Source: Daily_Mail
Comeback King! Mexico was a struggle but I¿ll be fine when it matters, insists Ledley King
Ledley King returned to internationalaction against Mexico on Monday eveningthree years after his last appearance forEngland his chronic knee injury havingkept him out. [LNB]The Tottenham defenderopened the scoring with a first-half headerbut, like many of his team-mates, struggledto deal with Mexico's nimble movementand quick passing. [LNB]While King admits hefound the game at Wembley tough, the29-year-old is confident he can play a keyrole in South Africa.[LNB] Raring to go: Despite a tough friendly at Wembley, Ledley King feels strong enough to prove himself at the World Cup[LNB]Q. How would you rateyour performanceagainst Mexico? [LNB]A. I wasn't particularlyhappy with myperformance. Mexico are agood side, they dragged usaround a bit and it wasdifficult. It wasn't one of mybetter performances. Youjust have to dig deep whenyou don't feel you are playingright. You stick in there andtry to improve. It's always niceto score. But that wasn't theimportant thing. The importantthing was to try to get throughthe 90 minutes and stake aclaim for a World Cup place. [LNB]Back on the big stage: Ledley King[LNB]Q. Was it difficult to step backinto an England team aftersuch a long absence? [LNB]A. Most of the players in theEngland squad I have playedwith before. It's been a while,but I wouldn't say that was thedifficult part for me. Mexicoare a good side, theirmovement was good and themanager made it known tous that we weren't gettingtight enough to them in thefirst half. We saw a differencein the second half. [LNB]Q. What was wrong in thefirst half? [LNB]A. When you face a team whoare so comfortable on the balland have good movement, ithas a snowball effect. Oneplayer can't get tight enough,then they pop the ball off andthe next player's in betweenand that happened too manytimes in the first half. But themanager made sure that didn'thappen in the second half. [LNB]Q. Your knee condition meansyou rarely play three timesin a week for your club. Areyou up to the demands ofplaying every game at aWorld Cup? [LNB]A. Yeah, I believe so. Towardsthe end of the season Imanaged to play the threegames in a week, so I know I cando it. Not over a whole season,every game, but over shortperiods I can definitely do itwith the medical team we havewith England and the rightrecovery.We have tried not to changeanything from what I do atTottenham in terms of training.The only difference was I wascoming off a week where Ididn't have a game, so the kneewas in relatively good conditiongoing away. But still, we didn'twant to overdo anything andjeopardise the match.The game was always the mostimportant thing for me. Fabiotrusts me and he has beenbrilliant. He just said 'do whatyou do at Tottenham' and themedical team have done thatwith me.People are always going tojudge me on my fitness becauseI've lost a lot of games. It's kindof normal. But, hopefully, if Iplay on a regular basis then itwon't be such an issue. [LNB] I'm back! King heads home England's opener against Mexico on his international return[LNB]Q. Two years ago would youhave ever believed youwould get this chance to goto the World Cup finals? [LNB]A. It's a tough one. I've alwaysbelieved I could play at thislevel, but then you have yourdoubts with the way the kneewas going. It probably is a littlebit of a surprise how the seasonturned out in the end, yeah.Going to a World Cup is everyboy's dream. It's the biggesttournament in the world. Thecalibre of player you playagainst is the top, top level.Everybody dreams about liftingthe World Cup and playing in aWorld Cup, and it's somethingI've watched since I was ayoung boy. It will be a dream toplay in it. [LNB]Q. Capello is understood tohave considered using you ina holding role in midfield, aposition you have played forEngland before. Would thatbe a role in which you'd feelcomfortable? [LNB]A. I'm not sure about that alot has changed since I lastplayed there. With not training,midfield is a different role andit's different on the body. I havegot used to playing at the backand adapting to certainmovements. Midfield would betotally different role, but oneI'm willing to try if needed. [LNB] Sweet talker: Fabio Capello has managed to persuade King out of international retirement[LNB]Q. How does playinginternational football differfrom playing the game atclub level? [LNB]A. What I have always felt withinternational football is that it'snot as quick as the PremierLeague, and you need moreconcentration. I learned againagainst Mexico that you have tobe focused, because themovement of the top players isexcellent. If you are not focusedand on top of things, then youget punished.[LNB] No holding back... Rooney vows to put his body on the line in bid for England glory Return of the odd couple! Gerrard and Lamps back in middle as Barry sweats King determined to crown super Spurs term with England role in South Africa Who was looking Fab? Matt Barlow's verdict on who Capello will take [LNB]
