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After advancing to the third round of the FA Cup, Gao Bo found himself in a bit of a dilemma.

On the one hand, Gao Bo wanted to progress further in the FA Cup. The competition format is intriguing: single-elimination games where the winner advances, the loser is eliminated, and ties lead to a replay. It's different from the usual home-and-away knockout system, and this format significantly increases the potential for upsets. In fact, the FA Cup has a rich history of underdog victories. With its status as the oldest football competition, the FA Cup has witnessed strong teams falter and weaker teams achieve miracles.

For example, in the 1988 FA Cup final, a dominant Liverpool faced Wimbledon, a weaker team at the time. Liverpool missed a penalty that was saved by Wimbledon's goalkeeper, resulting in Wimbledon lifting the trophy.

In the 2003-04 FA Cup, Shrewsbury, a fourth-tier team, defeated Premier League side Everton 2-1 in one of the biggest upsets. Similarly, in the third round of the 1990-91 FA Cup, fifth-tier Woking stunned West Bromwich Albion with a 4-2 victory. Stories like these, where smaller teams topple giants, are often fondly remembered.

However, as a head coach, Gao Bo didn't enjoy such surprises. Upsets may happen occasionally, but even in the FA Cup, known for its unpredictability, the stronger teams usually advance. The teams that ultimately reach the finals are often those from the top leagues. A single match might yield a shocking result, but to remain an underdog throughout the tournament requires true strength.

On the other hand, Luton's financial situation was grim. Gao Bo hoped for a draw against a top-four Premier League team in the third round. Hosting a single home game against such a team could cover two to three months of the club's expenses—something that owner David Morton, troubled by the club's finances, would greatly appreciate.

If Gao Bo wanted to advance further, the ideal scenario would be drawing a weaker team at home. However, facing giants like Manchester United, Liverpool, or Arsenal away would be a daunting task for Luton's current squad. Ultimately, the draw was beyond Gao Bo's control, as the third-round matchups would be decided by a lottery on Friday, December 4th, with live coverage on television and radio.

Before the draw, Luton had another match to play—a rescheduled fixture from the 14th round of the league against Bournemouth at home.

Bournemouth and Luton both had 17 points at the time. In League Two, five teams, including Luton, were tied on points. However, Luton ranked 15th due to their superior goal difference, while Bournemouth, with the smallest goal difference among the five teams, ranked 19th. Bournemouth had been solid defensively, conceding just 13 goals—the fifth-lowest in the league. However, their offense was underwhelming, with only 12 goals scored, the fewest in the league. In contrast, Luton's Jamie Vardy had scored 21 goals in 18 matches, making him the league's top scorer, while teammate Charlie Austin had 13 goals. Together, their goals nearly tripled Bournemouth's total.

The first half ended goalless, with Bournemouth's defense holding firm. However, in the second half, Gao Bo made adjustments. He substituted Adam White for Lewis Emanuel and shifted the team's formation. Recognizing that Bournemouth was defending in depth to secure a draw, Gao Bo deployed a winger with strong dribbling skills.

Adam White moved to the left wing, while Charlie Austin shifted to the right, and Jamie Vardy remained as the central striker. The midfield consisted of Kante in the center, Drinkwater on the left, and Kevin Keane on the right, with the backline unchanged. This 4-3-3 formation, emphasizing offense, had been a focus of the team's training.

Gao Bo had adopted a tactical style distinct from the prevalent long-ball approach in League Two. He believed that successful teams, whether focused on possession, counter-attacks, or high pressing, would eventually move away from long-ball football to compete at the highest levels.

In the 73rd minute, Adam White received the ball on the left, drawing two defenders. Instead of forcing a play, he passed to Drinkwater and began his run. Drinkwater, noticing Bournemouth's defense shifting left, delivered a long pass to Charlie Austin on the right. Unmarked, Austin advanced and sent a low cross into the box, where Vardy pounced to score.

Gao Bo celebrated on the sidelines. The goal perfectly executed their training, drawing the defense to one side before exploiting the space on the other. This strategy proved far more effective against defensive setups than relying on long shots or aerial duels.

Calming himself, Gao Bo reflected on the effectiveness of Luton's Plan B. The team had demonstrated adaptability, a crucial quality for overcoming tough opponents.