Free Web NovelChapter 402: Chapter 8: Tottenham Away I
Saturday, August 19, 2023 — London Team Hotel — 8:00 AM BST
Demien woke inside the London hotel room while morning light came through the curtains, yet the day already felt heavier than Wolves because this was his first proper away match in England where the crowd would want him to fail.
His phone showed two messages that mattered.
Isabella had written something simple about eating well before the match, while Sophia asked whether London felt colder than Manchester, and neither mentioned the lineup which made the messages feel normal rather than loaded.
That normality steadied him because everyone else would spend the day analyzing whether he’d start.
He got ready before heading down for breakfast, then moved through the team routine while waiting for the only thing that mattered now—whether Ten Hag trusted him enough to start.
11:00 AM BST — Hotel Meeting Room
Ten Hag gathered the squad for the final tactical briefing where the screen showed Tottenham’s pressing shape with their wide overloads with the midfield runners United had to track.
"Tottenham will make this emotional and fast," Ten Hag said while the screen displayed Postecoglu’s high line. "Especially the first twenty minutes. They want you chasing their tempo. Do not give them that."
Then he named the starting eleven.
Demien’s name didn’t come.
He was on the bench again, which stung more than Wolves because he’d already changed one Premier League match, yet he kept his face still while the other names were called.
Ten Hag didn’t explain the decision to him directly. He only addressed the substitutes as a group. "This match may need control earlier than the last one. Anyone called must already understand the rhythm before stepping on."
Demien understood the message because close wasn’t the same as trusted, and one good cameo didn’t override a manager’s structure.
4:30 PM BST — Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
The bus arrived at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium where the atmosphere turned hostile before the squad stepped off, because Spurs fans had gathered near the entrance to boo while United supporters shouted back from the opposite side.
Some Tottenham fans mocked the transfer fee when they spotted Demien through the bus windows, trying to get a reaction from the new signing.
He heard his name mixed into the jeering though he gave them nothing.
When the squad stepped off he signed one United shirt for a young away fan who leaned over the barrier.
"You should be starting, mate," the kid said.
Demien managed a small nod before following the squad inside, where the stadium felt bright and modern though cold compared to Old Trafford’s weight of history.
The away dressing room was smaller and more functional than United’s, and Demien saw his shirt on the substitute side again before changing quietly.
Ten Hag’s final message stayed simple. "Do not let the crowd decide the tempo. They want chaos. We give them control."
Kickoff
The broadcast opened by setting the narrative.
"Manchester United arrive at Tottenham after that opening win over Wolves, where Demien Walter’s introduction changed the match. Interesting that Ten Hag has him on the bench again tonight—a sign the manager wants to manage his integration carefully despite the pressure to start him."
Tottenham began aggressively because their press forced United backward while the crowd fed every duel, and their midfielders attacked second balls faster than United could settle into shape.
United weren’t terrible though they were rushed. Bruno tried forcing the tempo while Casemiro covered too much ground alone, and Tottenham kept switching into wide areas dragging United’s defensive line across the pitch.
Twenty-third minute brought the goal United had been inviting.
They lost the ball trying to play out from the back when Mount’s pass was intercepted, then Tottenham switched quickly to the right where the cutback arrived before United’s defense reset, and a late runner finished into the bottom corner.
Tottenham 1-0 Manchester United
The home crowd erupted while the noise pressed down from all four stands.
Demien watched from the bench studying the issue properly, because this wasn’t only about passing—United were losing the second action after the first duel, which meant the match needed someone who could cover ground, win recoveries, then still pass forward after contact.
The commentary confirmed his read. "Tottenham are dominating the second balls. Every time United win a tackle, Spurs win the next one. The midfield balance simply isn’t there."
6:15 PM BST — Half-Time
The away dressing room stayed tense though not chaotic when Ten Hag addressed the problem without raising his voice.
"We are losing the rhythm because they win the second balls," Ten Hag said while pointing at the tactical board. "Then our first pass after recovery becomes desperate. Stop chasing their speed. Control the second phase instead."
Demien listened from the substitute side because this was exactly the match where his full profile mattered rather than only his passing, since he could read transitions, recover loose balls, switch play, plus attack from distance.
Ten Hag still didn’t bring him on at half-time, and that delay kept the tension alive while United returned for the second half with the same scoreline plus the same problem waiting.
Second Half
The second period began with Tottenham still dangerous, and fifty-second minute they almost created a second goal after winning another second ball in midfield, though Casemiro blocked the final pass while sliding across desperately.
The warning was clear enough that Ten Hag turned toward the bench.
He called Demien’s name.
The away fans cheered while Tottenham supporters booed, and the commentary noted the timing immediately.
"Demien Walter coming on earlier than he did against Wolves—that tells you everything about United’s midfield problems tonight. Ten Hag needs control and he needs it now."
Blue text appeared at the touchline.
「MATCH MISSION ACTIVATED」
「Tottenham vs Manchester United」
«Premier League»
«Win 5 midfield duels or recoveries»
«Complete 3 progressive passes or switches»
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«Change match momentum»
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Ten Hag gave him one instruction while the fourth official prepared the board. "Win the second ball. Then play."
Demien nodded before stepping on around the fifty-fifth minute, replacing Mount whose night had been rushed by Tottenham’s pressure.
