Simmons successfully joined Blackburn, which also caused a small-scale commotion among Cambridge fans.
Although Simmons only played for Cambridge United for half a season, his repeated achievements on the field left a deep impression on Cambridge United's fans.
Now that the team sold their rising star for only 300,000 pounds, it naturally caused dissatisfaction among the fans. Huang Hao, under pressure, had to declare through the media that the transfer was entirely at Simmons' personal request, and the club merely passively accepted the deal, which slightly appeased the fans' discontent.
At this time, there was only one week left until the end of the winter transfer window, but the scouting team had not brought any surprises to Huang Hao.
Even though selling Simmons brought in 300,000 pounds, Huang Hao did not want to settle for just spending money in the transfer market, especially since Tadić could perfectly take over after half a season of adaptation.
So Ouyang Bing used all 300,000 pounds to repay debts, and the club's debt once again shrunk to 9.5 million pounds, but it still dominated all lower-level clubs.
Looking at Vardy on the training ground, Huang Hao couldn't help but think of several famous inspirational figures in the Premier League later on.
Southampton, a city in southern England, Huang Hao found Tyrone Mings training with the U13s. After a simple conversation, Mings, who was not doing well in Southampton, readily agreed to join Cambridge United. The reason was that Huang Hao's reputation for skillfully using young players had spread throughout England as Cambridge United rose online, proving that being a popular team on the internet had its benefits.
The next morning, Huang Hao flew to Paris and then took an hour's drive to the outskirts of Paris. The destination was Suresnes. Suresnes Club was only a ninth-tier team in France. After meeting with the club, he found that Kante was indeed there, and Suresnes had only signed a part-time contract with Kante. Huang Hao successfully brought Kante back after paying 5,000 euros in youth training compensation.
Leaving Suresnes, Huang Hao immediately rushed to Sarcelles, where he met Mahrez, who was also on the fringes of his team. After painting a grand picture for him, the disheartened Mahrez and Kante returned to Cambridge United with Huang Hao.
In the end, the winter transfer window closed. Cambridge United did not bring in any immediate combat power, but the addition of three future stars could ensure that when Cambridge United stepped onto the Premier League stage, they would also have their own world-class youth players.
Cambridge United once again faced a top-of-the-League clash, challenging current second-placed Lincoln City away from home. The two teams were currently separated by as many as 9 points. This was a true six-point match. Defeating Lincoln City would practically ensure Cambridge United clinched the League title.
Lincoln City, nicknamed the Imps, had an outstanding defense this season. After 31 rounds, the team had only conceded 30 goals, ranking first in League Two.
Cambridge United, on the other hand, was the team with the most goals this season, having scored 88 goals in 31 matches.
This contest of spear and shield not only attracted live coverage from BT Sport but also drew 9,400 fans to the stadium! Sincil Bank Stadium, which can accommodate over 10,000 spectators, was almost full!
Looking around, almost all of them were the red and black colors representing the home team, a spectacular sight!
Peterborough United's Head Coach Dino also came to Sincil Bank Stadium for this match, attempting to learn from Lincoln City how to break down Cambridge United, in preparation for the upcoming grudge match against Cambridge United.
After all, he had already lost twice to Cambridge United this season, and if he suffered a third consecutive defeat, his position as Head Coach might be in jeopardy.
Huang Hao did not have too many special arrangements for this match. After all, if Cambridge United wanted to secure a place in League One, their future opponents would only be stronger than Lincoln City. Therefore, Lincoln City was a good test.
This was Andy's third time commentating on a Cambridge United match. Now, Andy could easily call out Huang Hao's name.
This once unknown Oriental man had earned his respect with his dazzling achievements.
“Good afternoon, dear ladies and gentlemen! On this sunny afternoon, I will bring you an exciting top-of-the-League clash in Football League Two!”
“Currently, Cambridge United and Lincoln City occupy the top two spots in the standings. Although Lincoln City lost to Cambridge United away from home, the Imps have the home advantage today. Let's wait and see if they can win today's six-point battle and keep the suspense at the top of the League going!”
“Cambridge United just lost their talented young player Simmons in the winter transfer window. I wonder if dear Huang Hao will miss him in this match~”
Amidst Andy's chatter, the match officially began. Lincoln City today deployed a standard 4-3-2-1 defensive counter-attacking formation, concentrating their forces in the midfield to prevent Cambridge United from using their speed to get in behind them.
Huang Hao saw the choice made by Lincoln City's Head Coach John David Schofield and showed a disdainful smile. Huang Hao's speed was not limited to just the forwards; such a formation undoubtedly gave Cambridge United's wingers ample space to play.
Indeed, from the start, Dzeko and Vardy received full attention from Lincoln City, being frequently kicked to the ground by the opponents. As expected of the team currently ranked first in defense in League Two, they were indeed formidable!
Just 4 minutes into the match, Lincoln City received their first yellow card. Dzeko was directly kicked down by a Lincoln City defender! He rolled on the ground, clutching his left leg in pain.
Huang Hao frowned slightly. It seemed Lincoln City had truly grasped the essence of his own defense; the opponent was using his own methods against him! But Lincoln City underestimated the resilience of his players!
After a brief treatment, Dzeko stood back on the field, still fearlessly charging towards Lincoln City's half, completely unaffected by the foul!
It must be said that Lincoln City's strategy of dense defense achieved good results in the early stages. Although Cambridge United quickly took the initiative on the field, several shots, apart from flying wide, were blocked by Lincoln City players sacrificing their bodies, making Huang Hao sigh, wishing he had Robert Carlos, how satisfying that would be!
In the 16th minute of the match, Vardy, who had almost dropped back to midfield, won a header and passed it to Dzeko up front. Lincoln City, knowing Dzeko's breakthrough ability, immediately became tense, and three players simultaneously rushed towards Dzeko, completely ignoring Tadić who was cutting in from the wing!
Dzeko skillfully chipped the ball, making the rushing Lincoln City players look up in awe! The ball, having bypassed the defenders, accurately landed for Tadić at the edge of the penalty area. Without waiting for the ball to land, Tadić unleashed a powerful shot!
But the ball hit the backside of Lincoln City's retreating defender Shackell directly! Before Lincoln City players could celebrate their narrow escape, Grove quickly surged out from the crowd, dribbling the rebounded ball directly to the left byline area of the goal!
Just as the ball was about to cross the byline, Grove, arriving just in time, forcefully kicked the ball towards the goal with his left foot!! The ball, like a cannonball, passed through goalkeeper Jones's hands and into the right side netting of the goal!!! 1:0!!!
“A super great goal!!! Cambridge United have taken the lead!!! Grove's spectacular shot from an almost zero angle!!!”
Andy was amazed by Grove's brilliant goal! He couldn't help but stand up and applaud him.
“Lincoln City are now in a difficult situation. Known for their defense, they only held out for 16 minutes before conceding. The rest of the match will not be easy!”
As Andy predicted, Lincoln City, trailing by a goal, didn't know whether to continue defending or to push forward, finding themselves in a dilemma.
And just 10 minutes later, Dzeko, acting as a pivot, got the ball in the attacking third and did not rush to break through. Instead, after attracting the opponent's defense, he once again distributed the ball to the surging Cole!
Cole's shot was a bit central and was directly saved by Jones! But he followed up with a rebound shot, once again beating Jones's outstretched hands! 2:0!
In the VIP box, Peterborough United's Head Coach Dino, who came to watch the match, felt a sense of despair. Cambridge United's powerful attacking force was not limited to the forward line; the entire midfield and attacking third were capable of both dribbling and shooting. This kind of multi-point attack made it impossible to adopt a co-defensive strategy!
Equally troubled was Schofield, who was directing the match from the sidelines. With a heavy defensive setup, the team was trailing 0:2, indicating that his strategy had clearly failed. And at this point, if they pushed forward to attack, they would likely concede even more goals, how frustrating!
Although Lincoln City later pulled one back from a free-kick, Dzeko then completed his assist hat-trick. When he had the opportunity to shoot himself at the edge of the penalty area, he selflessly passed the ball to Vardy, whose push shot sealed the victory!
“Congratulations to Cambridge United, congratulations to Huang Hao! They have achieved an important victory! I think no one can stop Cambridge United's promotion this season, except for themselves!”
Andy was completely captivated by this Cambridge United team and offered his most sincere blessings.
After seeing Cambridge United's third goal, Dino silently left Sincil Bank Stadium, still searching for a way to stop Cambridge United's attack in his mind.
A week later, when referee Collins blew the final whistle, Dino shook his head helplessly, accepting the reality of the defeat. Facing Cambridge United at Abbey Stadium, Dino deployed a 4-5-1 formation, with 24-year-old striker Reid isolated upfront, and as many as 9 defensive players behind him!
What made Dino even more disheartened was that the hateful Huang Hao had actually fielded a rotated lineup!!! He claimed it was in preparation for the EFL Trophy semi-finals, but in reality, it was a blatant disregard for Peterborough United! After all, their opponent was only ranked 4th in Football League Two!
Dino really wanted to give Huang Hao a few resounding slaps with a resounding victory! “I’m fourth, not twenty-fourth, where did you get the nerve to field a rotated lineup?”
However, the 3:2 score on the scoreboard told him that even against a Cambridge United team playing with a semi-reserve squad, his team still couldn't win! His players even nervously contributed an own goal!
The temperature at Abbey Stadium today was as high as 15 degrees Celsius, which was rare good weather for winter in England! However, Dino's heart was cold, just like Schofield of Lincoln City a few days ago, like two peas in a pod.