Chapter Four: Champions of the Mud

“Who pays him next month?” “Championships don't wait for balance sheets.” “Neither does bankruptcy.” They argued for twenty minutes before Oscar threw down his notebook. “Then solve the defence.” Looking at Gary's rehabilitation record, Lin asked, “Who says we replace him?” Greyport moved to three central midfielders. Lin dropped deep, reduced his forward runs, and turned matches into decisions made one second early. Eli moved inside after turnovers to block the first pass. Greyport won 1–0. Then another 1–0. Late in the third game, Lin slid across a striker through on goal, touched the ball first, and landed in the mud. At the whistle, Oscar held up three fingers. Three clean sheets. 【Winter Leaders complete.】