roy of the rovers - a new beginning - week 30

8/11/2019 Roy of the Rovers - A New Beginning - Week 30

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Roy of the Rovers A New Beginning

Week 30


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Roy Races, not Rocky Races, Baltimore Bullets lined up in a 3-4-3 formation, a system made

famous as by Johan SeegrunsAlkhoven side of the late 70s. The 1978 European Championsplayed with a fluidity and skill rarely seen since and Roy thought the tactics of Total Football


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to be perfect for the American market. The unwitting opponents, San Francisco Shooters,

had not expected to be on the receiving end of a Roy Race tactical masterclass, the news of

Roys temporary appointment as Head Coach being announced just three hours before kick-

off. But The Bullets were flying, taking an early two-goal lead, both assisted by their

mercurial captain, Carlos Figueroa. The legendary manager leapt to his feet as the second

goal cracked into the net. Figueroas delicate chip over the defence, bounced perfectly forMatt Thatcher to calmly slot past the advancing goalkeeper. Race turned to the nearest

television camera and gave a knowing nod and wink. His son would be watching from a

nearby hotel roomthe plans they had devised together were working perfectly.

Carlos Figueroa jogged past the dugout, giving the head coach a high-five, Thats how we

need to play, I can play deep and still influence the game.Roy was so pleased with the

Bullets first-half display. Figueroa was pulling the strings from his holding midfield position.

The other three midfielders and the two wide forwards interchanged positions with

freedom, allowing them to show off their technical skills. Thatcher was the focal point of the

attacks, he was an experienced MLS player, aged twenty-nine, but had yet to make his

international debut despite captaining his country at every junior age level. The strike washis first of the season, Rocky had only been using him as an impact substitute, but Roy

instantly recognised the need for more experience in the side and selected Thatcher as his

central striker. His job was to get into the danger area, hassle the defenders, but above all

else; score goals.

In the Bullets dressing room at half-time, Roy stood in his tracksuit with a beaming smile. He

welcomed every player into the room, with a personalised comment or piece of advice.

Once the squad was assembled, Race began his teamtalk, I cant say how pleased I am with

that performance; a tremendous effort, a real team display! But weve won nothing yet, the

Shooters will come back stronger. Our formation surprised them, Im sure they were

expecting the 4-3-3, but they will adapt. Theyve a good coach, who right now will beexplaining the best way to counter us! Figueroa spoke, Were not going to change tactics

are we boss? Roy shook his head, Of course not. I want us playing this way because it

brings the best out of you all. We are not a physical side, we are quick and very fit, but you

have been sacrificing skill for pace and power. Now you will focus on skill and you will win!

The Bullets players let out a collective Woo! as typical in American sportsand their captain

rose, Lets go Bullets! Lets go!With more than five minutes of half-time still remaining,

Figueroa led his side back onto the field, the near capacity crowd of twelve thousand giving

the Bullets a rousing reception. Roy waited until the dressing room was empty, he took a

moment, to take in the scene, the clumps of turf and mud on the floor, the smell of Deep

Heat and sweaty men, random items of football kit scattered about. He was back in chargeand he was loving it.

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The clean Swedish air felt so different to the misty smog of Melchester, Jake Cheetham, the

injured captain of Melchester Rovers, could take massive deep breaths, filling his lungs,

without a cough or splutter. Jake was on his morning powerwalk, five kilometres in his

special trainers around the grounds of Doctor Nic Johanssons magnificent recovery facility

on the outskirts of Zalmo in southern Sweden. The retreat had been so reinvigorating that

Cheetham had forgotten to check the latest results from the Premier League for days. It was

not that he had stopped caring, just that Johansson and his team had kept him so busy. He

did three powerwalks a day now, four short gym sessions, a physical check-up in the early

evening and lots of rest. Jakes was walking with his new friend, a Olympic ice-hockey player


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from the local side. Magnus Olsson was a giant of a man, typically Swedish, tanned and

blond, he had big shoulders and enormous calves; a perfect figure for the intense pace and

physicality of his sport.

He had suffered an identical injury to Jake in a very similar way, overbalancing on a fast turn,

but it amazed the footballer just how different their recovery programmes were. Magnusweighed fifteen stone and stood at six feet two inches, but physically he towered over

Cheetham, his exercise regime involved twice any many gym sessions and lots of upper-body

work. Jake was particularly jealous of the meals Magnus was served, last night at dinner the

Swede ate steak and salad while Jake was on pasta and grilled chicken, again. The

importance of diet to a professional athlete was something that English footballers still did

not appreciate. Johanssons dietician had explained to Cheetham that what he ate did not

only influence his fitness, but more importantly to him now, affected the speed at which

injuries could heal. So for now he would be envious of Magnus food, but not tempted at all

to diverge from the careful planning of his doctor.

The pair walked down the slight incline to the edge of the grounds. A light smell of pine filledthe air, Its great, no, my country? You like it here? Magnus asked, I do, mate. I wish I

could go out and see some of the countryside, do some fishing. Do you fish? Fishing was

Jakes passion, away from Melchester Rovers he spent more time on a river bank or beside a

lake than anywhere else. Fishing, I like, but in the sea only. I like the salt in the wind and

waves. Then eat the fish! I tell you, when Doctor Nic lets us out, we go fishing, at the river

and then I take you out to sea! The big Swede pointed out across the water, the bench that

marked the halfway point of their walk had a great view out to sea, the bridge to Denmark

just about visible beyond some low fog. The sight impressed the boy from the Essex, it

reminded of the view from Southend across the Thames Estuary, that he had grown up with

almost every weekend, but a whole lot nicer; for a start the sea was not leaden grey. Thats

a deal Magnus! Ive got many fishing stories to bore you with!

The two athletes set off on their return to the dining room for breakfast, this time they did

not talk much. They were getting on really well, for a moment Jake imagined what his time

here would be like without Magnus, he would be so bored, probably think of nothing but

Rovers and the World Cup. But right now he did not even know the results of his clubs last

two matches, vital games against North Vale and Weston Villa. He must check when he had

finished breakfast. Everpools last minute goal had really dented Rovers hopes of finishing

fourth, the Blues still had two games in hand and as far as Jake knew remained in pole

position to take the final Champions League place. But if Rovers kept winning

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Everpool maintained their grip on the final Champions League qualificationplace with an impressive win at Tynecaster United.

Ricky Lloyd set Everpool on their way to their biggest away win of the season with asuperb first-half solo effort. Arun Uras finished off from close range just after thebreak and Lee Donald wrapped up the triumph, thumping home Uras's lay-off nearthe end following a run by Fahad Mustapha, who played a part in all three goals.

Tynecaster manager Frank Dymond was completing the final game of his three-match touchline ban after his on-field row with referee Mick Jones at Oldfield. And hisplayers could only watch as Lloyd waltzed through them for the opener.

At just 20, Lloyd has been one of the young players of the season and, after racingonto Mustapha's chested pass, he burst from inside his own half deep into theTynecaster box, before finishing crisply past Tommy Kruys. Everpool's only otherdecent chance of note in the opening period fell to Uras, but after running onto

Donald's through ball, the striker's low shot was turned away by Kruys. Largelythough, it was a battling defensive display from the visitors, typified by PaulPorschevski, who ended up sporting a large bandage on his forehead after an aerialclash with Michael de Mol.

A combination of Porschevski, Liam Roberts and Dean Robins flew in to deny CheickPeri and that endeavour was rewarded in the opening minutes of the second period,when Donald sent Mustapha away down the right flank. His cross was perfect forUras, who tucked home his 13th goal of the season from the edge of the six-yardbox.

Christian Terrier had a shot beaten away by Travis Bryant as Tynecaster tried to

rally, before Kruys was forced into something similar to deny Uras as Everpool triedto strike on the counter-attack.


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After Valery Akale slid wide when arriving with perfect timing at the far post followingsome excellent work from Hanif Alicarte, the belief seemed to ebb out of the hosts.And Mustapha combined with Uras to set up Donald for the third.

The result means fourth-placed Everpool are now two points clear of MelchesterRovers with a game in hand, and, crucially, Rovers still have to play challengersKelburn and Portdean.

Vernon Eliots disappointment was obvious, he had just watched Everpool destroy a strong

Tynecaster side without breaking sweat. He knew that the television cameras would befocused on him as the full-time whistle blew, so kept his head down and tried not to show

any emotion. In the studio, pundit Chippy Croker read his body language perfectly, That,

viewers, is a broken man. All the hard work he had put in this season, probably means

nothing. Melchester Rovers, realistically have to win their remaining matches to get fourth

and still hope the Blues slip up. Its out of his hands andhe doesnt like it! He wont sleep

well tonight!

Vernons thoughts were already on Rovers next match, at home to third placed Kelburn, the

club where he was assistant manager before being appointed at Mel Park. Kelburn were

solid in third place, no chance of winning the title and no chance of finishing outside the

Champions League places. In effect they had nothing to play for, Rovers should beat them,they had to show they had the stomach and the quality for the top European competition.

roy of the rovers - a new beginning - week 30

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