章 36: Training with the First Team
Marcus jogged onto the training pitch at Motspur Park, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. Training with the first team was a massive step up from the U21s, and he was determined to prove he belonged and hopefully impress enough to make his pro debut after all the contract formalities were sorted out.
As he joined the warm-up drills, he noticed the intensity and speed were significantly higher than what he was used to.
Slavisa Jokanovic, Fulham's first-team manager, watched closely from the sidelines. He had high hopes for Marcus, but he knew the young player had some work to do.
The session progressed, and Marcus found himself struggling to keep up with the relentless pace. His passes were accurate, but he often felt a step behind in terms of positioning and decision-making. The first-team players were quick, sharp, and always seemed to be two moves ahead.
During a break, Jokanovic approached Marcus. "You're doing all right so far, Marcus, but you need to work on your stamina. The Premier League is demanding, and you need to be able to maintain a high level of performance throughout the entire ninety minutes."
Marcus nodded, slightly out of breath. "I got it, coach. I'll work on it."
Jokanovic patted him on the back. "Good. I see a lot of potential in you and Harvey. Keep pushing yourself."
The training resumed, and Marcus focused on improving his stamina, pushing himself harder during each drill. He was determined to rise to the challenge. Despite his struggles, he noticed something encouraging: the first-team players were responding to his presence on the ball. Whenever he had possession, they moved into space, anticipating his passes and trusting his vision.
In a small-sided game, Marcus received the ball just outside the penalty area. He scanned the field and spotted Ryan Sessegnon making a run on the left wing. With a deft touch, he threaded a pass through the defense, perfectly timed to meet Sessegnon's stride. The winger crossed the ball into the box, where Aleksandar Mitrovic was waiting to head it into the net.
"Nice pass, Marcus!" Sessegnon shouted as they jogged back to their positions.
Marcus smiled, giving Sessegnon a thumbs-up, feeling a surge of confidence. Despite the physical challenges, his technical skills and understanding of the game were earning him the respect of his teammates.
As the session continued, Marcus found himself more involved in the play. He linked up well with Tom Cairney in midfield and provided another assist to Mitrovic with a clever through ball. The first-team players were starting to recognize his potential, and their trust in him was growing.
At the end of the session, Jokanovic gathered the team. "Good work today, everyone. Marcus, keep focusing on your stamina and conditioning. You have the talent, but you need to be able to sustain it over ninety minutes. After the general training sessions, I'll ask one of the fitness coaches to supervise you and try to improve your stamina."
Marcus nodded, feeling both exhausted and exhilarated. The feedback from Jokanovic and the positive reactions from his teammates fueled his determination to improve.
As the players headed to the locker room, Mitrovic walked alongside Marcus. "You did well today kid."
"Thanks, Mitro," Marcus replied, grateful for the encouragement.
In the locker room, Marcus sat down, wiping the sweat from his face. The intensity of the session had pushed him to his limits, but he felt a sense of accomplishment. He knew he had a long way to go, but today had been a significant step forward.
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