4th place will be final nail in the coffin for king

[simyid]

think about it, if we manage to get that 4th spot and get champions league then we will be playing midweek champions league which king can't play in, or if he does play in them, then he can't play in the league game befoe and after the champions league game. i love king soooo much and i think he's an unbelievable defender and it breaks my heart to think about his fucking knee but if this situation was to arise what do you reckon should happen? in know some people will come on and say we'll cross that bridge when we come to it but i just wanna know some opinions on this.

 

[al_pacino]

I think we keep him for as long as we can get 25-30 games a season out of him, who better as a third choice CB?

 

[Coyboy]

1. Yes we will cross that bridge if we come to it.

2. We rotate the squad as we would in other positions. My feeling is that we would play King in most CL games against top opposition and let the Bassong/Dawson (or Woodgate) partnership mature in league games.

It's crazy to suggest we should do away with one of our few or only world class players when playing at the highest level of club football.

 

[Beni]

Why?

Yes, he will probably be saved for the Champions League games, and as a result miss the before and after premiership games. Thing is though, we won't be playing Champions League games every week, for the whole season.
So he will be playing every week or every other week in the weeks that have a break from the Champions League.

 

[spurs mental]

We have the players good enough to fill in for King when he doesn't play. Dawson and Bassong have shown that in recent weeks.

I'd love to see King lead the team out on a Wednesday night, if it means he doesn't play in the league, then the two above can immediately slot in without problems.

If we were to get to the group stages of CL, we'd want to give it a good go, and I imagine King would want that as well. But he knows his boundaries, as do people within the club. They wouldn't push things to far, the situation could get far worse then it already is.

 

[ghetto_spur]

Lets get CL football first.

 

[3Dnata]

Whatever next season I'd be looking to have him on mid-week duty (hopefully CL) and as back-up.
I don't think he'd be sellable at anywhere near his value and when he plays he is class so on a decent contract to both parties keep him.

 

[robbiesavagehasbreasts]

There are only 11 players that can play each game.

Not every player is gonna play 50 games per over the season.

At the moment we have players like JJ, Kranjcar, Keane, etc. that aren't starting every game, but still have a big part to play.

King is world class and we should always keep him, as long as we can get 20-40 games out of him.

 

[mil1lion]

Good point. Lets not make the CL. Theres no point if King cant play every single game of the season. Oh wait, didn't we play 3 seasons of UEFA Cup football with King in the squad? What was the question again?

 

[dontcallme]

Basically we have an issue where we aren't in Europe and King playing when fit is hurting us putting out a consistent back four and can be seen to hold back Dawson and Bassong from getting regular game time. CL football would fix this problem not cause it.

 

[Rocket]

It was great to see him play so well yesterday & I think I'd cry like a big girl if I see Ledley lead us out in a Champs League game.

 

[fazza]

We do have Woodgate, Dawson, Bassong, Corluka, all who can play centre back, i'm sure it wouldn't be an issue, the only issue would be weather King plays premiership football or Champions League football should we actually get the chance, either way, Dawson and Bassong have proven more than adequate in the league so i'd be happy with different partnerships in the two competitons, King and Woodgate for the CL and Dawson/Bassong for the league.

 

[southlondonyiddo]

Hopefully we can get 15-20 games out of him next season. The problem is nobody knows which games he'll feel fit and ready for. It's about time we use Ledley as back up when one of our 'fit' central defenders isn't or needs a rest.

Ive seen nothing from him in the last 5 months that makes him a first choice for me.......and 5 months is a bloody long time in the life of Ledley's knees and hamstrings.

Played well against Torres back in August, hasn't been the great player we know and love since

 

[spursgirls]

I don't think it will make any difference really. King will play when he can, and not when he can't, same as now pretty much. Though I can't help thinking that he will feature less and less over the next two seasons. i would so love a fit Ledley to be able to play every week, but we know that just won't happen, unfortunately.

 

[Jody]

More games = more good players needed.

 

[Blockbuster]

IF and its a big IF we get CL football, we could finally sign a world class defender to replace king.....

 

[tony_parkes]

Imo King will be needed just as much if we qualify for the CL.

Fitness permitting he tends to get wheeled out for the league games and big cup games. That will not change. If we get to the group stages of the CL then we will need a strong squad with quality players.

How could you not include King in that on merit? Even if we signed a costly central defender to ultimately replace King, what better than having the pair of them available yfor the big games for the next couple of seasons.

Don't wish Ledley's remaining time with us away because we will miss him like mad when he finally does have to hang up his boots, one of the best central defenders I have ever seen.

 

[southlondonyiddo]

Imo King will be needed just as much if we qualify for the CL.

Fitness permitting he tends to get wheeled out for the league games and big cup games. That will not change. If we get to the group stages of the CL then we will need a strong squad with quality players.

How could you not include King in that on merit? Even if we signed a costly central defender to ultimately replace King, what better than having the pair of them available yfor the big games for the next couple of seasons.

Don't wish Ledley's remaining time with us away because we will miss him like mad when he finally does have to hang up his boots, one of the best central defenders I have ever seen.

The 2nd best central defender i have seen at WHL in 34 years

 

[hybridsoldier]

people are saying 20-30 and 20-40 but the realistic target is 15-20 mabe 25 games at a push.

I do feel though that where Daws and Bassong hav been excellent, they are not world class like Ledley. I actually think, as long as Bassong and Daws dont get injured we will be fine, we can manage to get Woody and King fit, at least 1 of the 2.

Was talking to a mate though and the benefits of have 2 centre backs playing 33-35 of your games is massive, look at Fulham.

 

[Krafty]

If we get a top 4 place this season I think Bassong and Dawson will be the established pair at the back, with King doing cameos as and when needed (like yesterday) and Woody playing if/when he is able to get 100% fit.