Source: SKY_Sports
King looks to future
Tottenham club captain Ledley King is looking to the future - both for himself and the club as a whole.[LNB] The England defender is still troubled by his knee injury which restricted him to just four Premier League matches last season.[LNB]But things have improved for him this term and when Spurs take on Villa on Sunday, which is being shown live on Sky Sports 1 and HD1 at 4pm, he should be playing his 16th league game.[LNB]As well as his own physical improvement, the team as a whole is now getting stronger under Harry Redknapp after Spurs found themselves rock-bottom of the Premier League prior to Juande Ramos abrupt exit.[LNB]King told The Guardian: "We are looking forward to next season already.[LNB]"If we stay in the league there is a lot we can take into next year. Obviously players like [Luka] Modric and [Roman] Pavlyuchenko will have a season under their belts and know what's expected, others like [Wilson] Palacios will have gelled in the team, the old new faces are back, and you would expect the manager to bring in some more signings.[LNB]Good start"And we'll need no reminding about getting off to a good start. Our start of the season was terrible. You can't start a season like that and want to be going places. There has been a part of us wishing we could start again for a long time.[LNB]"The situation we were in - two points from eight games - showed something was wrong there. Whether it was the players underperforming or the manager not getting the best out of them, it was not good enough. The chairman had to make moves for the club to survive and avoid getting relegated.[LNB]"Now we've got a manager who knows the Premier League inside out and it is important to stick by him. Hopefully he can work magic for the club."[LNB]King is even dreaming of breaking into the UEFA Champions League - which the club almost achieved under old boss Martin Jol.[LNB]"In weeks like this all the lads talk about it around the training ground and look forward to watching the games on TV," he said.[LNB]"Big games, great players on view. As footballers we love watching that. There's a part of us that has a bit of jealousy and wishes that we were in that position.[LNB]Top four"We came close to breaking into the top four and it is something we need to look to do again because I feel we now have the players, and the squad, to push towards that elite group."[LNB]As well as ambitions with Spurs, he has also not given up on his international career, although it is almost two years since he last played for England.[LNB]But King is realistic enough to know he needs to concentrate on the here and now before he can even contemplate an England recall.[LNB]"I'd be lying if I said I didn't. But it is on the periphery," he said.[LNB]"My main concern is Tottenham, and playing as much as I can. When I am consistently playing well and not having problems, then it is time to think of England."[LNB]
