The Premier League schedule was not designed for humans. After the glory of the FA Cup win and the arrival of Sergio Ramos the reality of the calendar hit Barnsley like a wet fish in the face.

It was Sunday morning. They had played on Wednesday. They were playing again today. And they had a flight to Kazakhstan on Thursday for the Conference League.

Michael Sterling sat in the physio room. The smell of Deep Heat muscle cream was overpowering.

Arthur Milton was standing by the door holding a clipboard. He looked worried.

"Boss," Arthur said. "Look at the list. It is longer than my grocery list."

Michael looked at the whiteboard.

Erik Olsen: Fatigue (85 percent)

Danny Fletcher: Sore Calf

Isaiah King: Hamstring Tightness

Diego Nunez: Needs a Nap

"Diego needs a nap?" Michael asked.

"He fell asleep during the tactical meeting," Arthur whispered. "He was snoring. It sounded like a tractor. Sergio Ramos threw a marker pen at him to wake him up."

Michael sighed. This was the cost of success. The legs were heavy. The batteries were draining.

He pulled out his phone. The System interface was flashing a warning light.

[SQUAD STATUS: RED ZONE]

[ADVICE: ROTATE OR RISK INJURY]

[WARNING: NEWCASTLE UNITED ARE PHYSICAL]

"We have to rotate Arthur," Michael said. "We cannot play the same eleven heroes every game. Today we trust the squad."

"But it is Newcastle," Arthur argued. "St James Park. Fifty thousand Geordies screaming. If we play the B team they might eat us."

"Then we will have to be unpalatable," Michael said. "We change the lineup."

THE LINEUP SHUFFLE

In the locker room the players were quiet. Usually there was music. Usually Isaiah King was dancing. Today Isaiah was lying on a massage table with ice on his legs.

Michael walked to the center of the room.

"Listen up," Michael said softly. "Today is a test of the family. Not just the big brothers. But everyone."

He wrote the team on the board.

GK: Jan Visser

DEF: Sergio Ramos (C), Pavard, Tom, Enzo Silva (Left Back)

MID: Kai Sora, New Guy (Academy), Leo Stone

ATT: Jamie Vardy, Reserve Striker

"Erik," Michael said looking at the Viking. "You are on the bench. You rest."

Erik Olsen frowned. The golden aura around him was dim today.

"I can play Boss," Erik said. "I can run."

"You can run until your hamstring snaps," Michael said. "Sit down. Drink water. Watch."

He looked at Diego Nunez.

"Diego. You are also on the bench."

Diego eyes widened.

"Me? The Bull? On the bench?"

"Yes," Michael said. "You are tired Diego. You tried to tackle the vending machine this morning because it did not give you your chocolate."

"It stole my money!" Diego defended himself.

"Sit on the bench Diego," Michael ordered. "If we need chaos I will call you."

THE MATCH: NEWCASTLE UNITED VS BARNSLEY

St James Park was loud. The noise came down from the high stands like an avalanche.

The Newcastle players looked fresh. They looked fast. Isak. Gordon. Bruno Guimaraes.

The whistle blew.

KICKOFF

It was ugly from the start.

Barnsley lacked rhythm. Enzo Silva was playing out of position at left back. He was trying his best but he was right footed and crazy.

Every time the ball went near him Enzo just kicked it into the stands.

"Safety first!" Enzo shouted to the crowd.

Newcastle dominated. They pressed high.

Minute 20.

Anthony Gordon ran down the wing. He was faster than Pavard.

He crossed the ball.

Isak jumped.

Sergio Ramos was there. The Legend.

Ramos did not jump. He just used his experience. He nudged Isak slightly. Just enough to put him off balance.

Isak headed the ball wide.

"Experience!" Ramos shouted tapping his head. "Use the brain!"

But you cannot defend for ninety minutes with just a brain. You need legs.

Minute 35.

Newcastle broke through the middle. Kai Sora was tired. He did not track back fast enough.

Bruno Guimaraes had space. He shot from twenty yards.

Jan Visser dived. His long arms stretched.

But the shot was perfect.

GOAL.

1 to 0.

The stadium erupted.

Michael stood on the sideline. He did not shout. He knew this would happen.

"Hold it," Michael whispered. "Just stay in the game."

HALFTIME

The mood in the dressing room was grim.

"They are running over us," Jamie Vardy said crushing a can. "I am chasing shadows. I need support."

"We are trying," Kai Sora said wiping sweat from his sunglasses. "But my legs feel like jelly."

Michael looked at his bench.

He saw Erik Olsen. He saw Diego Nunez. He saw Isaiah King.

The cavalry.

But it was too early. If he brought them on now they might get injured.

"We stick to the plan," Michael said. "Fifteen more minutes. Keep it 1 to 0. Frustrate them. Make them angry."

He looked at Leo Stone. The fifteen year old Phantom was sitting quietly.

"Leo," Michael said. "You are finding space. Keep doing it. They cannot catch you because they cannot see you."

"Yes Boss," Leo nodded.

THE SECOND HALF

The clock ticked slowly.

Minute 50. Newcastle hit the post.

Minute 55. Jan Visser saved a one on one with his face.

Minute 60.

It was still 1 to 0.

Michael turned to the bench.

"Okay," Michael said. "Unleash the beasts."

He signaled to Diego Nunez and Erik Olsen.

"Diego," Michael said. "Go in there. Wake everyone up."

"I will be the alarm clock," Diego promised cracking his knuckles.

"Erik," Michael said. "Thirty minutes. Give me everything."

"I will give you fire," Erik said.

THE SUBSTITUTION

The board went up.

OFF: Tom, Reserve Striker.

ON: Diego Nunez, Erik Olsen.

The Newcastle fans booed. They knew who was coming. They knew the Bull and the Viking.

Diego ran onto the pitch. He immediately ran into the Newcastle striker Isak.

BUMP.

Isak fell over.

"Hello!" Diego roared helping him up. "I am awake now!"

The energy changed instantly.

Barnsley had their spine back. Ramos and Diego at the back. Enzo moved to midfield. Erik on the wing.

Minute 75.

Erik Olsen got the ball.

He was tired but his talent was fresh.

He ran at Dan Burn. The Newcastle defender was tall but slow.

Erik pushed the ball past him. He sprinted.

He crossed the ball.

Jamie Vardy was waiting.

But the cross was too high.

It went over Vardy head.

But wait.

Leo Stone was there at the back post. The smallest player on the pitch.

Leo did not jump. He waited for the ball to drop.

He controlled it with his chest.

Trippier came to block him.

Leo faked a shot. Trippier slid past.

Leo passed the ball gently into the corner.

GOAL.

1 to 1.

The away end went crazy.

Leo Stone ran to the corner. Diego Nunez arrived first. He did not lift Leo. He knelt down and let Leo sit on his knee like a king.

"THE BABY SCORES!" Diego shouted. "HE IS A GIANT!"

THE FINAL PUSH

1 to 1 was a good result. A draw away at Newcastle with a tired squad was a victory.

But Misfits do not settle.

Minute 88.

Newcastle were pushing for the winner. They threw everyone forward.

Ramos won the ball. He headed it out to Enzo Silva.

Enzo saw Erik Olsen.

"RUN VIKING!" Enzo screamed.

Erik ran.

He had run thousands of miles this season. His lungs were burning. His legs were screaming.

But the Golden Aura flickered one last time.

He sprinted past the last defender.

He was through on goal.

The Newcastle goalkeeper Pope came out.

Erik could have shot.

But he saw something.

He saw Jamie Vardy running alongside him. The old Rat was sprinting like he was twenty one again.

Erik squared the ball.

It was unselfish. It was perfect.

Jamie Vardy had an open goal.

He tapped it in.

GOAL.

2 to 1.

Vardy did a somersault. He landed and punched the air.

"NEVER TOO OLD!" Vardy screamed.

Michael Sterling jumped into the air. Arthur Milton hugged him so hard he nearly broke Michael ribs.

"WE DID IT BOSS!" Arthur yelled. "THE ROTATION WORKED!"

FULL TIME

The final whistle blew.

Barnsley 2. Newcastle 1.

The players collapsed on the pitch.

Diego Nunez lay on his back staring at the sky. Ramos walked over and offered him a hand.

"Good fight brother," Ramos said.

"I am tired," Diego said. "I want to sleep here."

"No sleeping," Ramos laughed. "We have to go to Kazakhstan tomorrow."

Diego groaned. "Kazakhstan. Is it far?"

"Very far," Ramos said pulling him up. "But I hear they have good horses."

"I can eat a horse?" Diego asked hopeful.

"No Diego," Ramos sighed. "You can ride them."

THE JOURNEY HOME

The bus ride home was quiet.

There was no music. No dancing. Just the sound of exhausted men sleeping.

Michael sat at the front with his laptop.

[MATCH RATING: S]

[TACTICAL RISK: PAID OFF]

[SQUAD MORALE: HIGH BUT TIRED]

He looked at the schedule.

THURSDAY: ASTANA (AWAY)

SUNDAY: LIVERPOOL (HOME)

It was relentless. It was brutal.

But as Michael looked back at the sleeping squad he felt a surge of pride.

They had gone into the Red Zone. They had stared at defeat. And they had found a way to win.

Leo Stone was sleeping with his head on Diego shoulder. The giant defender had his arm around the kid protectively.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.