Chapter 45: Match Day
he Derby County locker room was alive with a quiet buzz, each player preparing for the match against Bristol City. It was February 12, 2020, and after a five-day break, David Jones could hardly contain his excitement. The rest of the team was joking around, their voices echoing off the walls, but David could barely focus on anything other than the impending match. He hadn't played in days—days that had felt like an eternity.
David was practically bouncing on his feet, a wide grin plastered across his face as he pulled on his kit. The adrenaline was already pumping through his veins, and the excitement of stepping back onto the pitch after a short break was like a flood of energy coursing through him. He had spent the last few days working on his free kicks—hundreds of them, each one a reminder of the challenge he was trying to master. While the previous session had left him feeling frustrated, today was different. Today, he was just excited to play. He had come to terms with the fact that free kicks would take time, but the match itself was all he could think about now.
"Oi, kid, you ready?" Jason Knight called over to him from across the room, his voice full of energy. He was sitting on the bench, lacing up his boots, a cheeky grin plastered on his face.
David looked over at him, feeling a rush of camaraderie. "You bet," he said, barely able to keep the grin from stretching across his face. "Five days without a game? I've got enough energy to last me all week."
Jason laughed. "Let's hope it lasts longer than that. We need you out there firing on all cylinders."
David chuckled, but the words had some weight to them. He knew how important this match was for the team. Derby County had been pushing for a spot higher up the table, and every match counted. They couldn't afford to drop points, especially not against Bristol City, a team known for their grit and tenacity.
Just then, the door to the locker room opened, and Wayne Rooney walked in. His presence immediately commanded attention, and the room fell silent. He looked over at the players, taking in the energy, and nodded in approval.
"Alright, lads," Rooney said, his voice steady and calm, a stark contrast to the energy that was building in the room. "This is it. It's match day. We've had our training, we know what we're capable of. Now, we need to show it. Keep your heads in the game, support each other, and let's make sure we leave everything on that pitch."
David felt a wave of confidence wash over him. He wasn't nervous—not like he had been before big games in the past. This was different. After everything he had been working on, the pressure wasn't there. Today, it was all about playing his game, enjoying the match, and making the most of the opportunity. The crowd, the stadium, the sound of the ball hitting the net—it was all going to be worth it.
Rooney's eyes scanned the room, and for a split second, they landed on David. There was an unspoken understanding between them. Rooney knew what David had been working on. He knew the frustration he had felt in the last few days, especially with the free kicks. But he also knew that David had the talent, the drive, and the mentality to turn it around.