Roy of the Rovers - A New Beginning - Week 11

7/27/2019 Roy of the Rovers - A New Beginning - Week 11

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Roy of the Rovers A New Beginning

Week 11

Andrew Miller scored the only goal asChampionship side Rotherton beatMelchester Rovers in the League Cup.

His eight-yard finish in the second half wasenough for Rotherton in a low-key third-round

tie.

The powerful forward squandered a chance todouble his tally when he failed to punish Roversgoalkeeper Eric Leclair for a misplaced pass.

Tommy Tonks headed over for the visitors as a turgid game petered out at the Forest Ground.Rotherton had lost just once at home in six previous meetings against fellow Midlands sideMelchester and Alfie Stone's men extended that impressive record against a Premiership side whichseemed to have the cup low on their list of priorities.

With 19 changes across both starting line-ups it was perhaps unsurprising that neither side shone.Rotherton were the better side and dominated possession. In the first half Jon Mackay went closest to

breaking the deadlock when he hit the woodwork.

Melchester threatened after the break with Tonks heading wide, and substitute Richie Lyons' sinuousruns caused the home defence problems.

On the hour, however, Miller pounced on Eric Popov's cross to powerfully score from close range forhis first goal of the season.

Rotherton manager Alfie Stone:

"It was a comfortable evening for us but it was like watching paint dry.

"There was no real cohesion, there was no real tempo to it because of what it was. It was more like a

friendly than a cup tie.

"But that's what the early rounds of the cup have turned into now. It's a shame but there you have it."

Melchester assistant-manager Gerry Holloway:

"We wanted to go through, but needs must. It [the team selection] is no disrespect to the cup, it's anecessity.

"Our priority is competing in the Premiership. We have two games in a very short space of time. Werecover on Wednesday, prepare on Thursday, travel on Friday and play early on Saturday.

"Were disappointed. We wanted to win and we might have won if we'd been at our best."


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Vernon Eliot was not at all discouraged by the performance of his young players against Rotherton in

the League Cup. Yes they had been defeated but Rotherton had some experienced players and werewell organised, they would challenge for promotion. So Vernon made sure to remind the squad that

beating Melchester Rovers is always a big incentive, even if they are not the force they once were.

However, what did concern him was the form of Freddy Van Den Broeck. The big Dutchman was

really struggling. He had played the full ninety minutes at Rotherton but had failed to test the

opposition goalkeeper. Vernon had a feeling that he was quite upset at being left out of the first

eleven. He was trying but he was too slow, his reactions poor, while his body language betrayed

someone not at ease with himself.

Vernon had called Freddy into his office, he wanted to have a personal discussion with him, to help

determine what was really wrong. Gerry Holloway was there too, he had completed his BSc inPsychology just a couple of years ago and this knowledge could prove useful. Fred, none of the

physical tests weve done show any injury, not even wear and tear. We reckon the problems in your

head. Gerry thought that Van Den Broeck was suffering with depression but needed him to admit it,

Eh? But my legs wont go! I try to run and chase the ball but Im not getting there. I must have a

strain. Gerry thought carefully about how to continue the discussion, But you dont, mate. Youre

gaining weight, are you sticking to the dietary plan? Freddy did not answer immediately, Er not

exactly I cant cook and my wife; she has gone back to Amsterdam.

Freddy continued, he revealed that his wife wanted a divorce; he was drinking too much, just lager

nothing strong, but he was putting on weight quickly. How are we going to sort this out? Vernonasked, Maybe you can move in with another player, theyve all got big enough houses. But, Im

sorry, until you get yourself sorted, you wont be in the first-team squad.


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The big Dutch forward looked distraught, but he knew his manager was right. He would ask Nick

Batty if he could stay with him for a couple of weeks. It was not just to get on the right diet, he

would need the company and the good influence of the veteran midfielder.

* * *

Trevor Brinsden was disturbed by Geoff Miles latest report; one of his new employees was on the

pay-roll of John Lucas. He had to find out whom and monitor him. There was no need to sack him or

even confront him, the laundry service was completely clean. There was no way a normal employee

could gain any information on the past financial irregularities of the company. Trevor nodded as

David Roth explained this, Its a test. Lucas knows youll find out about the spy and he wants you to

do something silly, like beat him up. Just let the boy get on with his job. When we find out who it is,

let his probation period expire and get rid of him then. This was when having Roth as a friend and

associate was really beneficial, Trevor would have gone in all guns blazing and done the man some

damage, Youre right, Dave! I would have just had him beaten until he told me all he knows about

Lucas. Your way is better, as always.

The two chairmen of Melchester Rovers were seated in the board room, they had a meeting

scheduled to start in ten, or so, minutes time. Better leave this for now Trevor, dont want anyone

else to get wind of our troubles, especially the fans.

As part of the new community side of the club, members and season ticket holders were to elect

two fans to represent them on the board, as non-executive directors. The candidates were to meet

with the board to record their campaign messages and ensure that they met the fit and proper

persons criteria set out by the Football Association. The Fans on the Board would have no real

power, but as a community football club, the board had promised to communicate and

acknowledge the fans more, which also meant the appointment of a local councillor who would

represent the City of Melchester. David Roth knew it was a gimmick and was not at all excited about

having to meet the six short listed candidates. He had promised the fans a voice, but Trevor and he

were true fans, did they really need two replica shirt wearing men whose lives revolved around

Rovers telling them what to do?

He glanced at Trevor, who was scratching his head, looking just as unenthusiastic as he was, Have

you got your question ready? Each of the interviewing board members were to ask one question of

the candidate, If a Rovers fan approached you asking about specific details of a board meeting you

attended, how would you react? Cant have them blabbing about transfer targets or wage demands,

can we? Whats yours? David read, As a fan of Melchester Rovers, what is your number one

concern with the match day experience at Mel Park?

A young man from the media department entered the board room with a mounted video camera

and microphone, I need to set up, sir. Do you know where the plug is?

* * *

Derek Mostin was leading the first training session of the morning. Vernon was keen that the day

should start in a fun way to help his players recover from the shock of their home defeat to bottom-

club Redstoke at the weekend. The exercises were certainly enjoyable but they did serve a purpose.

Rovers next opponents were Deans Park, who used their giant Serbian forward, Pedrag Zelic, as thefocal point for their attacks. So Vernon had asked Mostin to find a unique way of preparing for the

expected aerial bombardment.


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Mozzie had arranged the cones like a wheel, with a circle in the centre and spokes dividing the

surrounding space into five zones. The defender was to challenge the forward in the circle and head

the ball to a team-mate. However the team-mate would be running in circles passing through all five

sectors quickly. He was to call to the defender telling him where to head.

First up was Steve Daley, who was facing Curtis Blunt. Drew Powell was the runner. Go Drew!

Powell set off running at pace around and around. Mostin waited then threw the ball into the airwithout warning, Back left! shouted Powell, Daley leapt above Blunt and glanced the ball gently to

his left. But Powell was already too far behind Daley, he turned to retrieve the ball, but his dizziness

took over and he tripped up his own feet. The squad fell about laughing. Mostin continued with the

exercise, he was amazed how many players panicked and said right instead of left, but that

added to the fun of the session.

Half a pitch away, Roy Race was looking on, standing beside Gerry Holloway, Hes got some brain

for training has Mozzie! Id have never thought that up. We certainly need to practice heading at the

back. But the way hes set it up helps to defend as a unit; the player winning the header is just as

important as team-mates communicating and picking up the loose ball. Im definitely trying this outwith my development squad. Gerry nodded in agreement, I was looking through Mozzies training

book; its amazing! Full of sketches and descriptions; scores of exercises. Hes even reviewed them

and made adjustments. He could be the most important signing Rovers have made in years!

Well youd better have a word with David Roth. Hes not got the contract sorted yet. I suppose its

difficult to judge how many hours hell be working. We dont want to share him, but if Vernon only

wants an hour a day, well have to let him work elsewhere too. Maybe we can find a more full -time

solution, some scouting, youth coaching. Perhaps he can be a club ambassador on match-days.

Gerry pointed back at the first-team squad, Freddy Van Den Broeck was doing the heading

challenge. Freds having some personal problems, Racey. His wifes left him, hes drinking too much

and eating the wrong food. Roy was not surprised, Ive seen it before and experienced it myself.

When your home life is difficult you just cant focus on the game. I would be so tired from not

sleeping, tossing and turning all night thinking about what Id done wrong. I would switch-off even

on the pitch. Ill have a chat with him this afternoon. He needs to know that its not unusual and he

will snap out of it, even if it does take a couple of weeks. Thats 15million of talent there,

Melchester literally cannot afford for him to carry on performing so poorly.

Van Den Broeck was comprehensively out-jumped by reserve centre-half David Clegg. Clegg himself

had made just one appearance this season, in the League Cup at Rotherton, two days earlier. But he

was applying himself well in training. He had played well too, containing the lively Rotherton

forwards, but Danny Jones was fit again and sure to be picked alongside Steve Daley. Have you

considered Clegg for Saturday? Roy asked, I would have him in. Daley and Jones both really

struggled against Carford when they were playing directly and they werent even tall forwards. Ive

seen Zelic, while hes nowhere near as effective as four or five years ago, hes a giant and he knows

his role. Deans Park will play to his strengths and they happen to be our weaknesses. I know its not

the Rovers way to worry about our opponents, but I think Clegg could rough him up nicely. For

someone so big Zelic isnt at all tough, Dave Clegg is; a real hard -man.


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Storky Knight

NEXT WEEKRovers face a familiar foe, the Hard Mans Danefield United!

Roy of the Rovers - A New Beginning - Week 11

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