Kingy.

[tylesta]

Jesus Christ!!

What the hell is the problem? Just because I don't think Andy King is as fantastic player I know nothing about football?

What roll is he being asked to do that restricts his game exactly? As far as I can see, Wellens is sitting deep and King is being told to go forward and support the front two. Is that not his natural game?

I base my opinion on what I see and from what I see, this is my opinion of Andy King: -

No pace

Can't tackle

Poor in the air

Not a particularly good range of passing

No left foot

Great shot & finisher

Scores important goals

At the minute Wellens, King and Oakley are completely uncompatible in the midfield. There is a lack of balance, bite and composure which results in the ball being hit high and long every single time the back 4 get the ball.

With the current playing staff, Wellens and Oakley should be in the middle with N'Guessen or Gradel (when he returns on Monday) on the right hand side.

Earlier in the season we were playing good football with that combination but since King has come into the team we have dipped.

I'm not saying it's all his fault, all i'm saying is that currently we need a different approach and a midfielder that's only attribute as far as I can see is scoring a goal every now and again is a luxury we can't afford if we want a play off place.

poor in the air???? seen him score some bullet headers

[BedsFox]

furthermore has a great range of passing and frequently protects his back four by mopping up/tackles. In fact when he failed to do so its Noticeable eg Newcastle away

Not the finished article, but great potential and imo our best midfielder this season

On the other hand Oakley has done very little this season, admittedly played out of position and Wellens, who has superb passing doesn't have the bite that King has or the goalscoring threat.

[Shrenchel]

Shit has gone to the dogs when Thracian talks the most sense in a thread.

[lou]

I'd go as far as saying King has been our best central midfielder this season.

Yes!

And most consistent.

Yes!

furthermore has a great range of passing and frequently protects his back four by mopping up/tackles. In fact when he failed to do so its Noticeable eg Newcastle away

Not the finished article, but great potential and imo our best midfielder this season

On the other hand Oakley has done very little this season, admittedly played out of position and Wellens, who has superb passing doesn't have the bite that King has or the goalscoring threat.

Yes!

Shit has gone to the dogs when Thracian talks the most sense in a thread.

And but Yes!

[Thracian]

poor in the air???? seen him score some bullet headers

I smiled at that too. So many times he relieves pressure on our penalty area with timely headers. He's far and away our best aerial midfielder. It was one of the reasons he became our permanent midfield anchorman role last season.

[lou]

King was at the Academy game on Tuesday with Morrison, he walked right past me, if that makes any difference to anyone at all's opinion of him or his desire to be/not be here.

So youre the reason he nearly left us!!

[midfield]

THE FEW TIMES I HAVE WATCHED CITY THIS YEAR I THOUGHT KINGY PLAYED OK HE IS NOT A BAD PLAYER WHO WILL GET BETTER BUT WHAT DO I KNOW I THINK MCGIVEN IS SHIT

[Koke]

He's never sent off, he hardly ever gets booked and is rarely out with injury. For a 21-year-old playing at the heart of a promotion-winning and now promotion-chasing team they are considerable achievements in themselves.

From what I remember I think he has one booking to his name so far in his career - and that was for arguing with the ref in an away match up north last year. He's a very disciplined player. Never dives into unnecessary tackles. Stands his ground, and closes players down. He scores some vital goals.

He took his time to adapt to the Championship, but he quickly came to grips with it. When the lad fully matures he will be a reliable goal-scoring midfielder who will get you 10+ a season. King has scored 3 so far. Oakley got 0. Wellens got 0. Says it all.

I really hate the slaughtering this lad gets on here. It gets on my tits. These young kids do read this forum + the Mercury, and the slagging off they get will definitely hamper their confidence. It's uncalled for.

[Daggers]

I base my opinion on what I see and from what I see, this is my opinion of Andy King: -

No pace

Can't tackle

Poor in the air

Not a particularly good range of passing

No left foot

Great shot & finisher

Scores important goals

At the minute Wellens, King and Oakley are completely uncompatible in the midfield. There is a lack of balance, bite and composure which results in the ball being hit high and long every single time the back 4 get the ball.

You are a muppet.

Not a decent one. Not a Miss Piggy or a Fozzie Bear - but one of those crap chickens or the shit hippy bird from the band.

Or maybe Scooter - he was really wank.

Lauded by professionals at the club, the management, ex-City players and other experts in the game - and yet you know better.

[C-man]

How on earth is he overrated on here?

The guy almost joins Villa and a few people on here are pleased that he's staying and suddenly he's gone from 'anonymous' to 'overrated.' Strange if you ask me...

[Ford Super Sunday]

Maybe because he's young, not a 'big money buy' and because he doesn't do glamerous things like score loads of goals and make superb 70 year passes, he becomes a scapegoat for whenever we draw or lose, which apparantly is a disaster these days.

That really is the only way to explain the criticisms and critiquing he gets from certain fans, who probably think Oakley and Wellens are undroppable gods.

[lou]

Youre right, he just quitely and efficiently goes about his job. People say hes invisible all the time, Id rather have that than someone whos making massive mistakes all game and standing out! (I dont think hes invisible anyway for the record)

Im glad hes still here.

[Koke]

You are a muppet.

Not a decent one. Not a Miss Piggy or a Fozzie Bear - but one of those crap chickens or the shit hippy bird from the band.

Or maybe Scooter - he was really wank.

[Lillehamring]

Jesus Christ!!

What the hell is the problem? Just because I don't think Andy King is as fantastic player I know nothing about football?

At the minute Wellens, King and Oakley are completely uncompatible in the midfield. There is a lack of balance, bite and composure which results in the ball being hit high and long every single time the back 4 get the ball.

With the current playing staff, Wellens and Oakley should be in the middle with N'Guessen or Gradel (when he returns on Monday) on the right hand side.

Earlier in the season we were playing good football with that combination but since King has come into the team we have dipped.

I'm not saying it's all his fault, all i'm saying is that currently we need a different approach and a midfielder that's only attribute as far as I can see is scoring a goal every now and again is a luxury we can't afford if we want a play off place.

no, but people would probably take your posts more seriously if you actually based your opinion on facts...

you're hypothesis about our form dipping under king is gash.....

1st game of the season king started and we won,

he didn't start the next 6 games, which were 2-3-1 (although king came on in 5 games, funnily enough, the only time he didn't feature we lost the game)

he started the next game which was a draw

was dropped for the next game which we lost

we then went on an unbeatedn run of 6 games (4-2-0) - king started all six

the next game, a loss to WBA, was the first game in 13 king was involved in that we lost.

king has been ever present since then with the team recording 3 wins, 2 draws and the forest and bristol games....

hardly a downturn in results, the first two loses of the season king didn't even play, and our record when king has started is 8-5-3, and the only games where he hasn't played we lost...

so, i'd hardly say that implies being overrated or not good enough, clearly he must have some influence on the team....

[taffyfox]

When has King ever been heard to say he doesn't want to be here? Never in the six years I've followed his progress.

We don't know the circumstances of why and how he "nearly left" but you can expect that any offer or pre-offer enquiry would only have come from a Premiership club and the upshot seems to be that he's not leaving and has supposedly signed his new contract.

There might have been the chance of a change that would have tempted even the most loyal of footballers or it might be that King was on significantly lower wages than some of the more senior players and simply wanted to negotiate better terms knowing that other clubs were nibbling.

Either way King will have paid the club a big compliment if he has signed a new deal and demonstrated in the strongest and plainest possible way that he wants to stay here and, indeed, appreciates the opportunities he's been given.

From all I know of King he is one of the most down-to-earth, and least pretentious people you will ever meet and that goes for his dad and the rest of his family who have often been seen supporting their son and our team on the touchline and terraces with all the other fans.

I cannot imagine either King himself nor any member of his family would "not want to be here". King came to Leicester having been released by Chelsea and I have always had the distinct impression that they are all extremely grateful for and appreciative of the opportunity offered by Leicester.

What the length of his supposed new contract is I don't know but if it's three years that could well take him to eight seasons with the club seeing as he joined in 2004. That would be a long time for a lad who's still only 21 and hardly the record of someone who doesn't want to be here.

As for his value to the squad I've said it all before and nothing's changed. He still has improvements to make but, once again, he seems on target for a double-figure season as a goalscorer and how I wish we had others who could control and pass the ball as quickly and reliably as he does.

King is a players player, forever covering where a gap's been left, shepherding opponents into blind alley's, breaking down an opposition attack and quietly launching one of our own or turning up unseen for a decent crack at goal.

He hardly ever ball watches nor does he recklessly dive into tackles leaving us fatally exposed. You only had to see the youth team defending against Liverpool to see what happens when players neglect to do those things and how reliable King is by comparison.

In fact, from what I've seen this season I'd consider him our most reliable player, the one guy who continues to pass the ball quickly to feet and so retain possession whatever the circumstances and who's 14 goals in 73 starts, often in defensive midfield, have made such a contribution to our recent success.

Not only that, but he's hardly missed a moment's playing time since Pearson's arrival and has almost certainly clocked up more minutes on the pitch than anyone else.

He's never sent off, he hardly ever gets booked and is rarely out with injury. For a 21-year-old playing at the heart of a promotion-winning and now promotion-chasing team they are considerable achievements in themselves.

Eventually!!!! Every team has got to have people to carry the piano for the piano players. Our trouble is that our so called ' piano players' are not up to scratch. Play Andy King in a decent premier league side and he would be top notch.

Andy King fills holes, breaks up attacks and contributes a hell of a lot for us.

At 21, he will continue to get better. No lad who plays centre mid wants to 'hoof' the ball so to blame him for our long ball tactics when he plays is ridiculous.

If anything, we need to get behind this lad rather than question his ability. Granted I dont get to all games but I'm yet to hear any songs for him.

He has shown his loyalty and comitment so lets return the favour to him.

5th in the championship.....cheer up everyone ffs

[Thracian]

no, but people would probably take your posts more seriously if you actually based your opinion on facts...

you're hypothesis about our form dipping under king is gash.....

1st game of the season king started and we won,

he didn't start the next 6 games, which were 2-3-1 (although king came on in 5 games, funnily enough, the only time he didn't feature we lost the game)

he started the next game which was a draw

was dropped for the next game which we lost

we then went on an unbeatedn run of 6 games (4-2-0) - king started all six

the next game, a loss to WBA, was the first game in 13 king was involved in that we lost.

king has been ever present since then with the team recording 3 wins, 2 draws and the forest and bristol games....

hardly a downturn in results, the first two loses of the season king didn't even play, and our record when king has started is 8-5-3, and the only games where he hasn't played we lost...

so, i'd hardly say that implies being overrated or not good enough, clearly he must have some influence on the team....

Excellent analysis. While Pearson is revered at City for his managerial record over the last two seasons how strange it is that some people seem to forget that King has played in almost every one of the League games in which we've collected points.

[C-man]

I love how whenever people consider him to be 'anonymous' in their ratings, it is usually preceded by:

Brown - 5 - Hoofs it too much

Hobbs - 6 - Hoofs it too much

Neilson - 4 - WORST PLAYER EVER ZOMG, hoof

How is a central midfield player supposed to become effective when the ball bypasses him in the air constantly? King had his quietest game for a while on Sunday and that was down to the ever increasing amount of long-balls with the intention of starting attacks. I don't think it was down to King and Wellens not showing for the ball, I think Ipswich's closing down and pressure of our limited ball players was the highest contributing factor to the 'hoofing' that went on on Sunday.

[Lillehamring]

Granted I dont get to all games but I'm yet to hear any songs for him.

He has shown his loyalty and comitment so lets return the favour to him.

5th in the championship.....cheer up everyone ffs

"Andy King's a welshman, he wears a welshman's hat"

[caz123]

I love how whenever people consider him to be 'anonymous' in their ratings, it is usually preceded by:

Brown - 5 - Hoofs it too much

Hobbs - 6 - Hoofs it too much

Neilson - 4 - WORST PLAYER EVER ZOMG, hoof

How is a central midfield player supposed to become effective when the ball bypasses him in the air constantly? King had his quietest game for a while on Sunday and that was down to the ever increasing amount of long-balls with the intention of starting attacks. I don't think it was down to King and Wellens not showing for the ball, I think Ipswich's closing down and pressure of our limited ball players was the highest contributing factor to the 'hoofing' that went on on Sunday.

Andy king is definately a player for the future (hopefully us) every interview i have heard this lad do he seems genuine and down to earth,and he also praises the 2 players that get a lot of stick of some fans Wellens and Oakley,about how they are thier to help him be the player he is.

Like last season he praised oakley and clemence for helping him

Now i no at the moment oakley is getting a lot of stick for being on the wing and no he isnt playing as good there as he does in the middle,but obviously at 33 he will not have many footballing years left,who knows, but knowing that him and wellens are helping king with thier experience can only be good for king in the long run

To be honest i am happy with our players,ok they might not be lightning or slick passers and yes they do make mistakes aand god forbid we might lose a few games,but if someone would have offered you 5th place after xmas you would have took it

Where we end up at the end of the season is anyones guess,but in my opinion if we are top half the table we would have made good progress

AND IF WE MAKE THE PLAY OFFS OR HIGHER WELL I WILL BE ECSTATIC

[SystonFox]

And let's hope that is the case, but my statement still stands - If he doesn't want to be here then let him go.

but surely he does want to be here if he's resisted Villas bench to sit along side Delph???

nice one AK. top player.

[samuel]

I don't want to get banned again for having an opinion!.

But as it agrees with most of the clique on here, I think I will be okay.

Andy King is probably the best player Leicester have at present, he is unceremonial in his work, he just gets on and plays his game, which in most cases is hugely beneficial to the rest of the team.

If we could get to ask any manager in the Championship if they would like Andy King on their playing staff., the answer would be a resounding Yes!

[Ric Flair]

There is always going to be a debate as to whether Andy King is any good due to a) the way our football team plays football and b) because he doesn't run round like a fookin neanderthal which our fans seems to love.

A bit like Matty Fryatt, our team actually hardly ever plays to King's strengths, which is to give him the ball and allow him to keep things moving with a selection of passes. I always used to think he'd too often take the easy route of playing square and backward balls instead of putting a foot on it and trying to open teams up like Mark Davies seemed to do with ease. But I look at it differently now, what King does is rarely EVER give the ball away. He passes to team mates, time after time, he has a footballing brain that when under pressure he still finds a team mate and when he is given the ball enough, he is capable of some defence splitting passes. But as with a lot of promising football we see at Leicester, we don't see it enough, only glimpses in matches due to our tendancy to whiff the ball up to Howard at every opportunity and by-pass our midfield. This also cuts Fryatt out of the game for large patches of play too. King is often there to win second headers though and any goober who thinks he's poor in the air is absolute lunacy. He's one of the best central midfielders i've seen in the air at Leicester for years, and I actually think there's a lot of room for improvement in that area too.

He lacks pace and his game isn't built on high octane chasing and harrying, but he does what he needs to in that department and defensively he's sound. No-one can question his attacking presence, he's scored a number of goals for us and that's without him being particularly attack focused. He's a massive asset and a player we should be looking to build our team and style around, likewise Fryatt. It infuriates me to watch us continue to aimlessly leather balls in the hope Howard will win it or the opponents will make a mistake and you'll see Pearson on the touchline when we're absolute muck like the first half against Ipswich and he's having a quick giggle with himself. It's weird. But it's kind of working for now.

If King continues to improve at the rate he has done in the last two years then we have a player who could cope at Premiership level, but that's still someway to go.

[midfield]

joining the debate on king again i think himself and wellens compliment each other quite well in midfield when one goes the other sits wellens passing ability and kings work rate make it a fine combination in my humble opinion

[Sods]

He's going to score a screamer today.

[Zingari]

He's going to score a screamer today.

that's maybe , but enough about his private life