According to our old friends at the Daily Mail, Spurs have opened talks with club captain Ledley King over a new contract to replace his current one which expires at the end of the season. The report also suggests that the player will reject a pay as you play deal although it seems to offer no claim that this is the type of contract that the club is offering.

By Chris Wright

The following is copy-and-pasted verbatim from a Chelsea forum, in which former former youth Chelsea player Sam Tillen who now plays his football in Iceland writes candidly about his experiences as having John Terry as his club captain during his formative years.

Pelita Jaya's biggest home crowd for many a year saw them beaten 3-1 by Persib. Ok, the game was played at Jalak Harupat which is Persib's home stadium but it used to be Pelita Jaya's though when they played there they struggled to attract fans in what is staunch Persib territory.

The game was moved from Pelita Jaya's usual home stadium of Singaperbangsa in Karawang probably because that stadium would not have been able to handle the travelling support and that makes two consecutive home games played ‘away' from home; they hosted Persija in Solo for the same reason.

Anton, or is that your name? Now, touch my skin. Worship it.

One should ask the FA why they did such a thorough job investigating Luis Suarez's racial abuse of Patrice Evra and then drop the ball on John Terry doing the same against Anton Ferdinand? Suarez gets an eight match ban, while Terry gets rewarded with a deferment of his trial till after the 2012 Euro is over and retains his captaincy of the Three Lions to boot.

Club captain Steven Gerrard has reiterated his confidence and belief in Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish, and although he acknowledges that the pressure is on at the moment, Gerrard has not doubt that Dalglish is the right man to lead Liverpool forward.In an interview with ITV Sport, Gerrard expressed his admiration for Dalglish's willingness to put his legendary status on the line:"It took some

Craig Bellamy has been absolutely superb for Liverpool this season, and he was excellent again yesterday against Manchester City, scoring the goal that won the tie and sent the club to Wembley. After the game, club captain Steven Gerrard was full of praise for the Welshman. Gerrard, who set Liverpool on their way to victory with another excellent penalty, told reporters:"He [Bellamy] been superb

In a case of the means justifying the end, Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish employed stultifyingly negative tactics to triumph against Manchester City in the Carling Cup two weeks ago. This ruined the game as a spectacle, and Liverpool fans will be hoping for a more proactive, attacking approach in the second leg tomorrow.

For the first time since he returned to Anfield a year ago, Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish is under genuine pressure. After one win in the last six premier league games, the club is languishing in seventh place, and the level of performance has arguably plummeted to a concerning low. The heat is most definitely on, and some Liverpool fans are even calling for Dalglish's head.

Manchester City's crosstown rivals and English Premiership title contenders Manchester United could also do with a transfer signing. Nemanja Vidic, the club captain and lynchpin of the Manchester United defence, is out for the rest of the season. Rio Ferdinand, the former England captain and one of the best defenders in the club's history, continuously suffers from niggling injuries and his participation is never certain until the match begins.

Championship side Leeds United have accepted a bid from Norwich City for their club captain Jonny Howson.
The midfielder, who is out of contract in the summer, is a product of the Leeds academy and has made 225 for the club. The Leeds skipper is currently on the sidelines through injury, but it is thought he will open contract talks with the Canaries this week.

We have noted before on this site that football supporters can be considerably more patient than we are ever given credit for. Indeed, some might even say that we are too patient. In recent years, we have put up with increasing ticket prices, the desecration of the atmosphere inside grounds and policing methods that would raise an eyebrow were they to be practiced in a totalitarian state.

As we are all aware, Emmanuel Adebayor will be force to sit this one out but is it a simple case of bringing in Jermain Defoe as a straight replacement. Could Harry accommodate Pavlyuchenko in a 4-4-2 or even play five across the midfield tomorrow.

The other issue surrounds club captain Ledley King who may be a bigger doubt for the game than was suggested earlier in the week.

Three years ago I moved to Yorkshire from East Anglia for work purposes: a move I share with one very special former Ipswich Town player. Can you figure out who?!
Leeds and Ipswich share a lot in their histories: Huge success in the past has brought respect to both teams but the difficult financial times that followed have seen them slip down the league tables in recent decades.

We all know that Harry likes to throw Ledley King into the big occasions if he possibly can and if there is a remote chance of the club captain being fit for Sunday's match with Manchester City, you can be fairly certain that the manager will use him.

The early prognosis on King's troublesome Hamstring was grim and it was expected that he would be out for another six weeks at least but after responding well to intensive treatment, he could make the final cut.

The Italian defender was born in Bari, 28th June, 1971. He began his career at local club, Bari, in 1988 who he went on to make 75 appearances for, scoring 8 goals. Amoruso spent 1991-1993 on loan at Mantova and Pescara, but only featured intermittently. In 1995 he secured a move to Fiorentina, becoming club captain and making 54 appearances.

No Shaq attack for Gunners Robin Van Persie's son has snubbed a move to Arsenal in favour of his local junior football team. Arsenal fans might be more concerned about keeping Van Persie Senior on their books, but the Gunners had invited five-year-old Shaqueel Van Persie to join their youth ranks. OTP isn't sure what [.

There are no excuses, yesterday we were outplayed and outfought by a newly promoted side, as Swansea beat us 3-2 to seriously dent our hopes of making the top four.

The penalty decision was questionable, yes, but as has been the problem recently, we were not up for this game at all.

Manchester United breezed past ‘poor' Bolton Wanderers last afternoon and in the process leveled points with league leaders Manchester City, who will visit Wigan on Monday. Bolton who was already languishing in the relegation zone suffered another routine defeat, while the victory of Blackburn Rovers over Fulham further compounded their misery.

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish believes that club captain Steven Gerrard could continue playing well into his late 30s if he remains fit.
The England international midfielder, 31 at the moment, signed an extension to his existing deal on Thursday but has already said that he is looking to go beyond his current contract.

Michael Dawson declared that he was delighted to be back in the fold after his contribution helped Spurs to a 3-0 win over Cheltenham at the weekend. However the news was tempered with reports that club captain Ledley King has suffered yet another injury setback.

"It was great to be out there playing again," said Dawson after the match.

Liverpool fans are overjoyed to see club captain Steven Gerrard back playing for the club regularly, and his inspirational impact on the team is being praised across the board. Former Arsenal stalwart Martin Keown joined the chorus of approval during the BBC's 'Football Focus' program' on Saturday.

Andrew Cole has reflected on memories of his former Manchester United team mate and manager when he was at Sunderland, Roy Keane, following his very public falling out with Sir Alex Ferguson.

"I was trying to sleep in a Hong Kong hotel when I heard the banging in the corridor," said Cole.

By Chris Wright

Before last night's goalless draw with Wigan, Liverpool (including their 'negrito' players) ran out onto the field wearing t-shirts in support of freshly convicted racist-insult-slinger Luis Suarez including the man himself...

This is a joke right?

Although the claims that Ledley King is something of a ‘lucky charm' may be slightly exaggerated, it's no co-incidence that his return to the side has seen Spurs climb the league table and into their current third place.

The chronic problems that prevent our club captain from training and lead to frequent absences are well documented but the importance of Thursday night's game could see him take the field in a midweek match for the first time in over a year.

Dalglish coy on Gerrard return

Kenny Dalglish has refused to speculate on when Liverpool supporters can expect to see club captain Steven Gerrard back in action.

View the full story here: Sky Sports

A news article on 2011-12-20 13:49:04 from: Sky Sports

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish believes the club's medical staff may have saved Steven Gerrard's career by quickly identifying the extent of his ankle infection.
Club captain Gerrard has been sidelined for over six weeks as a result of the problem, picked up just a month after he recovered from a groin injury that kept him out of the early part of the season.

Injuries and suspension at the centre of defence could force Harry Redknapp to bring back Ledley King for Sunday's game against Martin O'Neill's side. Harry reports that Ledley is struggling but we've been in this position before where the club captain makes an unexpected return to the line up.

Steven Gerrard is scheduled to return to full training with Liverpool on Monday after recovering from an ankle infection.
The club captain has spent the past week continuing his rehabilitation in the United Arab Emirates, with club doctors believing the warmer climes would enable him to return to fitness sooner.

Tottenham Hotspur v Sunderland, White Hart Lane, Sunday 18th December, 3pm Kick off

So on Thursday night Spurs European adventure for this season came to an end, despite a 4-0 win at Shamrock. The perceived wisdom is that this is a blessing in disguise and can leave Harry Redknapp and his team to concentrate on getting Spurs back into the Champions League.

Liverpool need Steven Gerrard fit to lead by example for summer signings, says Gary McAllister

The England midfielder has not featured for Kenny Dalglish's side since October 22, and the ex-Anfield man believes that the club captain could help the new arrivals bed in

View the full story here: Goal

A news article on 2011-12-15 10:17:00 from: Goal

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Bob Paisley's all-conquering team of the late-seventies/early eighties is widely regarded to be one of the greatest Liverpool sides of all time, and Anfield legend Graeme Souness insists that club captain Steven Gerrard would've struggled to make the first XI if he was around back then. Souness, who played alongside the likes of Alan Hansen, Kenny Dalglish, Ray Kenny and Phil Thompson during that

The return of Juventus as a force in Italian football has coincided with the arrival of Andrea Pirlo on a free transfer and with former club captain Antonio Conte assuming control of coaching duties. Both Pirlo and Conte have been influential in Juve's rise with the former Milan midfielder proving indispensable in several matches while coach Antonio has helped revive the squad's damaged spirit.

There is always a collective crossing of fingers whenever Ledley King takes to the pitch these days but so far the club captain has enjoyed a largely injury free start to 2011-12 by his standards. He needs to play 20 games in order to guarantee a new contract at the end of the season and if he stays in good enough condition over the next few weeks, he could be well on course to hit that mark by the end of the year.

As Arsenal captain, even your hair has to be neat

Two things got me to write this topic today. First, I'm at the moment in the middle of reading Alex Flynn's "Arsènal The Making of a Modern Superclub" and I'm currently at the chapter which speaks about the behaviour of a certain William Gallas after the 2-2 draw at Birmingham.

Luis Suarez tipped to be 'one of the best in the world' by Steven Gerrard, who calls on Liverpool to start delivering results

The club captain has been absent for most of the season through injury but he is excited by the potential of the squad, singling out the Uruguayan striker and Stewart Downing

View the full story here: Goal

A news article on 2011-11-16 13:02:00 from: Goal

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Luis Suarez tipped to be 'one of the best in the world' by Steven Gerrard, who calls on Liverpool to start delivering results

The club captain has been absent for most of the season through injury but he is excited by the potential of the squad, singling out the Uruguayan striker and Stewart Downing

View the full story here: Goal

A news article on 2011-11-16 13:02:00 from: Goal

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Luis Suarez tipped to be 'one of the best in the world' by Steven Gerrard, who calls on Liverpool to start delivering results

The club captain has been absent for most of the season through injury but he is excited by the potential of the squad, singling out the Uruguayan striker and Stewart Downing

View the full story here: Goal

A news article on 2011-11-16 13:02:00 from: Goal

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Luis Suarez tipped to be 'one of the best in the world' by Steven Gerrard, who calls on Liverpool to start delivering results

The club captain has been absent for most of the season through injury but he is excited by the potential of the squad, singling out the Uruguayan striker and Stewart Downing

View the full story here: Goal

A news article on 2011-11-16 13:02:00 from: Goal

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Luis Suarez tipped to be 'one of the best in the world' by Steven Gerrard, who calls on Liverpool to start delivering results

The club captain has been absent for most of the season through injury but he is excited by the potential of the squad, singling out the Uruguayan striker and Stewart Downing

View the full story here: Goal

A news article on 2011-11-16 13:02:00 from: Goal

This news item has been reproduced from today's media.

Having played under him for 8 years, Anfield legend Steve Nicol knows all about Kenny Dalglish's managerial qualities, and he is convinced that the King is strong enough to handle the criticism coming his way recently as a result of several underwhelming performances.
Nicol, who was at Liverpool for 14 years, and also played alongside Dalglish in the mid-1980s, argued:
"The one thing Kenny will not do is shirk away from criticism.