On January 14, Southampton, without the "Winter-Western Combination", suffered a complete defeat in the away game.
When the final whistle sounded, the score was fixed at 0-3.
Losing to a mid-to-lower team like Queens Park Rangers, all of Southampton's shortcomings were highlighted through this game.
The defensive strength is not enough and the offensive power is not enough.
I can "make do" anywhere, but I'm not good at anything.
After two consecutive losses, Southampton, ranked fourth, has dropped to sixth. If it falls one step further, it will be out of the promotion circle.
At the post-match press conference, Keegan took the blame for the defeat on himself.
"As everyone can see, Dong's role on the court is very obvious."
"He is both the initiator of the offense and the most important line of defense in the defense."
"With him not on the court, the team's overall coordination is poor."
"This is my responsibility. A good team should not cause the overall imbalance or even collapse by the opponent just because a certain player is not on the court."
"After I return, I will work out countermeasures as soon as possible to bring Southampton back to the level of strength as soon as possible."
Keegan said this, but everyone knew in their hearts that the team's sudden decline in strength was not only because Wang Xiaodong was not on the court, Southampton also lost Walcott.
But now that Little Tiger has become a brand new gunner, there is no need to mention him again.
Southampton's immediate priority is how to quickly develop a new style of play around indispensable players like Wang Xiaodong.
However, the reporter who first spoke to ask questions did not get to the point of Southampton. In other words, he simply didn't want to follow Keegan's wishes.
"Excuse me, how are Southampton's recent signings going?"
The reporter from the "Mirror" did not mention Walcott's departure, but cleverly raised the topic in another way.
Isn't it because Southampton played like this today because the main forward has been transferred?
Since he has transferred, I won't mention it. I can ask you about your latest signings, right?
Hearing this question, Keegan also smiled bitterly.
He has said this countless times in recent days - he has no power in the transfer market.
The winter transfer window has opened, and Southampton has indeed made an olive branch to some Premier League forwards this winter.
But whether they are the main players, substitutes or those who are about to retire, many people do not want to come to the British Championship.
Although Southampton looks good from the situation, it is very hopeful to advance.
But the price you offered at Southampton is too low, right? ? ?
Is this sending beggars away?
There is no way, the Saints have also been in financial crisis in the past two years.
Especially after falling from the Premier League last season, they no longer have much money on hand, otherwise they would not sell their stars cheaply to pay off the debt.
It is precisely because of this that 16-year-old boys like Wang Xiaodong and Walcott will become the main players in the team.
Now, with the transfer issue before him again, Keegan shook his head and finally chose to say something useful to reporters so that they would not always think about it.
"The team's recruitment in the winter window was not very smooth. Shearer has made it clear that he will not come to Southampton."
As soon as Keegan opened his mouth, it was big news.
At least with this news, many reporters here can go back to work.
"To be honest, as a head coach, I am not optimistic about Shearer coming to Southampton."
Keegan spoke again, his appetite whetted again.
"I'm not saying he's not skilled, but he's too old."
"Today's Southampton is supported by a group of young people. If you are too old, you will be a little out of place."
"I'm more optimistic that the club's scouts will focus more on young people, whether they are young people in the English Championship or other levels or even the National League."
"If we can find another player like Theo, Southampton's current difficulties will be solved."
Keegan's remarks caused a small stir.
Many reporters curled their lips and summed up Keegan's idea as "naive."
Walcott was called "Little Rooney" by the British media. You have to know, what level of player is Rooney?
This kind of player can just say it? ? ?
What's more, Southampton not only has Walcott, but also Wang Xiaodong behind him.
Not satisfied with cultivating two supernovas in one season?
Want to make another one?
What a dream!
...
The next day, news came out from major media outlets in England. Reports about Southampton all described Keegan as a "fantasy maniac".
"The Times" - "Southampton encounters Waterloo, but the manager is committed to discovering new stars."
"The Sun" - "Without the little tiger Walcott, Southampton has cut off its wings."
The Guardian - "After two consecutive defeats, the Saints' pilgrimage has been bumpy."
Seeing such a headline, Jack was so angry that he lined up the newspapers on the table.
"Fart, it's all fart!"
"These guys are crazy about the wind and they talk about what's going on!"
"When Dong comes back, you must give them a slap in the face!"
"Let them know how powerful Southampton is with a medium-length perpetual motion machine + long-range turret!"
The assistant coach was furious, and Keegan waved his hand, "Don't be so angry. These guys are right in some respects."
"I really relied on Theo too much. I thought that with his strength, Southampton would never be able to keep him, but I didn't expect that he would leave so quickly and not even last a season."
"It's my fault."
"But there is no end to the road, and God has given us winter again."
"We don't need to always focus on what we have lost, we should cherish what we have in front of us."
"It's better to calm down and think about how to maximize Dong's advantage in the second half."
"With the potential that Dong has shown, as long as he performs normally, we still have a good chance of advancing."
"Don't forget, Dong is currently the top scorer in the League Cup!"
With Wang Xiaodong's current number of goals, even if he fails to score a single goal in the semifinals and is eliminated, he is very likely to win the Golden Boot.
"By the way, where is Dong? When will he come back?"
When Wang Xiaodong was mentioned, Keegan's face was filled with relief.
Think about it, if it hadn't been for that car accident, he might not have been able to discover the football genius that was Wang Xiaodong.
Thanks to God's luck and Wang Xiaodong's own efforts, Wang Xiaodong and Southampton can reach this point, both of which are indispensable.
"Well, Dong came back yesterday." Jack thought for a moment and said, "He also told me that he would come to see you today."
"Oh? Came back yesterday? This is not his character!"
Keegan was overjoyed. Wang Xiaodong used to rush to Southampton on the last night of vacation, and was often late for training the next morning.
His vacation hasn't ended yet, why did he come back early?
Could it be that you are anxious when you see your team losing?
This guy is quite a team player!
Just then, a loud voice came from the corridor.
"The boss is in the office?"
"Um, okay, thanks."
"I'll be there right away."
Jack and Keegan looked at each other and listened to the footsteps getting closer and closer outside the door, which really meant that Cao Cao Cao Cao had arrived.
"Bang bang bang!"
"Come in!" Keegan said with a smile.
"Bang." The office door was opened, and Wang Xiaodong rushed in anxiously.
"Hey, Dong, why did you come back so early this time? Could it be that you came back to save the team?"
"I'm not that great! I'm not Superman! Don't think too much, I won't go to the training ground even if I come back early." Wang Xiaodong rolled his eyes at Jack, "I'm here to introduce the team members to the boss."
After saying that, Wang Xiaodong turned around and shouted to the timid figure at the door: "What's the ink at the door? Come in with me!"
Keegan and Jack looked at each other, both looking toward the door curiously.
When they saw clearly who was coming, a question mark appeared on their foreheads.
If you recommend it, you recommend it. What does it mean to bring a monkey here? ? ?
