(Quick Author's Note:)
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This is a Short chapter because it's regarding a small part of the story but represents a wider arc of said story. Enjoy!
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(Stadium of Light, Monkwearmouth, City of Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, England, Europe)
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(Bastian Martell POV)
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Bastian had called in the relevant coaches and other staff.
''Regarding Cardo Madanda, Louis Ingram, Conor O'shea and Nathaniel Reddington. Reddington and O'shea have informed me of a rivalry between the other two. They've also indicated it has been known to get very heated at times and have attributed it to the personality of the two men. If I'm going to be promoting them, then I need to know the details. Dodds?'' Bastian asked.
''I don't know exactly when it started. But Cardo and Louis don't mesh well. Both are big personalities with their own sense of drama. In Ingram's case, he has poor judgment and almost never believes he's at fault. In Mandanda's case, he's talented and knows it and will not hesitate to speak his mind if he feels he's being dicked around. The trouble is though, that while they haven't come to blows yet, they're extremely competitive. If not for their talent they'd never have been put up for promotion so soon.'' Says Dodds.
''How big of an Ego are we talking here?'' Keane asked.
''Depends on who we're talking about. They're both big personalities with a slightly inflated sense of worth. Not Much difference though. The crucial point is that Ingram is the more in your face type of personality. Mandanda will moan and then air his grievances out in social media.'' Says press officer Dante Rennow.
''Can they work together?'' Scholes asks.
''Yes, but it's always frustrating to deal with. Louis Ingram gels the best with Reddington and O'shea, but clashes with O'shea on occasion. It has often fallen to Reddington to mediate between the three.'' Dodds informs.
''If this is the case, why are Mandanda and Ingram even being considered for promotion to the senior squad? The lot of them are in their teens. And yet the youngest one is apparently the most mature of the whole group of em? What's the idea there?'' Keane asks.
''O'shea and Ingram play on the wing brilliantly, the friendship with Reddington has been the heart of success for the Under-18's. Reddington can play pretty much anywhere well, but as a Central Attacking Midfielder, Centre Forward or lone striker with these two on the wing? He's phenomenal, but that's because he's not greedy, he's willing and able to share the ball, and he can make everyone around him look good. Now, when he and Mandanda are on the same Page? It's good. But Mandanda and Ingram are Very difficult to get on the same Page. It's a very real possibility that we may someday be forced to sell one of them to keep the peace.'' Says Dodds.
''What are our options?'' Asks Keane.
''Let's observe them in senior squad training for now. As well as how they gel together and with the rest of the squad. I want eyes on them during matchday as well, we need our players channeling their aggression against the other team not each other. It will also give us an idea of their capability with each other and the wider senior squad.'' Says Martell.
''I guess that's our meeting.'' Dodds says.
''Not quite. Keane, Giggs, Fowler? Welcome to Sunderland. Arca, DeFoe, Cattermole, and McGeady? Welcome Back. You all know what is expected of us, so let's channel our knowledge and experience of the game into a story of success. I expect our boys to give a very good account of themselves in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup regardless of our five year plan. So let's ensure they are at their best for it.'' Martell says.
''Hopefully this ends up better than when I was captaining the Black Cat's.'' Roy Jokes.
''If we do our jobs, and the lads do theirs. It should.'' Giggs replied.
''That's all for now, we meet the senior squad tomorrow, so let's get head home and get an early night. I wan everyone here an hour before we're supposed to be here, I have a few things to bring up before the Lads arrived, and we'll need the hour.'' Martell informs his staff.
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(Author's Note:)
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Well, that's the chapter, I felt this was a necessary one and didn't feel it was necessary to increase the content here. We'll have enough to do with the next chapters content. I mostly wanted this chapter to serve as a point of introduction for various characters and also serve as a way to establish a starting dynamic between Bastian and the other coaches.
See you guys next chapter.
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