Ledley & Woody

[Flatters]

Potentially the best centre back partnership in the world ever? Maybe not, but I think "on paper" at least, it's the best centre back partnership in the world at the moment.

What have been our best centre back partnerships over the years? I seem to remember my dad saying he thinks Mike England is the best centre back we've ever had at the club, although I'm sure he's willing to say Ledley is now.

 

[Mornstar]

ramon vega and stuart nethercott..........mouthwatering

 

[clouds121]

if they stay fit anything realy is possible. if they both played 38 games which wont happen together i would think we could finish top 6 easy

 

[Shanks]

I don't agree.
If I said that to a group of other fans, I would get laughed at.

2 centre backs who have the potential to possibly start for England (although doubt you could move Rio and Terry), but have only played a handful of games over the last 3 years.

 

[DC_Boy]

Potentially the best centre back partnership in the world ever? Maybe not, but I think "on paper" at least, it's the best centre back partnership in the world at the moment.

What have been our best centre back partnerships over the years? I seem to remember my dad saying he thinks Mike England is the best centre back we've ever had at the club, although I'm sure he's willing to say Ledley is now.

Potentially's the wrod Flatters - let's wait and see a bit I reckon

I would rate England above King for sure - I don't think what King's acheived with the cllub is even close as yet

Both are/were top class CBs (Man U wanted England I believe - but in those days (1965 about I think) it wasn't as clear cut who to chose as it is now)

Difference is Englland was there on the pitch for a lot higher percentage of games than LK

With us he won (and was a major reason whywe won) an FA Cup medal - 2 Lge Cups a UEFA Cup, plus another final (from memory) - at least 2 third places in the lge too

He was absolutely tremendous in the 67 final - nullifying the much touted Hateley - and was a real MOTM contender

Leds has a long way to catch up on Big Mike that's for sure

he lso scored a fair few goals indeed at times played as centre forward - (I think he may have got in the UEFA final we lost)

He was excellent in the air - way better than Leds - though King has improved that aspect of his game over the years

footballing wise Leds gets it of course

though I remember a great run down the wing by Mike in the mega-classic 2-2 in the mud at Upton Park - in the days when they had Moore Hurst & Peters - to set up Greavesie for a late equaliser in the goal we were right behind to seal a great comeback from 2-0 down

England was also tougher - a better leader than Leds - and an all round rock in the defence - it'll take a lot to knock England out of my all time XI - tho England and King is a possibility -

I think i'd still go England & Gough ATM tho

 

[Shanks]

What our best has been, Im not too sure really. Campbell was pretty good for us, Richard gough, but he was only here a little while.

Mabutt, Ruddock... neither exactly mouthwatering I guess.

 

[Flatters]

I don't agree.
If I said that to a group of other fans, I would get laughed at.

2 centre backs who have the potential to possibly start for England (although doubt you could move Rio and Terry), but have only played a handful of games over the last 3 years.

Well I'd say they're two of the most talented centre backs in the world, therefore have the potential to be the best together. Rio is up there with them now, although he used to be particularly shaky, but has overcome that to be one of the best. Terry shouldn't be anywhere near the England team when those three are fit.

 

[brasil_spur]

Yeh King and Woody will be an awesome partnership if they can both stay fit, easily capable of being the best in the prem and definitley along with Rio the best england defenders.

The only other thing is that they will have to get a decent understanding going with Gomes to really work effectively, which i'm sure they will.

Agree about Terry, that nonce is very overrated.

 

[Bulletspur]

Well I'd say they're two of the most talented centre backs in the world, therefore have the potential to be the best together. Rio is up there with them now, although he used to be particularly shaky, but has overcome that to be one of the best. Terry shouldn't be anywhere near the England team when those three are fit.

Thats right! :hump:

 

[truespur]

Thats right! :hump:

:hump:

im just glad we're not starting the season like the last one with Gardner, Stalteri and Kaboul at the back

 

[liberty]

Flatters is right. King had/has the potential to be the best CB in the world. Henry said that King is the best defender he's ever played against. Something to do with "he doesn't kick you to win the ball".

I love Ledley. Fucking legend. Filled Sol's boots and then some!!!!

 

[liberty]

Plus he scored the fastest goal in the Prem. Love the guy! Ledley, if you are reading this, I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!

 

[paulspursman]

not many teams will have a better quality pair of centre defenders if both are fully fit and on form

 

[Khilari]

but that's the problem for spurs
king is perpetually injured whilst woody's quite prone

 

[Bobbins]

To be honest I'm still amazed we got Woodgate. He is just a top, top class defender, and strangely enough, one of the closest to Ledley in terms of pure ability. I would only rate Ferdinand higher than either of them, and then not by much at all.

They are both astonishingly good players. Let's make no bones about this - Ledley King and Jonathan Woodgate are two of the top English defenders of the last 5 years. Somehow, they both play for us. If, and it's a massive if, they can play 60%+ of games together this season, we will do fantastically well. Because not only do we have those two, but by some bizarre twist of fate we seem to have ended up with two of the quickest, strongest, most naturally talented and downright bloody good full-backs in the league as well.

This is why a DM should be our absolute priority this summer. Even the best defence and goalkeeper can't do it on their own, they must have support from midfield. If we get a good (doesn't need to be amazing) DM in who can do the job well, with the additions we've made in midfield and potential new players there and a shake-up in the strikers, we could have an exceptionally good team next season.

 

[AW?]

As a centreback pairing i think they could be top draw. They've barely even played together really coz of Kings absense. King has all round talent, pace, strength, good in the air etc and Woodgate reads the game exceptionally. I wouldn't say Terry and Rio are any better. I have a Man Utd fan mate who agrees they could be as good as Terry and Rio if not better.

The problem King is fucked isn't he? Is he really getting any better at all or what? I just assumed he's fucked basically.

 

[tRiKS]

Ledley + anyone is the best Partnership in the world. Ledley and woodgate seems a bit unfair on the rest.

 

[tRiKS]

As a centreback pairing i think they could be top draw. They've barely even played together really coz of Kings absense. King has all round talent, pace, strength, good in the air etc and Woodgate reads the game exceptionally. I wouldn't say Terry and Rio are any better. I have a Man Utd fan mate who agrees they could be as good as Terry and Rio if not better.

The problem King is fucked isn't he? Is he really getting any better at all or what? I just assumed he's fucked basically.

As far as we know he's taken part in all the training, the sprints and full contact and played in one of the friendlies. I don't think we have an reason to dubt him being fit atm.

 

[Jack2]

Woody and King...Yes, it COULD be one of the best partnerships ever, but unfortunately I don't think they will play much together.

I'm still waiting for us to sign a high quality CB to play alongside Woody. I don't count anything on Ledley anymore.