Chapter 198 M1 Highway Derby
In the training base these days, most of the topics discussed by the players are related to Ajax.
For the veterans of teams such as John and Meyer, the topic they like to talk about is the derby against Watford.
Watford is now in the Champions League. Before Luton was in the Champions League, the two sides could meet at least twice a season, but since Luton was relegated, the two sides have not met again.
"Watford?" Gao Bo is very interested in the team's mortal enemy, he knows that this team will have a firm foothold in the Premier League in the future.
"Is it like the relationship between Manchester United and Liverpool?"
"More than that!" John said seriously.
"Okay, okay! John." Gao Bo relieved, "We can win them!"
"This is a Derby! Do you know Derby? High!" Mel leaned over and said.
"Of course I understand. I have been in England for seven or eight years." Gao Bo waved his hand and said.
"You can't lose this game, right?!"
"Absolutely can't lose!!" Both of them nodded and said.
For Lutonians, winning Watford may be more important than any game this season.
This game is a battle for Luton! A battle that must not be lost.
Derby is very important in football culture. The confrontation between the two teams has nothing to do with strength or league format. The only goal of both sides is to win the game and win their mortal enemy!
But before the game against Watford, the team still has three league games to play.
Before Christmas, on December 21st, in the 21st round of the league, the team won 2-0 at Stoke Port at home, and then in the Christmas game, the team played against Brentford at home. In the end, with Vardy scored twice, the team won the opponent two to one at home. And then on December 28th, the 24th round of the league, the team was drawn by Exeter City one to one in the away game. Fortunately, Charlton lost in this round of the league and Leeds United also It was a tie, so Luton tied Luton in points with the tie, and then ranked first with a goal difference...
....
The New Year in 2010 passed quietly, Luton is a small city, there is no New Year, no carnival activities.
The team did not even have a holiday on January 1st, because on January 2nd, the team will face Watford. However, on the afternoon of January 1st, Gao Bo ended training two hours earlier, allowing the players to go home and reunite with their families for the New Year.
Gao Bo had a hot pot in the apartment with Lin Sen, Haruko, and Li Yuanshan who had been received from the Youth Academy.
"happy New Year!"
Four foreigners from the East raised their wine glasses-of course, Li Yuanshan's glass was orange juice...
"happy New Year!!!"
A potluck meal is considered New Year.
In 2010, Gao Bo has been coaching Luton for a year and a half.
....
At 5 o'clock in the afternoon on January 2nd, the Wosui Stadium was full.
Compared with usual, Luton's fans have a little more crazy aura, and Gao Bo feels the different atmosphere of the stadium as soon as he walked into the stadium.
This is.... Murderous? !
Gao Bo is not so sure, but what he can confirm is that today's opponent is indeed very special for Luton fans.
This is the Derby...
The derby between Luton and Watford is called the M1 road derby. This is because the M1 road just connects these two places, hence the name.
If Milton Keynes is a noisy neighbour at best, which disgusts Luton fans, then Watford is a deadly enemy of the team for Luton fans.
From Luton's team song Gao Bo, you can hear Luton's hatred of Watford. In this song, which is only about two and a half minutes long, about forty seconds are dedicated to insulting Watford. German.
When players from both sides entered the field, Watford's players heard this voice.
But it's not just for Luton, it's also true for Watford-in Watford's team anthem, there is also a passage specifically used to scold Luton...
This is a true rival team.
...
Derby will have a Derby atmosphere.
Violent physical confrontation, frequent falling to the ground, fragmentary competition.
In the crazy shouts of the fans on the scene, the adrenaline of the players has also begun to surge!
The game has just started ten minutes, and the players on both sides have already received five yellow cards!
Three of them were given to Watford and two were given to Luton!
The tempo of the game started to run out of control.
Gao Bo frowned as he watched from the sidelines.
Griezmann was shoveled to the ground again. It was Watford forward Lasiak who tackled the tackle. He received a yellow card for this action, but he didn't seem to care at all and left after standing up.
Gao Bo immediately stood on the sidelines and yelled at the referee on duty Mike Dean: "This is the tackle from behind!! You should give this guy a red card!!!"
Mike Dean glanced at Gao Bo on the sidelines. As long as Gao Bo didn't speak foul language, he didn't plan to pay attention to Gao Bo who complained on the sidelines The referee did not respond to Gao Bo's shouts, and the referee did not respond. The smell of gunpowder has also become stronger.
In the 20th minute of the game, Kevin Keane made a fierce tackle in the midfield and brought down Watford midfielder Smith!
Such a fierce tackle is rarely seen in Kevin Keane's past games!
The game was kicking and kicking as if it was going to change, and both sides fell to the ground frequently in midfield.
Flying shovel, quarrel, conflict, yellow card!
These things have appeared on the court in turns in just over twenty minutes.
To be honest, this kind of game is not pretty.
But the whole stadium is very enthusiastic. Luton players always make cheers like a tsunami every time they tackle, and with the encouragement of the fans, the adrenaline of the players starts to surge.
The reverse is also true for Watford. Their players are also merciless on the court! !
Gao Bo frowned. He is a little worried that the rhythm of the game will continue like this. After the game is over, will there be enough players on the court for both sides...
In just thirty minutes, seven yellow cards have appeared.
"This is a record number of yellow cards, right?" Gao Bo turned around to complain to John.
In this game, Gao Bo felt that he had completely lost control of the game, and the game almost slid uncontrollably in the direction the Derby should have.
"How is it possible." John shook his head. "It's too early. I remember one year in Derby, when both sides sent off two people in the first half..."
"This is Derby..."
Gao Bo thought he knew well about the derby culture in England, but he didn't realize how crazy it was until he experienced it firsthand.