Football Card System

Lin Sen knew that Gao Bo's assignment was a test—one that would determine whether he could stay on the coaching staff. Luton's matches continued, and Lin Sen, confident in his abilities, dived into his work.

After overcoming the penalty deduction, Luton had shown tremendous spirit. This season, the Second Division had no team with absolute dominance, and Luton's 11-game winning streak was nothing short of miraculous. They had become the league's standout story.

In the 12th round of the league, Luton's opponent was Grimsby Town, a team with a long history in the Second Division. Grimsby had settled into mediocrity over the years, neither rising nor falling, seemingly content with their status. However, this season, their form before the 10th round had been dismal—eight losses, two draws, and just two points. They were relegation contenders.

In the 9th round, after a 4-4 draw against Rotherham, Grimsby fired their coach and replaced him with Mike Newell, a Liverpool native.

The coaching change worked wonders. In the next three games, including two league matches and a League Cup tie, Grimsby won all three without conceding a single goal.

"This is a team that excels in defense and counterattacks! Their defense is solid, and we need to prepare for that!" Gao Bo warned his players in the locker room before the match.

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Once the players walked out of the tunnel, disaster struck for Luton.

In just the second minute, Grimsby launched a swift counterattack. Their speedy winger Chris Jones dribbled all the way to the edge of the penalty area and unleashed a stunning long-range strike, giving Grimsby an early 1-0 lead.

Gao Bo erupted on the sidelines.

"Wake up!!! Are you still asleep?!"

His furious outburst startled the players, but the early deficit rattled them. Grimsby fell back into a compact defensive shell, packing their penalty area and showing no interest in attacking further.

With an 11-game winning streak, Luton was considered the strongest team in the Second Division. Grimsby, clearly the underdog, hunkered down, relying on sheer numbers to block Luton's attacks.

Breaking down a compact defense is one of football's toughest challenges, and for Luton, it proved insurmountable.

Gao Bo knew his team's strength wasn't in breaking down stubborn defenses. With players like Kante and Drinkwater excelling in defensive midfield roles, Luton thrived in counterattacks. But now, as a dominant team in the league, they were facing more opponents who employed ultra-defensive strategies. Gao Bo realized this would be a recurring challenge if he couldn't improve their ability to break down tight defenses.

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At halftime, Gao Bo adjusted his strategy, emphasizing the importance of long-range shots. Both Kante and Drinkwater were capable of striking from distance. Even if the dense defense held, repeated attempts might create chaos in the penalty area, providing opportunities for strikers like Vardy.

Gao Bo also thought of Adam White, a promising 17-year-old recently signed by the youth academy. A player with good dribbling ability might have been the key to unlocking Grimsby's defense.

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In the 87th minute, Drinkwater's long-range shot finally broke the deadlock, bringing Luton level. However, they couldn't push for a winner and had to settle for a 1-1 draw.

The draw ended Luton's winning streak, much to the relief of other Second Division teams. Grimsby's defensive masterclass demonstrated that Luton was not invincible when faced with compact defenses.

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On October 22, in the 13th round of the league, Luton faced eighth-placed Burley away. Burley, like Grimsby, adopted a defensive strategy from the outset.

Luton struggled once again. With no wingers capable of breaking through defenses, Kevin Keane and Lewis Emanuel found it hard to create opportunities. Their full-backs lacked attacking prowess, leaving the team overly reliant on their central players. But with nine or ten defenders blocking the center, Luton's attacks were neutralized.

Long-range shots and hopeful crosses into the box became Luton's primary strategies, but they were inefficient. Gao Bo, watching from the sidelines, couldn't hide his frustration.

However, fortune smiled on Luton. In the 81st minute, Solo Davis delivered a cross that was cleared to the edge of the penalty area. Drinkwater met it with a volley, sending the ball on a dipping trajectory into the net.

With this spectacular strike, Luton secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory.

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Luton's points tally reached seven after the match. The victory moved them up the standings, overtaking Chesterfield and Forest Green Rovers. For the first time this season, they climbed out of the relegation zone, ranking 22nd in the league.