Andy King 'on trial' ?

[jimmeh]

This is probably the stupidest thing ever written on the internet.

Okay king is a great midfielder and will keep us in the prem !

[GingerrrFox]

Fed up of beating the same drum about King. He's a good Top 6 Championship player and that's his level. It's no coincidence since James and Drinkwater have come to the side we have looked much more solid in the midfield as well as being creative and winning games. It's also no coincidence that with them 2 playing regularly this season we have gained promotion. I'm not going to slag Kingy because he has been massive in turning this club around but sometimes it becomes obvious that players have reached their level. James is a lot younger than King and has plenty more scope for progression and as for Drinkwater he is our Scholes and without him we don't look half the side we are with him.

People say King would be better in a 3 man midfield but I remember Sousa playing him in a 3 man midfield and gave him a role further forward with less defensive duties and people were saying "he's not good playing with his back to goal, it's not his game".

As clubs progress so does the talent level at the club and it's only a matter of time before players like King, Hammond etc are replaced with better players to challenge for the starting 11.

[MC Prussian]

All them goals really got us somewhere didn't they ? Would rather have midfielders who are creative and can tackle

Good luck finding them - they are as rare and expensive as diamonds in the jewellery world.

 

King has been a great servant to the club over the years, is still only 25 years old and has a lot to offer.

Just because he isn't that suited to Pearson's current system doesn't make him a bad player overnight.

[Alf Bentley]

All this 5 man midfield talk begs the question.

 

Would you play any of our strikers as a lone man in the prem? 

 

Probably not!

 

I can see a lone striker capable of holding the ball up and scoring being one of the key summer signings (together with a mobile centre back who's good in the air, and a strong, physical central midfielder).

 

A lot will depend on which formations NP is thinking of using at the higher level. He experimented a bit in the early part of the season, but has mostly reverted to at least starting with a flexible 4-4-2 (Nuge, Knocky & maybe now Mahrez being the flexible elements). He might want to continue with that against bottom-half teams, but I can't see it working against top-half teams - we'd be hammered on a regular basis!

 

I could see Vardy suiting a 4-4-1-1 type formation, with an attacking midfielder sitting behind him. Knocky might eventually end up in that role, but I don't think he's consistent enough for it yet....and that might still be too open a formation to play against the better teams.

 

NP seems to like to use one formation and just change it (often during a match) if things aren't working out, but maybe next season he'll need to have at least 2 different starting formations (with some different personnel in each)?

[ScouseFox]

Right okay and he's been our star player all these years hasn't he. That's why all those other clubs are after him aswell.

 

he has been one of our best players, if not consistently our best, for the five years or so he's been in our first team up until about 10 games into this season. 

 

he was our top scorer (from midfield) one year, our young player of the year, our player's player of the year (voted for by his teammates) TWICE and featured in the championship's team of the year (voted for all the players in the division) one season too. he was made our captain for a season or so at the age of 23 on top of all that, too. 

 

but yeah he's shit really if you ignore all that, all his brilliant performances in vital games and all of his ridiculously good goals. 

oh and to add he is now the top scoring midfielder in the whole of this club's 130 year history. still shit doh. 

[Alf Bentley]

People say King would be better in a 3 man midfield but I remember Sousa playing him in a 3 man midfield and gave him a role further forward with less defensive duties and people were saying "he's not good playing with his back to goal, it's not his game".

 

 

That's a fair point, but I think Sousa's mistake (and Sven's, too, on occasions) was playing King as an attacking midfielder, not playing him in a 3-man midfield.

 

His strength is his reading of the game, particularly his timing of forward runs from deep. I could see him sitting quite deep in a 3-man midfield (not a 2-man midfield; we'd be over-run) and having the security to make forward runs, knowing that DD & Matty or whoever would stay back.

[thybluefox]

I'd be sad if he left, he's been a great player for the club over the last however long its been - but he's not good enough to be relied on next season unless he really steps up the plate.

[fuchsntf]

All speculation of course. Its only NP and his staff will know what they want to do with the various players, with the tactics

and set up for next season.

One thing I am missing from all the threads and post, since yesterdays defeat.

What did Brighton DO to counter what we were doing, we lost 1-4, were we so poor, was it a bad day, did any of the players

turn up.WHy did we not compete why, did we lose the the ball so easily, why did the new players for the night not play to

Expected levels. We didnt lose 1-2 with an unlucky twist, we were trounced, though we got some fair chances apparently.

I like many couldnt get a stream, so no jot of an idea, that I could speculate on.

Did NP think ...I want to try something different, or the same with different players, or was he also shocked,

Was there really a lack of commitment, or lack of know- how across the whole team, or.......blah blah.

[artursteppe]

That's a fair point, but I think Sousa's mistake (and Sven's, too, on occasions) was playing King as an attacking midfielder, not playing him in a 3-man midfield.

 

His strength is his reading of the game, particularly his timing of forward runs from deep. I could see him sitting quite deep in a 3-man midfield (not a 2-man midfield; we'd be over-run) and having the security to make forward runs, knowing that DD & Matty or whoever would stay back.

Good post. Andy King has never been good enough ia a two man central midfield. It is probably the main reason why we only won three of our last seventeen matches last season. We would have no chance in any game in the Prem if that scenario comes around again. Last night I hope was just a one off. By all means give him a contract out of respect for his loyalty, but in a 25 man squad I would hope he would only be 25th choice. Sorry Andy, but that is just the way it is.

[okie fox]

His strength is his reading of the game, particularly his timing of forward runs from deep. I could see him sitting quite deep in a 3-man midfield (not a 2-man midfield; we'd be over-run) and having the security to make forward runs, knowing that DD & Matty or whoever would stay back.

Once teams clued on to his runs from deep, his goals dried up.

[Fox Ulike]

Okay king is a great midfielder and will keep us in the prem !

... And this is the second most...

Go on my son yer on a hat-trick.

[sdb]

He deserves a crack at it for sure. Debatable if he's quite good enough but he's performed well in cup games vs Prem sides and the style of football may actually be more to his suiting in that league. Either way, a good squad player with a positive effect on the squad for sure and not someone we should look to offload. 

[LCCFox96]

All them goals really got us somewhere didn't they ? Would rather have midfielders who are creative and can tackle

Really. League 1 season he was the catalyst for promotion and I think he is the only midfielder we have capable of scoring 12-5 goal a season. He was very decent at the start off this year too.

I wouldn't sell any of the four midfielders we have at the end of the year as all will have a role to play. We need a bigger squad for the premiership and all four are more than adequate to play for a low end premiership team.

With regards to last night I thought King was better (marginally) than Drinky. That being said they both had stinkers and it was an all round and performance. Can't judge King on that as we were bossed but came in and did well against Wigan though.

[Alf Bentley]

Once teams clued on to his runs from deep, his goals dried up.

 

Really?

Goals scored for LCFC over last 2 seasons: James 5, Drinkwater 8, King 11....despite not playing many games in 13/14.

 

I'm not suggesting that he should be selected ahead of James or DD, as they offer more in terms of controlling play, tackling and creating chances, but King is more of a goal threat - and might be more so if playing in a midfield 3.

 

It's true that he's scored fewer goals in the last couple of seasons than previously, but he's played fewer games - and his goal return was exceptionally high for a midfielder previously (double figures 3 seasons in a row)

[Mickyblueeyes]

Kingly and drinkwater do not look good together.

James and either king/drinkwater.

Or Hammond with either King or drinkwater.

I think the two of them just don't function well.

All in all, King is a much better player than he showed yesterday.

[okie fox]

 

It's true that he's scored fewer goals in the last couple of seasons than previously, but he's played fewer games - and his goal return was exceptionally high for a midfielder previously (double figures 3 seasons in a row)

Precisely.  When he was scoring double figures per season, premier teams were interested in him. Since opposing teams kept better track of his deep runs, he has become a squad player, who stays on the bench most games.  He needs to add more to his game than deep runs and 6 goals a season.  I wish people would stop going on about his deep runs!

[Guest Col city fan]

King again...

Even Thracian seems to think he's top drawer.

I can't see it, never have done, like the lad but think he's no more than a good Championship player.

We need to improve the centre midfield for the Prem. If Drinky and James arent fit, we'll struggle.

HAPPY TO BE PROVEN WRONG... (hope that's clear)..

[Tom17LCFC]

Quality player underestimated by a lot of our fans. Would keep him in the prem as a squad player. Good lad to have around the squad, hasn't been kicking up a fuss when he's not playing and when he does play he chips in with a few goals. Lot of the work he does off the ball goes unnoticed as well.

[Stadt]

Just doesn't have enough impact on games, he's neat and tidy but he offers little defensively - the opposition midfield literally just run past him.

[Corky]

He's third choice in midfield, can have an impact as a sub and also seems like the sort of player who will accept being part of a squad and not go running off the press if he doesn't get his own way.

 

He'll stay, but I also think we'll sign another CM.

[LAprice_]

Seriously, we lose one game and suddenly we need to get rid of Andy King. Please. A little perspective would be appreciated.

 

Danny Drinkwater and Matty James have been playing in the same team for over 10 years. I'd be very surprised if anyone could break that partnership

 

Andy King does an awful lot of work without the ball, there have been many occasions where he will track back and slide in with a well timed tackle. His goal scoring record is outstanding. To become the clubs highest goalscoring midfielder at the age of 25 is an incredible record. He scores good goals too! They're not just tap-ins. Blackpool away, West Ham away, Coventry away, Sheffield United away, Southampton home. I know the quality of the goals is irrelevant but it does tell you something about the quality of the player. People say that he doesn't score often enough anymore, I agree but I would also point out that our current system is set-up to get goals from the strikers.

 

Also, only two players (and Logan) have stayed with Leicester through these two promotions. Both Lloyd Dyer and Andy King have been superb servants to the club and definitely pivotal in our success over the last 5 years. The fact that they've survived through several managerial changes is testament to their ability and attitude.

 

As for the Brighton game specifically, I think that game was lost by the whole team. If you look back at all the goals we've conceded this season, you'll find that most of them have come from crosses/long balls into the box. This is a problem that we have faced all season with every combination of midfield and defensive partnership. To use it as a chance to question the quality of Andy King does seem slightly harsh. Based on yesterday's performance, we should sell everyone (except GTF ) but we won't. Why not? Because we look at the bigger picture.

 

Sorry if I'm ranting/patronising but this is something that really bugs me. Andy King has been great and also, guess what? WE ARE PREMIER LEAGUE.

 

Just really wish people wouldn't over-react after ONE bad game.

[Happy Fox]

3rd choice, as Corky says we need to bring in another central midfielder ideally someone of better quality than Drinkwater/James for the prem campaign.

[adamlcfcbevo85]

Why are people hating on king he's a top professional and always gives his best , I think it's disgusting how he's one of our original players been there from the bad to the worst and the brilliant , doesn't moan just gets on with his job and so called lcfc fans say he's not good enough when he blatantly is, what a bulls*it thread

[Thracian]

He wasn't strong enough yesterday. Not doubting he's a good footballer, still think he's one of the best finishers at the club, but certain players do seem to overrun/be stronger than him which is a worry going into the top flight. 

 

 

 

None of those players have anything like his scoring record. It amazing how blinkered people can be in considering strength from one perspective but not from another.

 

King's played an enormous number of games for us in a relatively short time and helped us top the league on several occasions too, for all his "weaknesses". In fact he's helped a far weaker team than we have now to the top of the league in the past.

 

I see no reason King couldn't adapt to Premiership football especially as his major strengths of being able to pass the ball quickly and accurately plus being able to score goals from such a range of situations, might well be a valuable asset.

 

That said he might still benefit from a change of clubs because, if he's not first choice while we're a Championship club, I cannot imagine him being first choice or even necessarily on the bench if our strengthening goes to plan.  

[Fox92]

None of those players have anything like his scoring record. It amazing how blinkered people can be in considering strength from one perspective but not from another.

 

King's played an enormous number of games for us in a relatively short time and helped us top the league on several occasions too, for all his "weaknesses". In fact he's helped a far weaker team to the top of the league in the past.

 

I see no reason King couldn't adapt to Premiership football especially as his major strengths of being able to pass the ball quickly and accurately plus being able to score goalsfrom such a range of situations might well be a valuable asset.

 

I'm not talking about his goalscoring record. I'm talking about his upper-body strength, of course he lacks in that department I think everyone sees it hence it's mentioned so many times. I'd soon rather see James in because he's the stronger player, as we've seen this season he sits there and lets Drinkwater dominate games. Just because King scores goals he isn't a better player.

 

The second part I don't get. He's a professional footballer, he's supposed to be playing games in short time. And on the other hand, he went weeks without even playing a game. He didn't help us top of the league, he formed or contributed too part of the squad that helped us go top of the league. I don't know why you post weaknesses like that, I mentioned one, which I've gone over again. Why are you talking like it's Andy King FC? He's part of a squad and always has been...

 

I'm not saying he won't be a bad asset, I never said anything like that. Sometimes I think there's no point though because you love King and it's clear.