The Young Lion

The night after the game, Aldridge invited Schneider to dinner at home.

When Schneider arrived, Aldrich had just brought the steak out of the oven, poured the sauce on it, opened a bottle of red wine, and smiled at Schneider: Please, I'm not very good at it, my mother Do better, next time I have a chance to invite you to try her handicraft.

Schneider sat down at the table. It was not the first time he had met alone with Aldridge. During normal training, Aldridge would occasionally hand the players into the office to chat about recent situations, especially when they first came to the team. , Aldrich would ask them every now and then how they were adjusting to life in London.

I feel pretty good, boss. I heard that your Chinese food is very good?

Huh? Who said that?

I saw it in the newspaper.

Oh, it's ok, I usually like to eat Chinese food besides steak.

Aldridge knew that it was the gossip tabloids who learned the news through an interview with Melanie, and he didn't care, it didn't hurt.

The dinner went very well. After all, they were about the same age in appearance, and Schneider was more than two years older than Aldrich. They could chat like friends, talking about popular music, recently released movies, and new bookstore shelves. What a good book and so on.

Schneider knew that Aldrich invited him to dinner for more than just chatting, but he didn't ask, waiting for Aldrich to reveal the answer.

After dinner, Aldrich went to wash the dishes, and Schneider also offered to help. The two men quickly cleaned up the dishes, and then Aldrich made a pot of calming tea, while Schneider sat on the sofa holding the teacup Very relaxing.

Aldrich went upstairs to pick up a tactics book, and when he went downstairs, he sat on the single sofa and smiled at Schneider: Bernd, you should be able to guess, I will talk to you about football next. things, and it's about your career.

Schneider nodded, took a sip of tea and waited for the next article.

Aldridge continued: To be honest, Bernd, you are talented and willing to work hard. You are the coach's favorite type of player, because you always obey, instead of stubbornly asking why. I hope you understand that today Conversation, I want to be open and honest with each other, not my orders to you.

Boss, are you going to sell me away?

Schneider raised Aldrich's tone too seriously, as if he would say something that would hurt him next.

Aldrich was stunned for a second, then shook his head and said, Of course not. Just look at this first.

Schneider took the tactics book handed by Aldridge and looked down carefully.

It was a tactical map, 433 formation, and there was another 4231 on the next page. The players' positions were marked symmetrically and reasonably, and the offensive and defensive running positions were also marked with lines.

Dashed lines represent defense and solid lines represent offense.

Schneider's attention was drawn to where he was playing.

433 is a winger, 4231 can be regarded as a winger.

But the offensive running positions between the two are similar. The solid line arrows are all aimed at the front of the enemy's penalty area, and the defense has to pull back to the bottom line until the front of the full-back.

This is just a schematic diagram of the most basic offensive and defensive running positions, Bernd, can you understand the abilities you need to have in your current position in the future?

Aldridge's question made Schneider hesitate, he frowned and said, Boss, do you want me to get closer to the penalty area?

Aldridge said frankly: In Millwall's tactical system in the future,

A winger or a full-back must have a strong scoring ability, instead of just giving assists to the forward, you can also see the forward's running position and have the ability to respond. Millwall does not need a pure shooter in the future , the striker must not only be able to score goals, but also have the ability to assist. You should understand that the winger cuts in to respond to the threat of a direct pass diagonally.

Schneider couldn't argue with that, and there was someone around him who did a great job, and that person was Robert Pires.

Boss, if you think I need to improve my shooting in the box, I'll work on it.

Schneider put down the tactics book and said solemnly.

Aldridge shook his head and said: I don't intend to ask you to practice shooting into the penalty area in sports warfare. To be honest, no player is truly omnipotent. Your breakthroughs on the wing and crosses are top-notch. , plus excellent team awareness, you go to practice shooting into the penalty area? I think that will ruin you instead. Do you still remember the full-back Hans-Brigel who was once hailed as a template for future players by Germany?

Schneider thought for a long time, felt that the name was very familiar, and racked his brains to remember it, and said, Oh, the former main player of West Germany's national team.

Aldrich said solemnly: He is from the decathlon, but what about his achievements? In the two World Cups in 1982 and 1986, in the games he was present, West Germany conceded at least six goals. The responsibility of the four balls. I have said many times that the characteristics of the future players will be diversified, but it is not a balanced and comprehensive development. The load of the players has a limit. You have to combine your position to develop the most prominent and effective characteristics. I had a meeting with my colleagues on the coaching staff to discuss your development prospects, and to be honest, we don't think you will develop into the type of winger who meets the standard of wingers that we need in the future.

Schneider's face turned pale when he heard the last sentence, and he felt dizzy, as if the end of the world was about to come.

Seeing his expression, Aldrich immediately said: Listen to me, Bernd, I admire and trust you very much. You are a model player in the team. I want to keep you until you retire and use the club. The management contract binds your players, but I must respect you and imagine for you. If you are not willing to cooperate with the team's future tactical system, then I can only recommend you to the club that best suits your characteristics. Allowing you to achieve the best results in your career, rather than changing from the main force to the substitute for tactical reasons in the team.

Schneider said a little excitedly: Boss, just tell me, what do you want me to do? No matter what it is, I will cooperate!

Aldridge pointed to the tactics book and said, Look at the offensive and defensive requirements of the right back.

Schneider quickly picked up the tactics book, looked carefully, and fixed his gaze on the right back position.

There is no need to say much about the dotted line defense. The full back is originally a member of the last row of the defense line, and the solid line representing the offense is directly from the bottom line to the opponent's bottom line.

Schneider understood a little bit, he raised his head and asked, Boss, do you want me to play as a full-back?

Aldrich nodded solemnly, and said sincerely: The entire coaching staff gave you full marks for your defensive attitude and enthusiasm for returning to defense. Among the frontcourt players, you and Pavel are the best. They can run back to the penalty area from the winger. Yes, I can always see you, but I may not always see Robert, Bernd. This season, our tactics have changed. You should have a deep understanding. Last season, our full-backs did not assist. Participate in support in the second half, but this season, full-back assists have become an important part of tactics, which is why when Lilian assists, you have to diagonally insert into the penalty area to complete the support or score, but your shortcomings are exposed .”

Schneider scratched his head, Aldrich was right.

In Millwall's full-back assists this season, the left side is always better than the right side. The reason is very simple. Neil or Zambrotta assists from the left side, Pires is good at cutting inside, and Shi Ned was on the right, but he and Thuram couldn't play the sharp effect on the left.

Bernd, I respect you, so, in my future plan, if you want, you will be the main force of the right back. Half of defense depends on ability, half depends on awareness. Team awareness is especially important. You just need to strengthen your defensive skills. Train, and then combine your strengths and strengths. In the full back position, you have a lot of space in front of you, which is very suitable for you to go forward and assist, dribble the ball to break through or cross, this is what you are best at now , and you also have the physical ability to go straight up and down, to be honest, in future football, good strikers can be bought with money, but good full-backs are priceless.

Aldridge spoke earnestly.

Schneider asked puzzledly: What about Lilian? Shall I go to the left?

Thuram is Millwall's main full-back, and he is unstoppable.

Aldrich heaved a long sigh when he heard the words, he was really honest with Schneider.

Lilian, Millwall can't keep him. Don't you think he is very quiet in the dressing room. Sometimes he has a lot of thoughts but doesn't want to share them with us. Doesn't he seem like a person outside the team? His professionalism is Top level, but for the past year and a half, I have been expecting him to show some signs to give me confidence, making me think that Millwall can rely on him in the future, but he has no sense of belonging here, I believe, and you can see it .”

Schneider remained silent with a disappointed expression.

As teammates, it was difficult for them to get along well with Thuram, and after the East London derby, they obviously defeated West Ham United in the away game, but Thuram just packed his bags calmly and talked to the team without saying a word. Get on the bus and go back.

Everyone knew he was angry.

Because of the game at Upton Park, some fans in the stands insulted black players on the field with racially discriminatory words and deeds.

Makelele was very angry. After the game, Aldridge also condemned the behavior of the opposing fans for the team. This was written into the report in the complaint against West Ham United, but the measures taken by the FA were to calm the matter. What else can Derich do?

This kind of thing is commonplace in this era, especially when black players go to Elland Road Stadium as guests, they will be wantonly humiliated by Leeds United fans.

Even Manchester United players will be treated like this, let alone Millwall?

Furthermore, looking at Europe, where is it completely clean? Where are the fans completely equal in the eyes of others regardless of black or white?

No.

And it's not about racism at all!

Just because of the color of the jersey, West Ham hates Millwall, so use this method.

The FA has historically punished players or fans for racism, but is it really a racist stance? Not at all, like the relationship between Suarez and Evra more than ten years later, is it racial discrimination? If yes, Suarez is racist, can he get along with black teammates in Liverpool?

This kind of thing is nothing more than using racial discrimination as a means of attacking. In his heart, he uses different skin colors to cover up the hatred of the color of the jersey!

Makelele expressed anger, which is a good sign.

And Thuram's calm made Aldrich feel lost, because Thuram seemed to have a transparent barrier with Millwall.

He came here for work, and doing his best work is enough. For the rest, he may not mind, or he may not have expectations, because he knows that this is not his destination.

The club has four and a half years left on Liliane's contract, but in my opinion, we can only keep him for two and a half years at most. Bernd, as I said, I respect you, if you feel that your future is not in Mill Wall, I don’t want to change your current position on the field. I will not have any negative opinions on you, and I will help you find a club that suits you best, so that you can play your characteristics in your ideal position. , and I am sure that if you can do well, the position of the main force will not be a problem.

Aldridge confessed frankly to Schneider.

Players must serve the club's tactical system. If not, Aldridge will not accommodate the players, but there is no need to forcefully keep the players. They are not only generals and apprentices, but also friends in life. For the future of the other party, let The opponent feels happy playing football, and Aldridge will fulfill his promise and find him a club that suits him best, even if the transfer fee is lower.

Schneider smiled, stood up and smiled at Aldrich: Boss, thank you for your hospitality. See you at the training ground tomorrow. It seems that I should learn from Lilian and Claude.

Aldridge closed his eyes with a smile, got up and saw him off.

Schneider's words have already shown his determination. Thuram is the full-back in the team now, and Makelele used to be a full-back. The defensive skills of the two are obvious to all.

After sending Schneider away and closing the door, Aldrich put away the tactics book on the coffee table, and couldn't help but smile on his face when he was taking a bath in the bathroom.

He had a firm decision in his heart.

As long as Schneider doesn't want to leave, Millwall will never abandon him!

Can this kind of player be bought with money? !