40 Turntables

Blaise Atkinson started jogging around and stretching his legs by the sideline. He's warming up, waiting for the time his manager would call him into the game.

By the hour mark, there's been a vast improvement in the state of mind of the Sheffield players on the pitch. They're no longer afraid to make mistakes, and are back to being focused and relaxed.

Although, that was not to say that the away side have managed to reduce the three goal deficit. In fact, their one man disadvantage continued to hamper their efforts going forward, to a point where they could only rely on the sporadic long shots and counter attack options that come through.

The good thing was, they hadn't lost heart despite getting rebuffed multiple times this time around.

Birmingham was now employing harassment tactics to offset the new lease of life in the Sheffield offense. This was where their man advantage was maximized to its greatest effect. They don't care about team shape, or structure anymore, but in return they could double up on the ball carrier without leaving out a gap somewhere.

This forces the receiver of the ball to make quick, accurate decisions.

A bit more later, Blaise was finally called by the manager.

"Be the head of the spear. You're not gonna be playing defensive midfielder, nor central midfielder, nor attacking midfielder. You're going to the top of the formation."

Blaise swallowed hard. He knows he'd make the biggest possible impact at the heart of the midfield. He also didn't doubt that he can give this team that was down to ten a shot to stage an upset bid, if he's in there.

But not at striker for fuck's sake!

He's the creative mind! He's not a striker!

Wait… I said I'm gonna be flexible… and be open to new possibilities and opportunities… I gotta keep an open mind...

Blaise composed himself and breathed in a mouthful of air. "I might not make the most impact there, sir… are you sure about this?"

"Of course. Let them take over what you usually do, and I'll trust you to finish whatever comes your way." The manager was looking at Blaise's eyes with a hopeful look. "If nothing comes your way, then... go wild."

"That's better."

A little over an hour had passed, when Blaise Atkinson was subbed in as the lone striker. Several people in the stands started scribbling on their notes, and typing on their phones. All of them gave this game their undivided attention afterward.

Terry Quinn dropped a little deeper into the central attacking midfielder role to accommodate Blaise's entrance. The trio of him, Callum, and Cameron all scratched their heads at the manager's decision.

Why would the manager do that without giving any of them the heads up? The trio also doubted if Blaise was given one before he's sent there.

The action continued with Ollie Smith lumping a ball forward to Blaise, who's already battling two defenders right off the bat.

Seeing as the ball was just going to land in a position that was advantageous to the defenders, he didn't rush for it at all.

At least until he saw the two defenders doing the same thing, as if they don't know who's going to get it.

The keeper? He's near.

The defenders?

Blaise's burst of speed out of nowhere caught the two dawdling defenders napping. The also out of sync keeper was forced to move forward to try and meet Blaise there.

The ball landed on the grass for the first time, with Blaise holding off the two defenders that had a woeful miscue on what was supposed to be a routine clearance.

In a pinch, he tapped the underside of the ball upwards with his foot, sending it over the sprawling keeper. The force applied was just enough to avoid the keeper, but was not enough to send it over the goal line. So, Blaise continued his pursuit of the ball to give it a finishing touch.

He jumped over the keeper like a runner jumping over a hurdle, and gave the football a casual flick goalwards to start their comeback bid…

Goal!

"Welcome back, you fuck!" Cameron didn't mince his words while giving his friend a hug.

"You can actually be a striker too huh? I'm in danger..." Meanwhile, Terry was already fearing for his future.

"That was phenomenal, sir!" Callum gave him a fist bump.

"I got an assist!" Ollie's eyes were twinkling as he celebrated his first ever official assist.

On the sideline, their manager straightened his back and balled his fists in elation. Making the right decisions in the middle of the game is what makes his job so fun.

Less than a minute and two touches after coming on, Blaise Atkinson's impact was already felt by the crowd, the manager, and the players on the pitch.

The very definition of a super sub… and what a super sub he was.

Down a man and two goals, the threat posed by Sheffield was several times higher than what it was a minute ago. Not only do they have their talisman back, but he'd also taken one goal back for them.

Feeling the heat, the Birmingham line shifted deeper into their own area, as if daring Sheffield to break them down.

That was an invitation Sheffield would accept any time.

Crisp passing has returned to the midfield, with Blaise dropping deep on occasion like a false nine to contribute on making passes and plays. He didn't do a lot, but it was enough to impact the passing game.

A rare breakdown on the Birmingham defense gave Terry an opportunity to drop back again, and Blaise to slip forward. Springing the offside trap, Terry sent a diagonal ball to the left to Cameron.

His first touch with his left foot was flawless, giving him an easier time to switch the ball to his right and cut inside. That quick cut made the right back lose his balance.

He wanted to shoot, but the defense had already gotten back to shape and was ready for him.

What they aren't ready for though, was him switching the ball to the other flank…

Callum Rowe's reception of the ball was sublime, managing to stop the ball's momentum completely. Without wasting time, he crossed the ball high up for grabs in the box.

Blaise Atkinson didn't jump, because he's still a little apprehensive about jumping. However, he remained alert for loose balls at the far post.

He didn't wait long for that to come his way.

Cameron's ridiculous athleticism gave him prime opportunities to get his head on the accurate cross, but his powerful header was kept out by one of the defenders hugging the goal line…

It was not out for long.

Blaise swooped in like a hawk wanting to land a killing blow, he stuck his foot into the ball's path on the rebound, smashing it to the back of the net amid the stunned faces of the home crowd and players.

Another goal back!