The Coaching System

Pre-Match 

Jake Wilson sat in the director's box at Burton Albion's stadium, arms crossed, frustration simmering beneath the surface. This was the first time in his coaching career that he had to watch from the stands, unable to directly influence the match.

All because of one outburst. One moment of losing control.

But even if he wasn't on the touchline, he wasn't powerless.

Next to him, assistant coach Paul Roberts had an earpiece in, linked directly to Jake's phone.

"Alright, Paul," Jake muttered. "Listen carefully. Burton is going to press us high early. They'll try to disrupt our passing rhythm and force mistakes."

Paul nodded. "And if they do?"

"Tell the players to stay calm. Absorb the pressure, then hit them on the counter."

A familiar blue screen flashed before Jake's eyes.

[Ding! Match Scenario Simulations Completed]

Win Probability: 43%

Draw Probability: 32%

Loss Probability: 25%

Recommended Strategy: Slow Build-Up + Exploiting Wide Spaces]

Then another notification appeared.

[Opponent Analysis – Burton Albion]

Strengths: High pressing, physical midfield, strong in the air.

Weaknesses: Vulnerable to quick transitions, shaky full-backs, slow defensive line.

Key Player: Lucas Dawson (CDM) – controls midfield tempo.

Jake sighed. Burton would be dangerous in set-pieces and midfield battles. If Bradford wasn't careful, they'd get overrun.

Starting XI (4-3-3 – Rotated Squad)

Goalkeeper:

Emeka Okafor

Defenders:

James Richards (RB)

Noah Fletcher (CB)

Nathan Barnes (CB)

Lewis Hart (LB)

Midfielders:

Daniel Lowe (CDM)

Lewis Chapman (CM)

Charlie Benson (CM)

Forwards:

Renan Silva (RW)

Lukas Novak (ST)

Alex Grant (LW)

Kickoff 

From the first whistle, Burton pressed aggressively, just as Jake had predicted.

3rd minute: Burton's left-back surged forward and delivered a dangerous cross—Okafor punched it away.

8th minute: Benson miscontrolled a pass, and Burton nearly punished Bradford, but Okafor made a sharp save.

Jake clenched his jaw. Burton's physicality was overwhelming Bradford's midfield.

Paul's voice came through the earpiece. "They're struggling to get out of their half."

Jake responded instantly. "Tell Lowe to drop deeper. Let's create overloads in midfield and slow the game down."

Paul relayed the message, and Bradford began to settle.

19th minute: Silva beat his defender and cut inside, but his shot was blocked.

26th minute: Chapman played a brilliant through ball to Novak, but the striker's shot was saved.

Then, in the 34th minute, disaster struck.

Burton won a corner kick, and Jake immediately tensed.

[Ding! Warning – Opponent Set-Piece Strength: High]

Burton's midfielder whipped in a perfect cross.

Their towering center-back outjumped Barnes and Fletcher.

A powerful header smashed into the net.

GOAL! 1-0 BURTON.

Jake exhaled sharply. Set-pieces. The one thing the system had warned him about.

In the dugout, Paul clapped his hands. "Keep your heads up, boys! We're still in this!"

Bradford tried to respond before halftime, but Burton defended well.

Halftime 

In the dressing room, Paul gathered the players. Jake was on a video call, watching from the screen.

His voice was calm but firm.

"We knew this would be tough," he said. "But we've given them too much respect. We're letting them dictate the game."

Jake pointed at Richards. "You and Silva need to exploit their left flank. Their full-back is weak—target him."

Then he turned to Novak. "Burton's center-backs are slow. Stay on the last defender, wait for the through ball, and time your run perfectly."

Finally, he addressed Lowe. "You're the key. Control the tempo, dictate the midfield, and don't let Dawson dominate you."

The players nodded. Now it was time for a response.

Second Half

Bradford came out stronger, following Jake's halftime instructions.

55th minute: Silva broke past his marker and curled a shot—just wide.

61st minute: Chapman's long-range effort forced a diving save.

Then, in the 68th minute, the breakthrough came.

Lowe intercepted a pass and quickly played it to Carter, who had just been subbed in.

Carter turned sharply, sending a perfect through ball to Novak.

Novak took one touch.

Then slotted it calmly past the keeper.

GOAL! 1-1 BRADFORD!

Jake pumped his fist from the stands.

Substitutions

After the goal, Jake instructed Paul to make more subs to keep the team fresh.

Substitutions:

Carter on for Benson (62')

Collins on for Grant (62')

Ortega on for Chapman (78')

Thompson on for Novak (85')

Both teams pushed for a winner, but neither could break through.

The final whistle blew—1-1.

The match would be decided on penalties.

Penalty Shootout – A Dramatic Victory

Jake sat at the edge of his seat. Bradford would take the first penalty.

Novak steps up—GOAL! (1-0)

Burton scores. (1-1)

Carter smashes his penalty into the net. (2-1)

Okafor makes a HUGE save! (2-1)

Silva converts. (3-1)

Burton score again. (3-2)

Collins steps up—GOAL! (4-2)

Okafor saves again! (4-2)

Bradford wins on penalties!

Jake let out a deep breath. They had done it.

Post-Match –

Paul approached Jake after the match. "Scouts from Germany and France were here tonight. They were watching Carter."

Jake smirked. "Of course they were."

At the press conference, the media immediately pressed him on Carter's future.

"Will you sell Carter if a big club comes calling?"

Jake leaned forward. "If he wants to leave, he can. But I believe he'll stay."

A New Future – Enrolling Ethan Wilson

The next morning, Jake registered his son, Ethan, into Bradford's academy.

As he finished signing the paperwork, the system flashed another message.

[Ding! Player Development Analysis Activated – Ethan Wilson]

Projected Strengths: Vision, Passing, Football IQ.

Projected Weaknesses: Physicality, Defensive Work Rate.

Jake smirked. Time to train a future star.

The the Big Reveal came,

Jake received a message.

"Carabao Cup Round 3 Draw: Bradford City vs. West Ham United (Premier League)."

Jake exhaled. This was his biggest challenge yet.