Football Card System

Chapter 70: Chapter 70



The team's recent wave of injuries has left fans concerned about Luton's overall condition. Fortunately, the first game in February was a British Championship match, a tournament where Gao Bo typically fielded an entirely substitute lineup. Even regular bench players like Matt and Adam didn't play in this game.

Luton faced Brighton, a strong First Division team, in an away match. The substitutes struggled from the start, conceding a goal just two minutes in, which disrupted Gao Bo's defensive strategy. In the second half, Gao Bo made offensive adjustments to chase an equalizer, but this opened up the game, turning it into a back-and-forth battle. In the 62nd minute, Luton equalized, but Brighton retook the lead just two minutes later.

The scoreline continued to shift, and by the end of the game, Luton lost 4-3. For a team known for its solid defense, conceding four goals was disappointing. Despite the help of tactical cards, Luton's bench was much weaker than Brighton's. Gao Bo, however, wasn't too regretful about the elimination. He had always prioritized the league and FA Cup over the British Championship.

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With Luton trailing the league leaders by 12 points and more than 10 games remaining, there was no room for error in the title race.

On February 10, in the 30th round of the Second Division, Luton hosted Greensby. Although Drinkwater had recovered, Gao Bo kept him on the bench as a precaution. Captain Kevin Keane was also left out due to concerns over his recurring muscle injury. Charlie Austin remained sidelined, still in recovery.

For this match, Gao Bo opted for a single-striker formation with Jamie Vardy leading the line. The midfield consisted of five players, including 18-year-old defensive midfielder Rodpu, who was promoted from the youth academy as a reward for his excellent progress. Gao Bo hoped this would inspire other academy players.

Another promising young player, 17-year-old Hassan Ali, also started. A versatile defensive talent, Gao Bo had tested him in multiple positions, including central defender, full-back, and even winger. Midfielder Joseph Ander made his first start of the season, joining proven players like N'Golo Kanté and Lewis Emmanuel.

With a midfield packed with defensive players, Gao Bo's intent was clear: dominate the center of the pitch. This strategy was also a rehearsal for the upcoming FA Cup match against Manchester City.

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Against Greensby, who were at the bottom of the league table, Gao Bo was confident in his experimental lineup. Luton's midfield dominated, easily breaking up Greensby's attacks and frequently playing through balls to exploit Vardy's speed. By halftime, Vardy had already scored a hat-trick. In the 60th minute, he added a fourth goal, giving Luton a commanding 4-0 lead.

Satisfied with Vardy's performance, Gao Bo substituted him to test Adam White as a lone striker. Despite receiving boosts from tactical cards, Adam seemed uncomfortable in the role, often drifting wide and missing opportunities to maintain central pressure. This disrupted Luton's offensive flow, and they lacked a focal point to challenge the defense directly. Although Adam eventually scored after cutting in from the flank, Gao Bo was unconvinced by his performance as a lone striker.

"Collect Jamie's and Adam's movement videos from this game," Gao Bo instructed Lin Sen. For young players, learning never stops.

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When the final whistle blew, Gao Bo celebrated the 4-0 victory with his players. The win allowed Luton to shift their focus to the fifth round of the FA Cup against Manchester City in the coming days.


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