The Coaching System

Jake Wilson sat in his office, staring at the league table displayed on his computer screen. One draw. One loss. Two matches that had slowed Bradford's momentum and reignited doubts from critics.

Despite their strong start to the season, the whispers had begun.

"Maybe Wilson's tactics aren't sustainable."

"Was their hot streak just a fluke?"

"Reality is starting to set in—Bradford isn't built for the long run."

Jake knew how this worked. When a small team overachieved, people waited for them to fail. And right now, after a 1-1 draw and a 2-1 loss, the doubters were circling like vultures.

The upcoming Carabao Cup match against West Ham only made things worse.

A mid-table Premier League team against a League Two club? It was the kind of fixture where most expected a massacre.

"They'll get torn apart."

"Men against boys."

"It'll be over by halftime."

Jake leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples. He had faced skepticism before. He had proven people wrong before.

This would be no different.

System's Grim Prediction

With a sigh, Jake opened his laptop. The match simulations had completed their calculations. The familiar blue text flashed in his vision.

[Ding! Match Scenario Simulations Completed]

Win Probability: 20%

Draw Probability: 10%

Loss Probability: 70%

Recommended Strategy: Defensive Structure + Set-Piece Focus

Warning: Opponent Strength Severely Outmatches Current Squad. Tactical Adaptation Required.

Jake clenched his jaw. Twenty percent.

The system rarely sugarcoated anything, but this was brutal. A one-in-five chance to win.

He scrolled down further.

[Opponent Analysis – West Ham United]

Strengths: Physical dominance, superior technical ability, set-piece specialists.

Weaknesses: Struggles against disciplined defensive teams, full-backs push too high, slow center-backs.

Key Player: Marcus Davenport (Striker) – Clinical finisher, thrives on crosses into the box.

Jake exhaled slowly. So that was the blueprint.

West Ham dominated possession, overloaded the flanks, and crossed balls into their target man. If Bradford played their usual high-pressing game, they'd get picked apart.

For the first time, Jake agreed with the system's warning.

If they played like a League Two team trying to "prove themselves" against a Premier League side, they would get humiliated.

So he wouldn't play like a League Two team.

Jake Decides to Defy the Odds

He grabbed a marker and walked to the tactics board, erasing their usual 4-3-3 formation. They wouldn't press high. They wouldn't play open football.

Instead, he began sketching out a deep defensive shape.

5-3-2.

Compact lines. No space between midfield and defense.

Quick transitions on the counter.

Exploit West Ham's slow center-backs.

He didn't need his players to match West Ham in skill.

He needed them to be disciplined. Ruthless. Unforgiving.

By the time he finished drawing out the plan, he was convinced.

This was how they would win.

The next morning, Jake walked into the press conference. The room was packed with journalists, most of them expecting to write about how Bradford was about to get humiliated.

A reporter from Sky Sports went first.

"Jake, realistically, how do you approach a game like this? West Ham is a Premier League side. You're in League Two. Do you just try to keep the score respectable?"

Jake smirked. "We approach it like we approach every match—playing to win."

A few reporters chuckled. Some just shook their heads.

Another journalist, this time from BBC Sport, leaned forward.

"With all due respect, do you really believe Bradford can compete with a club of West Ham's stature?"

Jake's expression didn't change. "Football isn't played on paper. We'll fight for every minute."

A few reporters scribbled notes. They thought he was being delusional.

One of them, grinning, asked, "So, what's your plan? Park the bus and pray?"

Jake leaned into the microphone. "I guess you'll find out on matchday."

The room went silent.

Jake stood up, press conference over.

He walked out, but he could still hear them whispering.

"Bradford's going to get embarrassed."

"They should just focus on the league."

"Wilson's in over his head."

He didn't care.

Let them talk. He had a game to win.