Football Card System

Luton's pubs were destined to be packed after the 23rd round, with jubilant fans celebrating late into the night.

Wycombe Rovers, the league leaders, suffered a second consecutive defeat after losing to Luton, while several other top teams faltered as well. This turn of events has brought Luton within just ten points of the top of the table.

Yes, only ten points!

For Luton fans, who saw their team once trailing by 30 points, this gap now seems conquerable. Even if they don't secure the league title, the prospect of promotion feels increasingly realistic given their current form.

Halfway through the season, Luton has amassed 34 points, climbing to 10th place after their win against Lincoln City. They now sit just one point behind Gillingham in 9th and six points away from 7th place, the final promotion playoff spot. Fans who once feared relegation at the start of the season are now dreaming of promotion—or even a championship.

With 23 matches still to play, Luton has plenty of opportunities to accumulate points and surpass the teams ahead of them.

When asked about the team's prospects at the post-match press conference, Gao Bo smirked and said, "We're still twelve points away from the safety mark for relegation…"

The statement left reporters amused and the Lincoln City coach rolling his eyes. Luton, relegation candidates? With their form, the top seven teams could feel their breath down their necks.

If Luton needs to worry about relegation, the rest of the league might as well pack up and leave.

After the press conference, Gao Bo skipped the locker room celebrations. For his players, victory was becoming routine, no longer a cause for excessive celebration.

Winning should feel normal. That mindset is precisely what Gao Bo has been instilling in his squad. He wants a team accustomed to success, one that sees victories as inevitable.

---

The team returned to Luton late at night, and Gao Bo announced a day off, prompting cheers on the bus. But back in his room, Gao Bo had more pressing matters to address.

Recently, he had been saving his football card lottery chances. With 16 draws now available, he decided to trade them in for a guaranteed green card. The lottery system had proven too unpredictable, often yielding cards of little use. Gao Bo needed reliable boosts, especially with Chelsea on the horizon in the FA Cup.

Chelsea, a Premier League giant with a squad that could compete with Europe's best, posed a monumental challenge. Even at their peak, players like Vardy, Charlie Austin, Kanté, and Drinkwater would struggle against Chelsea. Luton's only potential edge was the possibility of being underestimated by Luiz Felipe Scolari's side.

The light curtain of the football card system appeared before Gao Bo.

"Are you sure you want to exchange sixteen lottery chances for a green card exchange voucher?"

"I'm sure," Gao Bo confirmed, wincing at the cringe-worthy system dialogue.

A glowing card materialized, allowing Gao Bo to pick his desired upgrade. After browsing through options, he selected one:

[Green Game Card: Improves dribbling skills by 15%. Assign to one player.]

This was a rare gem. The 15% boost made the card far superior to anything he could've drawn randomly, and the ability to choose made it all the more valuable. With this card, Gao Bo felt more confident in Luton's ability to challenge Chelsea.

---

Rain drizzled outside as Gao Bo turned off the system and gazed out the window, lightning occasionally illuminating the night.

He hoped for rain on match day at Stamford Bridge, envisioning a storm to unsettle Chelsea.

Just then, his phone rang. It was Jamie Vardy.

"Boss…" Vardy's usual confidence seemed replaced by hesitation.

Gao Bo's immediate thought was whether Vardy had received an offer from another team. With his performances, even Premier League clubs might come calling.

"Boss…" Vardy hesitated before continuing, "I want to start in the FA Cup!"

Gao Bo was relieved. "Why are you asking me this?"

"Well, Chelsea is a big team, and I thought we might not prioritize the FA Cup…"

"Who told you I'm giving up the FA Cup?" Gao Bo interrupted.

"So, you mean…"

"Get ready for a riot at Stamford Bridge, Jamie!"

"Yes, boss!" Vardy replied, clenching his fists in celebration.