roy of the rovers - a new beginning - week 8

7/27/2019 Roy of the Rovers - A New Beginning - Week 8

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Roy of the Rovers A New Beginning

Week 8

Vernon Eliot gathered his squad in the media suite of the Melchester Rovers training ground to

begin preparations for Saturdays match against Oldfield. The Northern team had started the seasonpoorly, gaining just one point from their three matches, after drawing away at North Vale, while

Rovers finally hit form against Walford, winning two-nil.

The international break for the World Cup Qualifiers meant Vernon had not seen the bulk of this

squad for nearly a week. His first priority was to check their fitness, whether any of them had picked

up knocks or more serious injuries while away. Miguel Piedra, the Spanish right-back had not been

selected for his country, this came as a surprise as he was definitely the first choice last season.

Miguel, why didnt you play? Gerry Holloway asked, I got kicked in training, I think Im fine now,

but well see later. The response did not fill Vernon with confidence, Piedra was an accomplished

player and if he failed the fitness test, the unproven Ronnie Carpenter would have to step in. Go tosee the physio now Miguel. I need to know as soon as possible. Has anyone else got any concerns?

Freddy Van Den Broeck raised his hand, he too had not been selected for Holland, I feel a bit

sluggish, just like my legs wont go as fast as I want them to. Vernon nodded at Freddy to join

Miguel and the two internationals left the room.

Oldfield had just appointed a new manager, after seven years of stability. The new man had

dramatically changed the sides approach to the game. Oldfield had been criticised for being direct

and physical, anti-football. But now their new playmaker, Hans Adler from Austria, led the side in a

passing game, with far fewer long balls. They were still a very big side, but they would not pose the

same aerial and physical threat that Carford had earlier in the season. Vernon was confident his sidewould win and win comfortably.

While Piedra and Van Den Broeck had their physical examinations the rest of the players enjoyed a

light skills session, something that Vernon liked to do after the players had been away. It gave them

a casual environment in which they could show-off their natural talents. The great Roy Race joined in

with the games of keepy-uppy and nut-meg rush. His control of the ball and ability to sense a tackle

were still as good as any member of the first-team squad, even the flair players like NDiaye and

Jacobs. I wish I could join in Gerry, said Vernon, But my ankles just arent up to it. Last week I did

a session with Roys boys and could hardly stand for the next two days!

Gerry had been waiting to for an opportunity to discuss a new coach he had met while scouting last

week, now seemed the perfect time, Vernon, on Saturday I went to watch Selbridge, they were

superb. I know League One isnt the strongest division but it was their philosophy that impressed

me. They played with such flair and skill, the young midfielders were so confident on the ball. Well it

turns out they have a new first-team coach, who leads most of the ball-work sessions. Vernon

seemed excited, he knew who Gerry was talking about and about his reputation, Go on

Well I spoke with him after the game. Hes keen and with your permission Ill invite him up for an

afternoon, see how he gets on with our lads. He could be the man to get the best out of Cheetham,

Powell and Lyons!

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Trevor Brinsden sat in the Mel Park Directors Lounge cackling loudly, You stitched him right up,

mate! What a wally! David Roth and Joey Goldfields plan to get The Daily Gazettes chief football

correspondent, John Lucas, off their backs had worked spectacularly. Roth had attended the London

police station as requested, but he brought along his daughter and her friend too, they both sat in

on his interviews and as he made an official statement. No lawyer was present and Roth had sat

relaxed as he and the girls provided perfect explanations for the series of events that were so badly

reported in that Sundays Gazette. The investigating officer was satisfied and closed the case, barring

the emergence of any new information. Promptly Goldfield contacted the newspaper demanding a

full retraction and apology from Lucas, they had to agree.

Lucas will know he was tricked, wont he? Hell come after you, I know it! Brinsden was a little

concerned, Hes lost his credibility, Trevor. That gives us time. The time we need to sort out our

little mess. He may come for us, but by then there will be nothing to discover!

Trevor was not convinced, but for now he would go along with Roth, he was the ruthless

businessman, he had to trust his partner. But if it got too risky Trevor Brinsden would take matters

into his own hands. He had done it before and he would not hesitate to do it again.

* * *

Gerry Holloway had loaded his dossier on Oldfield, today he would keep it simple. There was only

one man that Rovers had to stop, Hans Adler. Hes the widest player on the right but also the most

active in the central attacking midfield zone. He drifts in creating a dilemma for the left-back, should

he follow or pass on responsibility to a defensive midfielder? I want Jean-Paul to track him; their full-

backs dont push on. Look at these heat charts:

First Adler: that big green zone just in from the

right is the key area. Thats where he does the

damage, but only if he isnt tracked. Look at

Engelaars map, hes the right back, he almost

never gets ahead of Adler. So when Adler moves

in field there is no threat from the advancing

right-back.

Adlers threat comes from the extra time he

gets in that zone. He gets his head up and picks

a pass because the midfielder is not close

enough. If Jean-Paul goes with him he doesnt get

the time and the attack is easy to defend: really

simple.

So, what other threats do they pose? Well they

are a massive side and their set-piece delivery is

excellent. Im confident that weve improved our

own marking enough to deal with them, but as

always as good set-piece can defeat any well

organised defence. Well just have to be lucky!

Hans Adler Heat Map vs Eastgate

Rob Engelaar Heat Map vs Eastgate


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Storky Knight

NEXT WEEK

An injury crisis and who is the new coach?

roy of the rovers - a new beginning - week 8

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