Inside a VIP box at Ninian Park stood a man and a woman.
Both were dressed in sharp professional attire, both looked to be in their early thirties, and both carried themselves with polished competence.
The woman was nad Krista White. The man was Paul Harrison.
They ca from the sa company: Ogilvy Public Relations, an Arican firm.
At this mont, both were focused on Lynn, their "boss," standing down by the touchline.
Of course, Lynn had not bought the company they worked for. He had hired them. Ever since the defeat at Liverpool and the humiliation he had suffered at the hands of Fleet Street, Lynn had begun thinking about one particular problem: public relations.
This was not his field of expertise. He did not know how to position himself, or how to follow his chosen path through such difficult terrain and successfully arrive at the other side.
So he had hired professionals from Arica's Ogilvy Public Relations. Paul Harrison and Krista White were the specialists Ogilvy had sent to provide Lynn with professional advice.
After researching English football and British society, the two of them had designed a route for Lynn:
Mysticism.
They had fully taken into account Lynn's identity as an outsider in British society, and as an Asian in English football, a world that was relatively hostile toward him. So things did not need to be hidden or avoided. Racism existed in football, and Lynn naturally belonged to the category of people who would be discriminated against. Add to that the fact that he had no professional playing career, and it beca even easier for the outside world to reject him.
The role Harrison and White assigned to Lynn suited him perfectly:
Be an outside conqueror.
Not an immigrant trying to blend in.
Lynn certainly had not co to English football to join hands with everyone, sing hallelujah, and play so happy ga of universal harmony. Since he had been treated with hostility from the beginning, then he might as well ignite that hostility!
He would break into English football as an invader.
That would draw more public curiosity and attention, while also turning many people into followers of Lynn precisely because he was unique and different from the rest.
Lynn needed fa!
Of course he needed it. Otherwise, in the future, if he wanted more good players to join him, he could not rely on money alone.
His personal charisma and aura of attraction were essential.
If he had to fight the outside world, then he would turn the invasion into a revolution, and transform it into a true war!
The strategy of opening fire on Cardiff City had co from Krista White. This woman, who appeared gentle and elegant, was uniquely cold and domineering when it ca to professional matters.
White and Harrison looked down at Lynn. They were beginning to admire him, because when Lynn stood at the edge of the pitch, one could clearly feel that he possessed an aura capable of intimidating others.
At the very least, this man had confidence and conviction in abundance. If he had been mud that could not stick to a wall, forget being an invader; he would probably have been frightened into fleeing with his head in his hands.
Cardiff City manager Alan Cork was beginning to feel uncomfortable under Lynn's stare. In the end, he had no choice but to turn toward Lynn and shout angrily, "What the hell are you looking at?"
Lynn said to him, "From now on, don't run your mouth about my team. You don't have the right. Otherwise, after I beat you, I'll use words vicious enough to leave you with nowhere to hide, you loser!"
Alan Cork flew into a rage. He charged up to Lynn and snapped, "What the fuck are you acting so arrogant for? The match hasn't even started and you're already calling a loser, you conceited bastard!"
A cold smile appeared on Lynn's face. He said calmly, "I know you're going to lose, because your unease has already betrayed you. Look at you. You have even less confidence now. Swansea frighten you. Losing to a yellow-skinned Lynn will make you feel even more humiliated. It doesn't matter. Plenty of people have already lost to my team. Money can't buy everything, I admit that. But it can buy enough to win this match. Cardiff City are going to lose today. Definitely."
Alan Cork naturally looked down on Lynn.
And at least in Division Three, there was one phenonon the outside world had not yet noticed: almost every opposing manager who faced Lynn beca unusually irritable.
The reason was actually very simple.
First, Lynn was an outsider.
Second, Lynn was too young.
Losing to Lynn, an outsider and an Asian at that, was sothing even Englishn could not accept — let alone Irish, Scottish, or Welsh managers.
And losing to Lynn, a young man whose age was not much different from so of their children, would make anyone lose face.
As Swansea's results got better and better, these managers beca even more unsettled.
In the past, most of the ti, others had started the war, and Lynn had bravely fought back. That had escalated the conflict, because Lynn's counterattack was like an adult throwing a punch at a little beggar, only for that little beggar to actually dare hit back!
Now, suddenly, Lynn was the one leading the war. He took the initiative to look down on his opponent, and his opponent could tolerate it even less!
You ca to my doorstep to act wild?
And all the local people are watching?
No one could swallow that anger.
Alan Cork took another step forward. He was already burning with rage, and in his lack of composure, he grabbed Lynn by the collar.
Before he could say anything, Lynn's eyes turned as cold as blades of ice as he barked, "Let go of with your filthy hand. If you want a fight, that's fine too. Co on, we'll go onto the pitch and fight there. Not here. The viewing angle for the crowd isn't very good. I'm afraid that once you lose, you'll slip into the tunnel and hide! Co onto the pitch with . I'll beat you so badly even your mother won't recognize you!"
Alan Cork was already about to swing his fist when the referee team led the players onto the pitch.
The referee was stunned by the scene in front of him. Fortunately, the fourth official and the assistant referees reacted quickly, rushing forward and pulling Alan Cork and Lynn apart.
Alan Cork suddenly woke up to the reality of the situation.
If he had thrown a punch, he would certainly have been sent off imdiately!
At that mont, Lynn patted down his coat and said to him, "Lucky you."
The referee had no choice but to let the players enter the field first. Then, with a dark expression, he went to warn both managers separately. Lynn remained unmoved, only listening without speaking, still standing calmly by the touchline.
His composed expression and manner made the anger Alan Cork had just suppressed flare up again.
Lynn had gone too far!
He had co to Cardiff City's territory and was still acting so overbearing!
The spectators in the stands reacted fiercely as well. The Swansea supporters applauded and cheered for Lynn. They did not want to be ridden over by Cardiff City anymore. The Bluebirds supporters, anwhile, produced even louder boos!
Fortunately, hooliganism was not especially widespread in Wales. Otherwise, who knew whether the supporters might have broken out into fistfights in the stands?
The players of both teams stood on the pitch with solemn expressions. They had all seen their respective managers nearly co to blows by the touchline.
But Lynn had been grabbed by the collar by Alan Cork, which made the Swansea players mistakenly believe Lynn had been bullied.
Cardiff City's players, anwhile, thought of Lynn's comnts from the day before and privately regretted that Alan Cork had not managed to hit him. But it did not matter. They were already prepared to make Swansea suffer on the pitch!
The players of both teams had different thoughts, but the fire of battle was already burning fiercely in their hearts!
"Good afternoon, viewers, and rry Christmas! Today is Boxing Day, and I'm here at Ninian Park to bring you live comntary of the Welsh derby about to unfold in Division Three!
"This season's reborn Swansea Swans have co away from ho to challenge the Cardiff City Bluebirds.
"Tis change, fortunes shift. More than half a century has passed, and Swansea finally have the opportunity this season to finish above Cardiff City in the league!
"However, Cardiff City, who currently trail Swansea by five points, still have a chance to defend their position as the leading club in Wales. After all, today is only the final match of the first half of the Division Three season.
"Just now on the touchline, Swansea manager Lynn and Cardiff City manager Alan Cork nearly ca to blows. It seems the conflict has temporarily been cald by the referee. Haha, Swansea and Cardiff City have had one grudge after another since before the season even began, and now the two teams are finally about to et on the pitch.
"In my opinion, there is no aning in all the talking off the field. On the pitch, whoever wins and whoever loses — that is the real contest.
"Let's look at Cardiff City's starting lineup. Alan Cork has set up in a traditional 4-4-2.
"Goalkeeper: Neil Alexander.
"Defenders: Tony Vidmar, Rhys Weston, Scott Young, Gary Croft.
"Midfielders: Jason Bowen, Graham Kavanagh, Gareth Whalley, Layton Maxwell.
"Forwards: Robert Earnshaw, Alan Lee.
"Swansea also start in a 4-4-2 today.
"Goalkeeper: Glendall.
"Defenders: Gabbidon, Martin Albrechtsen, Friedrich, Tobias Rau.
"Midfielders: Jas Cook, Cromwell, Pedretti, Grosso.
"Forwards: Ibrahimović, Villa.
"The kick-off ceremony has been completed. The match is about to begin, with ho side Cardiff City kicking off first. Ladies and gentlen, the Welsh derby is underway!"
Ninian Park echoed with the deafening support of Cardiff City's fans. They shouted themselves hoarse, cheering for the ho team and screaming for Cardiff to smash Swansea into pieces!
A small stadium of twenty thousand was already easier to turn into a cauldron of noise. But Swansea's players had experienced the majestic pressure of the Red army at Anfield, so they had already opened their eyes to a bigger world. The pressure they endured here at Cardiff could only be described as minor compared with that.
From kick-off, Lynn stood calmly and naturally by the touchline, like a dignified commander watching everything unfold on the pitch. There was not the slightest disorder or panic about him.
By contrast, Alan Cork shouted and yelled constantly on the sideline, pointing repeatedly at certain spaces in Swansea's half, instructing his attackers to make runs, pass, speed up the attack, and so on.
He looked so impatient, like an ant on a hot pan.
Alan Cork was desperate for his team to create an attacking threat and suppress Swansea.
But Swansea were not intimidated. Today, aside from starting center-back Brunel being unavailable through injury and suspension, the squad was very close to full strength. After half a season of developnt, the team's combat power was already quite impressive.
Cardiff City's attack in the third minute was ended by Gabbidon on the defensive flank.
Gabbidon's physical qualities were excellent, though his attacking ability had never fully satisfied Lynn's standards for an attacking full-back. But precisely because his defending was so solid, Lynn chose to trust him and relied heavily on him.
Swansea's attack was coming!
After Pedretti, Gabbidon, and Jas Cook completed a neat triangular passing move, Jas Cook safely advanced the attack down the right flank. When Tony Vidmar blocked his path, Cook decisively played the ball inside.
Cromwell, whose movent between the lines was growing sharper and sharper, t the ball in the middle and imdiately sent a through ball forward.
He did not even give Rhys Weston the chance to touch his shirt before releasing the pass.
Villa darted diagonally into the right half-space inside the penalty area. eting Cromwell's dangerous pass, he half-turned and struck a shot!
The move was clean and sharp. Although Villa's shot unfortunately hit the side netting and failed to test the goalkeeper, Swansea had already shown a proper ground-based pass-and-move attack. That alone was enough for Lynn to lift his chin on the touchline and strike a bold pose toward Cardiff City.
After surviving that scare, Cardiff City did not think too much and continued their attack.
Their left midfielder was quite thoughtful in possession. Layton Maxwell, when still four ters away from Danny Gabbidon, suddenly cut the ball inside and switched to an inward dribbling route!
This made Lynn's eyes brighten.
As the opponent, he had naturally studied Cardiff City's player profiles. Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated.
Layton Maxwell was Welsh, but he had been recruited into Liverpool's youth system at a very young age. Unfortunately, after spending four years at Liverpool without earning a single first-team appearance, he had moved to Cardiff City once he passed nineteen, effectively returning to his hotown to play for his local club.
After all, he had been trained by a famous club. On the pitch, he naturally was not as rigid as many players from grassroots teams.
But having ideas and having the strength to execute them were two different things.
Just as he cut inside and took one touch forward, Pedretti stepped in with precision and cleanly dispossessed him!
After winning the ball, Pedretti imdiately passed to Gabbidon, and Gabbidon then played a forward ball straight to Jas Cook.
Swansea's attack ca rolling back!
Cook imdiately launched the attack. Before he had even crossed the halfway line, he saw three Cardiff City players charging toward him, intending to surround and counter-press him at once.
At this mont, Jas Cook already had the faint bearing of a general. Calm and composed on the pitch, he switched the play with a long diagonal pass!
Lynn silently applauded the switch in his heart.
To remain calm under pressure, judge the situation correctly, and make the right decision — Jas Cook had not failed to live up to Lynn's expectations!
Jas Cook's long switch found Grosso's feet. The Italian drove forward freely down the left flank. From a forty-five-degree angle on the wing, he glanced at the situation in the box and imdiately crossed.
The ball dropped into the penalty area, landing near Ibrahimović.
Ibrahimović turned toward the ball and was about to control it with his chest before connecting into a shot. It was a difficult move, but Ibrahimović was full of confidence.
Yet at the mont he chested the ball, it rebounded away with too much force, struck defender Scott Young, and was then cleared out for a throw-in by Young with a big boot.
It looked as though Ibrahimović had used too much force with his chest control and failed to cushion the ball properly.
But Ibrahimović knew that in that instant, soone behind him had used a small trick, secretly nudging his waist. That was why his chest control had failed.
With an irritated expression, he turned around and saw Cardiff center-back Rhys Weston acting as if nothing had happened.
Ibrahimović called him out and warned, "Don't play dirty little tricks with , kid!"
Weston was only eighteen, also Welsh, and also from a famous academy. Having failed to find opportunities in Arsenal's youth system, he had returned to the best team in his hotown.
Ibrahimović truly did have the right to call him "kid."
But Weston would not be frightened by Ibrahimović. After all, he had returned from the international tropolis of London. Was he supposed to be scared by a Swansea player everyone saw as a country bumpkin?
He ignored Ibrahimović's warning and continued preparing for the next phase of defending.
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