Lazy Genius Striker [EN]: Chapter 29

“Okay. That should do it.”

*Click* Upload button.

Rohan closed his laptop and stretched.

He had just posted a lengthy column on Hammers.com.

The title of the column was,

‘What to Watch for Next Season, Based on the Pre-Season.’

It was a column written after thoroughly analyzing all three games West Ham played during the pre-season.

“Feels good.”

Overall, the tone of the column was positive.

It couldn’t be helped, because:

First of all, the results were good.

A 5-1 victory in the first game against Cardiff City.

Following that, they won against Fulham and Wolverhampton 3-1 and 2-1, respectively.

Cardiff City and Fulham were Championship [the division below the Premier League] teams, so that was to be expected, but the win against Wolverhampton was a very encouraging result.

Because Wolverhampton’s ranking last season was 8th, higher than West Ham’s.

They didn’t just beat the weaker teams, but also defeated a team with similar power, and won all three games, so regardless of the details, the results were good.

And it wasn’t like the details were bad either.

Many of the problems pointed out last season seemed to have been improved.

First of all,

The performances of the new recruits were decent.

Nathan and Buckley, who started all three games instead of Barton and Coleman, who were the starting wingers until last season.

They played a significant role in raising the team’s energy level with their vigorous activity and injecting vitality into the team.

Martin Petrovic, who was signed as a left full-back, and new goalkeeper Jeff Hurrichel also showed decent performances.

All four signed players appeared in the games and proved that they were ready to contribute immediately.

It was a signing that could only be praised for Schmidt’s eye for talent.

And, above all.

The most encouraging achievement was, of course, Johan.

In fact, the biggest big signing, Johan.

Johan was responsible for the victory by scoring the winning goal in all three games.

Johan solved West Ham’s problem of the absence of a No. 9 [center forward] in one fell swoop.

Johan’s performance during the pre-season was a performance that seemed enough to aim for the top scorer this season.

That’s why Rohan dedicated about half of the column to Johan.

‘It’s not because he’s my brother.’

It wasn’t a story he was telling because he was his brother.

This column, like always, was written from the perspective of ‘Barnyboy,’ a passionate fan who thoroughly loves West Ham.

Objectively, the core of West Ham this season was Johan, no matter what anyone said.

‘So there are some things I’m worried about.’

Looking at just the three pre-season games,

Overall, it was a performance that could be given a score of about 9 out of 10.

However, it wasn’t like there were no worries at all.

The biggest concern among them was,

The responsibility given to Johan is very great.

Of the 10 goals West Ham scored in the pre-season, 8 came from Johan’s feet.

The remaining 2 goals were created by defenders with their heads in set-piece situations.

It was an abnormally biased scoring distribution.

Of course, it was a happy thing that his brother Johan was sweeping up all the goals.

But that’s why he was worried too.

Because the responsibility Johan had to bear was that much greater.

‘That burden will be even greater when we meet strong teams.’

During the pre-season, West Ham showed an almost central-focused attack pattern.

4 out of 5 attacks were through the center.

The remaining one was on the left, and the right felt almost abandoned.

This was probably because Nathan and Buckley, the two wingers, lacked offensive abilities,

And the right side was especially weak due to right full-back Mikael Jenkinson.

The left full-back, Petrovic, was a full-back with crossing ability.

But Jenkinson lacked crosses.

Since both wingers are central-oriented, the full-backs’ overlapping is not a necessity but a must.

Since Jenkinson is not confident in crosses, the attack pattern is bound to be simple.

In the end, the burden concentrated on Johan was clearly a problem that had to be solved at some point.

Good defensive teams will focus on marking Johan, unless they’re stupid.

Because the structure is that they only need to block Johan.

Whether they solve it from the left and right, or Johan breaks through with unbelievable power.

This was West Ham’s task for the future.

‘It’s also Johan’s task.’

Above all, the key is stamina and injury management.

If Johan is missing from the current squad, the balance will be greatly disrupted.

Therefore, Johan is likely to appear in every game as much as possible.

The Premier League is rough, and there is also the annual event called Boxing Day [a day after Christmas, traditionally featuring many football matches].

He will have to put more effort into injury and stamina management than anything else. Especially for Johan, who will be having his first full-time season.

‘As his brother, I wish I could help him somehow···.’

Rohan is lost in thought.

Is there anything he can do to help?

Rohan reopened his laptop and started searching the internet.

ㆍㆍㆍ

“Do you know this person?”

“No. I don’t know him.”

“I feel bad for some reason. This person’s writing.”

“Why?”

“It’s too accurate.”

“Yeah. He wrote the strengths and weaknesses so clearly that I’m afraid other team officials will see it.”

“Find out who he is.”

“Me? I’m busy. You know that.”

“Then should I find out?”

“Ugh. Okay. I understand.”

Coach Schmidt clicked his tongue as he looked at Coach Jamie, who was grumbling.

He was such a young guy for a head coach that he felt more like a troublemaking grandson than a head coach.

Come to think of it,

All of West Ham’s coaching staff, including Coach Jamie, are young.

There are many coaches who look like players at first glance.

Perhaps that was Coach Schmidt’s preference.

Coach Schmidt liked young coaches as much as young players.

It was like he was trying to maintain balance by filling the people around him with young blood, since he was an old-fashioned football player.

“Anyway, how is Jenkinson doing?”

“Jenkinson? He went to training until the end yesterday. He’s working hard.”

“That’s obvious, but what about the results?”

“Um. I think it will take some time.”

Coach Schmidt’s eyes stopped at one player as he looked at the players training.

Mikael Jenkinson, a 24-year-old Danish player.

He is currently the starting right back.

But the fact that the word ‘currently’ is attached to the starting lineup meant that Jenkinson’s play during the pre-season was not perfect.

“Time. We don’t have much time.”

Jenkinson has been with West Ham for three years this year, and in terms of conditions, he was the type that Coach Schmidt couldn’t help but like.

185cm, a decent height for a full-back, quite fast feet and good defensive power, and a high understanding of tactics.

And even a more diligent personality than anyone else.

Coach Schmidt always thought that players with such good tools would eventually explode someday.

Jenkinson was a player who had been steadily used since two years ago, when the surrounding evaluations were not very good.

Because he believed that he would continue to develop if given time.

But,

The situation was a little different now.

Even if everything else was okay, one of Jenkinson’s weaknesses was very fatal right now.

That was his crossing ability.

Jenkinson lacked crosses.

A full-back is a defensive position, but crossing ability is also a very important part.

This is even more true given West Ham’s current situation.

Since the wingers in the front spend a lot of time playing in the center, the left and right full-backs have to go out for overlapping.

Also, since Johan’s aerial ability is good, the option of side crosses could not be abandoned.

That was also the reason why Martin Petrovic on the left was signed.

Petrovic was good at crosses, whether it was early crosses or running crosses from deep positions.

However, if only Petrovic’s crosses are used, it is too easy for the opponent to read the pattern.

In the end, there will definitely be a situation where the right side where Jenkinson plays must also be used,

That’s why Coach Schmidt had Jenkinson focus on practicing crosses throughout the pre-season.

“Look at that guy. Where is he kicking?”

But he wasn’t satisfied yet.

No, to be honest, it’s very lacking.

If Jenkinson’s cross doesn’t improve by winter.

Coach Schmidt was also thinking of signing a new right back with tears in his eyes.

So,

Jenkinson doesn’t have much time.

“For now, he’s working harder than anyone else, so we’ll have to wait a little longer.”

“Hmm.”

If Jenkinson comes up quickly, we’ll be able to create more diverse scoring routes.

Hmmm.

ㆍㆍㆍ

August 15, 2027.

London Stadium.

Today is the day of the 2027/28 season opener.

West Ham, who finished 11th in the league last season, brought Crystal Palace home.

“Ugh, it was hard during the summer. It’s finally starting!”

“Now my weekends won’t be boring.”

The road from London Stratford Station to London Stadium was filled with people wearing West Ham uniforms.

The season opener is always lively with football fans.

But the reason why there are so many West Ham uniforms today is.

Perhaps it is because there is a player who makes you look forward to the new season.

“Huh? Did you just say that was the last one?”

“I’m sorry. The on-site quantity is sold out. Please use the online mall.”

“Ah, damn it. You mean it was sold out online too.”

“Please wait for restocking. I’m sorry.”

The London Stadium was already crowded an hour before the game started.

The store selling uniforms and goods was packed.

What was particularly noticeable was that among the players’ uniforms hanging on the stand, only one space was left empty.

Only that player’s uniform was sold out as soon as the store opened.

“Phew. I’ve been here for hours to get this. Fortunately, it was the last one.”

The envious eyes of the people around him are focused on the fan who bought the last remaining uniform.

It was an item that was sold out online.

Anyway, restocking will come soon, but those who were excited about wearing that uniform and cheering today couldn’t help but be envious.

VAN

9

In the man’s hand was a uniform marked with the name VAN and the number 9.

With the start of the new season, Johan was newly assigned the number 9.

The meaning of the number 9 in football is clear.

The striker who is responsible for the team’s scoring, the striker.

West Ham fans had been disappointed by the lack of this definite number 9.

But, watching the end of last season and the pre-season.

West Ham fans were happy that they finally had a proper number 9.

And,

I was ready.

I was ready to jump around in this uniform when a goal was scored today.

*

“Wow, good seats.”

“Hmm. I don’t like this seat very much.”

“Why? It’s great.”

The London Stadium was filled with spectators.

And Ban Seok-ho, Rohan, and Kim Ra-hee took their seats in the VIP seats located in the center of the stadium.

It was thanks to receiving a VIP season ticket from the club that allowed them to use the VIP seats throughout the season.

Unlike Rohan and Kim Ra-hee, who were excited about the good seats, Ban Seok-ho looked reluctant.

“It’s a seat that’s often caught on camera.”

“Why, are you worried about showing your ugly side again? It’s okay. What if you’re a little ugly?”

“···Was I that ugly?”

“I told you it’s okay. You looked a little crazy, but that can happen.”

“···”

VIP seats are seats where famous people sit, so they are often caught on camera.

Ban Seok-ho loses his mind whenever Johan scores a goal.

He’s worried that that image will be captured again today.

But,

Well, who cares.

Still, if Johan scores a goal, he can suffer as much disgrace as he wants.

“Okay, let’s go.”

“Five goals today! Son, fighting!”

“Brother, I believe in you!”

The players from West Ham and Crystal Palace appeared on the pitch.

*

The game started with a huge roar announcing the opening.

Crystal Palace came out with a 4-3-3 formation [a common football formation with four defenders, three midfielders, and three forwards], and West Ham, facing them, came out with a 4-2-3-1 [another common formation with four defenders, two defensive midfielders, three attacking midfielders, and one striker].

The same starting eleven as in the pre-season came out.

“Hey!”

“Catch him! Man!”

As with any opening game, the game started fiercely from the beginning.

Moreover, it is a match between 9th and 11th place last season.

Whether it’s the championship, mid-table, or relegation zone.

A match between teams fighting for similar positions is bound to be more fierce.

Is that why.

“Pee-eep-!”

How long has the game been going on? The referee’s whistle is already blowing non-stop.

Whistle if the pass is connected three or four times.

Whistle if you dribble three steps.

Whistle, whistle, whistle.

At this rate, the first half will be over 5 minutes of extra time.

It is definitely a game where you can feel that both teams are willing to play rough, and you can feel their will not to give up the atmosphere.

So, when the first 10 minutes passed,

The number of fouls on both teams exceeded 10.

“Jamie.”

“Yes?”

“Calm the kids down.”

“Yes.”

In this game flow,

How both teams handle these fouls will become a very important variable.

Fouls are an important element that cannot be ignored in running a game.

There are many cases where you lose the game in vain due to failure to manage fouls.

for example.

If the atmosphere becomes aggressive like now,

“Hey! Why are you kicking my leg, you son of a bitch!”

“What are you talking about? Speak in English, you bastard.”

“You son of a bitch!?”

The players’ emotions are bound to become aggressive.

What inevitably follows is,

A card.

“Give him a warning! That’s right!”

“Me? Me? I’m being warned?”

“What are you arguing about! The referee saw it clearly!”

The first warning of this season is given to Crystal Palace in the 11th minute of the first half.

A warning received not long after the game started is quite painful.

Because you are afraid of accumulating warnings, your play is bound to become passive.

The tense atmosphere can change rapidly with just one yellow card.

Also, the reason why foul management is important.

Secondly.

“Pee-eep-!”

Foul location.

The whistle blew again right in front of the Palace side’s arc.

A sufficient position to attempt a direct shot right away.

You should avoid fouls in dangerous areas as much as possible, but Palace failed to do so.

They made a stupid foul, not a smart foul.

And as a result, they gave up a free kick in a dangerous area.

“···””···”

Several West Ham players gather around the ball. Then the players cover their mouths with their hands and talk.

It seems like they are discussing who will kick it,

One by one, they began to disperse.

Only one player remained around the ball.

And, at that moment.

“···”

The spectators watching the scene felt a strange feeling.

What should I say.

When you watch soccer, there are times when you get a strange feeling.

It feels like something is about to explode in the next moment.

That feeling began to linger in the London Stadium now.

The spectators were mesmerized,

One by one, they started taking out their cell phones.

It was to record a video.

“Pee-eep-!”

Johan looked over the wall and prepared for his first free kick of the game.