Chapter 26: Teach Ribery

It's easy to get discouraged when a team loses, especially when the competition seems to be outpacing you. However, in the long 46-round English Football League season, the real winner will be determined by consistency, not the outcome of just one or two games.

Still, it stung a bit that Notts County lost, while their local rivals came out on top.

Nottingham Forest had crushed Sheffield United in their Premier League opener, dominating the match without allowing the home side any chances to fight back.

It was easy to dismiss Nottingham Forest's victory, as they were in a different league altogether. But Manchesterfield, a team that Notts County would be facing this season, was another story.

The Pozzo family had transformed Manchesterfield by bringing in 14 Italian players, making them an immediate contender. In their first match of the season, they comfortably defeated Northampton 2-0. Manchesterfield fans, already proud of their team's new lineup, began to mock Notts County, suggesting that their spending spree was futile. They believed the Italian bosses had worked magic by merely loaning out young players from Serie A, which gave Manchesterfield the firepower to leap from relegation candidates to potential champions.

Notts County fans, however, had to console themselves with the thought that their team's lineup, although not yet in sync, would come together over time. The money spent by Notts County would bear fruit in the end, while Manchesterfield's quick fix would prove unsustainable once the loan players were forced to leave next season.

The Football League had already decided to introduce a new rule limiting the number of loan players per matchday to five, with no more than four from the same club. This new regulation, effective next season, would ensure that Manchesterfield couldn't rely on their current setup for long. Notts County fans had something to cheer about after all, confident that when the dust settled, their team would still stand strong.

In the second round of the league, Notts County traveled to face Bristol City, a team that had impressed in their opening match with a 3-0 victory over Swindon. The result, however, was predictable, as Notts County struggled again, losing 1-0.

This loss was different from the first, though. This time, the team wasn't completely outplayed. The only goal came after Ribery, too focused on individual dribbling, lost possession and allowed the opposition to break on a counterattack.

With two consecutive losses to start the season, Notts County found themselves near the bottom of the standings. The media, always hungry for a story, focused more on the results than the team's efforts on the pitch. Criticism was rampant, and not only was Coach Löw under fire, but even David, the club's chairman, was dragged into the controversy.

However, the harshest criticism was reserved for Ribery. His individualistic style was hurting the team, and fans and media alike began to see him as the main culprit in their disappointing start to the season.

Although Iniesta had recovered from his cold, his fitness was still a concern, so Löw kept Ribery in the starting lineup. But the winger seemed to be stuck in his old ways, playing a solo game instead of adapting to the team's needs. The result was a paralyzed left wing, and the goal conceded was a direct result of his poor decision-making.

David knew something had to change. He couldn't understand how a player with Ribery's talent—someone who had won the Golden Ball before—could fall into such a pattern. But he also understood that, like any young player, Ribery still had much to learn.

After training one day, David called Ribery to his office. Ribery entered nervously, fully aware of the criticism he had been facing. The weight of it all made him feel unsettled, and he feared the worst.

David, however, noticed Ribery's unease and couldn't help but smile inwardly. Despite his age, Ribery's face was mature, worn, and showed little sign of the tension he was feeling.

"Frank," David began, placing two glasses of water between them, "I think you might know why I asked you here today."

Ribery's heart skipped a beat. He was afraid of what was coming next. Is Notts County going to sell me? he wondered.

Ribery had come a long way from his humble beginnings in the French lower leagues, where he had struggled to survive, let alone imagine being a professional footballer. When Notts County had bought him, he had signed his first proper contract and earned a respectable salary. If the club sold him, he worried there might be few opportunities left for him.

David didn't know what was running through Ribery's mind, but he could sense the tension. He quickly continued, trying to ease the mood.

"I think you're playing too much like you did before," David said gently. "When you were playing for yourself, there were a lot of habits that didn't work in a professional setting. Now that you're here, you need to play as a professional."

Ribery, though nervous, was listening intently.

"I don't understand why you're unwilling to pass to your teammates. In the two games you've started, the left-wing attack has been essentially paralyzed because of it," David continued. "Your dribbling is fantastic, but you can't beat everyone on your own. The opposition knows you won't pass, and it makes you much easier to defend against."

Ribery lowered his head. He knew David was right. In his previous playing days, it had always been about individual glory, never about teamwork. Now, he had to adjust.

David paused, giving Ribery a moment to process what he'd said. "I've always had high hopes for you, Frank. I see the potential for you to become a star—someone like Figo or Giggs. But remember, no true superstar plays for themselves. The game is about the team."

Ribery nodded earnestly. The weight of David's trust and expectations hit him deeply. It was the kind of support he hadn't received before, and it made him feel like he could achieve more.

"I'll work hard to fit into the team, Mr. Chairman," Ribery said, his voice filled with determination. "I won't let you down."

David smiled, pleased with the response. "I'm counting on you. In future training sessions, focus on improving your teamwork. You'll need to develop strong relationships with your teammates. That's just as important as individual skills."

The conversation ended on a positive note. Ribery seemed eager to change, and David believed he could. Whether Ribery would follow through, only time would tell.