Chapter 47: Derby vs Bristol II
The halftime whistle had blown, and the players trudged off the pitch, heads low and spirits heavy. Inside the Derby County locker room, the atmosphere was tense. Sweat-drenched jerseys clung to players as they took their seats, some staring blankly at the floor, others burying their faces in their hands. The silence was deafening.
On the other side of the stadium, the Bristol City locker room was anything but subdued. Laughter and jeers filled the air as players reveled in their 2-0 lead.
"So, this is the team that's unbeaten since the beginning of the year?" one player chuckled, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Feels like we're playing a Sunday league side."
Another turned his attention to a monitor showing replays of the first half. The camera lingered on David Jones.
"And that's their prodigy? The kid everyone's been hyping up?" he mocked. "Guess he's all bark and no bite."
The room erupted in laughter, but their coach quickly intervened.
"Enough!" he barked, his tone sharp and commanding. "You've done well so far, but don't let your guard down. This is still a dangerous team. Play with the same intensity, or you'll regret it."
Back in the Derby County locker room, Wayne Rooney stood at the center, his presence commanding. His voice broke the silence like a whip.
"Alright, listen up!" Rooney began, his eyes sweeping the room. "That first half wasn't good enough. But it's done. We're not out of this. Two goals can be turned around."
He paced the room, stopping to look each player in the eye.
"Curtis," Rooney said, turning to the veteran defender. "Get ready. You're going on. And you're taking the armband."