After three more league games, Southampton only achieved 1 win, 1 draw and 1 loss.
In the first 7 games of the season, 2 wins, 3 draws and 2 losses accumulated 9 points, ranking eighth in the standings.
This time we were away to Sheffield Wednesday. The topic that reporters were most concerned about was whether the teenager who was suspended for three games as soon as he came on the field would play.
Kevin Keegan is being honest because there is no room for cover in this matter.
The game was about to start, and he admitted that Wang Xiaodong would still appear on the bench in this game.
He also promised that if the team needs to make up for the defensive gap, Wang Xiaodong has every opportunity to play.
But this is not what the media and fans want to hear. They really want to know whether Keegan will arrange Wang Xiaodong's position further forward so that he can be closer to the opponent's goal.
Facing this question, Keegan shook his head decisively.
"Dong is a very good defensive player, and his running can often connect the whole team. His biggest role is defense. In terms of offense, we will have another candidate!"
Speaking of which, reporters discovered that there was a guy who was a few days younger than Wang Xiaodong in Southampton's starting lineup today.
It's just that this player made his debut half a month later than Wang Xiaodong, so he unfortunately became the second youngest player in the history of Southampton.
When it comes to this player, Kevin Keegan talks a lot.
"...He is very fast, has a strong sense of running, and has a keen sense of smell in front of the goal. His ball control and shooting skills are also top-notch. In a few years, this player will definitely become England's leading forward!"
After hearing Kevin Keegan's comments, most people had a disdainful attitude.
It's very common to brag about one's talent before a game. Whether it's a mule or a horse, you need to take it out for a walk first.
Two 16-year-old boys were selected into the team's roster, and one of them was a starter. The home fans booed before the game even started.
Last season, Sheffield Wednesday defeated Brentford and Hartlepool in the promotion play-offs before being promoted to the Championship.
The dream of every promoted team is to be promoted continuously, so when facing Southampton, who also aimed to upgrade, 30,000 home fans turned Hillsborough Stadium into hell early.
As soon as Walcott stepped onto the court, he was greeted by a wave of heat.
The roar of tens of thousands of fans shocked the young man who was playing for the first team for the first time.
At this moment, a figure jumped out from behind and headed straight for the visiting team's stands.
"Hey, did you miss me?"
Wang Xiaodong opened his arms and roared loudly, as if he was the master here.
"Aha! Dong, long time no see!"
"Dong, one more, one more!"
"Dong, come on, we are optimistic about you!"
The same fans, but the completely opposite reaction from the last game!
Seeing that his fans have become so supportive of him, Wang Xiaodong also grinned, you guys know each other!
Just when he was about to say hello in front of the home team fans, the security guard quickly pulled the restless owner back.
"Dong, just say hello to our fans. Don't mess with the home team fans this time." Jack wiped his sweat. He was afraid that Wang Xiaodong would get excited and greet the home team fans again.
"Don't worry, as long as they don't mess with me, I won't take the initiative to mess with them."
"Uh...well, Dong, I suggest you wear earplugs."
Just kidding, how can any fan of the home team not provoke the players of the visiting team?
...
After the game started, Walcott's performance was indeed eye-catching.
With this little tiger on the right, almost any ball that Sheffield Wednesday's defenders think is too big will be caught up by Walcott and form an attack.
A simple and effective long pass from one wing, no need for two wings to fly together, one wing flapping is enough for Sheffield Wednesday.
The game lasted 20 minutes. Southampton had a total of 4 shots, but unfortunately none of them posed a threat to Sheffield Wednesday's goal.
"Has great potential, but lacks experience!" A middle-aged man wearing sunglasses wrote in his notebook in the stands.
Walcott may have been too excited for his first appearance.
Whenever he uses his speed to break through the opponent's defense, he doesn't know how to kick.
When it was time to pass, he made an extra dash. When it was time to shoot, he shot directly. When it was time to shoot, he lost confidence and handed the ball to a teammate who was in a worse position.
Judging from his performance in these 20 minutes, Walcott is still a complete rookie.
But that's surprising enough.
Everyone knows that Southampton has introduced a talented young player this season, and it turns out today that he has truly lived up to his reputation.
Someone like Walcott whose talent can be seen at a glance is exactly what Premier League teams are competing for.
Too immature?
That's not a problem!
Southampton is a good training stage.
As long as he is given a season to grow, he will definitely become the first-class forward that Kevin Keegan calls him!
Just as various scouts were recording Walcott's on-the-spot performance, the situation on the field suddenly changed.
The home team Sheffield Wednesday suddenly strengthened their physical confrontation and even pushed the defense all the way to the midfield, starting an active fight in the center circle.
Coupled with some exaggerated foul actions, Southampton, who was not adapting for a while, immediately became passive.
As soon as he caught the ball, he was knocked down by his opponent's diagonal collision. The central defender over there hurriedly came over to respond, but was knocked to the ground again by another opponent.
However, these actions are very "clean" and are almost completely ignored in the eyes of the referee.
England has always focused on physical confrontation, and physical confrontation is the mainstream no matter which league it is.
So much so that in this country, a sport created by gentlemen, the Premier League is unanimously called "barbaric" by fans from other countries.
But such are the rules and such is the custom.
While the downed player was still looking eagerly at the referee, hoping to get a "fair" penalty, Sheffield Wednesday's forward took the opportunity to start a fast break.
With a powerful through ball, the backcourt immediately transformed into a 3-on-3 situation.
Eagles pedaled the ball into the Southampton penalty area on his bicycle. When he attracted two defenders to defend, he suddenly made a light move. Graham, who came in from behind on the other side, easily scored the ball.
No one expected that Southampton, which had been attacking all the way just now, would fall behind like this.
There were loud boos in the visiting team's stands. The fans were dissatisfied with the referee and even more dissatisfied with the home team who took the opportunity to launch an attack.
But the louder voice overshadowed the visiting team fans. In the eyes of the 30,000 home team fans, they deserved this goal.
"Dong, Dong, what do you want to do?"
"calm down!"
"Don't cause any trouble!"
Fernandez and substitute goalkeeper Smith teamed up to hug Wang Xiaodong. Even so, Wang Xiaodong still dragged the two of them forward step by step.
"Dong, calm down, what you are doing is completely meaningless!" Assistant coach Jack also walked over quickly to dissuade him, "Mr. Keegan has already expressed his dissatisfaction with the fourth official. We just need to sit here quietly."
Wang Xiaodong took a deep breath and tried to calm down.
But looking at the proud faces of the home fans, they still clenched their fists.
"Coach Jack, that referee is a black whistle!"
"Shhh!!!"
Jack was shocked.
"Dong, don't say this nonsense! Whether it's a black whistle or not, you have to report it to the FA and let them make a decision!"
"Waiting for them to make a decision? The day lily is already cold!" Wang Xiaodong said disdainfully, "Why don't you let me go up and beat him down first. I would rather be expelled from the field with him!"
Upon hearing Wang Xiaodong's bold words, a few drops of cold sweat suddenly flowed from the foreheads of the three of them.
The three of them looked at each other and nodded at the same time.
"This guy must not be allowed off the bench!"
...
Sure enough, Southampton's protest was ineffective and the game continued with the visiting team kicking off at midfield.
After the game restarted, the home team became even more unscrupulous.
Their offense became more and more fierce, relying on the referee's "home whistle" to launch "personal attacks" on the visiting team members at all costs.
The Saints fought back and forth, defending and fighting with all their might. It often takes two or three people falling to the ground in a row to attract the referee's attention.
In this way, when the referee blew the whistle to end the first half, Southampton barely held on to a one-goal disadvantage.
This time, Wang Xiaodong was once again left on the court to warm up so that he could be replaced at any time.
Fernandez was also given the task of staying by Wang Xiaodong's side at all times to prevent him from doing anything extraordinary.
However, this time Wang Xiaodong suddenly became very obedient. Although the home team fans were booing him wherever he went, he kept squinting as if he was thinking about something.
After the start of the second half, Kevin Keegan made no personnel adjustments. Apparently he still had a glimmer of "hope" for the referee's penalty.
But soon, within ten minutes Kevin Keegan couldn't sit still.
What a bully!
The team's four midfielders were knocked down in turn. After one stood up, the other fell again.
Although everyone managed to get up in the end, when faced with the opponent's attack, they all lost their confidence.
They were scared of being hit!
If this continues, no one in the midfield will dare to take the ball, so what's the point?
Kevin Keegan waved his hand, and Wang Xiaodong was called to his side again.
"Dong, you only have one mission after taking the field..."
"I know!" Wang Xiaodong clenched his fist loudly, obviously he had been waiting for a long time.
"You know?" Keegan turned to look at Wang Xiaodong doubtfully.
Wang Xiaodong's body is streamlined, and there is nothing visible from the outside. But only those who have actually played against him know how hard and powerful those muscles he hides in his jersey are.
Just as Smoker and Mike wrote in their recommendation comments for Wang Xiaodong: "...Dong's biggest role is not to fight, but when no player dares to fight, he can still rush to the front line... "
Now, it’s time for Wang Xiaodong to realize his value!
At the moment when Keegan was stunned, Wang Xiaodong had already completed the connection with Pruton, who had replaced him.
The moment he stepped onto the court, a burst of enthusiastic cheers suddenly erupted from the visiting team's stands.
"winter!!!"
"Dong, enter another one!!!"
"Dong, it's up to you!!!"
Looking at Wang Xiaodong's back, Keegan still shouted uneasily: "Wong, repeat it to me, what is your mission?"
Wang Xiaodong pointed at the referee domineeringly: "Kill that eccentric guy!"
Keegan: "???"
