Was thinking about older players the other day and just got me thinking. Was Ledley king one of our best ever defenders in recent era ? Even ahead of Vertonghen and Toby ? Obviously Ledley never had the luxury of playing for the quality of sides Toby and Jan played, but he did captain and win a trophy for Spurs ( League cup 2008 ) which the others couldn’t achieve at Spurs
So many top footballers rated Ledders and Henry even said that Ledley King was the toughest opponent he had ever played against. I will never forget our 2-1 win against Chelsea at the Lane where Arjen Robben burst through on goal and like Superman out of nowhere, somehow Ledley king managed to chase him and put in a last ditch unbelievable tackle. That and many more were part of his game, outstanding.
We all know the injuries that plagued his career. Which begs the question. If it weren’t for Ledders injuries, would he have been one of the best defenders in the world ? I will always remember Ledley only being able to play 1 game at week at the latter stages of his career but he was so good, you would have a buzz just seeing his name on the team sheet. That’s how good Ledley King was. An absolute legend, but could have been one of the best in the world.
Ledley King
posted on 7/9/21
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 7/9/21
comment by Ace (U22467)
posted 7 minutes ago
Personally I’d much rather we were competing at the top of the league and competing in the CL than winning the league cup. The FA Cup is different, it’s a proper major honour with a bit of stardust, I’d love us to win that. But I’ve seen us win two league cups, they don’t give a club the kind of bragging rights you’re pining for mate and they certainly don’t do anything to change the fortunes of the club; we were a poor team generally who had nothing else to compete for both times, and our managers were sacked shortly afterwards.
The reality is nobody gives a fack about us winning the league cup in 08 either if that’s what you’re worried about, most dismiss the LC as Mickey Mouse these days, the only reason it ever even gets referenced is as a stick to beat us with because it was the last silverware we won.
What doe annoy me about Spurs is that we’ve gone into virtually all our cup semis or finals the last decade as underdogs and we never seem to play above ourselves to win. Against City and Chelsea in the LC and against Liverpool in the CL, it’s like we’d accepted defeat before a ball was kicked, rather than having the balls to go 110% and cause an upset - and yet these were teams we’d shown we could beat in the Prem. Winning the league cup would be nice purely to get the monkey off our back, rather than because it’s a significant honour IMO.
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But people still talk about it mate. When you discuss Spurs trophy history, the 2008 league cup does pop up in conversation and it’s imbedded in our history books as a major honour. Who gives a f** if jealous fans play it down ? It’s a major honour and still a cup competition at the end of the day. Like I say, coming runner up in a CL final does nothing for me Mate. A fantastic bit of excitement in the semi final and then we go and bottle it in true Spursy fashion in the final. One of the most pathetic performances ever. Didn’t even touch a hair on Liverpool’s head in that final and Liverpool were bang average too that game.
posted on 7/9/21
Well I think Ace is 100% bang on with this. Each to their own Don but for me that CL journey in particular is filled with so many memories - I wouldn't swap the elation of the VAR decision against City or the comeback against Ajax with any League Cup win. Honestly. Those were fantastic memories. Mark my words, Spurs fans will still be talking about that far more than Woody's header against Chelsea in 20 years time. I mean, who talks about Nielsen's goal from 1999 now? I think it all depends on your outlook. I think Ace is right. Winning a League cup would be a monkey off the back. A way to shed the final day fears. Dining at the top table, however, does not compare. What we had for those few years was a real chance. A real chance of succeeding where the big boys failed. Winning a league cup is more about succeeding where the big boys CHOSE to fail. They chose to play lesser teams with greater priorities. City have nailed it every year as they have the squad to do it on 4 fronts without dropping quality.
Far better to be near the top of a ladder you want to climb rather than top of a ladder no one of stature really wants to climb.
posted on 7/9/21
Not to mention the business side of the club. The club is nearly unrecognisable from 10 years ago. Like it or loathe it, that's CL revenue coming into play. We have the stadium we have and we've had (not so much the last couple of years) the players we've had because we've been a consistent CL performer and all the riches it brings. If we want to one day win the biggest trophies, what we started building with Poch was the way to do it. Despite what lazy pundits might tell you, a league cup is not a stepping stone. It can create a mental shift that could help, sure, but it won't see you challenge for the big prizes. Where are Swansea now? Birmingham? You can win it and get relegated the next season. If it wasn't for Harry, we nearly did. That's not progress. It's an anomaly. An exception.
posted on 7/9/21
comment by fridgeboy (U1053)
posted 2 hours, 39 minutes ago
Well I think Ace is 100% bang on with this. Each to their own Don but for me that CL journey in particular is filled with so many memories - I wouldn't swap the elation of the VAR decision against City or the comeback against Ajax with any League Cup win. Honestly. Those were fantastic memories. Mark my words, Spurs fans will still be talking about that far more than Woody's header against Chelsea in 20 years time. I mean, who talks about Nielsen's goal from 1999 now? I think it all depends on your outlook. I think Ace is right. Winning a League cup would be a monkey off the back. A way to shed the final day fears. Dining at the top table, however, does not compare. What we had for those few years was a real chance. A real chance of succeeding where the big boys failed. Winning a league cup is more about succeeding where the big boys CHOSE to fail. They chose to play lesser teams with greater priorities. City have nailed it every year as they have the squad to do it on 4 fronts without dropping quality.
Far better to be near the top of a ladder you want to climb rather than top of a ladder no one of stature really wants to climb.
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We was at the top of the table but achieved nothing. Chelsea, City, Liverpool , United etc all win stuff. What good is dining at the top of the table if in the end, you don’t actually win anything. We have theoretically just become the old Arsenal, who we have taken the pi** out of for years. They were brilliant moments the City and Ajax CL games. Incredible moments and I loved them, but that’s all they were, moments. In the end they lead to sweet FA, failure.
posted on 7/9/21
comment by Don_tottenham (U3372)
posted 29 minutes ago
comment by fridgeboy (U1053)
posted 2 hours, 39 minutes ago
Well I think Ace is 100% bang on with this. Each to their own Don but for me that CL journey in particular is filled with so many memories - I wouldn't swap the elation of the VAR decision against City or the comeback against Ajax with any League Cup win. Honestly. Those were fantastic memories. Mark my words, Spurs fans will still be talking about that far more than Woody's header against Chelsea in 20 years time. I mean, who talks about Nielsen's goal from 1999 now? I think it all depends on your outlook. I think Ace is right. Winning a League cup would be a monkey off the back. A way to shed the final day fears. Dining at the top table, however, does not compare. What we had for those few years was a real chance. A real chance of succeeding where the big boys failed. Winning a league cup is more about succeeding where the big boys CHOSE to fail. They chose to play lesser teams with greater priorities. City have nailed it every year as they have the squad to do it on 4 fronts without dropping quality.
Far better to be near the top of a ladder you want to climb rather than top of a ladder no one of stature really wants to climb.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
We was at the top of the table but achieved nothing. Chelsea, City, Liverpool , United etc all win stuff. What good is dining at the top of the table if in the end, you don’t actually win anything. We have theoretically just become the old Arsenal, who we have taken the pi** out of for years. They were brilliant moments the City and Ajax CL games. Incredible moments and I loved them, but that’s all they were, moments. In the end they lead to sweet FA, failure.
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Totally agree Don. Being in finals and top four is nothing. Winning is everything. Maybe because I have seen Spurs win 14 trophies I can say that. But finishing 2nd in any competition just does absolutely nothing for me.
posted on 7/9/21
I haven’t read most of the comments but anyone who doesn’t have Ledley at the top of the best defenders to have played for Spurs have no idea about, especially the lost art of defending. Even with his injury’s I would say he was still better than Judas. Judas was a big strong old school defender but Ledley was that and a whole lot more, he was a complete player. Do t forget he play holding midfielder for England, and was class.
If it wasn’t for Rory Delap, I believe King would up along side such greats like Maldini.
posted on 7/9/21
*about football
posted on 7/9/21
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 7/9/21
comment by sandy, golden boot winner fa cup 1901 (U20567)
posted 20 minutes ago
comment by Don_tottenham (U3372)
posted 29 minutes ago
comment by fridgeboy (U1053)
posted 2 hours, 39 minutes ago
Well I think Ace is 100% bang on with this. Each to their own Don but for me that CL journey in particular is filled with so many memories - I wouldn't swap the elation of the VAR decision against City or the comeback against Ajax with any League Cup win. Honestly. Those were fantastic memories. Mark my words, Spurs fans will still be talking about that far more than Woody's header against Chelsea in 20 years time. I mean, who talks about Nielsen's goal from 1999 now? I think it all depends on your outlook. I think Ace is right. Winning a League cup would be a monkey off the back. A way to shed the final day fears. Dining at the top table, however, does not compare. What we had for those few years was a real chance. A real chance of succeeding where the big boys failed. Winning a league cup is more about succeeding where the big boys CHOSE to fail. They chose to play lesser teams with greater priorities. City have nailed it every year as they have the squad to do it on 4 fronts without dropping quality.
Far better to be near the top of a ladder you want to climb rather than top of a ladder no one of stature really wants to climb.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
We was at the top of the table but achieved nothing. Chelsea, City, Liverpool , United etc all win stuff. What good is dining at the top of the table if in the end, you don’t actually win anything. We have theoretically just become the old Arsenal, who we have taken the pi** out of for years. They were brilliant moments the City and Ajax CL games. Incredible moments and I loved them, but that’s all they were, moments. In the end they lead to sweet FA, failure.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Totally agree Don. Being in finals and top four is nothing. Winning is everything. Maybe because I have seen Spurs win 14 trophies I can say that. But finishing 2nd in any competition just does absolutely nothing for me.
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Agreed Sandy. In the end, we were all pi*** off that we didn’t end up winning the title. We were sad and depressed we got beat by Liverpool in the CL final. I certainly wasn’t thinking of Lucas Moura’s goal when I was walking out of the CL final screening at white hart lane. I was almost in tears, I was absolutely gutted and still am. I don’t think we will ever get too a champions final again in our lifetimes. That was our one and only chance in which we blew it. Liverpool on the other hand will probably get to other champions league finals in the next 10 years so will always have a chance. Our chance went in a flash. It’s all about winning trophies for me if you want to be a truly big and successful club. Coming 2nd and losing in a CL final is failing at the end of the day.