45: Christmas schedule

After this interview aired, fans and media became even more convinced that Lin Feng was the true tactical mastermind behind Hartlepool United.

And Old John was merely his most loyal executor.

Old John himself was deeply convinced of this; he even bought several books on geometry and physics and began to actively study these theories.

The immense success in the League Cup made Lin Feng even more confident about the team's future.

His gaze had already turned towards the upcoming winter transfer window.

He opened the Player Radar system, consuming energy points to conduct deep scans of England's lower-tier and non-professional Leagues.

Two names became increasingly clear in his mind.

Chris Smalling, Maidstone United.

Jordan Henderson, Sunderland Youth Academy.

He had already made up his mind to bring these two future England internationals under his wing as soon as the winter transfer window opened.

A few days later, the highly anticipated League Cup semi-final draw ceremony was held in London.

Hartlepool United fans waited anxiously in front of their televisions for the results.

They dreamed of the team progressing further, perhaps even reaching the Wembley final.

For Lin Feng and his team, this was both an opportunity and unprecedented pressure.

They knew that from now on, every opponent would study and target them as their number one priority.

The final whistle had just blown for the two-nil home victory against Bury, and the players, dragging their weary bodies, walked towards the player tunnel, while fans were still chanting Jamie Vardy's name, celebrating the team's continued lead in the League standings.

However, the joy of victory was quickly diluted by an airtight fixture list.

England's most brutal Christmas and New Year 'Devil's Fixtures' schedule tightened abruptly. A continuous series of high-intensity matches in a short period tested the physical endurance and willpower of everyone in the team.

The shadow of fatigue finally appeared in the away match against Barnet.

It was a cold afternoon, and the muddy pitch made the players' legs feel like they were filled with lead, causing their usual fluid passing to become sluggish.

The opponent's stubborn defense made Hartlepool United's attack struggle to advance.

Ultimately, it was only through a flash of brilliance, a fierce and unreasonable tackle by Jamie Vardy just before the final whistle, that the team managed to salvage a one-all draw from the away game.

This was Hartlepool United's first draw in the League this season.

This draw, like a bucket of cold water, woke up everyone who had been immersed in the joy of their winning streak.

In Lin Feng's office, the fireplace's glow illuminated his calm face. He didn't go to the locker room, nor did he blame anyone.

On the holographic interface in front of him, players' physical data flickered with red and yellow warning bars.

System Analysis: Core players' fatigue has reached critical levels, injury risk increased by 35%.

Recommendation: Immediately activate the rotation mechanism and force some players into a recovery period.

He dialed Old John's number, his voice steady.

John, starting from the next match, we're going for a significant rotation.

Let Nelson and Tinkler rest; give the youngsters more opportunities.

The League is a marathon, not a hundred-meter sprint. We can't afford to burn out.

Old John on the other end of the phone breathed a sigh of relief; his boss's calmness was his strongest backing.

As the winter transfer window drew closer, Lin Feng's chess game saw new pieces being played.

He summoned John Stone and the club's newly recruited legal counsel, a shrewd lawyer named David Finch.

Gentlemen, it's hunting season.

Lin Feng's finger swiped across the tablet, and two young faces appeared on the screen.

Chris Smalling, Maidstone United.

Jordan Henderson, Sunderland Youth Academy.

Mr. Stone will be responsible for Smalling's negotiations, Lin Feng said, looking at the old accountant. Offer eighty thousand pounds directly, with a five percent sell-on clause. Tell them this is our maximum sincerity and Smalling's best chance to enter professional League football.

John Stone immediately accepted the task; he knew that for a non-professional League team like Maidstone United, this offer was almost impossible to refuse.

Lin Feng's gaze turned to David Finch.

Mr. Finch, Henderson is a tough nut to crack.

Sunderland considers him their prized possession and will not let him go easily.

Finch pushed up his gold-rimmed glasses, his eyes behind the lenses gleaming with excitement. "If we buy him outright, they'll think we're crazy."

Lin Feng said.

So, we won't buy him outright. Our plan is: a loan.

Finch paused, surprised.

For the remainder of this season, we will loan Jordan Henderson. After the season ends, a mandatory buy-out clause will be triggered, with a transfer fee of five hundred thousand pounds. Additionally, we will grant Sunderland a ten percent sell-on clause for any future transfer of Henderson.

Finch's breathing quickened slightly; he instantly grasped the brilliance of the plan. "A Trojan horse. We pay a small sum to get them to willingly send their future core player into our training camp, and by the time they realize it, it's too late."

This... Sunderland will find it very hard to refuse, Finch's tone was filled with admiration.

Lin Feng nodded. "Go. I need to see both of them at the Phoenix Training Center the moment the window opens on January 1st."

Meanwhile, in the Hartlepool Mail office, Sophie Green was doing the final proofreading for her Christmas special issue. The entire layout of the special was dedicated to the blue and white army that had created a miracle.

Her phone suddenly vibrated; it was an anonymous text message from a well-informed source.

Hartlepool United is in contact with Sunderland Youth Academy's Jordan Henderson.

Sophie's pupils contracted sharply. She keenly smelled a big news story. This mysterious Chinese boss was about to make another move.

On Christmas Eve, in Hartlepool city center, a newly opened bar was brightly lit.

The Northern Storm Supporters' Club Bar.

It was already engulfed in a sea of blue and white, with fans holding beer glasses, singing team songs, and a giant screen continuously replaying the classic match where the team eliminated Chelsea.

On the second floor of the bar, Lin Feng looked through the glass window at the reveling crowd downstairs.

His business empire was quietly expanding with the team's success.

His holding company had already begun to venture into local small-scale real estate and property management, laying the first cornerstone for the grand blueprint of his 'Dragon Arena'.

Amidst their intense preparations, the players finally got a short Christmas break.

They all harbored a common wish in their hearts.

What kind of opponent would they draw in the upcoming League Cup semi-final?