Chapter 152: Holding Midfield Masterclass
Saturday, 16 October, 2010
The crisp October air at Dean Court carried a charged, familiar weight.
This wasn't just another League One fixture, it was a reunion laced with unfinished business.
Crawley Town vs AFC Bournemouth.
A rivalry reborn from last season's fierce battles in League Two, now reignited on a higher stage.
The tension was alive in the stands, in every stomp and shout, in the way fans clutched scarves tighter.
For Crawley, this was more than a match. It was the unveiling of something new, Coach Niels's bold tactical overhaul, tested not in training drills or quiet build-ups, but here, under floodlights and pressure.
No more theory.
No more talk.
This was the proving ground.
The squad, still riding the high of their Europa League run, had no illusions about tonight. The league was a different beast.
Grittier.
Less forgiving.
But their eyes told a story of belief.
