Chapter 110: Luka’s Silence
Chapter 110: Luka’s Silence
Sunday, July 4, 2010
The early morning air in Crawley was cool and smelled of rain-soaked grass as Niels walked through the gates of Broadfield Stadium. Around him, the town was slowly waking up.
Yesterday, getting the board to approve Thomas as fitness coach had been a big win. It was the first real step in building a staff that shared his vision.
But today, as he prepared for a staff meeting to plan the first week of preseason, the uncertainty over Max and Luka hung over him like a storm cloud, threatening the heart of Crawley’s story.
The staff meeting was held in a small, familiar room just off the main corridor. Faded team photos from past seasons decorated the walls, and the smell of coffee filled the air. Emma sat at the head of the table, her notes neatly stacked, looking both focused and urgent. Thomas, the new fitness coach, leaned forward with his clipboard, eyes sharp and alert.
The rest of the staff, two new assistant coaches and a young analyst with a laptop full of data filled the room. They looked eager but tense, aware of the tough season ahead.
Niels stood at the front, speaking clearly as he outlined the plan for the first week: fitness tests to check the players’ readiness, a tactical refresher to sharpen their high-press system inspired by Milan, and early work on formations to get ready for the tough League One matches.
Thomas jumped in with his confident Dutch accent. "We’ll start with individual fitness tests, endurance for Max to keep his runs strong, agility for Luka to stay quick and sharp, and speed for Thiago to break past defenders. Then, recovery sessions to keep everyone fresh through the season’s grind."
The team nodded in agreement, the plan was coming together like a well-rehearsed play. But Niels couldn’t stop thinking about Emma’s transfer updates, with Levante and Parma’s interest looming over every choice.
The meeting ended with a clear schedule, but the real challenge was keeping the team’s heart and spirit alive.
After the meeting, Niels pulled Emma aside in his office. The room felt familiar, filled with old match programs, a chipped mug, and a photo from last season’s FA Cup run. The window looked out over the quiet pitch, muddy and waiting for the season to begin.