Chapter 30

Since taking over Millwall in the summer, Audrich has been busy almost every day, completely overhauling the team within two months and rebuilding it into a new squad.

After the season started, he diligently coached the first team, especially focusing on tactical drills. Even in the evenings, he would immerse himself in studying opponents' data. This was just for the first team; he also attended the home matches of the reserve and youth teams, sending a signal to the substitutes that the club valued them.

He didn't want players like Ballack, Van Nistelrooy, and Gattuso to think they were just filling in at Millwall. So, Audrich personally attended the reserve and youth team matches to show the club's commitment to them.

Usually, after a match day, during the players' rest periods in training, Audrich would chat briefly with these players based on their performances, offering concise guidance.

Through such subtle efforts, Audrich established a clear position in the players' hearts: the head coach!

The next day, they were set to play an away league match in the midweek. Audrich, dressed in coaching gear, was discussing matters with Jensen on the training field.

"Is it that serious? Six players are advised to rest?"

Jensen exaggeratedly opened his mouth and then pouted, "Isn't that a bit exaggerated? Our players seem to be in good physical condition. There have been more matches recently, but if they grit their teeth and push through, they can play two more matches in the next seven days and then rest for a week."

Audrich, with his arms crossed, gazed at the players on the training field and murmured, "Larsson has been with the team since the World Cup, Trezeguet has been in England for less than two months, Lucas is under eighteen, and Pires, Schneider, and Makelele have played the full 90 minutes in the last six matches. Dr. Sampson's advice to rest them makes sense. You're right, they might be able to push through the next two matches in seven days, but Dr. Sampson convinced me with a metaphor."

"Hmm? What metaphor?"

"A spring. Physical fatigue is like a spring being slowly pressed down. If there's no balance between work and rest, and the spring is pressed down bit by bit, when it reaches its limit, the force of the spring's rebound will be destructive to the body. Each time it reaches its limit, the spring becomes more fragile, and the next time it is pressed to its limit, it might break."

After Audrich finished, Jensen opened his mouth in disbelief, "Is he exaggerating?"

Audrich smiled and said, "He's an expert in sports medicine. Who else should we listen to? Besides, he has convinced me. In the long run, I also hope the players can have healthier and longer careers."

Jensen understood that Audrich had made up his mind and frowned, "If six starters don't play, the substitutes should be fine, but for Makelele's position, probably Vieira..."

Jensen's mind was racing. Two forwards could be replaced by Phillips and Solskjaer from the substitutes, the two wings by Glenys and Beckham, and the full-backs by Zambrotta. However, for the defensive midfielder position, neither Vieira nor Gattuso could replace the steady and efficient Makelele.

"Don't overthink it. Instead of using a mixed lineup, I'd rather use all substitutes. The eleven starters will stay in London for a break. Tomorrow, we'll take the substitutes to Tranmere. Oh, if the substitute list isn't enough, we can call up two or three from the reserves."

Jensen looked at Audrich in surprise. This young coach was truly unpredictable!

If a few starters needed rest, he would simply not play any starters at all!

But Jensen quickly understood and agreed with Audrich's approach. The first team had only been training together for less than two months, and the starters and substitutes had different levels of默契 (team chemistry) in their group play.

Suddenly combining Vieira and Nedved into a new midfield might not be as effective as 1+1. And as a central midfielder, Nedved might not form a passing and receiving chemistry with Beckham and Glenys.

Rather than taking a lineup with a series of uncertainties to an away match, it was better to use the substitutes for practice, avoiding widespread dissatisfaction among the remaining substitutes.

If the players were unhappy on the field and couldn't win, why make things harder for themselves?

Jensen was deeply impressed by Audrich's boldness and ease. In the league, every point was crucial, but Audrich seemed to not overly value the points.

Watching Audrich walk towards the training field, Jensen sighed, "Perhaps, as you said, once these players mature, the key to victory will naturally be in our hands."

The morning training was about to end. Audrich came to the training field, clapped his hands, and gathered the players. Seeing the players drenched in sweat, Audrich spoke softly.

"The eleven players who started the last league match don't need to train this afternoon. Stay at the hotel, and Dr. Thompson will arrange recovery training for you this afternoon. Also, you have a day off tomorrow. The remaining players should come here as usual this afternoon. I will announce the starting lineup and tactical arrangements for tomorrow. Any questions?"

The players were a bit confused.

Southgate asked, "Boss, are we not going to the away match tomorrow? Not even to the venue?"

Audrich smiled, "Yes, Dr. Thompson advised you to rest, so I'm giving you a day off. You can spend time with your families or go out with friends, but remember, the day off is to help you recover, not to indulge. We have a league match in five days. If any of you don't recover to Dr. Sampson's satisfaction, you'll have to sit on the bench."

Initially, the eleven starters were secretly pleased to go to the hotel for recovery training with Dr. Thompson.

They liked Dr. Thompson because he arranged for massage therapists to give them muscle massages, making them feel incredibly comfortable. Plus, they could soak in the hotel's baths or swim, which was very relaxing.

The only thing the players might not like about the hotel was the bland and tasteless food.

However, when they heard they had a day off, the eleven starters were startled, thinking Audrich was dissatisfied with their performance in the last three matches, where they only managed one win.

But after hearing Audrich's explanation, they realized it was a balance of work and rest.

Even though the starting goalkeeper Keller, midfielder Nedved, and Southgate felt their stamina was fine, considering the 46-match season in the English First Division, they accepted Audrich's arrangement.

The substitutes, on the other hand, were overjoyed. With no reserve or youth team matches in the midweek, they had been training extra hard, but now they were unexpectedly going to play in a First Division match!

Although they had played in the League Cup, the opponents were from the third and fourth tiers, and the First Division matches were more challenging. They were eager to show their skills and prove to the head coach that they were just as capable as the starters and deserved a place in the First Division.

After the team dispersed and returned to the hotel, they had lunch and a nap. In the afternoon, when they came to the training field, Audrich, reminded by Jensen, realized he had overlooked something.

Who would be the captain for tomorrow's away match?

Audrich then remembered: all three captains were in the starting lineup.

In the previous two League Cup matches, the captain was Solskjaer, who was at least a substitute in the starting lineup, and no one in the substitutes could question his experience.

But the League Cup was different from the league, and with this substitute lineup, they might play in the First Division again in a tight schedule. They needed a permanent captain, a true team leader.

Only 15 first-team players came to the training field in the afternoon, while the other 11 stayed at the hotel.

They were full of energy, waiting for Audrich to arrange the afternoon training, and more importantly, to set the tactics for tomorrow's match.

But they noticed the head coach pacing back and forth in front of them.

The players' eyes darted from left to right, and they were almost burning with impatience!

Audrich paced back and forth calmly, his head slightly lowered as if deep in thought.

Among the eleven, the first-team substitutes were first excluded: Dean Richards, Zambrotta, Butt, Ballack, Solskjaer, Phillips, and Glenys.

These substitutes might fill in for the starters if they were injured, so they might not be on the field when the substitutes played.

The remaining choices were limited, and Beckham and Neville were directly excluded, leaving Vieira and Matri.

Audrich suddenly stopped, took the captain's armband from his pocket, and walked to the tall Matri. With a puzzled look, Matri caught the armband Audrich tossed to him.

Matri, confused, asked, "Boss? Hmm?"

He also glanced at Solskjaer, who had been the captain in the League Cup. Why was it now him?

Audrich casually said, "If a starting forward is injured or suspended, Ole will be the first choice to replace him. So, as the substitute lineup, you need a new captain. Marco, from today, you are the fourth captain of the team. I'm not asking if you can handle it; just tell me if you are willing and can fulfill the captain's duties."

The young Matri was known for his fierce and temperamental nature. His physical attributes as a center-back were undeniable, and he had climbed the ranks from the Italian regional leagues, proving his capabilities. His only flaw was his temper and speed.

Audrich hoped that becoming captain would make Matri more mature and responsible. If he could prioritize team responsibility, it would be a great help to his growth.

Matri grinned and stuffed the armband into his pocket, laughing at his teammates, "From today, I'm the captain. If anyone slacks off in training or doesn't give their all on the field, I'll beat them up!"

The surrounding players burst into laughter, and Audrich also smiled.

PS: Thank you to "idcub" for the support!

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(End of the chapter)