Andy King

[Thracian]

King should play even more effectively with better quality players around him because his game is all about accuracy and simplicity. King remains one of the best, quickest and most accurate passers in the Championship and should be far more comfortable in a three-man midfield than having to do so much donkey work in a two-man central midfield when he's not the greatest athlete and certainly no speed merchant. 

 

Being Leicester's highest-scoring midfielder in our 130-year history with 54 goals in 240 appearances smacks of quality - especially considering those midfielders included the likes of the magical Davie Gibson and much revered Muzzy Izzett.

 

And when you consider the quality of some of so many of his goals it only begs the question to me as to why he's forever utilised as a workhorse when his real qualities are far more sublime.

 

Times he's played in an outnumbered midfield yet has still had to devote a portion of his energy making vital clearances in his own penalty area. In a three-man midfield he should be able to pace himself better and playing with other fast-pass-makers should enhance his effect rather than the other way around.

 

For me King has seemed less effective since Knockaert arrived and that's because the latter is not a pass and move player, you can't bounce a wall pass off him but must simply guess what he's likely to do in possession and that would leave any pass-and-move player frustrated.

 

Whether King should stay at Leicester who knows. My belief is that he's still to reach his peak and would be better off in a team that's more like the Don Revie Leeds United - a team that's built around fast passing.

 

For me we still don't keep the ball nearly well enough but often rely on other qualities to create chances and win games, particularly our pace in going forward and from so many different areas.

 

In any good side King should be capable of 10 goals a season if fully involved and that's a decent contribution by most standards from a central midfielder and particularly one who can also do a job defensively. 

 

Not that I think he'll ever be fully appreciated here. He looks lethargic and is just not the "in your face, up and at em type" that seem so popular with the fans. for all that he's probably the most ruthless chance for chance finisher in the club and the guy arguably capable of the greatest variety of goals.

 

Knockaert, by comparison, is all action but still a guy who makes countless mistakes and bad choices, mny of which are entirely unnecessary.

 

It's about perceptions I guess. Knockaert, in his defence, probably occupies more people through his more obvious threat while,  with King, teams hardly notice his threat or input until he's just pinched a point, a victory or made another important clearance.

 

    

.  

[dmayne7]

The first half of last season when we were flying high coincided with Drinkwater playing quality football as soon as his form dropped and he starting played badly is the same time as when we started to slump. No coincidence that our team's performances dropped as our midfield dictator's dropped.

 

He was very good at the start of last season but not a patch on how he's played this season so coupled with how poor he was in the second half of last season and King being chosen ahead of him you'd have to argue that King had the better season. Just as Drinkwater has been much better than King this year. So unless you have some facts to prove otherwise, it can in fact be disputed.

 

I've reached the conclusion that some posters on here are very pro Andy King. Dmayne7 appears to be one of them. Trying to suggest that we have consistently looked a stronger, quicker side when King isn't in the team (and our stronger midfield appears to have been a major factor in our promotion credentials this season) kinda falls on deaf ears.

I like King. I've said many times that I respect him as a player and respect his loyalty to the club. I've also said that I don't rate him as highly as many seem to do. And stick with it really.

 

I am very pro King and so what? Its a forum after all, we all have different opinions about things. Unlike some people though, I don't have a massive chip on my shoulder and can be somewhat objective. Hence why I've stated that King had his worst season last year and that Drinkwater has been our best player and King is rightly 3rd choice at the moment.

 

I wasn't actually stating my opinion on King and what he brings to the team, merely that Ginger said that Drinkwater was better than King last season and that couldn't be disputed. Well its not a fact, so it obviously can be. I haven't said that King should be in the team this year either. Still, nice to see you reading the thread and getting personal about it 

[ADK]

We don't really know how King would have faired this season as he hasn't been a regular starter, a bit like Chris Wood.

[Guest ttfn]

Obviously it's difficult to compare eras and qualities of opposition but King's goal quality compilation would rival any player the club has had.

That finish at Coventry was the business.

There was a lot of reminiscing about his goals when he got his 50th in a thread about that particular achievement earlier in the season.

[Guest Col city fan]

He was very good at the start of last season but not a patch on how he's played this season so coupled with how poor he was in the second half of last season and King being chosen ahead of him you'd have to argue that King had the better season. Just as Drinkwater has been much better than King this year. So unless you have some facts to prove otherwise, it can in fact be disputed.

I am very pro King and so what? Its a forum after all, we all have different opinions about things. Unlike some people though, I don't have a massive chip on my shoulder and can be somewhat objective. Hence why I've stated that King had his worst season last year and that Drinkwater has been our best player and King is rightly 3rd choice at the moment.

I wasn't actually stating my opinion on King and what he brings to the team, merely that Ginger said that Drinkwater was better than King last season and that couldn't be disputed. Well its not a fact, so it obviously can be. I haven't said that King should be in the team this year either. Still, nice to see you reading the thread and getting personal about it

I wasn't getting personal buddy.. you were debating King with Ginger and we have discussed King ourselves previously.

And you are right, this is a forum and you are entitled to your opinion. One which is shared by many to be fair. Personally, I stick with my view but would love to see King really do well next season if given the opportunity.

[Haydos]

Just seen his finish v Wigan. Still maintain he's an excellent finisher, without doubt the best at the club and would definitely still have a role here.

[Corky]

That finish at Coventry was the business.

There was a lot of reminiscing about his goals when he got his 50th in a thread about that particular achievement earlier in the season.

 

He's probably scored about 5 tap-ins in 54.

 

Plenty of his goals have been a long-range wonder goal, a neat header or a superbly placed shot into a corner.

 

That goal at Coventry was pure class.

[davieG]

One I did earlier

 

[oncewasafox]

For me he is a bench player at top championship level and above. He goes awol too often and I am always mystified by the love in with him.

I agree with everything you have said.......

Lets compare Drinky and King, when he was a regular last season.

 

Drinky, apart from Yeovil he has been class in EVERY game, contributed each time, and this year with goals.

 

King, has always scored his quota, given, however you cant say he contributes every game. He doesn't get on the ball enough and he doesn't get stuck in either. 

 

If he was that good, he wouldn't be with us still.......

[MalarkyR]

One I did earlier

 

 

 

He's scored some absolutely belting goals hasn't he?

[cjslcfc]

Looking at that video he really has scored some class goals.

[MalarkyR]

Looking at that video he really has scored some class goals.

 

With finishing like that I'd be tempted to start him in front of Nuge! 

[Carl the Llama]

One I did earlier

 

Some banging tunes in that.

 

Seriously though, it must have taken hours to find all that footage.  Top work that man.  Any chance of one for Nuge?

[Stadt]

How many times has somebody said, "He's worth a go upfront" and it's never actually happened,so in the dead rubber games it'd be interesting to see.

[Bob Weasel Fox]

King still has a future at Leicester probs as a squad player though mainly

[Agent Fox]

One I did earlier

 

Quality finisher, he has a place in our Premiership squad.

[Unabomber]

Some of those headers are ridiculous.

[ScouseFox]

i love andy 

[Harry - LCFC]

One I did earlier

 

 

The Welsh commentator at 2:50 

 

"Matty Frrryutt"

[Kyle_Le_Don]

I see Andy King as our very own Gerrard, would love to see him finish his career here. Quality video and quality player.

Has he ever kissed his badge? If he hasn't get rid.

[foxfanazer]

Some cracking finishes in there!

Do like Kingy and hope he stays next season, albeit as a squad player

[reynard]

I think it is pretty obvious that Pearson rates King. He's always in the squad  on matchdays and the fact he hasn't played as much this year is mainly down to the fact that James and Drinkwater have both been so good and obviously play well together.

 

Our terrible dip in form last season not only coincided with Drinkwater losing form but also I seem to recall with a lengthy injury to James (please correct me if I'm wrong I could well be).

King though does seem to struggle at times with the more physical side of the game and at times seems to disappear. However, he has one real attribute and that has been well illustratred on here, he can score goals.

In fact he's more likey to score than Drinkwater (though that side of his game has come on this season) and far more likely to score than James. At the moment he also looks more likely to score than Knockaert who of late doesn't look like he's going to score very often.

 

If we get promoted the midifeld will need to be strenghtened. Buying a whole mass of new players doesn't seem to be Pearson's method so I imagine King being kept as part of the squad. We will need a couple of midfielders capable of scoring 5/6 goals a season in the Premier League if we are to have any chance of survival and Kings could be one of those.

He's also quite good in the air in both boxes, something we need to address next season as both our defending and attacking of set pieces has been inadequate for most of this season.

[lcfcbobby]

Really want kingy to stay!!!!!!!!

 

Top top player just a shame in playing 442 he not been getting a game as james and drinkwater playing soo well

But he is a great player to swap in if needed and can be a big impact player to come off the bench if needed

[cityfanlee23]

I think we don't notice just how much he's played this season.... 27 games 22 starts (5 as sub)

 

Quite shocking when you see that stat it almost feels like he's only played 10 times this season as danny and james have been so good!

[Oxfordfox83]

King should play even more effectively with better quality players around him because his game is all about accuracy and simplicity. King remains one of the best, quickest and most accurate passers in the Championship and should be far more comfortable in a three-man midfield than having to do so much donkey work in a two-man central midfield when he's not the greatest athlete and certainly no speed merchant.

Being Leicester's highest-scoring midfielder in our 130-year history with 54 goals in 240 appearances smacks of quality - especially considering those midfielders included the likes of the magical Davie Gibson and much revered Muzzy Izzett.

And when you consider the quality of some of so many of his goals it only begs the question to me as to why he's forever utilised as a workhorse when his real qualities are far more sublime.

Times he's played in an outnumbered midfield yet has still had to devote a portion of his energy making vital clearances in his own penalty area. In a three-man midfield he should be able to pace himself better and playing with other fast-pass-makers should enhance his effect rather than the other way around.

For me King has seemed less effective since Knockaert arrived and that's because the latter is not a pass and move player, you can't bounce a wall pass off him but must simply guess what he's likely to do in possession and that would leave any pass-and-move player frustrated.

Whether King should stay at Leicester who knows. My belief is that he's still to reach his peak and would be better off in a team that's more like the Don Revie Leeds United - a team that's built around fast passing.

For me we still don't keep the ball nearly well enough but often rely on other qualities to create chances and win games, particularly our pace in going forward and from so many different areas.

In any good side King should be capable of 10 goals a season if fully involved and that's a decent contribution by most standards from a central midfielder and particularly one who can also do a job defensively.

This is pretty much bang on for me. I think Kingy is a class player, not without faults, but with fewer than most people here seen to think. However, a bit like Wood, he's not ideally suited to the system we generally play. He can still do a job in a two man midfield, but his best qualities are when he's roaming forward, cutting out options for the opposition and thinking/passing quickly, which doesn't happen as much with our system.

In point of fact, I think Wood and King would be great in a 3-5-2. If we play that way next season I think King's qualities will show, and imo he can still get better in a better side against quality opposition.