Chapter 142: Battle on Muddy Ground
Saturday, 28 September, 2010
The weather on Saturday matched the mood, gray and heavy.
A cold, steady drizzle fell on the Crawley training ground, making the pitch muddy and green.
It was very different from the bright lights and smooth grass of the BayArena. This was a day for mud, hard work, and tough tackles, the everyday grind of League One football.
In the dressing room, the mood had changed. The excitement from the flight home was gone, replaced by tired, quiet tension.
The team looked worn out from the trip, facing a tough challenge before even getting on the pitch.
Korey Henry sat with his head in his hands, rubbing his temples, trying to ease a headache that had lasted since Wednesday.
He hadn't slept well for three nights. Liam McCulloch looked like he was about to fall asleep, his eyes heavy with tiredness, still thinking about the Leverkusen striker's quick moves.
