Chapter 32- Spurs 2

The mood on the pitch had turned and the Spurs fans had their heads in their hands as we ran back to our positions, the united chants got louder and stronger, suggesting that Kane was a "f*** boy!" 

I ran back and stood behind Harry Kane as he kicked off play again the ball at the feet of the opposition once again, I urged Casi forward and we made a dash for the ball at Heung Min Son's feet. Still, he arced the ball over to Kulusevski, who began running up the flank, but Rashford was hot on his tails, Luke Shaw came forward and both left winger and left back, sandwiched Kulusevski into giving up the ball. 

The ball was passed around the back as the pace we had earned from the goal I scored died down, the Spurs players were getting closer and closer to intercepting the ball but we eventually got the right pass to the midfield players and Hojlund, Casi, and Eriksen were bossing the Spurs players around, eventually a nice chipped ball fell to the feet of Alejandro Garnacho who curled it sadly over my head but to the feet of Marcus Rashford, who stepped over and dribbled the ball pas Eric Dier. 

I made my run as I heard my name fall from Rashford's tongue, barreling past the defenders as a brilliant through ball pierced past the Spurs back line and at my foot, I managed to curl the ball around the keeper but not before he got a glove on it, pushing the ball away from me eventually falling to someone behind me, Casi. 

And with a great big boom, the ball flew inches past my face and into the top right corner and we ran with Casi to the corner flag, knee sliding as the whistle blew for halftime. 

The dressing room reeked of rich cologne and sweaty bodies all clumped together, but the mood couldn't have been better, we were up by two and the fans were more lively than ever, but then Ten Hag walked in, a smile on his face. 

"Okay boys, we are going to make some changes, Adri I'm going to sub you off son, give Rasmus a chance to return to that striking position and let Fred take the cm position." 

I looked at the man suspiciously, "But gaffer why? I'm in great scoring form!" 

"We need you at your best and playing at that level of form for our upcoming cup game, so just take a break for now, we won't play you for the next few games..." 

I sighed "Whatever ya say gaff!" 

The rest of the team was about to go back onto the field when Ten Hag pulled me aside, "Look Adri, I know you don't like to miss out on games, but I just wanted to make sure we're on the same page regarding this"

"Look Gaff, I want to be important when the team needs me, otherwise what good am I to you guys as a captain, I know when to step aside..." 

We nodded at each other and the rest of the game was spent watching from the sidelines as the gap between the teams began to close, eventually, Spurs had equalized and it was all square again. I looked at Ten Hag pitifully before asking him to call Casi, Rasmus, Rashford, and Alejandro over to talk. 

The four lads came in and Ten Hag shrugged making them confused, he stepped aside and began my daily lecture, "Casi, look you've been playing this game longer than I have but where the hell is that eagle eye vision man, pick out Rashfor and Garnacho, now that we're talking about you two Marcus, Alejandro, you guys are just not making enough runs, and Rasmus please cut back now and then otherwise we are fucked! Now get out there and win this game lads!"

The ball was played well in the final fifteen minutes, a light touch from Casi, drifting to Rashford as he switched the play to Garnacho, who stepped over the ball numerous times before nutmegging Dier to get the ball to Rasmus who smashed the ball into the top corner, getting the fans to erupt in joy. 

The match was a tense one in the second half and we all looked wary as we left the stadium to get home, some of us including me were stopped for questions, "Adrian! Adrian! What do you think of being subbed off at the start of the second half?" 

"Look guys, when to start me, bring me on or bring me off, that's the gaffer's decision, to play like the world's best and score goals, that's my decision, and I've been making it since day one so I don't see a problem here..." 

"Mr. Randin, your dispute with fellow England Ace Harry Kane is quite well known after the leakage of footage from the Three Lion's dressing room, whats your take?" 

"Look mate, I've said this before and I'll say it now, if a player ain't performing the way they should I will tell them, whether it's my idol Cristiano or my friend Casi over here, the point is how you react and Kane chose to ridicule me and you heard the chants, I think you know who the fans side with..." 

"Finally Adrian, we noticed your heated discussion with the front four on the sidelines, Casemiro, Rasmus Hojlund, Garnacho, and Rashford.... What was that about? At such a young age, how are you able to demand respect from older teammates?" 

I look at Casi and laugh, "It's all about passion, me and the lads, no forget United, every player in the world shares the passion for the game, and whoever has the most passion will always be respected, if that's all, I'll take my leave!" 

"Yes, that's all Mr Randin!" 

I walked back to the bus and sat down, closing my eyes for mere seconds before I got a call. It was from Nell though, not stressful at least. 

*Hey Nell....*

*Hey Adri, are you back in Manchester yet?*

*Nah, driving up from the Spurs ground*

*Listen, I've got some bad news, I'm not sure Erik has said it yet...*

*What's up?*

*I'd rather tell you in person, it's bad...*

*Okay, where do we meet Nell*

*My apartment?*

*Sure and why do you get to call me a nickname, tell me yours!*

Nell laughs and whispers *You've got to earn it Mr Red Devil No 1*

*I'll see you then*

I hung up the phone and looked to my left, Casi was slumped in his seat watching Eastenders, I raised an eyebrow at him before finishing my banana and falling to sleep in the comfort of the bus's plush leather.

<*Look I don't get to ask for my viewer back after this big ass break but hope og's are still checking up man 👀*>