Alexs stomach felt like it was full of bees.
He sat on the hard bench in the U21 locker room. It was Saturday. Gameday.
This was not a drill. This was not a friendly against the first team, who were half joking. This was a real U21 league game. Away. Against Chelsea.
The room was so quiet.
In the U18s, people would be shouting, playing loud music, throwing things.
Here, the only sounds were the click clack of studs on the floor and the zzzzip of medical tape. These were not boys. They were young professionals. They were all playing for their careers.
Alex tried to focus. He pulled his bright green boots on. He hated these boots. But they were all he had.
Coach Wilkins walked into the center of the room. He was holding his clipboard.
"Right," he said, his voice sharp and clear. "You know the opponent. Chelsea are strong. They are fast. They will press. We will not panic."
He looked around the room.
