Chapter 22 Sword Pointing at the Bumblebee

The second half had just begun, and while Sheffield Wednesday's players were still settling into position, Zhao Gang unleashed another long shot. Unfortunately, the well-prepared goalkeeper managed to save it with a heroic effort.

Will clutched his head and sighed repeatedly. Even though it didn't go in, the shock it delivered was no less intense than the previous two goals.

He wasn't particularly concerned with whether this kind of long shot resulted in a goal. What he cared about was whether Zhao Gang's performance was genuine or just a lucky fluke.

Clearly, there was a high probability it wasn't a fluke.

This kind of long shot tested more than just technique; it also required talent.

There were plenty of hardworking players, but it was rare to develop a shot with this level of skill and power.

Especially since Zhao Gang didn't need to adjust at all, striking the incoming ball directly. This wasn't something that could be achieved with technique alone!

"Hey, don't substitute him off!!!" When the game reached the sixty-fifth minute and Ospina scored another goal, making it 3-0, Farke began making substitutions.

Will sat in the stands, wanting to continue watching Zhao Gang's shots.

But Farke wasn't giving him the chance.

"Substituting the key players so early, what does Farke mean by this…" Rode looked meaningfully at Brooke, implying this was his time to shine.

"Farke is finally being smart for once! He's no longer satisfied with the Championship; he's preparing for the upcoming Europa League!

Yes! We can all wait and see Norwich shine in the Europa League!!"

The rest of the game was uneventful. Norwich secured their fifth consecutive league win, completely escaping the relegation zone!

Norwich fans were ecstatic, but the Dragon Country fans were unhappy. A Dragon Country main player had finally emerged on the European stage, scoring an average of two goals per game and becoming a source of hope for fans. But this coach was so clueless, substituting him off early!

These Dragon Country fans were true fanboys. They wouldn't care even if Norwich lost, as long as Zhao Gang kept scoring.

Now, with nearly thirty minutes left, Zhao Gang had been taken off!

The fans praised Zhao Gang endlessly while cursing Farke.

Five minutes later, almost no one was left in the live stream.

Who would watch a Championship game between Norwich and Sheffield Wednesday?

The technical staff behind the scenes scratched their heads. This situation wasn't good for the platform.

The traffic belonged to Zhao Gang, not the platform!

Only Zhao Gang could guarantee viewership!

The local Norwich sports newspaper continued to lavish praise, declaring Zhao Gang, the king of Carrow Road, was about to be crowned!

As the fans had hoped, in the fifth round of the Europa League in midweek, Norwich defeated Molde 3-1 at home. Zhao Gang only scored one goal, earning 6 points over two rounds!

If they could defeat Borussia Dortmund in the next round, they would advance directly!

In the 20th round of the Championship, Norwich effortlessly won 2-0 against Wigan Athletic away from home.

Zhao Gang, who came on as a substitute in the seventieth minute, scored a goal to add the finishing touch.

Six consecutive wins!

Zhao Gang scored a total of ten goals in six consecutive rounds, averaging one goal every thirty minutes. This terrifying scoring efficiency had caught the attention of all Championship teams.

Will attended every one of these games, even when Perrin wasn't there.

At first, he thought Zhao Gang's shot selection was extremely unreasonable, but later he realized that Zhao Gang's choices were all reasonable!

What does "reasonable" mean?

Anything that brings threat and hits within the frame of the goal is reasonable!

Zhao Gang's twelve shots resulted in four goals, with only two going wide!

This scoring efficiency was simply terrifying.

"Next Thursday, next Thursday against Dortmund, if you perform like this, I will definitely recommend you to Josep. Next season, you will be a member of Manchester City. Don't let me down." Will looked at Zhao Gang, who had already left the field, and made his decision.

The Championship level might not be great, but what about Dortmund?

Dortmund should be able to see Zhao Gang's true strength, right?

Because of the team's eight-game winning streak, Zhao Gang received system points again.

He had accumulated 21 points without using them, because he found that his physical confrontation was already sufficient in the Championship.

He hadn't decided which aspect of his abilities to improve.

Dribbling or passing? Choosing dribbling would allow him to hold onto the ball and pose a greater threat to the opponent.

But passing was also a very good option, allowing him to play more cooperatively with his teammates.

So he had been hesitating between these two choices.

Next Thursday, they would face their biggest challenge.

These system points should be used.

Zhao Gang glanced at his passing and dribbling stats.

Passing, 41, dribbling, 37, simply amateurish.

It seemed that putting all the points into one stat wouldn't improve it by much.

"Put all points into passing." After all, adding 21 points would bring it above 60, which was considered a passing grade.

"Host consumes 20 system points to acquire a new rating item: Speed."

Zhao Gang glanced at his speed rating, which was okay at 66. It was mediocre.

"Host consumes 20 system points, acquiring a system reward. Please choose:

One: 95-point Speed Experience Card. After use, the maximum speed will break through the host's limit within ten minutes, reaching 95 points.

Two: 95-point Passing Experience Card. After use, the passing rating will reach 95 points within 30 minutes."

This time there was a choice. Last time, there was only one set-piece experience card.

If he was fast but couldn't dribble or control the ball, being fast wouldn't be useful!

Moreover, the passing experience card lasted for 30 minutes, making it far more cost-effective than the speed experience card.

Zhao Gang understood the key point and directly chose the passing experience card.

Norwich's local sports TV station was replaying an interview with Farke.

The reporter, of course, asked about Farke's views on the Europa League.

Everyone knew Farke's lineup was aimed at the Europa League.

But Farke consistently denied this.

"Our focus has always been on the Championship. The Europa League is not something a team of our level should strive for." Norwich's management had always prioritized the Championship.

The Europa League had never been on the management's radar. Even if Farke had changed his mind, he wouldn't tell the media that the team was aiming to compete in the Europa League.

Because Norwich didn't have the energy or the strength.

If he said he wanted to compete for the Europa League, he would face enormous pressure if the league results went wrong.

Now, with six consecutive league wins, the management didn't dare to question Farke's lineup.

Once the league had problems, Farke's Europa League starting lineup would become a point of attack for the management.

Therefore, he dared not mention that he was interested in the Europa League.

Zhao Gang clenched his fist, understanding the difficulties Farke faced.

He had a responsibility to share Farke's pressure.

Because Farke was the most responsible coach.