With only two episodes left, I take a fun look at Westeros' Best XI. In a derby match against the Army of the Dead, could our team of heroes beat the Knight King?
My fellow countrymen of Westeros, I come before you today with a humble observation. Who, among all the GoT characters, would make the best starting eleven? After this week’s heartbreaking episode (I’ll try to avoid as many spoilers as possible), I thought it an interesting exercise to think about putting together a soccer/football team made up of GoT characters, and in doing so, who would I pick? Today I look to answer that question.
Before kicking off, let me quickly say “hello” again to all my Scorum friends. I’ve been bummed out that I haven’t been able to get on Scorum lately. I had a series of events, starting with my computer hard drive failing, then a trip back to my hometown for a few weeks, and finally, once a getting back home, I was met with some other frustrating news that set me further back. But all that can be a topic for a personal blog later this week. I merely wanted to touch base with everyone quickly and let everyone know where I’ve been.
Okay, with that all that out of the way, let’s jump into it.
Formation and Tactics
4-2-3-1 would be deployed to make use out of the team’s size and strength. With this lineup, I think it’s best to have two deep lying midfielders, allowing the team to pack the midfield with big players. The formation gives the best balance between size and strength in defense with brains and ability in attack. Both center backs, one holding midfielder (K. Drogo), and one fullback (R. Bolton) would consistently stay back on defense with everyone else joining the attack.
However, on corners and set pieces, the team would bring the tall centerbacks forward as target (wo)men, leaving the smaller wingers and fullbacks to sit deep and defend the counter. A clean sheet will be key for winning matches with this team. The biggest weakness comes from a rather small and thin frontline, but one doesn’t have to score much if the opponent never does.
Starting XI
When picking my players, I tried to stick to what they are known for in the show. Also, any character, dead or alive, is up for grabs. Both male and female. In this fantasy match, our opponents, of course, are a team made up of White Walkers managed by the Knight King himself. That’s who we must beat and we will.
Goal Keeper
Hodor – I’m putting Hodor between the sticks. I think the character who was once famed for literally “holding the door” would be a good keeper. Much like the famous scene of him, back to the wall, as he attempts to save everyone’s life, Hodor would do the same for our team. He’s big, brutish, and would be an absolute terror when he came off his line. Good luck getting it past him. He’s the true wall that will keep the wild things out.
Center Backs
Tormund Giantsbane – I’ve selected a CB pairing of Giantsbane and Brienne of Tarth. Fans of the show will know the chemistry between these two characters. Tormund is likely the biggest and badest Wildling fighters out there. He once slayed a giant himself and then took up residency in the dead giant’s bed with his wife. That’s the kind of person we need in our back line. You think a giant slayer will fear an attacking forward? It's laughable.
Brienne of Tarth – There’s never been a character that has ridden the fine line between beauty and strength so elegantly. I don’t believe there is anyone left in the Seven Kingdoms that could beat Brienne in one-on-one combat. A deadly fighter who lives by the code of honor. Disciplined, deadly and all done with a heart of gold. Brienne would be one of the first names on the matchday roster.
Full Backs
Arya Stark – With the fullbacks, I looked for a good combination of size, speed, and instinct. We need characters who are willing to both defend and attack without hesitation. Arya fits the bill perfectly. A fast, nimble character who is impossible to defeat. She takes equal pleasure from defending herself or attacking someone else. She’s the character we can always count on to fight until the final whistle.
Ramsay Bolton – A tormented character who derives pleasure from torturing others. A true fullback if there ever was one. Motivated by his sadism, Ramsay would be the dirty fullback who’s the nightmare of every attacking winger. He’d frustrate and wear down any forwards who got near him. A dreaded player on the team that no one likes during practices but loves during matches.
Holding Midfielders
Khal Drogo – Would take the defensive midfield position. He would be told to stay back, don’t help out in attack, and instead to own the midfield circle. No unchallenged balls should ever be played through the center of the pitch without Khal Drogo sliding in with a bone-crushing tackle. Drogo would force teams to play over the top or fear the wrath of a Dothraki Bloodrider.
Gray Worm – As the leader of the Unsullied, Gray Worm would make a perfect midfielder who can go both ways. Fast, athletic, and focused on his job, there’d be no other character more suited helping in defense, while also being ruthless in attack. Gray Worm would back down from no challenge, he fears nothing, and he fights with everything he’s got when he walks out onto the battlefield. The midfield third would always be controlled with this guy out there. He was born to fight.
Attacking Playmaker
Tyrion Lannister – A man who goes by many names. There may not be anyone in the realm that is as clever, quick witted, and as resourceful as Tyrion. Since his birth, it is as if the world has conspired against him, but despite his misfortune, he still draws breath and influences the Seven Kingdoms. I could think of no one better suited than to be the creative brains behind the team. He has excellent ball handing with such a small stature with vision second to none—he’d never miss anything on the pitch. I’d give him the armband and call him Lil’Messi.
Wingers
Gendry – A bastard child of Robert Baratheon, Gendry’s veins pump royal blood, and he deserves a place on this team. Gendry is strong for his size, spending his days hammering iron as a blacksmith from Flea Bottom, yet he is small and quick. He doesn’t get caught up in the drama of “the game.” He is focused, loyal, and unselfish. The exact qualities I want in a winger. Gendry would be playing in front of Arya down the flank, allowing her to overlap at times and giving us a perfect pairing on the left side.
Daenerys Targaryen – That’s right: the Dragon Queen herself as right winger. Danny would be given free roam in the attacking half and not be tasked with playing any defense. Danny would pinch in and play more centrally alongside Jon. With Ramsay Bolton playing defense behind her, she would only be concerned with attacking, both scoring goals herself and providing support to Jon or Tyrion in attack.
Striker
Jon Snow – Was there really any guess of where he would end up at? He leads by example not by birthright. Whether we would need him to play solo striker up front or need him to be cooperative playing alongside others, Jon would rise to the occasion. He does well solo and as a team. Despite any success, he never gets too big of an ego. Always there to put the team first, Jon is the exact forward this team needs.
Manager
Bran Stark – Would it be considered cheating if we have the Three-Eyed Raven as our manager? If we are going up against the Knight King, I think not. Although Bran is soft spoken and gentle, his words are powerful gospel. He sees things no one else can, living in the past while also seeing the future. He knows players better than they do themselves. Bran Stark is the only one who can direct this mix of characters, many of whom hate each other, but with his visionary guidance, nothing can stop us.
The Long Night
So there you have it: my Game of Thrones best XI. We would shut out the Knight King’s Army of the Dead, get a clean sheet, and have Jon Snow and Daenerys score a goal each and win 2-0. Bran Stark guiding us to victory with his visionary tactics.
I know some of you may not be familiar with these type of “fantasy” style best xi. I’ve seen them done with musicians, politicians and other athletes from different sports. If you enjoyed this post let me know, and I’ll try to do more in the future.
Game of Thrones fans, I’ll see you in the comments.
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