Juninho D'Alessandro sat comfortably in his Morecambe home, casually scrolling through some online chatter.
He didn't care much about the snide remarks making rounds among rival clubs' forums.
Cognition defines vision.
The rise of "Blue Moon" Manchester City and the "Blue Army" Chelsea—sure, they looked glorious in the history books. But the truth?
They weren't born giants. Their trophies came only after years of absurd investment.
All those critics talking about tradition, history, and class—Juninho saw right through them. Most were just stingy club owners trying to save face.
"Talk all you want about legacy," Juninho muttered, a smirk tugging at his lips. "We'll see how you talk when I meet you on the pitch."
He was actually looking forward to it.
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Two days later – Morecambe vs Sutton United, Round 10 of the League
At Morecambe Town Stadium, Juninho stood calmly on the sidelines, watching his side with an easy expression. The game offered no surprises.
Sutton United were sitting second in the table behind Morecambe, but on the pitch, they were completely outclassed. Morecambe controlled the tempo from start to finish.
Goals in the 7th, 34th, 62nd, and 89th minutes sealed a dominant 4–0 win.
That marked an 11-game winning streak across all competitions, and the gap at the top of the table continued to grow.
As Juninho strolled home that evening, he felt... a little bored.
"This league's already ours," he thought. "Our squad strength, our tactics... it's just too much. There's hardly room for upsets."
He wasn't wrong.
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One Week Later – League Matchday 12: Morecambe vs Oldham (Away)
Morecambe crushed Oldham with another 6–0 win.
Ibrahimović scored a hat-trick, Beech bagged a brace, and Ronaldinho curled in a stunning free-kick.
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Matchday 13: Morecambe vs Bristol Rovers (Home)
Result: 4–0
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Matchday 14: Morecambe vs Mansfield Town (Home)
Result: 5–1
That's 14 consecutive wins in all competitions.
August? Absolutely perfect.
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September 1st – Morecambe Training Ground
The squad was stretching on the grass under the cool morning sun. Juninho stood nearby, spinning a whistle in his hand.
"The day after tomorrow, we face Wigan Athletic in the League Cup," he announced.
His tone sharpened slightly. "Keep your discipline. Clean up your habits. No distractions. I want us ready for battle."
They had drawn Wigan Athletic, a seasoned League One side—not an easy matchup, considering other League Two clubs drew weaker opponents.
But Juninho wasn't afraid. Why should he be?
No one said a League Two side couldn't knock out a League One club.
In fact, he welcomed the challenge.
---
"Wigan Athletic, huh?" Beech muttered, seated with his legs stretched out. "I've crossed paths with them before. Tough team, old-school football."
"But honestly," he continued, "with our current form, we're at least 50-50. They're stronger physically, faster maybe—but tactically? They're predictable."
He wasn't wrong.
Outside of the Premier League, most teams relied heavily on strength over finesse.
"That means we've got a good shot at going even further?" Ronaldinho asked, grinning as he stretched his legs.
"Definitely," Beech replied. "I believe in this squad."
"Then let's cause another upset," Ronaldinho said with a wide, toothy smile.
The mood across the team was positive. No fear—only eagerness.
---
Next Two Days
Juninho reduced training intensity to keep the players fresh and sharp. The squad, in return, stayed disciplined—diet, rest, focus. Everyone was locked in.
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September 3rd – Match Day
Wigan Athletic's home stadium—the DW Stadium—was located in Greater Manchester, not too far from Morecambe. The team left early in the morning.
By noon, they arrived at their hotel, took a short rest, and then departed for the stadium.
The DW Stadium, with a 25,000-seat capacity, was almost completely packed.
Why?
Because the name Juninho D'Alessandro and his miracle Morecambe team were making waves all over England.
Even fans from other clubs living nearby came just to see what all the fuss was about.
The hype was real.
---
In the VIP section, several familiar faces were gathering—including club owners who had previously clashed with Juninho online.
They sat together, hoping Morecambe would crash out so they could return home and boast.
"Old man," one white-bearded gentleman chuckled, "you sure you're still backing Wigan? Morecambe's value is higher, you know."
"Hah!" Wood, the owner of Bournemouth, barked a laugh. "It's a patched-up team thrown together in under six months. They can smash minnows, but Wigan? No chance."
"We'll see," the old man smiled, turning his attention to the pitch.
The players were emerging from the tunnel, holding the hands of young mascots.
The stage was set.
The second round of the League Cup... was about to begin.
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