Chapter 127: The Hunger to Prove
Monday, August 16, 2010
Two days after the tough loss to Sheffield United, Broadfield Stadium felt tense. The training pitches baked under the August sun, and the air in Crawley was hot and heavy.
Niels arrived at dawn, his pickup clattering to a stop by the training ground's old gate. The sharp smell of burnt grass and diesel hung in the air.
His chest was tight with frustration and determination, the upcoming Preston match felt like a chance to turn things around or fall further into trouble.
The media kept piling on and Monday's headlines hit hard: "Crawley's Fire Fizzles at Bramall Lane," shouted one.
Another one, "Niels' Dream Unraveling Already?" The criticism cut deep, adding pressure to a squad already shaken by defeat, their confidence shaky and unsteady.
Niels held a worn clipboard filled with notes on Preston's counterattacks and the key roles of Pogba and Freeman in the midfield.
