Chapter 175: Expectations
November 16th, 2010
The Southampton team bus rumbled steadily along the M25, its sleek frame cutting through the misty English countryside.
Inside, the atmosphere was quiet and cool.
At the front of the bus, manager Alan Pardew sat hunched over his tablet, eyes fixed on a replay.
It was Crawley's winning goal against Rosenborg, a stunning chip from Thiago that seemed to float in slow motion before nestling in the net.
Pardew watched the clip again.
Then again.
His jaw was tight, his brows drawn together, caught between admiration and irritation.
As a coach, he lived for structure, for patterns and planning but this goal had none of that.
It was bold, instinctive, and completely unpredictable.
A flash of brilliance that no tactics board could ever fully explain.
Pardew leaned back in his seat and let out a long sigh, rubbing his temple with his thumb.
