FIRST TEAM TRAINING

FIRST TEAM TRAINING!!!

(Anderson's Home)

Anderson was already up by the time his alarm rang. He still couldn't believe it, he was finally called up to the First team!

Now he wasn't naive. He knew there was a chance he could be dropped, in fact perhaps he was only called up for this particular training session still he was excited. He had gotten exactly what he wanted. A chance to prove he belonged.

He got out of bed to fulfill the day's morning routine, a run and a light workout because he would be training later on today. By the time he was back breakfast was ready and he sat down to eat with his family after taking a shower.

"Are you sure I can't come watch?" his mother said with pout. He had wanted to keep it a secret but he couldn't. He had to tell someone and unfortunately only his parents were near.

"No mom!" he said for about the thousandth time.

How embarrassing would it be going to your first training session with your mom? He would get them a ticket for his first game though. If it came, no when it came.

"Okay."

He could see the disappointment in her eyes, she was a bursa fan too after all. She probably wanted to see some of the players up close. He would make sure she got her chance somehow. Anderson finished breakfast quickly and got on his way.

(Bursaspor training ground)

Anderson stepped into the first team training ground. He had been here a couple of times both with the youth teams but now he was here on his own. By his own merit. His eyes couldn't be trusted but he bet the grass was greener on this side. Seeing no one else had arrived he began his warm up. It was expected for rookies to be early anyway.

Topcu looked on from the sidelines. Only four players were on the pitch, Batallia, the new signing who had been coming early since he arrived, Ivankov, who was ever the model professional, Erdogan the Captain and surprisingly the rookie, Anderson.

Perhaps it wasn't that surprising, he could remember the first time he was called. It gave him such a fire. He had been part of this club forever; it was probably his dream.

They seemed to be laughing and enjoying themselves as they had a casual game of 'piggy in the middle'. He raised his hand and called them in for the manager's brief. They came racing roping in even the veteran goalkeeper who huffed and puffed his way through. Well at least the rookie didn't seem to have problems making friends.

(Bursaspor tactical briefing room)

Anderson tried to get comfortable in the briefing room. It was a large room that almost looked like a class with the tactical board at the front. Each player sat facing the coach much like students and the coach himself looked much like a teacher. The only odd thing was perhaps the tv, the assistant coach and other coaches who stood around the room in their bright green tracksuits.

"First I think you've all heard about Has by now. He'll be out for around six months and that's why we have a new face in the locker room. Everyone welcome Cetin Anderson, he's been promoted from the under 21 team, where he captained them to second in the league. Stand and wave kid."

Anderson stood up shyly and waved. He saw a few familiar faces smile back at him and Batalla made a funny face trying to get him to laugh and embarrass himself.

So that's why he was called up, only because of an injury.

The revelation threatened to bring him down but he put it behind him easily. Still they could've bought another player or even promoted someone else but he was chosen. In fact this was good. It meant he had a few months to establish himself.

"With the injury we can't play how we had planned to. Has had perfected the role and I haven't chosen who will replace him yet. So in the meantime we'll play in a 4-4-2 with Gimsir and Batalla playing as our pivot."

"That means you're going to have to pick up a little bit more defensive responsibility," he said looking towards Batalla.

"Though we've lost our midfield dominance it allows us to have four players rushing at the defence during counters so transitions are going to be key. Batalla we'll be depending on you to pick the right pass."

Anderson's eyes lit up. That wasn't too different from what he did for the youth team. Perhaps he had a chance.

"There'll be a few changes in our build up too, the defenders will have to carry the ball a little more because the midfielders will be a bit further. The forwards will also need to learn how to combine and flood the box. That's why you'll be working with your positional coaches for today before a short 11v11. Understood. Okay we'll meet in the 11v11's."

The manager left, followed by most of his coaches and finally the players. Anderson rushed to walk with Batalla. They were both new with Batalla having moved in from (T) just this summer.

"You ready to show your stuff?"

"Yeah."

Anderson was ready to take his chance.