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+---- Thread: Kasak's Season 27 reflection (/showthread.php?tid=10947)
Kasak's Season 27 reflection - nckkss - 2026-10-14
Just like that, another season was over.
There was that end of school vibe again – this season had gone even quicker than the first!
Nick Kasak, defensive midfielder to the stars, was sitting pensively at the edge of Kaapstad’s training ground, quietly looking out at the sea.
Theresa, the player liaison who was tasked with keeping a professional eye on all the players and enure they had everything they needed – silently approaches.
“Mr. Kasak, is everything okay?” Theresa’s manner is somewhere between a stern step-mother and professional concierge at a venue where you feel under-dressed. It’s not that she think she is better than you, she is just do far above all of your petty issues.
“Oh hey,” Nick looks up briefly at this intruder to his thoughts, “You can call me Nick, you know.”
“I know, Mr Kasak,” there is a slight twinkle in her eye. “Will you be joining the rest of the squad’s paintball tournament today? They need someone who can run but can’t shoot well.”
“Have they asked Dante already?” Nick chuckles to himself, but Theresa doesn’t allow the joke to land. He pauses, his face hardening once more. “Why wasn’t I any better this season? I’ve gotten worse, if anything.”
“Well,” Theresa considers the correct response, “the team has performed above expectations, especially on that last game – that win really brought us up the table.”
“Yeah, I know,” Nick pauses again, “but I’ve not been… involved? I’ve not made many goals at all, let alone scored any. I don’t think my defending has been any good either… I run and run and run and I’m never in the right position to… do anything.”
“Ok...well it sounds like you’ve identified the problem.”
“But last year… last year I was better, wasn’t I?” Nick looks almost desperately at Theresa – with a vulnerability that almost makes her uncomfortable.
She sits down on the bench next to Nick, he makes room for her to do so, and looks out to sea with him. This will take all of her professional training, and she chooses her next words as carefully as she can.
“Mr Kasak,” she begins, “Improvement is rarely a straight line. It might look that from a distance, but trust me, its usually a few steps forward and a few steps back. You are a better player than last season, but you’re facing a different challenge. Every week is different! Every game you are facing a different opponent lining up differently and learning from their mistakes.
“This was only your second season in the proper leagues! You’re doing better than some of your team-mates believe me. And some of them do not handle it quite as cleanly as you. Some of the messes I’ve had to clear up…”
Nick looks over, smiles a little, then responds “Thanks Theresa. That’s really kind of you to say. I’m just worried that I’m not ready.”
“Ready for what?”
“To go over there” Nick gestures broadly at the Sea.
“Where? St Helena? Where Napoleon died?”
“No, Hollywood.”
“Well Hollywood is not over there. Where you are pointing is a very small island. I don’t think they have an SSL team.”
“Yeah… well”
“I think Hollywood is more over there?” Theresa points further North, “Or you could even go the other way. Well, flying is probably easier overall I would guess.”
“Well the point is I’m not ready to play there. Wherever it is.”
“Ok. That’s fine. They’re not ready for you either.”
“What do you mean?” Nick looks confused.
“They don’t need you right now anyway, so what’s with the bellyaching?”
“I suppose they don’t…”
Nick looks both confused and relieved.
“Trust me, I’d be one of the first to know if they needed you. Who do you think books the flights? Anyway, Mr Kasak, take the off season and work a little on your mind. We’ve got out lovely Sports Psychologist on hand to speak to you, Dr. Horatio. Here, I’ll schedule some appointments for you.” She takes out her phone to make a note to remind her.
“Thanks Theresa,” Nick says to Theresa, who is already on her feet and ready to leave.
“Have a great off season, Mr Kasak. Don’t let this season weigh on you any longer than it should.”
Nick nods, then looks back at the ocean once more as Theresa disappears back towards the offices. He moves his head from side to side, claps his hands on his thighs, then stands up and heads to the changing rooms.