LEDLEY KING DEFIES PAIN
Defender vows to boot Arsenal out of top four
Thierry Henry backs Patrick Vieira for Spurs | Harry Redknapp chases ex-Arsenal ace
One former Gunners star recommends another to rival Harry Redknapp
LEDLEY KING has vowed to carry on defying the pain and inspire Tottenham to finally make a top four challenge.
And King has targeted rivals Arsenal as the team most under threat.
The 28-year-old centre-half, who fights a constant battle with his injury-ravaged knees, insists the team has been transformed under Harry Redknapp.
When Redknapp took over from Juande Ramos last October, Spurs had just two points with a relegation battle looking a certainty.
But they finished in eighth place having shown almost Champions League qualifying form to get there.
"When you look at the turnaround it was incredible," said King. "It seems a bit simple to say it was mainly down to the new manager restoring the confidence of the players but that is what it amounted to.
"Confidence was a major issue last season. Harry restored it and the results started to turn around. As simple as though that sounds, it seemed to bring out the best in us. It shows we do have the players to compete right up there are the top.
"We have been looking to push into the top four for the last few seasons. That hasn't happened but we now have a much better chance.
"It's getting even more difficult up there. Everton and Aston Villa have been getting stronger and now Manchester City are chasing the big four, too.
"Something has got to give. Arsenal have been pinpointed as the team that will drop out of the top four.
"I am not going to shout about it - but most people say Arsenal are the vulnerable ones and I can see why. It's up to us to show we are the ones who can take advantage."
King's knee problems - the cartilage in both knees has been removed - means he can no longer train on a day-to-day basis and has to undergo his own pre-season routine.
That is why King has been ruled out of this weekend's Wembley Cup, where Spurs take on Celtic today, and won't be going on their tour to China.
But he is adamant he can still play a vital role once the Premier League starts again. He said: "It's difficult. I have to train on my own most of the time and do suffer pain for days after games - but I still feel I can perform on the pitch.
"Fortunately the manager understands my situation and as long as I'm doing a good job he's fine with the training situation.
"Hopefully, by the time the season starts I will be ready to play on a regular basis, even if that means just one game a week."
This article has 18 comments
It happens summer after summer. Arsenal are down the pan, gone, ker-splat.
We'll see.
I don't think Mr Kroenke spent his money to see Arsenal slip into mediocrity.
I don't think Arsene Wenger turned down Real to see Arsenal slip down the league.
And I don't think AA intends scoring less than 15 goals this season, hopefully 20, to remind Guus Hiddink as well as Wenger who his main man is supposed to be.
We'll see, as always.
But Arsenal usually respond to a kick up the arse.
Let's see if they do this time, eh?
By Rhys Jaggar. Posted July 26 2009 at 3:57 PM.
It happens summer after summer. Arsenal are down the pan, gone, ker-splat.
We'll see.
I don't think Mr Kroenke spent his money to see Arsenal slip into mediocrity.
I don't think Arsene Wenger turned down Real to see Arsenal slip down the league.
And I don't think AA intends scoring less than 15 goals this season, hopefully 20, to remind Guus Hiddink as well as Wenger who his main man is supposed to be.
We'll see, as always.
But Arsenal usually respond to a kick up the arse.
Let's see if they do this time, eh?
By Rhys Jaggar. Posted July 26 2009 at 3:53 PM.
Arsenal days are over ,it has been five seasons since they won a trophy, and now with teams like City,Spurs,Everton and Villa I can't see them finishing top four.Wenger should begger off and find a decent club in Spain.
By ray. Posted July 26 2009 at 2:27 PM.
The only battle Spuds will be in is the relegation battle AGAIN.
Buckle up your seat belts it's going to be a bumpy ride!
By Sreet Puppy. Posted July 26 2009 at 9:28 AM.
spurs to get 3rd place and p.viera and huttalard from real madrid.and to win today 3 v 0 againts celtic.come on you spurs.
By andrew. Posted July 26 2009 at 8:57 AM.
Re: Michael 01:48am
Yes our defense is clearly a joke considering we bettered our best ever goals conceded at home last season.
Perhaps you need a kip?
By Rob. Posted July 26 2009 at 7:49 AM.
Big Spurs fan and a huge Ledley fan - but for the best for both party would be for spurs to move on and ledley to retire. Sorry but reality is not always pretty.
By Gareth Godfrey. Posted July 26 2009 at 7:37 AM.
This is the time of the year Spuds talks about CL and top 4. After 2 games, they will talk about not to get relegation... this happens EVERY YEAR!!!! ROFLLLLLLLL....
By Jack. Posted July 26 2009 at 3:20 AM.
Isn't it classic, Spuds best defender (by a mile), has no cartilage in his knees so can only play every other game.
Their next best defender has been a sicknote most of his career and is just waiting for his next reason to lie back and chill out on the treatment table.
Dawson is useless, Corluka likes clattering his own keeper, Huddlestone isn't even a good midfielder let alone a centre back.
The Spuds defence is an absoluate disaster!
Especially with Bale in there! How did they manage to turn such a good prospect into a complete wreck?
Absolute comedy.
By Michael. Posted July 26 2009 at 1:48 AM.
In the picture it looks like someone has pissed on their home kit.
By J. Posted July 26 2009 at 1:41 AM.
This is hilarious....for the first half of last season they were in a battle to avoid relegation...what a joke. Ridiculous assertion
By Austingunner. Posted July 26 2009 at 1:18 AM.
hahaha, spurs players are almost as deluded as their fans are!
By j. Posted July 25 2009 at 11:05 PM.
Keep on dreaming Ledley.
"But they finished in eighth place having shown almost Champions League qualifying form to get there."
Tottenham won 49 points during Redknapp's 30 games in charge. That equates to 62 points over 38 games - 10 points behind Arsenal. That's still a long long way off Champions League.
Arsenal underperformed last season. Expect an improvement with the likes of Rosicky and Eduardo back from injury and Arshavin terrorising defences.
How are Tottenham going to stop their opponents scoring without any fit centre-backs?
By Andy. Posted July 25 2009 at 11:06 PM.
That was well funny Nick. Well done fella. There's still a long way to go until the transfer window closes. Wenger will buy strenghen the squad and we will challenge for the title. To write us off is ridiculous before the season has even started
By bobbyp. Posted July 25 2009 at 11:28 PM.
must have hurt his knees falling out of various nightclubs!
By smartarse. Posted July 25 2009 at 11:28 PM.
Oh dear nick has Ledley hit a nerve
By keith. Posted July 25 2009 at 11:45 PM.
Keep on dreaming you crock.
By Sanj the Gooner. Posted July 25 2009 at 11:53 PM.
Well done Ledley, it's about time the top 4 Tottenham brigade come out again.
Worry about teams like Fulham and West Ham catching you's before you speak out us you mug.
By Nick. Posted July 25 2009 at 10:43 PM.