The wind cut across the Salford training ground, sharp and cold. November had no mercy on young legs, and the frozen turf made every step sting. It'd been two weeks since the FA Youth Cup second round proper draw.
"Line up! Quickly now!"
Coach Frank's voice carried across the pitch, rough and sharp. He was bundled up in a thick jacket and a beanie, but his glare still burned through the morning chill.
Harry jogged into line with the others, his breath fogging the air. His body still ached from the previous week's physical conditioning, but there was no time for rest. Coach Frank had made it clear after watching video of their Blackpool match—defense had been sloppy, and today, they were going to fix it.
Danny Mills, the captain, stood tall at the front, arms folded. Tommy Henderson bounced on his toes in goal, gloves snapping together. Reece Holloway cracked his neck, looking ready to smash through anyone who tried him.
Harry glanced down the line. Everyone looked serious. Even Nathan Keene, usually joking around, had his jaw tight.
Coach Frank clapped his hands.
"We've got talent going forward. No one's denying that. But we leak goals like a bloody sieve. Blackpool put three past us before we even woke up. Against a more ruthless opponent, they'll put six past us if we defend like that. This ends today."
A low murmur ran through the lads.
Coach Frank ignored their reactions and began a roll call of the U18 players.
"Tommy Henderson - GK.
Danny Mills - CB, Captain.
Dean Halberg - CB
Reece Holloway - RB
Ollie Waters - LB
Jayden Rowe - CDM
Kai Moreno - CM
Noah Perring - CAM
Riley Croft - RWF
Harry Whittaker - LWF.
Nathan Keene - ST
SUBSTITUTES:
Oscar Dealtry - ST
Bradley Gorran - ST
Marcus Thompson - LWF
Eli Fortis - RWF
Toby Winchell - CAM
Jamie Walsh - CM/AM.
Dylan Shore - CM
Zak Donnelly - CDM
Kian Madders - LB
Jamie Dunstall - RB
Lewis Chaney - CB
Finlay Hume - CB
Tyler Vane - GK
Callum Harker - GK"
Coach Frank's whistle pierced the air. "Back four! Step up!"
The regular defenders—Danny, Dean Halberg, Reece, and Ollie Waters jogged out into position. Tommy jogged to the net.
"Attackers, load up," Frank barked. "You're coming at them in waves. Quick balls, one after the other. Defenders, your job is simple: stop them."
He paused, then continued. "As for the substitutes, join up with the two assistant coaches on the other side of the pitch. You'll be going through more physical and mental conditioning."
Harry exchanged a look with the team's right winger, Riley Croft. Riley grinned. "Fancy a go?"
Harry smirked. "Always."
---
The first drill started fast.
Jayden Rowe clipped a ball into Nathan Keene's feet from midfield. Nathan spun, powering toward goal.
Danny Mills stepped up strong, body firm, timing perfect. Legs connected in a crunch of boots, and Nathan was on the ground. Clean tackle.
"Brilliant, Danny!" Coach Frank roared.
Harry darted in next, receiving a short ball from Noah Perring. He skipped past Dean Halberg with a quick drop of the shoulder. For a split second, the goal opened up.
Then Reece Holloway came flying in.
Harry barely got the shot off before Reece's sliding tackle took the ball—and nearly his ankles—away. The shot rolled harmlessly wide.
Harry pulled himself up, shaking his head. "Bloody hell, Reece."
Reece just grinned, jogging back into position.
The system chimed quietly in Harry's head.
[Training Drill: Attack vs Defense]
[Shot Blocked - No XP gained]
Even failed attempts were being tracked. The system was getting more detailed with its XP distribution system.
The drill kept going. Attacks poured in one after the other. Tommy Henderson's gloves snapped saves out of the air.
Dean Halberg blocked a strike with his thigh, limping but staying on his feet. Ollie Waters sprinted to the byline, cutting off Riley before he could whip a cross in.
Every time a tackle went in, Frank shouted corrections. "Body lower, Dean! Don't dive in, Reece! Ollie, tuck in when the ball's on the far side!"
It was relentless.
By the tenth wave, sweat poured down Harry's back despite the cold. His lungs stung. His legs burned. But Coach Frank wasn't done.
"Rotate! Midfielders back, attackers forward!"
Harry jogged into midfield now, facing the defensive line. This time, he wasn't the one trying to score—he had to track runners, cut angles, and cover space.
Noah Perring, beside him, gave him a quick nudge. "Stay switched on. Coach Frank loves to catch us ball-watching in these drills."
Harry nodded. His positioning stat flashed in his mind: 54/100. Not amazing, but decent enough for the U18s.
The ball came out wide to Riley. Harry read the play, drifting into the passing lane to block the cutback. The ball went central instead, but Jayden Rowe was there to sweep it up.
[DING!]
[+1 XP - Successful Interception]
Harry's chest lifted. The system wasn't just about goals and assists. Every part of the game mattered.
---
The defensive drill dragged on, becoming a blur of tackles, shouts, and Coach Frank's booming voice.
Danny Mills was commanding at the back, barking orders like a proper captain. "Push up! Stay tight! Watch the runner!" His every movement was sharp and decisive.
Harry found himself learning just from watching. Danny didn't dive in recklessly. He read the game, stepping in only when the attacker had no escape route.
That's what defending really meant—patience, timing, control.
After twenty minutes, Coach Frank finally blew his whistle for a stoppage in the first drill. Everyone bent over, hands on knees, sucking in cold air.
"Better," Frank said, pacing in front of them. "Much better. But it's not enough to perform well in training drills. We need this intensity in matches. Every bloody minute. You switch off once against a ruthless opponent, and it's a goal."
No one argued. They all knew he was right.
After a short water break, they moved into small-sided defensive games. Six versus six, with Harry playing in a deeper role than usual.
"Right," Coach Frank called. "Harry, I want you tracking back more. Help the midfield. Show me you can do the dirty work."
The whistle blew.
Within seconds, Harry found himself chasing back as Riley Croft broke down the right wing. His pace stat of 56 helped him keep up, and he managed to force Riley wide, limiting the crossing angle.
[DING!]
[+1 XP - Successful Tracking Back]
The system was rewarding defensive actions now. Harry grinned as he jogged back into position.
Minutes later, a loose ball bounced in midfield. Harry got there first, but instead of looking forward immediately, he took a touch and played it simple to Jayden Rowe.
"Good decision!" Frank shouted. "Keep it simple under pressure!"
[DING!]
[+1 XP - Smart Decision Making]
The small-sided game flowed back and forth. Harry found himself winning more duels than usual. His improved strength stat—now at 47—was making a difference. He wasn't getting knocked off the ball as easily.
In the final minute, Noah Perring threaded a pass through to Harry in space. Instead of taking on his defender, Harry spotted Nathan Keene making a run and slipped him through.
Nathan's finish was clinical, bottom corner.
Frank's whistle ended the defensive drills. The lads trudged toward the bench for a short break, shirts soaked through despite the November cold.
"Defensive work isn't glamorous," Coach Frank said, his voice calmer now. "But it wins you games. Against a well organized team, we can't afford passengers. Everyone defends, everyone attacks."
Danny clapped Dean on the back. Tommy pulled off his gloves, hands red from the cold.
Harry sat on the grass for a moment, chest heaving.
[Training Session Complete - Defensive Focus]
[XP Breakdown:]
[- Successful Interceptions: 3 (+3 XP)]
[- Smart Decisions: 2 (+1 XP)]
[- Tracking Back: 4 (+2 XP)]
[- Training Assist: 1 (No XP)]
[Total Session XP: +6 XP]
[Current Experience: 49/400]
Six XP from one training session. His best haul yet. The system was rewarding him for expanding his game beyond just attacking.
*****
*****
A/N- I hope you guys are enjoying this story so far? If you are, please don't forget to leave a comment and consider writing a review as it'll help my book. I'd be delighted to hear your feedback.