Ledley will always be our King
Tuesday, March 10, 2009 at 12:03PM I'm a bit bored at the moment. There's a slight lull in stories worthy of commentary. Other than maybe the news that Ledley King could play in the remaining 10 fixtures for Spurs. According to our oracle of football, Harry Redknapp. This following on from the recent lack of contract talks that won't be taking place just yet between club and player.
King (with Spurs no longer having midweek games to concern themselves with) can now look forward to Ledders being available once per week with plenty of recovery time in-between. As long as the old knee doesn't give way. Is he prolonging the inevitable? Is he sustaining long term permanent damage to his knees every time he plays for us? How long will he persist with this? Equally important to ask whether Spurs will have to make a decision on King's future based on his availability. You can't build a defence around a part-time player. But when the player is this good, do you allow for a concession? Heart says yes. So does the head, but more so the heart.
As for the potential of a new contract, that really depends on whether this is it for the rest of his career. This being 'play when injected with magic' but only half the time and never twice in a week. It's sad. A fully fit Ledley King would be a fully fledged England international. And probably a Man Utd player. But theres no doubt he'd be a defender at the top of his game with countless clubs courting him - in a world with no knee trouble. He's still capable of exceptional performances for us - but still in a part-time capacity. Which is why we are probably not reading a Daniel Levy club announcement justifying a £25M transfer of King to Old Trafford.
What we have instead is a loyal committed servant who gets wrapped up in cotton wool more often than running out in Lilywhite. As long as he is not aggravating his knee problems with the injections and continuing to play professional football then I'm happy to have him at the club and the club should make sure he remains there till he hangs his boots up. I hope there is not a single ounce of truth that doctors advised him to quit or risk serious damage.
Also, I'm not suggesting Ledley is still with us only because of his injury plight. The bloke is no Sol Campbell. Ledley is honest and loves the club. He wants to be at White Hart Lane and in the past possibly could have flirted with a Champions League club if he wanted to. But if he was 110%, he'd be tested, along with the chairman. That's a sure thing. But he'd never walk the way Judas did. Personally hope he does start the big big away games we have at Villa, Everton, Man Utd and Liverpool. Dawson is a fine understudy to have on current form. I'm still staggered by the fact that King never trains.
Elsewhere, there was a perfect example of printed bullshit in the Sunday papers that had David Bentley linked with a move to Aston Villa. He would 'relish the move' apparently. No actual quote or suggestion that any part of the article was based on fact or actual player/club opinion. The usual standard of reporting from the weekend tabloids.
Bentley has been nothing short of disastrous since signing for us. No form at all. Not even 5% of what he showed at Blackburn. He has struggled monumentally to fit in and perform consistently. Yes, he is over-rated. He isn't the next David Beckham. He obviously believes he is far better than he is and therefore attempts to play like he's word class from distorted memories and what he thinks people expect to see of a superstar rather than just play a simple and productive game. Such is the power of confidence (and the decimation of it) that he can't even achieve the basics that came easy to him prior to his move.
As much maligned as he is and regardless of whether he is or isn't worth £15M or so, he does have ability and he can do a job for us. Personal problems aside, he has to stop feeling sorry for himself. The groans and frustrations from home fans will be replaced with cheers and applause the moment he gets stuck in and doesn't try so damn hard to be something he is not.
Bentley is a good player. Not a great one. It's not lost on us that he 'loves the club' (he does, he said so) and wants to be successful at Spurs. He seems genuine enough, but it's inconsequential to what's produced on the pitch if his head is in the clouds. If he wants to succeed he has to believe it.
One bright thing the arrival of Bentley has achieved is the resurgence of Lennon's form. Having both players on top form would mean competitiveness within the squad, inspiring players to excel. Something we've lacked in abundance so often in the past. Not that Aaron needs to look over his shoulders at the moment.
Reader Comments (13)
Time to call time on the King. He has been a fantastic player for us but its insane that he can't train and continues to have injections. It's desperation on both sides from the player and from Spurs. It's time to bring consistency to the back four and centre-back positions.
another great article, im starting to like this site...
King is a great player and one that deserves so much more than what we've been able to achieve as a club. Shame oh shame we didn't consolidate that 4th spot a few years back. He deserves to play at the very top level. If he wasn't plagued with his injury I don't think he'd be a Spurs player today.
I agree with the Bentley comments but would like to add that it's also up to us to support him from the stands.
Bentley can come good for Spurs, that's for sure... you are totally right though, he is trying too hard to live up to the "Beckham" comparisons and not just go out onto the pitch and be "David Bentley".
LONG LIVE THE KING!!!! COYS!!!!
this is the best piece of commentary i've seen on any spurs site. absolutely spot on article and comments. assessment of bentley is 100% but think even fuuly fit king would still be with us cos as you said, he's no Sol Campbell, or even sheringham or berbatov.
Hutton is an alcoholic and not got a foot injury. he's in rehab atm!!! Thought you proper fans would like to know!
Hope the Hutton monster is back soon and sorts himself out! Good luck to him!
Hutton's a What?
You talking bollocks mate, or are you one of the priviliged ITK's?
...of course Hutton is an alky - he's Scottish - we're all alkies - it's in the genetic coding - but un-like alkys from other nations we don't let it get in the way of a good game of fitba
but I'm a bit disappointed the Hutton is letting a sore foot stop him playing - did Dave Mackay worry about a wee bit of pain?!? did he hell - he played with 17 broken legs as every self-respecting Jock should
that’s the way the game should be played: several broken bones and 10 cans Tennets Super to numb the pain (though perhaps that explains why the national team is so poor)
Anonymous said...
Hutton is an alcoholic and not got a foot injury. he's in rehab atm!!! Thought you proper fans would like to know!
Hope the Hutton monster is back soon and sorts himself out! Good luck to him!
10 March 2009 14:49
I'm aware of the rumours, although I heard something far more disturbing - and anyone who knows what I'm referring too, I'd prefer if you didn't say it out loud on here, ta ;)
I'm aware of the rumours, although I heard something far more disturbing - and anyone who knows what I'm referring too, I'd prefer if you didn't say it out loud on here, ta ;)
Is he gay?
Now why would being gay see him out of action for so many months? Did he get his foot stuck in the closet?
Bentley will come good. Too much talent there for him to completely flop. If he does then kiss goodbye to claiming back some of that £16M.