3
A ROLE PLAYER AT MOST
The midfielders gathered around their coach. Anderson didn't know his name and he didn't introduce himself.
"As you've heard we'll be switching to a two man midfield but the main concept remains the same, only it gets a little bit harder. Before we had two specialist and one who could do a bit of both now both have to be proficient in all areas or we're fucked."
Anderson flinched, certainly no holding back on the language here.
"We'll do more specialist training for a few of you as the week continues, it may require a little more time on your side. You are required to avail yourself."
Anderson thought that went without saying. He would sleep on the pitch if that's what helped him to succeed.
"But for today we'll be working on something else, most teams play with three midfielders and will look to use their numbers against you. You will have to be fast and smart to play yourself out of those situations. Remember if you lose the ball we're done. So be doing two on three's. Aim for both teams is to keep the ball and win it back quickly if you lose it. Focus on your combinations and not getting your partner in too much trouble. Cimsir we cannot afford another injury, keep it light."
Anderson looked at the aforementioned player. Huseyin Cimsir, he had joined that summer on a free from Transbospor. He was huge, just his frame struck fear into Anderson's heart not to mention his league famous aggression. These were the people Anderson had to compete with??? Crazy!!!
Okay we'll start with Cimsir and Batalla as the two men; Anderson, Acar and Aslan on the other side.
Anderson looked at his teammates. He hadn't interacted with any of them much up to this point. Veli Acar had always played a little more defensively while Kamal Aslan was a smart, tricky midfielder who used his dribbling to control the tempo. Anderson thought of how his teammates profiled him. What was he good at?
"Okay, Cimsir isn't very good on the ball so you're on him Aslan," Acar said taking the lead, "I'll be on Batalla and kid try to block out the passing lanes, get the ball, pass and keep open. It's pretty simple."
Anderson and Aslan nodded, though it wasn't that simple. The pitch wasn't that big, finding space would be a hassle."
The coach watched on as the players began training. It was a test really, which two would combine best.
The first part went pretty much as he expected. Cimsir was horrendous on the ball. The three took full advantage and when he did manage to get the ball out of his feet the kid had already covered the passing lane.
The coach zoned in on the kid. Was he playing this well because of the man advantage or was he just that good. He was everywhere and also pretty decent on the ball. It was nothing spectacular but it worked and that's all that matters. Had a pretty good engine on him too.
He could kind of see why he was promoted now. At first he wasn't too sure, especially when he saw how withdrawn and shy he looked. Midfield, especially this one, required a lot of confidence. Now it was shining through. The coach smiled. Bursa could have themselves a fantastic player here.
The coach blew the whistle. He had seen enough, Cimsir would struggle in this system but he sure was one hell of a ball winner the three person midfield would be so perfect with him.
"Anderson and Batalla, you're the two man this time."
This was not planned, Anderson was always supposed to be third man but the coach wanted… no had to know if he was actually that good. And plus he had seen bits of chemistry between him and Batalla, he wondered if that was transfered onto the pitch.
By the time the coach blew his whistle Anderson had played his way into his heart. The chemistry did indeed transcend into the pitch. It was almost heaven made and only got better as they continued. He didn't want to stop it but he had to, it was time for the next rotation and plus the way Cimsir looked, he was about to two foot one of them.
Anderson continued to impress no matter what rotation he was on, apart from when he was with Cimsir. The chemistry between those two was definitely not good, he could sense trouble coming but the most impressive he was without doubt was when he was with Batalla. Especially when they found themselves on the three man together, it was almost embarrassing to watch for the two on the other side, while Aslan might as well have been a mannequin.
"Okay boys good job, that's it for now."
The coach brought the session to an end and went to prepare for the 11v11 that was left. The perfect two-man in his mind was a forgone conclusion but would the coach listen? The best he could do was present his findings; the rest was up to the coach.
***
Anderson was breathing heavily. All the nervousness disappeared once he started playing. He totally forgot he was the first team. Had he done too much?
"Hey kid, quite a show you put out there."
Anderson was surprised of all it was Cimsir.
"What are you trying to do, show me up? Haha ,i've seen plenty of youngsters like you, the most you'll become is a role player."
Now where the hell did that come from.