Chapter 9: Team Assembly
Luton Town had hired a Jamaican head coach.
And not long after, that same coach brought in four new signings.
From the outside, it looked efficient.
But once the media dug into the players' backgrounds…
…the optimism vanished.
Among the four, only one name sparked any real expectation—
Danny Drinkwater, on loan from Manchester United U18.
Even as a youth player, Danny Drinkwater's association with Manchester United held significant weight. The reputation of their academy alone was enough to make fans hopeful.
But the other three?
They crushed whatever hope remained.
Charlie Austin— from the ninth tier of English football.Jamie Vardy—another non-league player.N'Golo Kanté—a 17-year-old French kid, barely 1.69 meters tall.
Where had Luton found these players?
Or more importantly…
What were they thinking?
Disappointment spread quickly among the fans.
The team had already been deducted thirty points before the season even began. Survival looked impossible.
And now?
Instead of strengthening properly, they hired an unknown Jamaican coach and filled the squad with amateurs.
To many, it looked like surrender.
Luton's local newspaper The Hatter didn't hold back:
"Fans should prepare themselves. Luton Town may spend several years struggling outside the professional leagues."
While doubt filled the stands and headlines, the team quietly began assembling for pre-season.
Kevin Keane was the first to arrive.
Inside the manager's office, he stood face-to-face with the new head coach—Joshua Smith.
Kevin frowned slightly.
It wasn't about nationality.
It was about age.
Joshua looked younger than him.
Too young to lead a team in crisis.
Joshua, however, remained calm.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
The system activated.
Eye of Insight — Kevin Keane
Name: Kevin Keane
Age: 32
Position: Central Midfielder
Passing: 74
Positioning: 73
Tackling: 71
Stamina: 70
Overall Evaluation:Championship-Level Core Player — Experienced Leader
Joshua nodded inwardly.
Exactly what I need.
A stable core.
A leader.
Not flashy, but reliable.
Joshua stepped forward and extended his hand.
"Kevin, I'm Joshua Smith, head coach."
Kevin hesitated briefly… then shook his hand.
"We'll work well together," Joshua said with a faint smile.
Kevin wasn't convinced.
But he didn't argue.
Maybe, he thought.
Out on the training ground, players gathered in small groups, talking among themselves.
The topic?
Their new coach.
"A Jamaican, yeah?" someone muttered.
"He coached Chelsea U18, though," another replied.
"Still… this situation? He walked into a mess."
Most of the players knew the reality.
The team had been dismantled.
Senior players sold.
Budget tight.
This season wasn't about ambition.
It was about survival.
Not everyone was worried, though.
Sam Parker wasn't.
The 27-year-old striker, just back from injury, leaned casually against a teammate.
"Bristol Rovers called me today," he said loudly."League One club."
Several players glanced over, impressed.
Sam smirked.
"Honestly, I might not stay here long."
Then he laughed.
"And now we've got a Jamaican coach… tell me, do Jamaicans even understand football tactics?"
The laughter that followed was weak.
Uncertain.
Because deep down…
Everyone had the same doubt.
"Enough."
A voice cut through the air.
George Parker stepped forward.
"If you don't want to stay, leave."
Sam scoffed.
"Look at you, defending him already."
Before things could escalate—
Silence fell.
Kevin Keane had arrived.
Behind him… four unfamiliar faces.
The New Signings
"Listen up," Kevin said calmly."New players."
He gestured.
"This is Kanté. Defensive midfielder. Seventeen."
Kanté smiled shyly, showing bright white teeth.
Some players exchanged looks.
Too small.
Too thin.
This was English League Two—physical, brutal, unforgiving.
Could he even survive here?
Joshua stood at the edge of the field, watching quietly.
His eyes flickered again.
Eye of Insight — N'Golo Kanté
Steals: 82
Positioning: 76
Anticipation: 77
Stamina: 80
Overall Evaluation:Defensive Core — Future World-Class Potential
Joshua's lips curved slightly.
You'll be the engine of this team.
Next—
Vardy stepped forward.
Broad shoulders. Sharp eyes. Aggressive presence.
No one questioned him.
Even without knowing his ability…
They could feel it.
Joshua activated his vision again.
Eye of Insight — Jamie Vardy
Pace: 85
Acceleration: 87
Finishing: 74
Aggression: 82
Overall Evaluation:Explosive Forward — High Ceiling
A blade waiting to be sharpened.
Then came Drinkwater.
Immediately, attention shifted.
Manchester United.
That name alone carried authority.
Joshua didn't need to check again.
He already knew.
A midfield anchor.
Finally—
Charlie Austin.
No aura.
No presence.
No expectations.
Most players barely looked at him.
But Joshua did.
And once more—
Eye of Insight — Charlie Austin
Finishing: 76
Heading: 78
Work Rate: 80
Willpower: 88
Overall Evaluation:Mental Monster — Hidden Striker
Joshua's gaze lingered.
You'll surprise them all.
Four players.
Four completely different reactions.
Doubt.
Indifference.
Curiosity.
Joshua stood quietly on the sidelines.
Watching.
Calculating.
Planning.
Thirty-point deduction.
A broken squad.
A locker room full of skepticism.
But in his eyes—
The pieces were already coming together.
He turned slightly toward the pitch.
A faint smile appeared.
"Let them doubt."
"We're not going down."
(End of Chapter 9)
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