The Friday before the first game of the Premier League season was always strange.
The grass on the training pitch looked greener than usual. The coffee in the canteen tasted stronger.
Michael Sterling stood in his office looking out at the car park. The rain was falling in sheets. It washed away the dust of the summer and left the world looking clean and ready for battle.
Arthur Milton was sitting on the sofa. He was polishing the Manager of the Month trophy with his sleeve.
"It is shiny Boss," Arthur said. "But it is lonely. It needs a big brother. Maybe the Premier League trophy."
"One step at a time Arthur," Michael said turning away from the window. "First we have to beat Wolves. They are strong. They have Cunha. They have speed."
"We have a Viking," Arthur reminded him. "And a Pitbull. And a Phantom."
Michael smiled. The squad was ready. The tactics were set.
But suddenly a black car pulled into the training ground entrance.
