Andy King: I feel like elder statesman in Leicester City dressing room
He may be only 23 years old but Leicester City midfielder Andy King is feeling like an elder statesman in the City dressing room.
The influx of new young players, such as Anthony Knockaert, Matty James and Marko Futacs, coupled with the emergence of academy products Liam Moore, Jeff Shlupp, Tom Hopper and Harry Panayiotou has left King feeling like a veteran.
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Leicester City midfielder Andy King
But despite his tender years, King has made more than 200 appearances for the club since graduating from the academy five years ago and is more than happy to pass on his experience.
"It is nice I have been here and seen a lot of things," said King. "It does feel like I am a veteran at times.
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"We have a young squad here and it seems odd for me at 23 to be saying this, but if I can use my experience to help them then that is good for everyone related to the club.
"I have learned the ins and outs of the Championship. I think it is important you don't get too carried away with the highs and too down with the lows. You have to be level-headed.
"I am lucky that I have learned a lot from some good players, the likes of Richie Wellens, Matt Oakley and Stephen Clemence. It is nice I can pass that on to the young players now.
"Liam (Moore) and Jeff (Schlupp) I have known since they were kids. You hear stuff about the even younger boys, who have a good chance. It is nice to see them developing into the sort of players they are now."
King said two of the more recent arrivals, Knockaert and Futacs, who have formed a close friendship, have been able to settle into the City squad quickly.
"It is a credit to them and the people who have scouted them," he said.
"They are great lads, everyone who has come in is.
"They have gelled very well. It can be hard coming from a foreign country but they are both very young.
"They are an odd-looking pair when they knock around with each other.
"Not only have they gelled as personalities in the team, but also into the side. For them to have performed as well as they have done is a credit to both."
Comments
by dobranich
Tuesday, October 16 2012, 5:23PM
“Dont know the Catherine Tate show Burton but seem to remember on stepto and son the old boy used to say "what a load of old codswallop". Similar maybe. Cant rememer who put this tosh on here but the guy has to be Kaspers agent trying to get more wonga for him.”
by lcfctilidie
Tuesday, October 16 2012, 3:12PM
“The King - Drinkwater partnership is working very well.
Sometimes a midfielder need to play with the right person to compliment their game.
Look at Gerrard and Lampard. They never really worked well.
NP has found the right combination.
James and Danns we are yet to see. We know Danns didnt work well with Kingy.”
by yorkiefox
Tuesday, October 16 2012, 1:47PM
“King's attitude is exemplary.
Top scorer three years ago, he was not favoured by Sven, and surprisingly has often given way to others under NP. He is accused of drifting out of games, but until this season he has had to do more running to cover for others and had to recharge the batteries mid-game.
Now he has the quality around him he can play to his strengths and we are seeing the benefits with players capable of scoring all sorts of goals getting the chance to do so, and King's trademark runs into the box either as the first wave or immediately behind the first wave is a skill almost matched by Danns but none others.
So in adversity he has got his head down and tried to improve to do the job required by the manager of the day. I think he is a model Professional, under-used by Wales, and I hope he continues to develop his game whilst retaining that ability to adapt to different tactics mid-game which show him to be a very valuable often un-sung hero.”
by Burton_Fox
Tuesday, October 16 2012, 12:41PM
“New transfer gossip this morning is that Real Madrid are interested in signing Kasper as a long term replacement for Casillas.
As that old bird used to say in the Catherine Tate Show....what a load of old ****!!”
by lcfctilidie
Tuesday, October 16 2012, 12:29PM
“Schlupp is out LB cover now I think. He is young lots of time to improve.”
by ash1967
Tuesday, October 16 2012, 12:27PM
“Andy King has been a great servant to the club, when things have not been going his way, he has just got his head down and got on with it, you don't see him spitting his dummy out, a solid professional attitude and a great temperament, I am sure the young can and will learn off him, has for Schlupp his time will come when he has to step up to the plate, Harry will benefit from a loan move but he is still very young and is learning his trade well, good luck to all of them.”
by dobranich
Tuesday, October 16 2012, 11:50AM
“shlupp has been disapponting this season other than at the back. Seems like his time has come and gone before he really arrived.”
by lcfctilidie
Tuesday, October 16 2012, 9:13AM
“Not sure Harry will get first team action this season unless we get major injuries.
Loan might be a better move for his developement.”
by Yorkshire_Fox
Tuesday, October 16 2012, 8:37AM
“I hear very very good things about Harry Panayoitou (sp)?
Let's hope the boys live up to the billing. I've seen more than enough from Moore to know he'll be in our first team as a minimum but feel our strikers are still learning and it's too early to say.
Pearson has always been a promoter of youth so they're in good hands.”
by dobranich
Tuesday, October 16 2012, 8:01AM
“I detest players spouting off in the LM but this article is good. Its not at all "talking the talk" and its interesting.”