Roy of the Rovers Total Football

Part 6

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Johan Seegrun was fuming, four Premier League games and still no goals. The
away dressing room was silent, apart from the clicking of studs, until the
Dutchman stormed in. No way is that good enough! You are not working hard
enough; Powell, Cheetham, if you will not track back, then you will not play!
Simple! Drew Powell was amazed, he twitched alarmingly as he heard his
managers direct attack on his performance. Jake Cheetham squeezed his
friends knee, as if to remind the fiery Welshman to keep his mouth shut. While
Powell kept his emotions in check, Richie Lyons had flipped, What the heck was
that! he yelled, flinging his boots into the tiled walls, Are you lot ever gonna
give me the ball? Ive had about two shots all season. Just pass me the chuffin
thing!
Sit down Lyons! the manager ordered. The striker ignored, tore off his kit and
barged his way into the showers. Powell and Harry Jacobs did the same. Seegrun
was stunned, he had intended to begin his analysis then and there, as was his
routine. The players knew this, Nathan Daniels and the two Dutch signings were
sitting patiently, waiting for their manager to begin. Cheetham, the captain, who
had been substituted again stood, Ill get them in here, boss.
No! If they cannot follow instructions then they will not play. Total Football does
not work unless the team is willing to work for the system and work for each
other. We will do the review now and those players who do not take part will not
be in the side against Rotherton next week.
Seegun always kept his post-match analysis short, which was why he insisted on
addressing his players as soon as they were all gathered in the dressing room. It
was an unusual practice and one that most of the Melchester Rovers players
were still adjusting too. But Seegun is a disciplinarian and everyone in that
match-day squad was aware of the expectations and that there would certainly
be repercussions for ignoring protocol.
I will start again. The weakness today was obvious, in Total Football, there
should be no gaps, each man must work extra hard to slot into any space his
team-mate leaves. Today, that did not happen enough. The space between the
centre-backs and the wing-backs was too great. Burgess, you must slide across
when Piedra attacks and trust that the other two centre-backs will split and cover
you. We do this in training very well. Luik, you do this well, that is why all the
goals, they came through the right of our defence. I have already decided,
Burgess, you will not play next week.
Mike Burgess, the sensitive Irish defender, looked distraught. He was tough on
the pitch, but was the definition of a confidence player. Jake Cheetham knew
instantly that it would be some time before Mike was back in the first-team. In
one minute Johan Seegrun, one of footballs greatest thinkers had destroyed his
confidence. It was another example of the poor man-management skills of one of
the most decorated managers in the game. Roy Race would have tried to lift the
team, Seegrun seemed intent on breaking their spirit first. Cheetham thought,
this style might work in Holland where Johan was a legend, but at Rovers only
time would tell, it was not working now. But the captain of Melchester Rovers was
on the verge of resigning, he had been shamed in public again, only his loyalty to
the club was preventing him from speaking up. Training on Monday would be the
acid test, if there was open rebellion, Jake would have to be the unifying force.
But if things had settled down, which would only occur if the dissenting players

apologised, then he would ask the manager to hand the armband to someone
else.
Right now Jake needed strong advice and only one man could offer that. So in the
privacy of his room at the Marine Hotel on Kingsbays seafront, the current
captain of Melchester Rovers sat in deep discussion with the most legendary
captain of them all, Roy Race. I knew Johan would stir things up, but I never
thought he was so authoritarian! Roys old friend had a very different
management style to the player full of skill and flair that had dominated
European football in the 70s. I think youre right though, Jake. Being captain of
Melchester Rovers is the biggest honour, under captaining England, in our game;
it will be tough giving it up. But if you have no confidence in your leader and his
tactics, then you are not going to be a very good captain. My concern is that
Seegrun will make Danny Luik skipper and that would be so wrong. You earned
that armband, as did those before you, Steve Daley, Nobby Wootten, Terry
Spring, even Johnny Dexter. Those men had proven themselves as leaders over
hundreds of appearances for our club.
Jake saw no other contender, What about Nathan Daniels, hes a Rovers man
through and through? Roy shook his head, No, Johan would never make a
goalie captain. Total Football has to have a leader at its heart. He models the
system on his Alkhoven side from 1978, you are the Seegrun of 2015. Thats why
he took you off, because you could never be as effective as Johan was in that
team. No-one could!
Not even you? Jake asked politely, No way! Johan was a better player than me
then. Over the years perhaps he was not as consistent, but in 1978 he was by far
the best player in the world! In fact, Jake, that gives me an idea. Pass me the
remote, we should watch that European Cup Final together, see if we can learn a
bit more about Johans masterplan!

Just as Kingsbay did today, I planned to attack with width, get into the space
between the wing-back and the centre-back. It worked early on. We went all-outattack to combat the passing game of the Dutch. Vernon got in behind on their
left and crossed, hard and low, I flicked it on, to Jimmy Slade who arrived late in
the box, as planned. He scored a great goal!

Roy continued with his own commentary, But Alkhoven fought back
immediately. Johan powered through the middle. I expected their passing to be
slow, but it was anything but. They shifted possession so quickly, everyone
comfortable on the ball. Your assistant manager scored the equaliser, Johan sold
us a dummy.

They were the Blackie and Racey of Dutch football, werent they Roy? Jake had
watched plenty of clips of the pair on the internet, I suppose so, but they were
trickier than us. Valker wasnt as powerful as Blackie and Johan played a lot
deeper than me. I reckon the Jake and Drew partnership is a better comparison!
Thats it! Roy exclaimed excitedly, To make Total Football work at Melchester
Rovers, youve got to get Drew to match up to Valker! Jake was excited too,
And Ive got to be Johan Seegrun. Thats some task, Roy, only five minutes ago,
you said that even you couldnt match up to him!
Ah! But the 1978 versions of Alkhoven and Melchester Rovers would absolutely
destroy any team of today! The Premier League of 2015/16 is a poor imitation of
the First Division of the late 70s. Back then we were more physical, better
technically and better tactically. We had more motivation, more pride in the shirt
we wore and the fans we were representing! The only edge todays players have
is in fitness, but fitness is soon lost chasing the ball around the park!
Jake was sceptical, but Roy Race knew more about football than anyone, if he
believed the footballers of the late 70s to be superior to those of today, then
they probably were. Anyway lets continue with one of the greatest matches of
all time! Alkhoven had found our weakness; we were playing to them, trying to
change our natural game to suit. Id asked Slade and Giles to push up, that

meant they had to do a lot of running. Unfortunately, the Dutch passed us off the
park!

Their internationals, Seegrun, Valker, Roff and Keppel were the key to the
system. All able to interchange positions, all able to pass and shoot and tackle,
and run, by heck could they run! Valker, in a way like Blackie with me, seemed to
sense where Seegrun was. It was his cross that gave Johan to chance to put his
side ahead. It was a peach of a first-time shot. Charlie Carter didnt stand a
chance. But The Cat would keep us in touch with a string of fine saves.
Alkhoven were all over us!

So, at half-time, I changed tactics; I ditched the all-out-attack and went for a
more patient style. We sat back and let Alkhoven play, it worked, we soaked up
the pressure. Then when the time was right, we explode from the back, speed
and power, the Rovers way. Geoff Giles nearly scored, denied by a great save,
but I buried the rebound. If it wasnt for bad luck wed have taken the lead.
Mervyn Wallace blocked a certain goal. Im convinced wed have gone on to win
had my shot gone in!

Jake was so appreciative of Roys willingness to help him out during this difficult
time, and the great mans reflections on his past glories, or near misses, were
always a welcome distraction. But this session, the analysis of Total Football, was
of even greater significance to the young Rovers captain. So, Roy, I know we
lost and that Johan got the winner. But what did you learn about Total Football?
Roy took a deep breath, I tell you what, Total Football is a phenomenal system,
so difficult to play against. But it is a philosophy, almost a religion, you have to
grow up with it, trust in its leaders. Johan is the high-priest of Total Football, he
tolerates non-believers, but he does not understand their lack of faith. Jake, you
can play in the system and the system will work in the Premier League. Right
now you have to give yourself over to Total Football!
But I have my football religion already, the Rovers Way, your way, how can I
throw away that? Roy did not usually like to think too hard about the
philosophical side of the game, but as Johan Seegrun did, he had to right now,
Last season I dumped the Rovers way, if I can do it then so can you!
Theres Johans winner it looked spectacular, didnt it? But look carefully at the
replay, you can see the ball take a wicked deflection off Noel Baxter. Even the
greats need luck!

***
Paco, the owner of the only bar in Salares, brought John Rogers his beer,
Tapito? he asked, the Englishman nodded, taking a swig from the glass. The
last few weeks had been superb, his mind was rested, the weather spectacular
and he had not heard an English voice. John lit a cigarette, as Paco placed a
small ceramic dish of carne con tomate on the table in front of him and returned
inside. The Spanish lifestyle was beginning to suit John Rogers, the sunshine, the
beer, the food, it was all wonderful. Perhaps he would not return to England,
nothing he left behind had been resolved. A move back would only bring strife
and the risk of a lengthy prison sentence. He closed his eyes and leant back in
the plastic chair, letting the midday sun warm his face.
Then, as if waiting for that exact moment, a figure pulled a chair alongside,
Hello John, hows it going? he whispered. Nice set up youve got here, chuffing
hard to find too! Beads of sweat ran down Rogers face, his hands shaking he lit
another cigarette. Bleeding heck, Geoff, what are you doing here? How did you
find me? The average looking gentleman, in his mid-forties, smiled, Youre not
quite as hidden as youd think, that internet is really useful you know! Is it safe
to talk here? John said that it was and listened intently to Geoff Miles P.I. explain
how he found him. It wasnt that hard, you were bound to search for yourself on
in the internet, obvious, no? You know that website you check at least three
times a week, sometimes four or five times a day? Rogers could not believe that
he had been so stupid, not disguising his IP address was a rookie mistake. Well,
its my site, I set it up to find you. Using Google Analytics, like any webmaster
does, I checked the locations of my regular visitors. You know where my most
regular visitor lives, dont you?

John stood up, dismayed, Miles continued, And here I am. Dont worry the police
wouldnt have even thought of using such a tactic, they dont know you. But I do
and I also know what else you did, about a month ago, on that road I drove in on
this morning. Miles laughed, You must have checked my site a thousand times
the next day! John had finished his beer, How about another couple? Weve got
a lot to catch up on, Miles suggested. So John raised his hand coyly, caught
Pacos eye and signalled for two more beers. He would be more than interested
in what Geoff Miles, the private investigator had to tell him.
So, John Rogers, hey, hows life in Spain? I thought you were going to the
Caribbean when it went pear-shaped. Rogers told his story, I went a bit nuts
and did something daft, I stopped taking my pills and went after him. If any of
the cleaners had found him, the police would obviously have wanted to talk to
the owner of the firm, me. I wasnt careful, forensics wouldve had me. Guilty! I
went to Kingsbay, paid a Mulvarian lorry driver to hide me and get me on board
the boat to San Marco. So Spain and the Costa del Crime it was. Everyone in
Monbella loved the old footballer, they mustve known Id done something
dodgy, but they loved that too, its like a secret society, Geoff!
John went on to describe how much he was enjoying Spain, I dont think I need
to go back now. I love it here! Miles laughed, Listen chum, what if I was to tell
you that youve no need to hide, that youre in the clear, that youre not wanted,
not on any list, would that change your mind? Rogers could not believe what he
was hearing, Its true; I knew youd go off the rails, so I was following you. I
found the bloke first, cleaned up the scene, he wasnt dead, just a bit battered.
That money you gave me for emergencies, I paid him off, sent him on a flight
home as soon as his wounds had healed. He told the doctors that he was a
junkie, he and his pals did stupid things when they were stoned. They bought it,
hes gone.
That made sense, he had found nothing relating to the crime online. What about
the journo, whats happening with him? Miles laughed again, That must be the
only thing youve not looked up! Hes in the nick, part of the phone hacking
scandal at the Gazette. Hell never write again, all the big-wigs at Inter-News
went down. The new lot havent a clue, without the old dodgy techniques theyre
stuck with Celebrity Big Brother exclusives!
The pair finished off their beers, paid and walked slowly up the hill to Johns
house. Miles scanned the village as they walked, there was nothing alarming. So
you used the folder then? Geoff asked, Ive seen your living room, very nice,
the Eastgate shirt on the wall, it looks great! As they approached, the three cats
appeared, mewing for their afternoon meals. Miles looked at Rogers expecting an
introduction, Blackie, Racey and Tubby; meet Geoff Miles! The private detective
shook his head, Not very Eastgate names are they? A bit too Melchester Rovers
for an Eastgate legend!
So are you going to come home with me? Miles asked waving a printed
boarding pass in the air. You know what? I think I will, but first I need to tie up a
few loose ends here. Some people out here have been good to me, I have to pay
them back. I love it here and I want to be welcome back any time. With my
record, Im bound to stuff up again, sooner or later Ill do something daft and
theres nowhere Id rather spend the rest of my days! Viva Salares! Viva John
Rogers!

Storky Knight
NEXT Mutiny at Mel Park?