2026-06-14, 09:28 AM - Word count:
Silver stared at the TV, watching film from last season to try and get ready for the next season that was coming up shortly. 'How do I become a more complete footballer...' he wondered, trying to think of what he considered to have held him back last season. 'I did take a more aggressive approach with the ball, and it tanked my assists as a result... I know! I should ask the others in the org about their positions, and try to learn more about the intricacies of their roles!"
As training camp started, and the members of União São Paulo and AS Paris gathered, Silver saw his chance to act on his new plan. He spotted the little rat wingback that played on the major's side of the org, and he approached. Of course, being a snowy owl, Silver realized that he might frighten Cotswold, so he made sure to announce his presence. The two began to talk, and Silver finally launched into his interview.
"So, Roquefort, I've been thinking... I wanna try and get a more complete understanding of the pitch at this high level. You know, figure out how everyone plays, what the little intricacies of each position do to make the whole team click. As one of USP's two wing backs, what's your overall opinion on the position? Do you like it? What drove you to become a wingback?" Silver asked, not wanting to overload Roquefort off the bat, but he had been thinking on this for weeks, and he couldn't wait any longer.
"Mon ami, wingback is the greatest position in football. As a young footballer I was always defined by my speed. When I finally got accepted into l'académie, I was utilized at the role I was raised playing, that being center midfield and striker. After being drafted by the Brazilian and Parisien org, I was asked to move to a more defensive role. At first I thought, 'Wow what fools this management team is, why would I ever play in the back third of the pitch?' Then, I discovered the true potential of the wingback position. We are more than just a defender. We are asked to take the ball and cover the entire length of the field. I finally found a place where my full stride could be unleashed." Roquefort replied, staring up at the owl above him.
"Now, I don't just like the position - I love it. There is nowhere else on the field where I could make the runs I do. The satisfaction I get from a deep cross being tapped in by a lousy striker like Rubio warms my rat heart. There is nothing else like it!" he continued with a snicker, looking over at Rubio as he warmed up.
Silver followed his gaze, also seeing Belmont warming up. "I think I get what you mean. The academy had me in the position I'd been in since I was an owlet, attacking midfield. It was only after coming to Paris that I made the swap to the other side of the pitch, and it seems to have been working! I also thought it was a little crazy, being left footed on the right half, but it makes those pull back crosses look amazing. And having Belmont or Empire finish them is such a warming feeling," the owl responded, turning his head and gaze back to Roquefort.
"What's something I should know about wing back that might not be such common knowledge? I know you mentioned that you cover then length of the field on your runs, but is there anything else I should know? Maybe how to link up better with any wing backs that might be behind me?" Silver asked, wanting to figure out how to incorporate the wingbacks behind him into his own plays.
Cotwsald hemmed and hawed, thinking about how to answer the question. "Well despite everything I just said, there's a lot more to playing the position than speed. Wingback is a cerebral position, the position of great thinkers and philosophers. When you're racing down the field you need to be just as quick in the brain as on your toes. Above all else, you need to understand the game and know where your teammates will be even if they aren't there yet. When it comes to linking up with other players, it just comes with time and practice. The more you work with one another the more in sync you will be. There's no better feeling than launching a deep cross and trusting a guy like Nerve de Groot to be there to head it in," Roquefort answered, giving Silver much to think on.
"I see, I see. Thanks for the input! I've gotta catch up with one of the Paris wingbacks next, get some more insight! You've been a big help!" Silver told the rat, and with a wave of his wing, he was off to find his next interview.
Silver looked around the training ground to see who was around, and his sight landed on Bob Berendsen, the attacking midfielder turned wingback for Paris. 'Man, never realized how easy the pipeline of attacking mid to wingback was...' Silver thought, thinking about just how many wingbacks in the org started out playing up top.
Once he caught up to Bob, the two got to talking. They talked about last season, the off season, all the things two teammates who haven't seen each other in a bit get to talking about. Finally, Silver found a good opening to ask his questions.
"So, Bob, I am checking in with the wingbacks in the organization, trying to get a more complete picture of the field to become a better player. As someone who’s primarily an attacking midfielder like myself, what’s been the biggest change for you between the two positions?”
Bob thought about it, but finally came up with a response. "The wingback position... I can not lie, when I first was having scouting convos I was very adamant I wanted to remain in the attack. I wanted to be involved, to score goals. It took management a lot of convincing for me to be willing to drop back in defense. However after having played there now for 3 seasons I could not be happier with that decision," he explained. "Honestly I think the wing back might be the most important position on the field, especially in the system we play. Not only are you responsible for defending, you are the main build up too. Most attacks start with either wingback. So while you do not get as many scoring opportunities, the impact you have on the game is immense."
Silver was captivated by the way his teammate explained things to him, getting a clear picture in his head of how Bob Berendsen saw the position and the field. Bob continued, and Silver continued to pay attention. "I think the biggest changes are two fold, one is you have to cover a lot more ground. Bringing the ball out from defense, crossing it and then having to sprint all the way back to defense takes a lot and not doing it could mean you are leaking goals. The second thing is you need to be more willing to step out of the spotlight, while there are certainly scoring opportunities, more often than not the goal is to make your striker and other attackers shine. So there is certainly a level of humbleness you need to learn," the wingbacker told the midfielder.
Silver chuckled, nodding along at Bob's comments. "Sounds like you and Roquefort are on the same page regarding wingback. Covering a lot of ground, being the start of plays, being impactful, it's all really helpful information! Also, damn, is my head really getting that big? I didn't think I was bragging that much about my play to you guys, but maybe this is my cue to tone it back haha! But seriously, despite the increase in the number of goals I've had this year, all I've ever wanted to do was set my teammates up to succeed. I am more than happy to take a step back from scoring and instead focus on getting my teammates on the score sheet," the owl replied, thinking back to when he first entered the league, and how all he wanted to do was help his team out. Even now, entering his 5th season, that goal hasn't changed.
"In the 3 seasons you've been at wing back, what's something you think is often overlooked about playing in the back third? I know most fans like to focus on the offensive players, since they score all the dazzling goals and impossible shots, but what makes a wing back really shine?" Silver asked, really getting into the crux of the discussion.
"I think a nice, and sometimes heartbreaking, part about wingback is that you HAVE to rely on your teammates. You are usually the one assisting, so if your attackers are having an off season... You will have one too. This reliance on teammates makes you aware the importance of chemistry and fully being able to trust on your squad," Bob explained, to which Silver nodded along. He knew that all too well, that assisting really did rely on everyone else being as locked in as you are. "Besides that, the pundits do REALLY like wingbacks, I think this will be my second season already having the highest or at least top 3 average rating in the whole SSL. I also managed to get the most assist out of anyone. There are certainly ample opportunities for Wingbacks to shine!" Berendsen finished, giving Silver a pat on the shoulder.
"I see. Our forwards are usually good about finishing chances, so hopefully we continue to finish the great chances you guys bring from out of the back. I'll try and work some more with you guys and the other forwards, try and build up that trust even more. Thank you for answering my odd questions, it really had helped me out!" Silver told the wingbacker. "Welp, I think it's time to join the others and get this training camp underway!"
---
1698 words
Thank you to @roquefort and @McLumberjack for taking the time to answer my questions to allow me to write this silly little thing!
As training camp started, and the members of União São Paulo and AS Paris gathered, Silver saw his chance to act on his new plan. He spotted the little rat wingback that played on the major's side of the org, and he approached. Of course, being a snowy owl, Silver realized that he might frighten Cotswold, so he made sure to announce his presence. The two began to talk, and Silver finally launched into his interview.
"So, Roquefort, I've been thinking... I wanna try and get a more complete understanding of the pitch at this high level. You know, figure out how everyone plays, what the little intricacies of each position do to make the whole team click. As one of USP's two wing backs, what's your overall opinion on the position? Do you like it? What drove you to become a wingback?" Silver asked, not wanting to overload Roquefort off the bat, but he had been thinking on this for weeks, and he couldn't wait any longer.
"Mon ami, wingback is the greatest position in football. As a young footballer I was always defined by my speed. When I finally got accepted into l'académie, I was utilized at the role I was raised playing, that being center midfield and striker. After being drafted by the Brazilian and Parisien org, I was asked to move to a more defensive role. At first I thought, 'Wow what fools this management team is, why would I ever play in the back third of the pitch?' Then, I discovered the true potential of the wingback position. We are more than just a defender. We are asked to take the ball and cover the entire length of the field. I finally found a place where my full stride could be unleashed." Roquefort replied, staring up at the owl above him.
"Now, I don't just like the position - I love it. There is nowhere else on the field where I could make the runs I do. The satisfaction I get from a deep cross being tapped in by a lousy striker like Rubio warms my rat heart. There is nothing else like it!" he continued with a snicker, looking over at Rubio as he warmed up.
Silver followed his gaze, also seeing Belmont warming up. "I think I get what you mean. The academy had me in the position I'd been in since I was an owlet, attacking midfield. It was only after coming to Paris that I made the swap to the other side of the pitch, and it seems to have been working! I also thought it was a little crazy, being left footed on the right half, but it makes those pull back crosses look amazing. And having Belmont or Empire finish them is such a warming feeling," the owl responded, turning his head and gaze back to Roquefort.
"What's something I should know about wing back that might not be such common knowledge? I know you mentioned that you cover then length of the field on your runs, but is there anything else I should know? Maybe how to link up better with any wing backs that might be behind me?" Silver asked, wanting to figure out how to incorporate the wingbacks behind him into his own plays.
Cotwsald hemmed and hawed, thinking about how to answer the question. "Well despite everything I just said, there's a lot more to playing the position than speed. Wingback is a cerebral position, the position of great thinkers and philosophers. When you're racing down the field you need to be just as quick in the brain as on your toes. Above all else, you need to understand the game and know where your teammates will be even if they aren't there yet. When it comes to linking up with other players, it just comes with time and practice. The more you work with one another the more in sync you will be. There's no better feeling than launching a deep cross and trusting a guy like Nerve de Groot to be there to head it in," Roquefort answered, giving Silver much to think on.
"I see, I see. Thanks for the input! I've gotta catch up with one of the Paris wingbacks next, get some more insight! You've been a big help!" Silver told the rat, and with a wave of his wing, he was off to find his next interview.
Silver looked around the training ground to see who was around, and his sight landed on Bob Berendsen, the attacking midfielder turned wingback for Paris. 'Man, never realized how easy the pipeline of attacking mid to wingback was...' Silver thought, thinking about just how many wingbacks in the org started out playing up top.
Once he caught up to Bob, the two got to talking. They talked about last season, the off season, all the things two teammates who haven't seen each other in a bit get to talking about. Finally, Silver found a good opening to ask his questions.
"So, Bob, I am checking in with the wingbacks in the organization, trying to get a more complete picture of the field to become a better player. As someone who’s primarily an attacking midfielder like myself, what’s been the biggest change for you between the two positions?”
Bob thought about it, but finally came up with a response. "The wingback position... I can not lie, when I first was having scouting convos I was very adamant I wanted to remain in the attack. I wanted to be involved, to score goals. It took management a lot of convincing for me to be willing to drop back in defense. However after having played there now for 3 seasons I could not be happier with that decision," he explained. "Honestly I think the wing back might be the most important position on the field, especially in the system we play. Not only are you responsible for defending, you are the main build up too. Most attacks start with either wingback. So while you do not get as many scoring opportunities, the impact you have on the game is immense."
Silver was captivated by the way his teammate explained things to him, getting a clear picture in his head of how Bob Berendsen saw the position and the field. Bob continued, and Silver continued to pay attention. "I think the biggest changes are two fold, one is you have to cover a lot more ground. Bringing the ball out from defense, crossing it and then having to sprint all the way back to defense takes a lot and not doing it could mean you are leaking goals. The second thing is you need to be more willing to step out of the spotlight, while there are certainly scoring opportunities, more often than not the goal is to make your striker and other attackers shine. So there is certainly a level of humbleness you need to learn," the wingbacker told the midfielder.
Silver chuckled, nodding along at Bob's comments. "Sounds like you and Roquefort are on the same page regarding wingback. Covering a lot of ground, being the start of plays, being impactful, it's all really helpful information! Also, damn, is my head really getting that big? I didn't think I was bragging that much about my play to you guys, but maybe this is my cue to tone it back haha! But seriously, despite the increase in the number of goals I've had this year, all I've ever wanted to do was set my teammates up to succeed. I am more than happy to take a step back from scoring and instead focus on getting my teammates on the score sheet," the owl replied, thinking back to when he first entered the league, and how all he wanted to do was help his team out. Even now, entering his 5th season, that goal hasn't changed.
"In the 3 seasons you've been at wing back, what's something you think is often overlooked about playing in the back third? I know most fans like to focus on the offensive players, since they score all the dazzling goals and impossible shots, but what makes a wing back really shine?" Silver asked, really getting into the crux of the discussion.
"I think a nice, and sometimes heartbreaking, part about wingback is that you HAVE to rely on your teammates. You are usually the one assisting, so if your attackers are having an off season... You will have one too. This reliance on teammates makes you aware the importance of chemistry and fully being able to trust on your squad," Bob explained, to which Silver nodded along. He knew that all too well, that assisting really did rely on everyone else being as locked in as you are. "Besides that, the pundits do REALLY like wingbacks, I think this will be my second season already having the highest or at least top 3 average rating in the whole SSL. I also managed to get the most assist out of anyone. There are certainly ample opportunities for Wingbacks to shine!" Berendsen finished, giving Silver a pat on the shoulder.
"I see. Our forwards are usually good about finishing chances, so hopefully we continue to finish the great chances you guys bring from out of the back. I'll try and work some more with you guys and the other forwards, try and build up that trust even more. Thank you for answering my odd questions, it really had helped me out!" Silver told the wingbacker. "Welp, I think it's time to join the others and get this training camp underway!"
---
1698 words
Thank you to @roquefort and @McLumberjack for taking the time to answer my questions to allow me to write this silly little thing!
