The Rise of Millwal

Chapter 41: Adaptation and Adjustment

In the English Football League, a standout player might attract the attention of Premier League clubs, and Aldrich knew that any interest in his team would most likely stem from the pressure of those top-tier teams. As long as they could secure promotion to the Premier League next season, Aldrich would do his best to use transfer fees and wages as barriers to prevent the core players from being poached. What he was most concerned about was the January transfer window. Just like Manchester United missing out on signing Andy Cole in the summer, no one could predict if Ferguson would be eager to seek out a forward and set his sights on Millwall come winter.

However, Aldrich felt a bit reassured knowing Ferguson at least respected him. If Manchester United were merely to plant rumors about enticing players, it would create significant issues for him. The tactic of bringing in Andy Cole was exactly that, but Kevin Keegan had refused to let him go.

After securing a draw at Ayresome Park, Aldrich led a reserve squad up to the Northeast to challenge Newcastle United midweek. The match was rather uneventful, marking Aldrich's first clash with Kevin Keegan on the League Cup stage, and his reserves found themselves on the back foot against Newcastle's first team, ultimately suffering a disappointing 2-0 defeat.

Aldrich wasn't bothered by the League Cup exit. On the journey home, he continually drilled into the young players an essential concept: right now, experiencing the atmosphere of the game is far more important than the result!

If Aldrich were focused purely on winning, they could park the bus defensively and wait for a counterattack. Yet, what value would that hold for these young players?

After a hard-fought battle against Middlesbrough, Millwall's first team notably enhanced their cohesiveness and fighting spirit. Aldrich's tactics for attacking play were yielding positive results. The flanks became increasingly sharp, while Nedved showcased his midfield prowess, timing his runs into the box like a lethal weapon.

As October rolled around, Millwall enjoyed a series of victories against Bristol City, Stoke City, Wolves, Sheffield United, and Portsmouth, achieving five consecutive wins. The first four matches were spaced a week apart, and the away win against the potent attacking Wolves was crucial. In the final October fixture, played midweek, Aldrich fielded a fully reserve side and triumphed 3-1 against the visiting underdogs, Portsmouth.

With their impressive five-game winning streak, Millwall confidently sat at the top of the League One table. They pulled five points ahead of Middlesbrough behind them and widened the gap to 12 points from the playoff chasing pack.

In less than three months since the season began, Millwall harnessed a youthful storm in League One, prompting a shift in media narratives.

"Millwall Holds Firm at the Top, Poised for Premier League Debut Next Year"

"Larsson-Nedved: A Demonic Strike Force!"

"Aldrich Sets His Sights on the Premier League!"

...

Aldrich wasn't swayed by the external praise. He maintained a low profile in his actions and words, refusing to let the team's recent successes alter their style of play. Instead, he made each week's training sessions even more rigorous, instilling a defensively-oriented tactical framework in his players.

As the Christmas break approached, Aldrich believed the team's transformation had reached a point where it could pause.

Creating a mature tactical system cannot be achieved through vague words or short periods of time. Aldrich spent half a season firmly establishing a pressing defensive strategy starting from the midfield, shaping an attacking focal point with Pires, Nedved, and Schneider as the vertical spine of the offense, while occasionally Larsson would drop back to support, making Millwall's forward play diverse and adaptable.

By the midway point of the league, Millwall's starting lineup began to see a visually pleasing synergy on the pitch, seemingly abandoning the outdated pomo theory that had plagued English football for three decades.

Watching Millwall play, one wouldn't witness frequent crosses from the wings and attackers blindly charging into the box; their attacking play was layered, fluid, and unpredictable.

However, during the Christmas period, Millwall's performance took a significant downturn, failing to win three matches in a row with two draws and one loss. This saw their lead over pursuing Middlesbrough shrink from 13 points at the start of December to just 8.

At this point, the media began to speculate that Millwall was showing signs of a breakdown.

Aldrich remained unfazed; he understood where the issues lay.

Most of the team's players were new to English football and still unfamiliar with the lack of a winter break. The dense fixture schedule during Christmas left many focused on family gatherings rather than matches, which was entirely reasonable.

A young team needed time to adapt to new experiences to build their skills. Aldrich did not chastise the squad for their poor form, especially since two of those winless matches were played by reserve players, and thus he had not expected to earn points.

As January approached, there would be almost two weeks of suspension in the League for cup competitions. Millwall was already out of the League Cup and wouldn't enter the FA Cup fray until the end of the month, where they'd unluckily drawn local rivals Arsenal.

During these ten days without matches, Aldrich granted the team a four-day break so the players could unwind properly.

Aldrich himself began preparing for a short trip.

Embracing his second life path, Aldrich had ample time and wealth, always reminding himself to cherish time and explore the world outside.

Over the past six years, Aldrich had traveled across Europe. Apart from watching one game weekly, a portion of his time was spent traveling to capture the beauty of famous landmarks or to experience different cultures.

He believed that staying cooped up in London would betray the opportunity his second chance at life had granted him.

Before leaving, Aldrich received a call from the club's CEO, Adam, who mentioned that several teams were interested in Millwall players.

After inquiries, it became clear that several Premier League clubs had expressed interest in Millwall players, including Makélélé, Thuram, Nedved, Larsson, Pires, and Schneider.

However, no real top-tier clubs were willing to take any concrete steps.

At the moment he learned of these offers, Aldrich couldn't help but chuckle, feeling incredulous.

Teams like Aston Villa and Leeds United are looking to buy players, yet they haven't even done their homework.

The bid for Makélélé was a mere ￡1.5 million, while Pires stood at ￡800k and Larsson's max offer was at ￡1.8 million. Even Nedved was only going for ￡1 million.

There is a reason why elite clubs hold back; it's because they can't bear the cost!

Thuram's transfer fee to Millwall was three million pounds, and anyone with sense knows that to take him away from Millwall, they would need to offer at least five million pounds and a contract worthy of a top Premier League player.

Larsson and Makélélé are no exception. Most of the clubs making offers are simply excited at the prospect and have not conducted a thorough investigation into Millwall's major activity in the transfer market last summer; otherwise, they wouldn't be foolish enough to make hasty offers that bring them embarrassment.

Aldrich told Adam over the phone, "Reject all offers for the first-team players and declare them non-transferable. By the way, you mentioned a few reserve players' names, didn't you?"

"Yes, boss. Most are from League Two and League One clubs. The transfer fees aren't high, the highest being just ￡100,000."

Aldrich pondered for a moment. The players who hadn't left Millwall last summer but had been placed in the reserves likely were waiting for a downturn in the first team's performance to be called upon again. Yet, Millwall had achieved remarkably good results, leaving them with little hope as the winter window approached. Their best option was to move on to continue their careers.

"Players who want to leave should be put on the market, even if it means not demanding a transfer fee. This way, we can save on wages and avoid holding back their future."

"Understood, boss."

Several reserve players were once main or substitute players in Millwall, who finished third in League One last season. It wasn't that they lacked talent; rather, they no longer had significant potential and were not yet at retirement age. Aldrich didn't want to see them wasted. Helping them find new opportunities would benefit both sides, allowing for a good parting.

With a decision made on the transfers, Aldrich donned a tailored coat, packed a bag, and set off on his winter getaway, with Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, as his destination.

It was a curious twist that Aldrich had traveled to France, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, and even the Nordic countries in past years, yet he had never visited Edinburgh, probably because he thought it was too close to spark his curiosity, and he had overlooked it, given that the essence of Scottish football resided in Glasgow.

With a relaxed mindset for tourism, Aldrich wandered around Edinburgh, admiring the grand architecture prominently highlighting Scotland's power, and featuring outstanding Victorian creativity.

For three straight days, Aldrich roamed the city, resting when weary in various cafes, savoring the views outside in leisurely contentment.

On the day he decided to go home, Aldridge walked into a café named Neil's Corner, satisfied and ready for a brief rest before returning to London.

He could never have imagined that his sudden decision to give the team a break and take an impromptu trip would lead him to inadvertently step into that inconspicuous café, creating a memory that would remain with him for a lifetime, leaving him to marvel at the extraordinary twists of fate even in his old age.