บท 7: Chapter 7: Trained by the Devil- pre-season begins.
The training sessions were light on the first day, a little jogging, stretching, and some light drills to get the players blood flowing after a month of inactivity. The players honestly did not mind this, many had their mood struck when the mass clearance was done. But everyone seemed to be adjusting well, with just the younger players seeming more energetic than the rest.
The next day, hell on earth began for the players. Everyone arrived early and did some light training before Spenza arrived.
"OK listen up boys, yesterday was a bit demoralizing, I know. However, I need you to suck it up and let's begin pre-season with some training." Spenza continued.
"I need you all to tie these watches to your arms and run 2 km in laps around the ground, after the 50 push-up, 50 sit-ups, and 50 shots at the goal before tactical training. This needs to be done before midday or else extra training will be warranted. Goalkeepers need to save at least 25% of the shots they face. Now get to it." Spenza said as everyone picked up the sport watches and began to run around the field.
Klaus stood behind Spenza wearing a suit as Spenza looked on at his players with worry.
"So, what's the deal is he joining?" Spenza said, still not looking at Klaus.
"No. He said he will decide after the friendly with York. He says he wants to take them to The Super League 2 before he leaves. They reached playoffs last season; this could be their year." Klaus replied, also looking at the running players.
"At least he is giving us a chance. This team is good, but it can only be perfect if 'he' is Infront of our goalkeeper." Spenza said, taking out a notepad and writing something down.
"So, Coach, you cut down the squad. Hell, week has officially begun huh."
"Yep, team is still the ones who barely make the grade though. I hope most of these guys surprise me. The attack has potential but without 'him' it's probably gonna take a while to gel, given the history between the new guys. Middlefield needs and injection of pace and an anchor. Defense? Only needs that guy. Goalkeeping is where I'm stuck." Spenza stated continuing to write something down as he watched the players running.
"Your choice to sell our first-choice stings but this is dze Price you payz for zat. But three really talented replacements You've got." Klaus replied. Picking up a water bottle and drinking it.
"None of those three is likely to start on Matchday 1 If their stats are like this. Scelo is getting old, but he can last another season in this division, he is my short-term solution. Dame has immense potential, in fact I have never seen this much potential in a goalkeeper, but something is off about his passing accuracy and his reflexes." "What about ze third one, Arthur?" Klaus asked.
"Well, he is average. Way too average for comfort. Loan deal in Denmark. Pulled of a good loan but got injured. Something in Switzerland, Sweden, Iceland, and Germany. I just can't pin why I want him on my team."
"Maybe cos he is the safe option. He can't disappoint you and you can't be wrong about him. You can use him as a scapegoat in losses but never the hero in wins. That is what an average player's job is." Klaus responded before he began walking away.
"Well. He is just there for numbers." Spenza replied.
" North is in Japan to get you the Speedster You ordered. We'll rendezvous in China before the game next week." Klaus shouted as he walked down the corridor.
The players continued to run as much as they could but soon their bodies began to give up. falling to the ground one by one as many either puked or fainted or just as down. They soon realized the reason Spenza was the "Demon Coach".
"F#ckin wimps. Get up and finish the set. Ain't nobody gonna do it for you now run you pile of weakling." Spenza shouted as each of the players dragged themselves through the grass, running, Walking or even crawling.
"If you don't finish today, you get double tomorrow. It is non-negotiable." Spenza continued to berate them as they listened.
By the time they finished it was almost Nighttime. All the players sweating tired, seemingly unable to move as Spenza and his coaching crew gave them each a water bottle.
"Same thing tomorrow. Until you all can finish by midday."Spenza said.
The week was long and draining for everyone. Everyone could barely walk each day, but it began to get better. By day 3 they finished by dusk. And by day 10, they all did the set by midday. Soon the set became an exercise before actual tactical training.
"Knock, knock." A knock was heard into Spenza office before he said enter as Arthur walked in with his training kit.
"You called me, Coach." Arthur stated.
"Yes, sit down." Spenza replied, as he opened a notepad and read something on it.
" 87 games played,43 clean sheets, 49 goals conceded. '! an average performance by an average goalkeeper'. Why is that?" Spenza read what was written on the notepad.
"I've read that a hundred times sir. I don't know why you are reading it to me." Arthur responded.
"You averaged 0.52 goals a game, third in clean sheets in your division in your fist year as a teenager. You have still maintained that same form since. What happened in Danmark that made you scared to dive?" Spenza stated as Arthur looked shocked or scared.
"I nearly lost my career. I took the riskiest dive of my life and got injured. 6 months of my life on the drawer before rehabilitation. Worst part, I didn't even save the ball." Arthur began shedding tears as Spenza handed him a tissue. "So, you decided to stop taking risks. Save what you are supposed to and just let those that can't be saved go in. A life of obscurity as a goalkeeper?" Spenza replied Before Arthur stood up.
"Yes. I don't want much. I have no ambition, no drive. I just wanna play football. Win something, retire when I'm 35 and be a coach or something. Even if I don't go full into the Super League or win a lot of trophies. If that's my career, I'll be happy." Arthur stated as he began to walk away.
"I see. But if you ever decide, you wanna play football instead of survive it, tap me on the shoulder during a match, tell me to put you on and I will gladly do so." Spenza stated, smiling.
"Why?"
"Because you are the only man I want in between my sticks. When you overcome your demons, you will be the best goalkeeper in the world." Spenza said smiling like a maniac.
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