Chapter 34: Then Let the Cannon Roar at Bramall Lane! In the following days, Maël's physical fatigue gradually diminished, and he slowly increased the intensity of his strength training.
He couldn't wait for his proficiency progress to reach lv3.
The sooner he built up his Strength, the sooner he could join Speed and Coordination training to make up for his shortcomings.
He looked forward to having more means to deal with opponents, and he looked forward to the future when he could truly become an all-rounder.
August 21st, two days before the EFL Championship third round, an away game against Middlesbrough.
Noon, inside the gym.
Maël lay on the ground, his body trembling slightly, developing into muscle spasms, his whole body numb, and finally slowly eliminating all sensation.
He knew this was the feeling of Strength breaking through to lv3!
[Skill: Strong lv3]
[Proficiency Progress: (1/2000)]
[Effect: After reducing your body fat percentage, you begin to focus on improving your absolute physical strength. You slowly possess a strong physique, your body is strong and powerful, and your ability to resist is greatly improved!]
This was a completely new feeling, not only an improvement to his body, but also to his mind!
A powerful and sturdy sense of Strength surged into his heart, giving him unprecedented confidence and relaxation.
"Hoo."
Maël exhaled turbid air towards the sky, as if exhaling all the hard work of this period, leaving only the pleasure and comfort of this moment.
This was a spiritual enjoyment, dopamine and endorphins secreted wildly, making him feel like he was having an intracranial orgasm.
He couldn't stay idle, got up and went to the sandbag, throwing a few heavy punches, making the sandbag 'bang bang', and then using his shoulder to hit the sandbag that bounced back and forth.
A bit like a psychopath, but understandable.
After returning home, he wanted to take advantage of this mood and give Gilbert some rare, serious encouragement, but found that the other party's face was not very good.
"I thought I had a chance to start this week."
Gilbert seemed to have just learned about this week's roster arrangement, with a look of disappointment: "But I didn't expect, still a substitute."
Maël was about to say something to comfort him, but was interrupted by Gilbert waving his hand.
His face was even more unsightly, his expression erratic: "What I find most unbelievable is that you didn't secure a starting position after that game, but instead fell to the bench."
Maël's heart skipped a beat, falling into intense doubt.
Perhaps because of the breakthrough in Strength, he didn't feel down, but an unspeakable sense of strangeness floated to his mind.
"Buzz buzz buzz" The phone rang, someone was calling Maël.
He picked it up, and after seeing that it was Joelson, he answered somewhat woodenly, hoping that the other side was calling to talk about this.
"Maël, I don't know if you've seen the just-released match roster."
Joelson's voice had a clear apology from the beginning, he spoke incoherently, often sighing: "Sorry, it might disappoint you, I want to say that it's definitely not your problem.
"It's the various contradictions between the management and the coaching staff that have ultimately formed this result, making you feel sometimes in heaven and sometimes on earth."
"It's okay."
Maël hesitated slightly, but decided to ask directly: "Can you tell me specifically what happened?"
The voice on the other side fell silent, and after a while, he regained his breath and opened his mouth: "You may have noticed that the 4-4-2 formation has been added to the recent training, this is what Gareth Speed is preparing for after taking office.
"Kevin putting you in the starting lineup in the last game, putting Gilbert on the bench and giving him opportunities, was also Gareth Speed's request.
"The price is that he must act as an intermediary between Kevin and the board of directors, to promote the board of directors to pay the termination fee as soon as possible to dismiss Kevin.
"But almost two weeks have passed, and Kevin hasn't received any news from the board of directors, so he's a little anxious."
Maël's heart stirred upon hearing this, and he had already guessed the general situation.
Gilbert even angrily threw away the drink in his hand next to him, his eyes blazing with fire.
The voice on the other end of the phone was filled with anger, "This bastard's way of expressing his anxiety is to make a show of wavering in using the two of you, to put pressure on the board of directors and Gareth Speed!
"This coward, why can't he fight for what he wants himself! If he really cares about face, why doesn't he resign voluntarily?
"Everyone can see now that giving you and Gilbert important roles is extremely beneficial for the team, whether it's for the present or the second half of the season!"
Joelson finally calmed down, apologized on behalf of the club, and hung up the phone.
"What now?" Gilbert asked, his face even more somber.
"Pray that Kevin gets sacked immediately."
Maël looked at him, adding, "And hope he still has some professional ethics and gives us a chance to come off the bench tomorrow."
...
The next afternoon, Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough's home ground.
"OhWoOh!!"
More than 30,000 home fans in red jerseys created a huge momentum, their cheers lasting for a long time, constantly putting pressure on the visiting team.
On the sidelines, Maël, wearing a substitute vest, sat on the bench with Gilbert.
He could feel that the entire team's emotions were strained again, on the verge of breaking out at any moment.
Their lack of appearance made it clear to everyone that the conflict had not been resolved, the image of revival was just an illusion, and someone had to leave!
Negativity reappeared in everyone.
The Sheffield United players were playing ugly football, completely suppressed by Middlesbrough, and the situation was precarious.
Maël hoped for a chance to play, waiting until halftime, and then stopped hoping in the 70th minute of the second half.
"Bang!"
In the 87th minute of the match, Middlesbrough, whose shooting touch was poor today, finally broke through the Sheffield United goal with a header from a set piece.
"Yeah!!" The home fans cheered excitedly, the goalscorer frantically patted his chest, ran to the sidelines to celebrate wildly, and the entire stadium instantly erupted in jubilation.
Only the Sheffield United players looked numb, as if they had lost their senses.
"Beep! Beep! Beep—!"
Soon, the game ended, and Sheffield United lost their third game of the new season with a score of 1-0.
They all walked towards the locker room dejectedly, falling into a state of silence again, everything from the last game seemed like a final burst of glory before death.
On the way back, Maël noticed someone saying something to Kevin's ear, and then leading Kevin to take another route to other places.
He didn't care, thinking it was just a post-match interview.
Not long after returning to the locker room, Mr. Gareth Speed, wearing a black suit and a brand new red tie, suddenly walked in spiritedly.
"Kids."
He squeezed out a smile from his fatigue, just like usual, but this time with relief: "Kevin is sacked! The new successor will be me."
All the players looked up sharply, and the locker room was silent for a moment.
"Oh!" After a moment of reaction, they burst into a loud cheer, as if they had scored a goal in the stadium.
Many people had really been waiting for this day for a long time!
Maël turned his head to look at Gilbert with joy, integrated into the atmosphere of everyone, and the two high-fived to celebrate.
"The rest of the changes, we'll talk about them slowly when we get back."
Gareth Speed knocked on the table, signaling everyone to be quiet and pay attention, "Next home game, we will return to Bramall Lane Stadium.
"At that time, I will return everything he took from you! I hope everyone will work hard and use victory to make a good start to my coaching career!"
"Okay!" Another cheer erupted in the locker room, and many people even stood up and waved their fists fiercely.
From this point alone, Gareth Speed had already completely defeated Kevin, even though he was just a young coach who had just started coaching.
"He must be talking about the two of us!"
Gilbert sat next to Maël, excitedly leaning over and shouting, "I mean, he will give you back your starting position and give me a chance to play!"
"Definitely."
Maël looked at the spirited young coach in front of him and suddenly had some expectations. Maybe they could do something together this season.
"How are you going to celebrate?" Gilbert joked with a smile.
"Let me think."
Maël thought for a moment, thinking that in the next game the team would return to their home stadium, and he might have his debut at Bramall Lane Stadium, "Then... let the cannons boom at Bramall Lane!"
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