A day in the life of Predrag Dobrić: Patching dreams

[TooDear]

Horrendous, that was the nicest word Predrag could use to describe Montreal's season. Minor league champions last season only to be in 5th currently. It stung thrice over for Predrag. Firstly nobody likes when their team looses, but this was reminding him too much of Istanbul's collapse. Secondly, he was a runner up in the Academy golden boot award but his personal performances have been "poor" even when Montreal was winning. Thirdly, and worst of all, Predrag was supposed to be the new tactician and help Montreal get even better, but instead they seem to be dropping points all over the place.

Predrag sat in his apartment in Griffintown, his mind racing and analyzing the past games over and over. Where did he go wrong? Was it just bad luck? He hated how no matter how he looked at the problem, he couldn't find a solution. All his teammates and even the staff said that he was doing a great job as a tactician. Nobody blamed him for the season, both as a player and as a tactician. But that pissed him off even more. If he really did nothing wrong and was just a victim of bad luck, then all his effort is pointless. Why bother staying up late for hours only to lose 3-2 after going 2 goals up.

He opened a cupboard, inside was a bottle of rakija he brought over from home. He never really drank much, mostly at social gatherings. He found himself pouring himself shots more often than he'd like. Everyone at the club accepted the season was lost. The highlight was knocking Catalunya out of the cup and still staying kind of competitive for the 2nd spot, even if it didn't matter much. All Predrag could do now is wait for it to be over and prepare for the next season. The team would grow and improve and he'd have more options with the draft.

He looked over from his balcony. He still had a bitter taste in his mouth. Nobody deserves success, you have to earn it. Predrag had always agreed with that statement. However, at the start of the season he half expected to win it with Montreal. A small part of him wanted to go invincible. A childish fantasy. This season was a harsh slap to the face after a good Academy start. Now he knew how serious the Minor league was and he could only fear playing in the Majors one day. Yet there was no time to mope and dread, he had training to do. The season wasn't over yet.

[Hero19]

This is a solid read, but I have to emphasise that you shouldn't be so hard on yourself over your performances. We're sill all in our rookie season and as much as I am sure we all wanted to storm into our respective first teams and make a name for ourselves, we have to accept that we our playing against and alongside players of higher calibre and experience than ourselves. From one former Istanbul FC player to another keep your chin up. I mean your team is doing extremely well and you do have a part to play in that. The future is bright for Dobric. 

Now as for the article itself, reaching for the bottle this early in the season? Are we entering into the Dobric's villain arc? What are other vices is he likely to stoop to and if so can be bring himself out of this stupor and return to his former glory? Find out next time on SSL! 

Overall good quality world building is something I appreciate and you've done a great job at encapsulating Dobric's, and by extension yours I imagine, perception of how this first season is going. We go again.