigh, all the home fans clutching their heads, unable to believe the ball hadn’t gone in.