Coaching legend

Blackburn's performance has been somewhat volatile during this period, and some arguments that have long disappeared have been brought up again.

Some people also criticized George's leadership. Many people said that George did not know how to rotate the lineup reasonably and used the main lineup to death. So far, it has basically been a main lineup game, which has caused the main players to be relatively tired. Of course, many people also think that George's lack of experience in the English top league will cause his fluctuating state in the winter.

Anyway, the newspapers' opinions are unified on one point, that is, George's lack of experience in coaching in the top league. He did not consider the difficulties of the winter break.

In fact, George is now reflecting on this point. George did not consider the difficulties of the winter break. He did not consider the cruelty of the top league.

"Coach Levy, Blackburn is not in good shape now. Your team seems to have some problems?" After entering December, Blackburn's state has indeed declined a lot.

In the past six games, Blackburn has won two, drawn two and lost two. Compared with the previous six consecutive wins, the state has fluctuated. Therefore, these reporters want to hear what George, the tough coach, will say.

"Is there a problem? What's the problem?" George shrugged and said nonchalantly: "Didn't you say Blackburn was a relegation team before? Two wins, two draws and two losses in six games, seems to be enough for relegation."

The reporter complained in his heart, saying that your team was a relegation team at the beginning. Didn't you also say that your goal is not relegation? This person is really shameless.

George looked at the reporter with smoke coming out of his nose and smiled: "In fact, the recent criticism from the media also proves from the side that Blackburn is no longer a weak team."

"Oh, what do you mean?" The reporter immediately asked George very happily.

Because usually when George expresses a new point of view, it is a sign that George will have news.

"Isn't it? If it weren't for the change in everyone's expectations for Blackburn, how could they think that Blackburn is in a bad state now. Say that there is a problem with my team." George slowly expressed his opinion.

"My performance in these rounds is more than enough to enter the top ten. But people still think that my team is not in good shape, which means that they think my team should get higher results. Doesn't this just show that they regard my team as a strong team?"

After hearing George's twisted reasoning, the reporter didn't know what to say. Only George would say such a twisted reasoning.

But having said that, George certainly knew that these days were a bit difficult.

On January 19, 1999, Blackburn faced Chelsea away.

During training, Pires and his team performed much better, but still did not meet George's requirements. Therefore, George once again rotated and let those players in good shape enter the starting lineup.

Of course, George is a coach who only cares about results and doesn't care about anything else.

At Stamford Bridge, George played the most shameless tactics again. Recently, too many points have been lost, and even one point is very important to George.

Vialli's head hurts when he looks at George, because George is the most shameless coach Vialli has seen in the Premier League. He doesn't care about anyone's eyes, as long as it is for the game, he can put out any tactics.

Although Vialli is a player from Italy. He became famous in Italy and then went to the Premier League. But even in Italy, Vialli has never seen such a negative game. Italy has always been famous for its catenaccio defense, but after the 1980s, Italian coaches have begun to focus on offense. Especially in the 1970s, after the Dutch team's all-out attack and defense tactics became popular all over the world, the impact on the world football was absolutely explosive. In the Italian football world, which originally focused on tactics, many Italian coaches have also begun to reflect.

Today's Italian coaches are more likely to play regional defense and offside tactics. There has never been a coach who arranges troops like George.

In this game, it seems that George has never thought about winning the game. All the players are shrinking in their own half. In this game, George put Blackburn's main wing forwards Pires and Duff on the bench. Including Miku and Deco.

Instead, Makelele, Hargreaves, David Dunn, and Wilcox were placed in the midfield, leaving only Romedal in front. In the away game, George didn't even think about winning, and played the game so negatively.

The game ended while people were drowsy.

The match between Blackburn and Chelsea was still a highlight in this round. Blackburn had a good performance in the past two months, and Chelsea is currently ranked third in the Premier League. The score difference between the first place Arsenal and the second place Manchester United is only within four points.

Four points behind Arsenal and two points behind Manchester United. It can be said that Chelsea is also a strong contender for the Premier League championship.

Therefore, this game is a highlight in Sky TV's broadcast this round. But the game was so boring that even the two commentators yawned constantly. Not to mention the fans.

However, George was full of smiles after the game. Why? Because although the game process was ugly, George got an ideal result. One point, one point is also very good for George now.

On the other side, Vialli had a gloomy face. The game was too frustrating.

What kind of game is this? In addition to fouls, it is to defend with a pile of people.

Since meeting George, Vialli has been in a bad mood. Last season, he met George in the League Cup final and was beaten to pieces by George's defensive counterattack. After the game, many media criticized George's ugly playing style, but more said that Vialli lost to George in the deployment of troops.

At that time, Vialli was already quite embarrassed. Losing to a team in the English League One and losing the League Cup. If it hadn't won the Cup Winners' Cup later, last season would have been a failure.

This season, defeating George at Ewood Park made Vialli very happy. But later, as Blackburn's performance improved, Vialli realized that he didn't beat a real Blackburn. Now that Blackburn is in poor form, Vialli wants to beat Blackburn at home.

In addition, the championship competition is also fierce now, and home games are very important. Vialli's plan at home is to get three points.

But in the end, he failed.

Two consecutive draws did not worry George much. After all, there are still 16 rounds of league games left, and two draws are not a big problem.

Now in training, George can clearly feel the players' state improving. Now the main players have good physical strength due to rotation, as long as the state is guaranteed, then the following games

After the game with Chelsea, Blackburn will have half a month. There is a FA Cup 32 knockout match in the middle.

George's attitude towards the FA Cup is very clear. He will go as far as he can, anyway, George will not waste his energy for the FA Cup. The FA Cup has too many variables, and Manchester United is in a hot state this year. So George will not pin his hopes on the illusory FA Cup for the League Cup qualification.

"George, Bellamy's matter is almost discussed. Norwich can't bear it anymore."

"Why do they want so much money?" George was very happy when he heard it.

Now Blackburn's three wingers have their own characteristics. Pires has good skills and excellent passing; Duff dribbling, speed, and cutting inside are all first-class; Romedal is strong, has excellent footwork, and can go left and right.

Bellamy's characteristic is even more obvious, that is speed. If Bellamy's speed is placed in the later CM and FM games, the value is 20. Even Henry, Overmars and Giggs, who are currently in their prime, cannot compare with Bellamy in terms of speed.

Such a distinctive player is very beneficial to enriching the team's playing style.

"3.8 million pounds." Evan answered simply.

Although Evan also hoped that the team would have such a distinctive player. But Bellamy's value is indeed too expensive, 3.8 million pounds. At first, Norwich even insisted on 5 million pounds, but Evan did Bellamy's work privately.

Bellamy's attitude was clear, and Norwich had no choice. After bargaining, Bellamy's transfer price was finally fixed at 3.8 million pounds.

Although it was 3.8 million pounds, it was also very expensive.

George nodded. "Steps should be faster. Transfer earlier, so that he can get used to the team in January."

"Well, OK. As long as you agree, there will be no big problem."

In fact, Richard had already settled everything, just waiting for George to make the final decision.

…………

On January 19, 1999, Blackburn officially announced the introduction of Welsh player Craig Bellamy from Norwich at a transfer price of 3.8 million pounds.

This transfer still attracted a lot of attention. First of all, Bellamy is only 19 years old, a very young player. But the transfer price is not cheap, 3.8 million pounds. George is not the kind of player who is used to spending lavishly. 3.8 million pounds to buy a 19-year-old player shows that this player is highly valued by George.

So everyone is paying attention to who this Bellamy is.

However, George did not hold a press conference specifically for Bellamy. George now has no time to do this.

"Craig, welcome to Blackburn. I have been waiting for you for a long time." George met Bellamy at the training ground.

Bellamy is young, really young at this moment. But he can't hide his arrogance at all. George's first impression of Bellamy is that this kid is definitely a rebellious player.

"Hello, Coach Levi."

Bellamy greeted George coolly.

"You can call me by my name, or you can call me boss or head."