Don’t Let Savages Through The Gates

“Qarth didn’t become the greatest City that ever was or ever will be by allowing Dothraki savages through its gates.”

This scene begins with a wide shot of Daenerys and her Dothraki companions standing outside the tall and imposing gates of Qarth, their figures stark against the dusty background. The camera then cuts to a medium shot of the masters of the city, who are gathered just outside the gates, peering down at Daenerys with suspicion and wariness. You could see how palpable the tension is.

They didn’t exactly trust her. And honestly, could you blame them? The woman was travelling with a bunch of strangers who had a bit of a reputation for, well, let’s just say, some questionable activities involving horses and raiding settlements. Not exactly the type of person you’d want to invite to your next dinner party.

You’d trust her even less after she threatened to burn their whole city if they didn’t let her in. It was a good scene. Intense, dramatic, frantic.

As I watched the scene unfold, my mind couldn’t help but ask: Why wouldn’t they let her in? In a world as ruthless and cutthroat as Game of Thrones, it’s no surprise that there are plenty of bad people lurking around, doing bad things for equally bad reasons. But this particular scenario seemed different. It felt deliberate, premeditated, even in the face of overwhelming evidence that the man blocking Daenerys’ path into the city was a complete and utter asshole.

But as I thought about it more, it occurred to me that perhaps he was simply trying to protect the City he loved. After all, when you’ve built something good and worthwhile, the last thing you want is for strangers to come in and ruin everything you’ve worked so hard for. It’s a natural human instinct to be sceptical of outsiders, to want to protect what’s ours.

And isn’t that how we feel about our teams too? We invest so much of our time and energy into supporting them, rooting for them, cheering them on. And when someone comes along who we don’t think belongs, who we don’t think is good enough, we can’t help but feel a sense of frustration and disappointment. We watch as they survive multiple coaches and different tactical systems, and we wonder how they’re still there, still managing to eke out a spot on the team.

We tend to make these sweeping judgments about how player X won’t mesh with manager Y’s tactical system. We convince ourselves that he takes too many risks, doesn’t pass frequently enough, and lacks the necessary aggressiveness on the ball. And yet, what do we see? Despite all our blathering, player X is still out there grinding away, game after game.

It can be challenging to entertain the possibility that the manager possesses some sort of insider knowledge of some intangible quality that sets this player apart from what the rest of us mere mortals can see. Perhaps he sees something that we cannot, something that makes this played a standout on or off the pitch.

So, from where we’re standing, this player is the embodiment of the “Dothraki savage” trying to make his mark in our beloved city. And when it comes to outsiders trying to infiltrate our turf, we tend to be a little… shall we say, apprehensive?

“Where I come from, guests are treated with respect, not insulted at the gates.” Daenerys Targaryen

The way we judge players these days can be one-dimensional. Back in the good old days of football, things were simpler — we could label a player as a striker, midfielder, or defender and call it a day. But times have changed, positions have morphed, and roles have become increasingly complex with no clear-cut definitions.

So, let me ask you this: isn’t it only logical that we take a step back and reevaluate how we assess players on the pitch? And while we’re at it, also reexamine how we form our opinions based on the information we have about the team and the player’s role within the context of that team.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Diogo Dalot. These two are as different as chalk and cheese when it comes to their playing styles. But there’s no denying that Wan-Bissaka’s ace in the hole is his one-on-one tackling ability — some may argue he’s the best in the world when it comes to taking on dribblers. Dalot’s forte is going forward, and he’s been improving his defensive traits lately.

Now, what’s interesting is how Erik Ten Hag has been able to capitalise on the unique strengths ( and weaknesses) of each fullback this season. He’s been able to get the best out of both players, despite their divergent skill sets.

“I think Aaron is one of the best one-against-one defensive full-backs in the world. I think he’s getting better and better on the ball, he doesn’t give the ball away a lot.” Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

In the match against Leeds United at Elland Road, we witnessed a fine example of Wan-Bissaka’s defensive prowess. Diogo Dalot had been holding down the fort for 73 minutes, but as soon as Wan-Bissaka took to the pitch, he nullified Leeds’ biggest threat: Wilfried Gnonto. Gnonto even shifted his position to the left side of the pitch, drifting in-field multiple times.

That performance is not an isolated incident either. Throughout his early years at the club, Wan-Bissaka has consistently demonstrated his ability to stifle some of the Premier League’s most talented attackers. Players like Raheem Sterling, Phil Foden, and Riyad Mahrez have all found themselves swapping positions to evade Wan-Bissaka’s vigilant marking. It’s precisely this kind of defensive acumen that makes him such a valuable asset to United.

Defenders like Wan-Bissaka are very useful assets. Making a dramatic tackle against a quick dribbler is a sight that can electrify a stadium and inspire the entire team. It’s a moment that can turn the tide of a game.

The Forward, a nimble dribbler, has the ball at his feet and is running towards the defender, positioned just outside the half-space. This Forward is looking for an opening to make his way past the fullback, and as he approaches, the full-back watches his every move, waiting for the right moment to make a move.

The full-back starts to close in, keeping his eyes on the ball and positioning himself to intercept any move the Forward makes. The Forward, trying to outsmart the full-back, fakes a move to the left, then to the right, trying to create a gap to slip through just like he’d been doing for most of the season. The full-back, however, stays calm, patient, and focused. He waits for the winger to commit, biding his time until he sees the right moment.

Suddenly, the Forward sees an opening and makes a break for it. He quickly accelerates, the ball at his feet. Just as he thinks he has successfully evaded the defender, the fullback makes his move.

In one swift motion, he extends his leg, stretching it out to the maximum, and uses his entire body weight to lunge forward and reach the ball. His foot connects with the ball, sending it flying away from the Forward’s feet and out of bounds.

The defender lands on the ground, sliding several feet forward, but he quickly gets up, emotionless and unfazed. The stadium erupts in cheers, and the defender’s teammates rush over to congratulate him. But the fullback always knew the Forward never stood a chance.

This is what it feels like when Aaron Wan-Bissaka defends, and when you watch his battles play out in real-time, denying how much of an asset he is to the team is interesting.

Now, It’s always extremes when it comes to football debates. One thing that seems to be a common belief among some fans is that if a player isn’t world-class, then they simply aren’t good enough. I do get it, though. Who wouldn’t want to see eleven Messi’s on the pitch for every game of the season? Unfortunately, as much as we may dream of that scenario, it isn’t possible.

But I’ve been looking at the concept from two perspectives; The Pep Guardiola approach and the Sir Alex Ferguson approach. Both approaches have similarities, but they are also eerily different.

Pep is known for his meticulous attention to detail and his desire to play a possession-based style of football. He believes in developing players to fit his system and creating a team that can dominate opponents through intricate passing and movement. In Pep’s world, every player must be “world-class” in their specific role on the pitch. There is no room for players who can’t fit into his system, and he will go to great lengths to ensure that he has the best players available to him.

Sir Alex was known for his ability to spot talent and develop players into world-class performers. He believed in building a team around a core group of players who could adapt and change their roles based on the situation at hand. He was willing to take a chance on players who may not have been considered world-class at the time but who had the potential to become stars under his guidance. The class of 92, having a host of rotational options and featuring players in very unconventional positions on the pitch, was proof of this.

“On a football team, it’s not the strength of the individual players, but it is the strength of the unit and how they all function together.” Bill Belichick

When I look at the Manchester United teams of old, those legendary squads that reigned over the league for more than two and a half decades, I can’t help but wonder how their players would fare in today’s game. Would they be hailed as world-class talents? Would Darren Fletcher, Park Ji Sing, Ryan Giggs, Anderson, and Phil Jones be considered among the best of the best?

When you examine these players closely, you start to notice something peculiar. They weren’t necessarily the most gifted or naturally talented athletes on the pitch. They didn’t possess the sheer physicality of some of their rivals, nor did they dazzle with breathtaking skills or trickery. What they did have, however, was an unshakeable determination, an unwavering commitment to their craft, and an unrelenting drive to succeed.

And that’s what made them so invaluable to Sir Alex Ferguson. Whether he needed Ryan Giggs to slot into the left-back position, Cleverley to hold down the centre of defence, or Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to patrol the right flank, these players were always ready and willing to adapt to whatever role was required of them. They may not have been the flashiest or most glamorous stars on the team, but they were the glue that held everything together, the unsung heroes who made the whole machine run smoothly.

So would they be considered world-class today? Who knows. But what’s certain is that they were champions then. They’d be champions now because they embodied the qualities that truly define greatness: grit, determination, and a willingness to do whatever it takes to come out on top.

If Scott McTominay and Fred played under Sir Alex Ferguson’s title-winning squads, would they be considered “good enough” then?

The game has evolved beyond just relying on one or two star players to carry the team to victory. Now, it’s all about how each player can complement their teammates, no matter how their individual qualities are perceived by the fans. You may not think he’s good enough, but there is probably that one player on the pitch he’s helping mask their weaknesses.

Squad depth, in recent times, has taken on a whole new level of importance with the sheer number of games players have to play over the past few years.

Pep made a name for himself by championing the idea of having a second eleven that’s just as good as the first, a bold strategy, but it’s paid off for him time and time again.

Of course, there’s a catch. You can’t have a second string that’s just as good as the first without convincing some top-tier talent to ride the bench for a while. And that’s easier said than done. Nobody likes sitting on the sidelines, waiting for their chance to shine. So, it becomes a real conundrum; hence the need for rotational options that you need to accept will not be as good as you want them to be, but can still get the job done when called upon.

The moment when the masters of Qarth shut their gates on our beloved Daenerys. Yet despite this setback, Dany remained steadfast and resolute, her unwavering gaze betraying no sign of defeat. Rather than grovel for entry, she held her ground and demanded to be let in. This display of unwavering conviction not only demonstrated her unyielding character but also her natural aptitude for leadership.

In fact, if we’re talking about football, she would have made a killer midfielder in a Sir Alex team. Her refusal to back down in the face of adversity would have been an invaluable asset to any team. But in today’s game, such qualities might be seen as pompous or presumptuous, suggesting entitlement to something that isn’t rightfully hers.

So now, it’s all about how we measure a player’s worth. Take Jorginho, for example. Chelsea offloaded him to make room for Enzo Fernandez, yet Jorginho’s skills are still highly regarded by some. Then there’s Fabian Delph, who some might not deem “world-class,” yet he won two titles with City. And let’s not forget about Harry Maguire, one of the most abused players on this planet, who is one of England’s national team’s most important players.

So, what can we gather from all of this? It’s pretty simple, really. A player’s value is heavily influenced by the tactical system that complements their strengths. And isn’t that precisely what good managers do? They strive to create the optimal conditions on the pitch to unleash a player’s full potential. It’s not so easy to point to a player and just say, “he’s bad” these days when there is every chance he will thrive in the right environment and under the right conditions.

So, do we need world-class backups in all positions? It’s a tempting idea, one that any manager would surely love to have, but unfortunately, life isn’t always so simple. Very few world-class players would be content to ride the bench. They all want to play, and when they’re not getting enough minutes, they tend to become disruptive forces in the dressing room.

But the bigger issue is often fan expectations. Supporters tend to get emotional about which players they want to see on the pitch, which is why we often see disproportionate criticism of players who start over someone’s favourite. It’s easy to feel like the person you’re rooting for is being held back by the player ahead of them.

We saw it with Scott McTominay, Fred, and Paul Pogba. And while Pogba is undoubtedly the superior player, the manager kept giving the nod to either Scott or Fred. Why, you ask? Well, it’s simple. The gaffer needed some added backbone in the midfield or perhaps just a bit of graft.

But The fact that Pogba got benched doesn’t mean he’s a bad player, far from it. It’s just that in certain situations, the other players brought a certain je ne sais quoi to the table that Paul didn’t. And as Ten Hag has shown, he will pick his players based on the specific skills they bring to the game at any given moment and in a manner that best suits the nature of the game, a Sir Alex Ferguson approach.

“Thirteen, when my dragons are grown, we will take back what was stolen from me and destroy those who have wronged me! We will lay waste to armies and burn cities to the ground! Turn us away, and we will burn you first.” Daenerys Targaryen

As the camera pans out in the Qarth scene, we catch a glimpse of Daenerys standing amidst the barren desert landscape, a striking juxtaposition to the glittering and imposing walls of Qarth. The contrast between the two groups is further emphasised by their contrasting attire — Daenerys and her people clad in earth-toned rags, while the Qartheen adorned in majestic, shimmering garments. It’s a bit like the difference between “world-class” players and squad players in football. You know, the guys who look great on the ball versus the ones who grind out the dirty work behind the scenes.

It’s a classic case of judging a book by its cover — just like how we assess players based on their flashy moves or fancy passes, rather than their actual effectiveness on the pitch. In the same way that appearances can be deceiving in Qarth, aesthetics often trump efficiency in football. It’s a reminder that sometimes, we need to look beyond the surface to truly understand what’s going on beneath.