Rapid Advance! A Crazy September!

Rapid Advance! A Crazy September! On September 11, Sheffield United headed to Derby County, England, for League Round 5.

As an established English powerhouse, Derby County had produced plenty of brilliant moments in the last century. The famous English coach Brian Clough had come from here.

The match kicked off at 3:30 that afternoon, and Sheffield United Team had the Kickoff in the first half.

"Maël drove forward with the ball. He's produced quite a few highlight moments in the last two matches!

"A Cross! Just a tiny bit off! Sheffield United have won a Corner Kick! It's still Maël to take it. This is his first time, and it seems he's already become the team's first-choice set-piece taker.

"Into the middle! Great quality! Ah, Evans actually put that wide."

"."

"That's the end of the first half. Both defenses have been in good shape and haven't given each other too many chances, especially the marking on Maël. Derby County have done well there!

"This young player needs more variety. He has talent, and he's very young. I believe he can do it.

"The fullback defending him today is top Championship level. He's already been targeted and pursued by several giants, and he's expected to join Chelsea next season."

"All right, the second half has begun. Let's see how both sides perform next."

"."

"That's Evans's pass! Gilbert has burst into the penalty area. Is he about to score his Second Career Goal?

"Side-Foot Shot! Saved! Another shot! It's in!! Beautiful! The youngster Gilbert has scored the second goal of his professional career, and the first one to sprint over to him is Maël. They both came from Arsenal!"

"."

"The match is over! One-nil. Gilbert scored the Winning Goal, and Sheffield United have achieved a Two-Game Winning Streak since Gareth Speed took office!

"They've made a good start to the whole of September! Hopefully they can pick up more points, raise their ranking soon, and escape the risk of relegation!"

After the match ended, the victorious Maël happily carried the match-winner Gilbert on his back. The two walked a lap around the Away Fan Section and finished Thanking the Fans.

The fans had already remembered the two of them. After this match, they called out Gilbert's name.

"The Arsenal Two Little Blessings have contributed to the team one after another! Gareth Speed personally admitted that they have already become an indispensable part of the team!"—Sheffield Evening News

On September 14, inside the Training Base.

Maël suddenly stopped training and lay down on the Grass, his legs trembling slightly.

Gilbert was training with him today and hurried over, lifting Maël's leg with his hands and bending his ankle to help him stretch.

"Cramp?" he asked with concern.

"No."

Maël shook his head and smiled. "I'm feeling my muscles."

Gilbert: "."

He curled his lip and rolled his eyes, putting Maël's leg down. He just wanted to find someone and ask—do you know how speechless I am?

Maël was not doing it for anything else. The main reason was that his speed had improved again.

Skill: Sprint lv2

Proficiency Progress: (1/800)

Effect: You have begun training Muscle Contraction Speed and Reaction Ability. The proportion of Fast-Twitch Muscle Fibers is slowly changing, and you possess a certain Quick Sprint Ability!

As time passed, he had slowly grown used to the process from lv1 to lv2, but the improvement of Physical Attributes, after all, was not as simple as ordinary skills. It could still bring him some pleasure.

Once he gradually gained speed, his threat on the wing would multiply.

"The Schedule is packed. I have to add Step-Over Dribbling to my Training Item too, or my body simply won't hold up."

He made the decision inwardly. In truth, it was not only because of the packed Schedule. There was another reason: in the previous match, he had felt his own limitations.

When he came up against a strong and sturdy fullback, he actually did not have many options. By now, Championship teams all knew he liked the Bicycle Kick.

Although the Long Shot was still threatening, there would not be good chances for Long Shots in every match, and he certainly could not score with every attempt.

"If I pick Step-Over Dribbling back up from before and train it to lv3, then everything in the future will be different again."

Maël completed his Mental Preparation for Four-Line Training. When many outstanding Wingers dribbled past people, there were not that many tricks involved. It was just One Touch and Dribble, plus a bit of Body Movement Changes.

Step-Over Dribbling belonged to this kind of technique.

His speed was also steadily improving. When the time came, if lv3 speed could be paired with two lv3 dribbling skills...

Even in the Premier League, he would probably have a certain Dribbling Success Rate, let alone in the Championship.

Skill: Brutal Shot lv3

Proficiency Progress: (218/800)

Glancing at the proficiency of his Long Shot, he looked forward even more to the moment it improved. This would inevitably become his first lv4 skill.

These days, he had also discovered that using skills in matches, or the positive feedback from successful attempts, would greatly increase his skill proficiency.

Now, he would keep moving forward with the Schedule! On September 15, Sheffield United hosted Scunthorpe, a team currently ranked in the middle of the table, at Bramall Lane Stadium.

"Although Sheffield United have achieved two straight wins, this may be the 'newbie' protection period for new manager Gareth Speed. It is a fact that the team's Overall Strength is not strong. They have already relied on kids twice."—Ball News Prediction

It had to be said, this media outlet's prediction did make some sense.

From the very start of the match, Scunthorpe stunned Sheffield United with three hard-hitting blows.

"Collins's through ball! Absolutely beautiful—this pass has torn open Sheffield United's defense! Can Dagnall get to it? He's very quick—he's One-on-One!"

"A snap shot! Goal!! One-nil! Scunthorpe have taken the lead Away!"

"."

"The Corner Kick is taken! Good delivery! Will Scunthorpe get their second?! Canavan's header—off target! Muffin with the follow-up... Oh!! Two-nil! Scunthorpe have taken a two-goal lead in the first half! Two shots from two defenders finished off this goal. They're in great form today!"

"."

"It's Dagnall again! What is wrong with Sheffield United's back line today? They've let this sharp forward get another One-on-One chance. Can he score?"

"A Brace! Three-nil!! The home side's hopes of winning don't look good now—let's see if they can at least score one to save some face."

"."

"Maël has gone forward. He's been in good form this match, and he has had something of an advantage against Canavan. Whether in strength or speed, he seems to have the edge over this ball-playing, assist-minded fullback."

"He takes him on... he's past him! His third successful dribble of the match—can this Cross find its mark?"

"The Cross was a fake—he cuts inside instead! Maël has burst into the box, and he's very close to the danger area now! A low Cross across the ground, toward the far post!"

"Ward!! It's in!! A thunderous strike! Ward has scored his first goal of the season, and Maël has also completed his fourth assist of the season. He really is an outstanding Winger!"

"."

"The referee blows the whistle for full time. This match ends with Scunthorpe winning three-one! Gareth Speed has suffered his first defeat since taking charge. Hopefully he can regroup and rally again!"

After the match ended, Maël and Gilbert sat beside the advertising board, watching the sparse crowd of grim-faced fans leave the stadium, feeling somewhat powerless.

Maël had also tasted the first defeat he had personally experienced. To be honest, it did not feel good, and the fact that he had added to his stats did not make it much better.

If he could choose, he hoped to keep winning forever.

Of course, the current him was still a long way from that step. But he would never give up.