The Ledley King Effect

[Sp3akerboxxx]

Whilst watching the game today i couldn't help but notice quite how much more assured we looked at the back with ledders in the lineup. We've gone from looking vulnerable against Blackpool, to commanding against Liverpool. It seems even after all of his injuries he still has that class that has for me, established Ledley King as the most talented defender of his generation.

 

[Bus-Conductor]

Fit, he's one of the best CB's in football, we all know this, but you can't build for the future based on the possibility that King might play 6 games a year.

 

[AJW]

Wouldn't be here if it wasn't for his injuries. Think we can afford to have him in our squad as we will never use all 25 spaces. Just need to have 4 good enough centre backs without him. Dawson Gallas Kaboul and I wouldn't mind another experienced centre back. Samba would do if Blackburn go down

 

[Teddy Klinsmann]

I would let woodgate go and sell bassong and keep King. Wouldn't mind young Jones at Blackburn - played really well yesterday afternoon against UTD. Dawson, Gallas, Kaboul, King and Jones would certainly cover us.

 

[nferno]

pay as you play.

 

[Samson]

Wouldn't be here if it wasn't for his injuries. Think we can afford to have him in our squad as we will never use all 25 spaces. Just need to have 4 good enough centre backs without him. Dawson Gallas Kaboul and I wouldn't mind another experienced centre back. Samba would do if Blackburn go down

Don't know about the 25. Bale and Sandro will count against it next season, as will Walker (the latter replacing Hutton). We were 25 plus Woodgate and those three for the first half of the season.

 

[Ribble]

Walker won't count still, its from the 1st of January of the year the season commences:

http://www.premierleague.com/page/Headlines/0,,12306~1797582,00.html

However we still need to clear out a fair few players.

 

[jonathanhotspur]

Added to our squad this summer will be the returning loanees Kyle Naughton, David Bentley and Robbie Keane, all of whom are over 21.

It is also important to note that the following players will no longer be able to be considered under-21s from next season, and will therefore have to be named in the 25-man squad if we want to use them:

Gareth Bale
Sandro Ranieri
David Button
Giovani Dos Santos
Jake Livermore

That takes us to 33 players - eight of whom would obviously not be able to play in league games.

As an aside, Kyle Walker, Danny Rose, Jonathan Obika and Oscar Jansson all have one more year as U21 players - effectively "freebies".

http://windycoys.blogspot.com/

 

[jondesouza]

Added to our squad this summer will be the returning loanees Kyle Naughton, David Bentley and Robbie Keane, all of whom are over 21.

It is also important to note that the following players will no longer be able to be considered under-21s from next season, and will therefore have to be named in the 25-man squad if we want to use them:

Gareth Bale
Sandro Ranieri
David Button
Giovani Dos Santos
Jake Livermore

That takes us to 33 players - eight of whom would obviously not be able to play in league games.

As an aside, Kyle Walker, Danny Rose, Jonathan Obika and Oscar Jansson all have one more year as U21 players - effectively "freebies".

http://windycoys.blogspot.com/

Obika is out of contract and I don't think he'll be offered an extension. I'd definitely have the other three as freebies next season, as well as Caulker, Townsend and one of Mason or Kane.

 

[Samson]

I stand corrected. One big reason to bring back Walker to take Hutton's slot, there.

 

[RuislipSpur]

I think having Cudicini in goal helps aswell tbh. Its always better to have someone reliable in the net and it seems as though the defenders have lost all faith in Gomes.

 

[jonathanhotspur]

I think having Cudicini in goal helps aswell tbh. Its always better to have someone reliable in the net and it seems as though the defenders have lost all faith in Gomes.

Communication was still a problem, however.

 

[DEFchenkOE]

I must admit, when I heard Ledley was starting I was worried, seems like he's been out for 6-7 months, I cannot remember his last game anyway. I thought it was a massive risk by Harry, but Ledders is just awesome, continues to defy logic. However I do think that we need to make sure we're not relying on him and plan without him. He should be regarded as 4th choice if he can't play a lot of games next year. We need a settled back 2 when possible.

 

[double0]

King Ledley... what a player.

 

[kishman]

I hope after today people realise how important it is that Ledley King stays. When he plays there is no central defender in the world better than him. I don't mind having him on a regular contract, but if we can tie him down on a pay as you play contract or maybe offer him a player-coaching role I'm sure it will please some of you.

Long Live The King.

 

[steventhfc]

He's currently trending on Twitter.

http://twitter.com/#search?q=Ledley King

 

[BorisTM]

Whilst watching the game today i couldn't help but notice quite how much more assured we looked at the back with ledders in the lineup. We've gone from looking vulnerable against Blackpool, to commanding against Liverpool. It seems even after all of his injuries he still has that class that has for me, established Ledley King as the most talented defender of his generation.

I think it has something to do with Cuducini as well. With Gomes I always get the feeling that some misunderstanding between him and the rest of the players will happen.

 

[marvel]

As I said in another thread, imo:

Dawson with Ledley King-world class
Dawson without Ledley King-good defender

Makes such a difference to Dawson's performances imo