Andy King Poll

[Guest]

I see maddog's on form again

[davieG]

I voted no because he is to inconsistent. I usually never even notice him when he plays except for his rare great days (like against Wednesday).

Consistency wise he's everything Oakley & Wellens aren't - both are shockingly inconsistent.

He may need to impose himself a bit more but that will come with experience and playing in his better position - attacking mid-field; he's our most consistent passer of the ball and gives it away less than anyone else in the team - that's probably why people don't notice him as he makes less mistakes than anyone else.

He's still got a long way to go to firmly establish himself as a quality Championship player but he does have the potential.

I doubt Oakley and Wellens will improve beyond their currently level.

[Guest Bilo]

2 goals yesterday but that doesn't suddenly mean he's good enough for this League, nor does it mean he's still not good enough for this League.

Be my guest, take a seat.

[Guest Bilo]

OK, yeah we are all chuffed that we won today and Kingy scored BUT, I for one don't feel stupid saying he aint good enough, just because he scored a couple of goals today will NOT smoke screen what a SHIT player he is.

He has been very consistent, especially when you consider this is his first Championship season where he has had regular runouts. It's a step up and he took his time to make it but if you really do think he'll never be good enough and is a 'shit' player then I wonder what you're expecting from a 21 year old.

[fleckneymike]

Anyone who doesn't 'get' what Andy King does has virtually no understanding of football or even worse the system that we play. King's primary role in the side is to break up play, that doesn't actually mean running round the field tackling anything that moves, it means denying the opposition space and forcing errors. If you do a 'Joey Gudjohnnson' and spend all afternoon running round attempting to make tackles you disrupt the shape of your own team and slow down your own play not the opposition. King also links the defence and midfield and allows our supposedly more experienced and gifted midfielders opportunity to get forward and create chances.

Anyone who saw the WBA game will have witnessed what his removal from the system does, King went down injured, WBA moved unopposed up field and promptly scored. It's extremely rare that any oppo attack comes through the middle of the team (Forest debacle aside) and that's because King is there.

In terms of technique King is head and shoulders above most of his team mates, he strikes the ball very cleanly, his first touch is very tidy and his passes invariably allow the receiver of the pass to effortlessly move forward without checking or breaking stride.

This has probably been posted before but take time to read Steve Claridge's scouting report for the guardian.

[marbelladave]

Anyone who doesn't 'get' what Andy King does has virtually no understanding of football or even worse the system that we play. King's primary role in the side is to break up play, that doesn't actually mean running round the field tackling anything that moves, it means denying the opposition space and forcing errors. If you do a 'Joey Gudjohnnson' and spend all afternoon running round attempting to make tackles you disrupt the shape of your own team and slow down your own play not the opposition. King also links the defence and midfield and allows our supposedly more experienced and gifted midfielders opportunity to get forward and create chances.

Anyone who saw the WBA game will have witnessed what his removal from the system does, King went down injured, WBA moved unopposed up field and promptly scored. It's extremely rare that any oppo attack comes through the middle of the team (Forest debacle aside) and that's because King is there.

In terms of technique King is head and shoulders above most of his team mates, he strikes the ball very cleanly, his first touch is very tidy and his passes invariably allow the receiver of the pass to effortlessly move forward without checking or breaking stride.

This has probably been posted before but take time to read Steve Claridge's scouting report for the guardian.

Wow, saved me the trouble..... :appl:

Yesterday was exactly what I expect of King, that he has not always provided it is down to having to do all the defensive work as neither Wellens nor Oakley are disciplined enough to do their share.

[Koke]

Be my guest, take a seat.

[ash6290]

yeah he is 2 goals against wednesday prove it

[martyn]

My opinion of King is that he has the potential to be an upper end Championship player and even a Premier League player in time.

For my liking though, he still does tend to go missing from games for extended portions. His performance against QPR was the type of performance he should be aspiring to week after week. It is often said that King goes unnoticed because of the type of work he does and yes, in a way this is true, however, in the QPR these lesser appreciated abilities (anticipation to intercept, simple ball retention, acting as a link etc) were in full evidence and noted by almost everybody who saw that game. The fact his skills are less feted do not act as an excuse when he fails to perform which he has done on a few occasions this season.

If he can add some muscle to his upper body, and learn to impose himself more upon games through strength and increased positional awareness (He should look to always be available for a simple pass from either of the midfielders, particularly Wellens who is often left looking to thread eye of the needle passes in absence of genuine options).

He has the technical ability, intelligence and eye for goal to have a succesful career that is for sure.

[THE MAGICIAN]

You are an imbecile.

, cheers.... I did say in my post that it was in my opinion that I don't think he is good enough but thanks for the very brave name calling behind your computer, you must feel well hard

Football is all about views and to be fair to Kingy, he keeps getting picked by Pearson so I respect that and will go with what ever Pearson feels fit... Again in my opinion I would bench him again and go back to playing 2 wingers like we started this season, Newastle apart ( who are running away with it ) were the only side to beat us in the league when King wasn't starting and we were playing with 2 wingers, since we have changed the formation and he has been playing we have been inconsistant in form as a team.

Think people are right in saying that both Wellens and Oakley's form have been indifferent but this may well be down to King being in the side, Oakley definately ain't no winger, Anyway, like I said I will go along with whatever Pearson feels is best and continue to support the team at full voice who ever plays, I have never stood there at a game slagging King off, while he is a Leicester player he will always get my full support.

Daggers, if I were you in future I would try to refrain from calling people names who have a view, this is a discussion board IS IT NOT ???

[marbelladave]

, cheers.... I did say in my post that it was in my opinion that I don't think he is good enough but thanks for the very brave name calling behind your computer, you must feel well hard

Football is all about views and to be fair to Kingy, he keeps getting picked by Pearson so I respect that and will go with what ever Pearson feels fit... Again in my opinion I would bench him again and go back to playing 2 wingers like we started this season, Newastle apart ( who are running away with it ) were the only side to beat us in the league when King wasn't starting and we were playing with 2 wingers, since we have changed the formation and he has been playing we have been inconsistant in form as a team.

Think people are right in saying that both Wellens and Oakley's form have been indifferent but this may well be down to King being in the side, Oakley definately ain't no winger, Anyway, like I said I will go along with whatever Pearson feels is best and continue to support the team at full voice who ever plays, I have never stood there at a game slagging King off, while he is a Leicester player he will always get my full support.

Daggers, if I were you in future I would try to refrain from calling people names who have a view, this is a discussion board IS IT NOT ???

Good post.

Despite the fact that I really like King as a player, it is quite true that our midfield has been poor this season and we really badly need to sort it out. This is as I see it;

When we play with two men in wide positions and two men up, we invariably get over run in central midfield, whichever combination of King, Oakley or Wellens is playing. Pearson tries to address that by either playing Oakley on the right so he can help out in the center or by giving the wide men onerous defensive duties such that they offer little going forward. This is the norm and in most games we end up playing the long ball which, more often than not, gives the ball back to the opposition and puts us back under pressure.

We have seen flashes of what might be achieved, the three man passing midfield at Watford, N'Guessan owning the left flank against QPR come easily to mind but they are all too rare.

Earlier this season I put forward some radical changes to try and sort this out but now, with our confidence badly dented, I am at a loss as to what to suggest.

[Daggers]

this is a discussion board IS IT NOT ???

It's a forum.

It's for posting opinions.

Mine is that you are an imbecile.

[davieG]

Makes me laugh how King is made responsible for the poor performances of Oakley and Wellens.

[maddog]

Makes me laugh how King is made responsible for the poor performances of Oakley and Wellens.

I don't think the 3 of them all playing works. Oakley always drifts inside and we end up with absolutely no width.

If we had a load more better central midfielders at our disposal i would drop all 3, but sadly we don't have any other choice.

Clemence is a cripple, Asrit/Verma are nowhere near the side. Hopefully Gradel will be back soon.

I think it's pretty key we sign an attacking central midfielder in the Mark Davies type mould though in Jan if thats possible, i'm no scout.

[Daggers]

Makes me laugh how King is made responsible for the poor performances of Oakley and Wellens.

I find it incredible how last season's hero has so quickly become this season's whipping boy, (in only his second full season in football).

[Milan]

King isn't good enough. I dont mind having him around the squad to fill in. As for people being imbecile's for having an opinion, maybe this imbecile has based their opinion on a central midfielder who cannot take hold of a game and has scored 3 goals against teams who aren't even playing at mid table league 1 form.

When the transfer window opens you will see where Pearson see's the teams perceived weaknesses. Right Back and centre mid. Regardless of the depths we have been to in recent years this should not muddy your mind as to where we want to be. Some people need to reassess what their expectations are against that of other fans. Is King good enough to get us there - NO.

[Milan]

I find it incredible how last season's hero has so quickly become this season's whipping boy, (in only his second full season in football).

And just to make it absolutely clear he was not last seasons hero.

[lou]

And just to make it absolutely clear he was not last seasons hero.

No, just one of them.

Have you forgotten how old he is? Hes still young and has a great deal of potential, if we can keep him.

[Edmund]

And just to make it absolutely clear he was not last seasons hero.

Spot on. There were a number of players who were on top form last season, to single out King as a hero is silly.

Don't get me wrong he had a great season but so did the whole team. Full credit to him for making the step up from the academy which seems so hard to do these days in modern football.

[Milan]

Lets put things in perspective here, League 1 was a job to be done. Job done, no hero's. Hero's win Play off finals with the last kick of the game.

As for his age - If your good enough your old enough. So... he's young so we should cut him some slack therefore meaning that he is not good enough! He shouldn't be considered any different to the rest of the squad, this is where standards slip because people are often blinded by the hope of young talent coming through. It gives people a buzz, King doesn't make me buzz.

[davieG]

Well if the central midfield is under performing with 3 players in there I suggest people look in the direction of Oakley & Wellens.

Oakley has a decent pedigree and is known for having a decent shot on him, playing on the right should provide him with as many opportunities if not more to score as many goals as we expect from a winger - where are they.

Wellens joined us with a reputation of being a creative mid-fielder who could score a few goals, yet he is inconsistent with his passing, caught too easily in possession, and often reckless in his challenges. He scores highly with many people yet it is these same people that say we're desperate for a creative mid-fielder - where's the creativity, where's the goals.

The truth is that these 2 are badly under performing and it's not King's fault. King's is a young player with potential, no more no less but he does have an eye for goal.

Oakley and Wellens with their superior experience should be setting an example to King on how to perform consistently but they are failing to do so. Who knows King could be showing up a lot more if these two did their jobs.

This leaves us with the problem that which ever two are chosen to play in a central midfield with 2 wingers they are not strong enough and that includes a pairing of Oakley and Wellens.

They are the big let down, they are the ones under performing, they are the ones that need to take a look at themselves and start earning their guaranteed starting places.

We'll see how it goes, based on Shakespeare's latest interview it would seem they've realised somewhat belatedly that King's best and most productive position is getting forward and supporting Howard (Shakespeare's words) and what do we get 2 goals.

Hallelujah!

[davieG]

Lets put things in perspective here, League 1 was a job to be done. Job done, no hero's. Hero's win Play off finals with the last kick of the game.

As for his age - If your good enough your old enough. So... he's young so we should cut him some slack therefore meaning that he is not good enough! He shouldn't be considered any different to the rest of the squad, this is where standards slip because people are often blinded by the hope of young talent coming through. It gives people a buzz, King doesn't make me buzz.

So what excuses do you have for the under performing Wellen's and Oakley?

[Milan]

Think I'll go the whole hog and blame King for them also!

You can't disagree with the fact that they go looking for the ball to make things happen. Granted they aint playing great, but they have played better together without King and two wingers.

'Andy where are you' Bet they both think that most matches. If you dont touch the ball you aint going to be exposed. There are a few that need to improve, Wellens and Oakley can, not so sure King can.

[marbelladave]

Wow. Nothing splits opinion like our Andy....... :giggle:

Personally I feel a big part of the issue is down to Pearsons tactics.

Firstly I feel he is far too negative. All our midfield players, specially those in the wide positions seen overburdened with defensive responsibilities and as a result the whole unit sits too deep and our wingers lose their effectiveness going forward.

Secondly Pearson's insistence on getting the ball forward quickly adds to the problem. The ball is played straight up to our strike pair who are isolated as the midfield has no time to get up in support, the ball is usually won by the opposition who put us back under pressure. This is why Howard is still in the side / on the bench, he is (currently) the only player who drops off and holds up play.

At this point I think this is a more important issue than worrying about individual players.

[Daggers]

And just to make it absolutely clear he was not last seasons hero.

He was one of the three players up for player of the season having played 50 times and scored 11 goals. It was his first full season for the club and during it he attracted plaudits from professionals throughout the game. He went from being an U21 to a full international and eclipsed England's U21 great and good in the centre of the park at their last meeting.

Oh, and I believe if you look hard enough you'll still find Delph trying to climb out of his pocket.

No. No talent at all that lad.