Chapter 130: Build-Up Without Breakthrough
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Location: Meadow Lane, Notts County
Saturday morning was tense. When Crawley's team bus pulled up to Meadow Lane in Nottingham, the air was damp and you could already feel the nerves.
Niels stepped off the bus completely focused. Today was a chance to build on the Preston win, but the pressure was mounting.
Two draws in their last three games had stalled their momentum.
Looking up at the stadium brought back memories: a 2-1 loss last season, followed by that wild 4-3 win. Notts County was always a battle.
Today, they needed more than just effort, they needed an actual result.
The media had changed their tune, too. The local paper, which had been supportive, was now warning: "Crawley need wins, not grit, to survive League One." It echoed a pundit's recent jab about their "lucky win."
Niels could feel the pressure creeping in. The squad was hungry, but they still had a lot to prove.
