Gao Bo continued his star-making plan in League Two, determined to build Charlie Austin into the most dazzling star in the league, so that those wealthy clubs would wave their checkbooks and pounce.
On February 11th, in the thirty-fifth round of the league, Luton hosted Gillingham.
Due to the increasingly frequent schedule in the latter part of the season, Gao Bo made some rotations for this match.
Luton played perfectly at home in this game; they defeated Gillingham five-nil, a flawless performance and result.
From the start of the match, Luton firmly controlled the tempo, and Gillingham had no chance at Kenilworth Road.
According to post-match statistics, Luton completely dominated.
"This was a clash between a Premier League level team and a League Two level team."
This was how The Hatter said after the match.
From the forward line to the midfield and defense, Gao Bo gave several rotated reserve players a chance to play.
However, the biggest highlight of this match was not Gao Bo's rotation, but Hassan Ali.
This seventeen-year-old defensive midfielder was pushed into an attacking midfield position by Gao Bo in this game.
Of course, Hassan Ali is essentially still a defender; Gao Bo just had him change positions to participate in defense, Hassan Ali covered and pressed in the area near the opponent's penalty box.
Of Luton's five goals, three were counterattacks initiated immediately after Hassan Ali successfully intercepted the ball near the penalty area.
Placing a defensive player in the position of a forward attacker was a move Gao Bo learned from Mourinho.
Facts proved that this move was really effective.
Facing Luton's suffocating high press in the front field, Gillingham couldn't build attacks, and their defense was full of holes, naturally being torn apart by Luton.
And Charlie Austin, who started as a striker alongside Matt Smith in this match, scored twice, continuing his excellent form.
....
"....A terrifying fourteen-game winning streak!!! In the thirty-sixth round of League Two, Luton defeated Exeter City two-one at home!!
Charlie Austin, who has been in explosive form recently, continued to score, and the team's other striker, Vardy, helped seal the victory!!
Since losing to Chesterfield in the twenty-second round of the league at the end of December, Luton has once again started their winning streak in the league.
Luton in League Two is almost unstoppable by any opponent.
After defeating Lincoln City, they have now accumulated seventy-three points.
Counting the thirty points they were deducted, they have obtained one hundred and three points in thirty-six games, an incredible points-scoring efficiency!!!"
"...Luton's winning streak continues.
They defeated Notts County in the thirty-seventh round.
Gao Bo's team is unstoppable.
They are very likely to achieve a truly great feat this season, winning the League Two championship after being thirty points behind!!
Because Luton, who is currently second in the league standings, is only three points behind the league leaders Wycombe Wanderers.
In the forty-third round of the league, these two teams will have a chance for a direct confrontation, perhaps before the two sides meet, Luton will have already overtaken them..."
"...There are only five rounds left in League Two.
After the forty-first round of the league ended, Luton was one point behind the leaders, ranked second in the league.
And from March to April, from the thirty-eighth round to the forty-first round of the league, Luton achieved another winning streak!
They created a League Two winning streak record, a terrifying nineteen consecutive wins!!
This team is very likely to continue their winning momentum in the remaining league rounds."
"....The league leaders Wycombe Wanderers can breathe a slight sigh of relief, because on April 19th, Luton will travel to Wembley to play their FA Cup semi-final against Arsenal.
Therefore, the forty-second round league match originally scheduled for April 18th, Luton's away challenge against Barnet, will be postponed.
This way, Luton, having played one fewer game, is very likely to be pulled four points behind by Wycombe Wanderers."
....
"Yay!!!!!!"
In the small pub that Gao Bo frequently visited, the patrons raised their glasses, their faces beaming with joy.
Because just now, the television screen was showing the League Two forty-second round match!
Wycombe Wanderers were challenging Bournemouth away, and the league leaders encountered stubborn resistance from the Cherries!
When the match ended, the score was nil-nil!
This also means that Luton, with one game in hand, is now only two points behind Wycombe Wanderers.
Given Luton's current form, it can almost be said that they have secured the League Two championship!
"We've got this championship for sure, right, Gao!!"
Alexander, the pub owner, came over with a hiccup.
The others in the pub also quieted down; everyone wanted to hear a definite answer from the manager.
"Get the championship parade ready, Alexander!!!"
Gao Bo didn't deny it; at this stage of the league, Luton had this championship in the bag!!
The Luton people in the pub raised their glasses and cheered.
This season, Luton had given their fans too many surprises.
From despair at the start of the season to ecstasy at the end of the season, for Luton fans, this season was truly too exciting.
"When are you leaving for Wembley?!"
Alexander leaned in and asked mysteriously.
"Don't try to get information out of me!"
Gao Bo picked up his glass and glanced at the round little pub owner.
"When you're leaving isn't a secret, is it, Gao!"
Alexander was a little helpless.
"That's true..."
Gao Bo tilted his head and drank half a glass.
He now disliked the small glasses in his hand a little.
"You should get a batch of bigger glasses, Alexander."
"These are already considered large, Gao!"
Alexander was somewhat helpless.
"Do you think everyone is like you, drinking whiskey like it's cold water!"
"Stop making excuses for your stinginess!"
Gao Bo finished the remaining half glass.
He stood up and patted Alexander on the shoulder.
"Tomorrow morning!!"
Gao Bo said as he walked towards the door.
"We're leaving tomorrow morning!!!"
"Get ready to make some noise at Wembley! Lads!!!"
There was a burst of cheers in the pub.
Gao Bo walked out of the pub.
The weather in England in April was slowly starting to turn warm.
The weather had been quite good these past few days.
A cool breeze blew from the River Lea, which meanders and divides the town of Luton in half, clearing Gao Bo's head, which was warm from the drink.
Gao Bo put on the jacket he was carrying and slowly strolled along the riverbank.
The current situation in League Two is very favorable for Luton!
Gao Bo had originally thought they could overtake Wycombe Wanderers in March, but he didn't expect that under the pressure from Luton, their league rivals' form would become exceptionally good, and they also maintained their points advantage with a winning streak.
However, in April, Wycombe Wanderers' form started to decline, and Luton seized the opportunity to narrow the points gap.
Wycombe Wanderers' away stumble means that if Luton defeats Wycombe Wanderers in the next league round, they can pull down Wycombe Wanderers, who have held the top spot for most of the season, and climb to the top of the League Two table!!
The League Two championship?
Perhaps Luton fans would be quite excited about this, but for Gao Bo, not even a ripple formed in his heart.
Before returning to his apartment, Gao Bo looked at the few stars in the distant sky and let out a long sigh.
Compared to the ambition in Gao Bo's heart... this is just a small goal!