A Coach's Resolve

Since taking over Millwall in the summer, Aldrich has found himself busier than ever, almost overwhelmed as he completed a major overhaul of the team within just two months, building a new squad from the ground up. After the season began, he diligently conducted training for the first team every day, especially focusing on tactical drills that he curated with care. Even during the evenings, he would often find himself buried in opponent scouting reports. That said, his responsibilities weren't limited to just the first team; he also made a point to attend home games for the reserve and youth teams, sending a clear signal to the substitute players about their importance to the club.

He didn't want veterans like Ballack, van Nistelrooy, and Gattuso to think their signing was merely for show. Thus, attending the reserve and youth games in person was his way of ensuring they understood the club valued them.

Typically, after games, Aldrich would take the opportunity to briefly chat with these players about their performance during training breaks. He wouldn't deliver lengthy speeches, preferring to offer concise guidance instead.

It was this steady, unassuming effort that allowed Aldrich to etch a clear role for himself in the players' minds: the head coach.

With a midweek away game approaching, Aldrich, dressed in coaching attire, discussed preparations with Jansen on the training ground.

"Is it really that serious? Six players suggesting rest?" Jansen exclaimed.

Jansen exaggeratedly opened his mouth wide, then frowned. "Isn't that a bit extreme? Our players seem to be in good shape. Sure, there have been a few more games lately, but if they grit their teeth and push through, they can make it through the next two matches in the coming week and then get a week off."

Aldrich crossed his arms, his gaze fixed on the players on the training field, softly murmuring, "Larsen just reported to the team after the World Cup, Trezeguet hasn't been in England for two months, Lucas is still under eighteen, and both Pirès and Schneider have played every minute in the past six matches alongside Makélélé. Dr. Sampson's recommendation for them to rest makes sense to me. You're correct that they might just tough it out for the next two games, but Dr. Sampson used a metaphor that convinced me."

"Hmm? What metaphor?"

"A spring. The physical fatigue is like a spring being gradually compressed. If we don't balance work with rest, the spring keeps getting pushed down; when it reaches its limit, the force of the spring's rebound can damage the body. Each time it rebounds at its limit, the spring becomes weaker; the next time it's pushed down to the limit, it might shatter."

After Aldrich finished speaking, Jansen looked incredulous. "Is he being alarmist?"

Aldrich lowered his head and chuckled. "He's an expert in sports medicine. Who else should I listen to? Besides, as I said, he's convinced me. In the long run, I want our players to have healthier, longer careers."

Jansen understood Aldrich's mind was made up and furrowed his brow. "If six key players don't play, the substitutes should be fine, but for Makélélé's position, it'll probably have to be Vieira..."

Jansen's mind started racing. They could substitute Phillips and Solskjær for the two forwards, have Glen Johnson and Beckham on the wings, and Zambrotta could play as a full-back. However, whether it's Vieira or Gattuso, neither could effectively replace the steady and efficient Makélélé in that crucial defensive midfield role.

"Stop thinking. Rather than put together a half-first-team, half-reserve squad, I'd prefer to field an entire reserve lineup. Leave the starting eleven in London to rest. Tomorrow, we'll send the substitutes to play away against Tranmere. If we don't have enough players on the substitute list, let's call up two or three from the reserves."

Jansen was astonished, realizing Aldrich's unconventional approach.

If several key players needed to rest, why not rest the entire starting lineup?

Yet, Jansen quickly came to see the logic in Aldrich's strategy. The first team had only been training together for barely two months, and there was a clear distinction between the starting lineup and the substitutes during training, leading to different levels of on-field synergy.

Throwing Vieira and Nedved together as a new midfield partnership might not yield a result commensurate to "one plus one is greater than two."

Instead of heading into an away game with a bunch of uncertainties, it would be better to let the reserves gain experience, so that any lineup changes wouldn't result in dissatisfaction among the remaining substitutes.

Jansen felt a deep admiration for Aldrich's boldness and ease; while every point in the league was essential, Aldrich seemed to genuinely care little for standings.

Watching Aldrich walk towards the training field, Jansen sighed, "Perhaps, as you said, once these players mature, the key to victory will naturally fall into their hands."

As morning training came to an end, Aldrich clapped his hands, calling the players closer. Looking at them drenched in sweat, he gently spoke.

"The eleven players who started in the last match don't need to come for afternoon training. Stay at the hotel. Dr. Thompson will arrange recovery training for you this afternoon. And remember, you have a day off tomorrow. The rest of you are expected here as usual in the afternoon, where I'll announce the starting lineup and tactical setup for tomorrow's game. Any questions?"

The players looked a bit dazed at this announcement.

"Boss, aren't we playing an away game tomorrow? We won't even be at the venue?" queried Southgate in confusion.

Aldrich smiled. "Yes, Dr. Thompson recommended you all rest, so I'm giving you the day off. Spend time with your families, or go out with friends, but I hope you understand the day off is for recovering from fatigue, not an excuse to indulge. We have another match in five days, and if any of you aren't in a condition satisfactory to Dr. Sampson, you'll be sitting on the bench."

Upon hearing they would see Dr. Thompson at the hotel, the starting eleven were secretly delighted. They appreciated Dr. Thompson because he arranged for massage therapists to soothe their muscles, making them feel incredibly comfortable. Plus, they could enjoy a hot bath or swim at the hotel. Truly a pleasant experience.

The only thing players were dissatisfied with at the hotel was the bland food.

However, when they heard they had a day off tomorrow, the starting eleven reflexively flinched, assuming Aldrich was dissatisfied with their recent performance, where they had only managed to secure one difficult victory out of the last three matches.

After listening to Aldrich's remarks, however, they realized it was about balancing work and rest.

Even though the primary goalkeeper Keller, midfield star Nedved, and Southgate each felt physically fit, considering the grueling forty-six rounds of the league schedule, they accepted Aldrich's plan.

On the other hand, the substitute players were ecstatic. With no midweek matches for the reserves and youth teams, they had been working hard in training, and suddenly they found out they would actually be playing in a real English league match the next day!

While they had participated in previous cup matches, those games were against lower-tier teams. Facing opponents in the league posed much greater challenges, and they were eager to showcase their skills, letting the head coach know they could perform just as well as the starters and deserved a place in the English league.

After the team disbanded and returned to the hotel for lunch, they all took a nap and arrived back at the training field in the afternoon. However, Aldrich suddenly realized he had overlooked something.

Who would be the captain for tomorrow's away match?

Aldrich recalled that all three of the team's captains were from the starting lineup.

In the previous two cup matches, Solskjær had served as the captain on the pitch, and at least he was a substitute for the first team, making his experience unquestionable.

But cup matches were different from league play, and with this substitute lineup possibly returning to the league amid a tight schedule, they needed not just a temporary captain but a true team leader.

Only 15 of the first-team players showed up on the training ground that afternoon, while the other 11 remained at the hotel.

They stood on the field with high spirits, waiting for Aldrich to announce the afternoon training plans, though they were more eager for the tactical setup for the upcoming match.

However, Aldrich merely paced back and forth in front of them.

The players' eyes darted from left to right, then back again, their anticipation growing intense!

Aldrich seemed thoughtfully caught up in his thoughts as he subtly lowered his head, contemplating significant decisions.

Among the eleven, Aldrich first eliminated the substitutes: Dean Richards, Zambrotta, Butt, Ballack, Solskjær, Phillips, and Glen Johnson.

These substitutes might fill in for injuries to the starters and thus might not be on the pitch during substitute rotations.

That left him with limited choices; Beckham and Neville were ruled out, leaving just Vieira and Materazzi.

Suddenly, Aldrich stopped pacing, pulled the captain's armband from his pocket, and walked up to the towering Materazzi. Without missing a beat, he tossed the armband towards him, leaving Materazzi momentarily stunned.

"Boss? Huh?" he exclaimed, glancing over at Solskjær, who had been captain in the cup matches. Why was the armband now in his hands?

Aldrich casually responded, "If any starting forward gets injured or suspended, Ole will definitely be the first choice to replace them. So, as part of the substitute lineup, you need a new captain. Marco, from today on, you're the fourth captain of the team. I won't ask if you can handle it; just tell me if you want to and if you can fulfill the captain's responsibilities."

The young Materazzi, known for his fierce and aggressive playing style, had formidable physical qualities as a center-back and had started honing his skills in Italian regional leagues at a young age, gradually moving up. He undeniably had talent; his only weaknesses could perhaps be his temperament and pace.

Aldrich hoped Materazzi could become a reliable captain, as long as he could prioritize team responsibility in his mindset, this would greatly aid in his development.

Materazzi grinned widely, unapologetically stuffing the armband into his pocket, looking around at his teammates with a smile. "From today on, I'm the captain! Whoever slacks off in training or doesn't give their all on the field, I'll knock them out!"

Laughter erupted around him, and Aldrich joined in, entertained by the moment.