Larry Kingston is undoubtedly a talented football player, but am I alone in thinking that his heart simply isn’t in it these days at Tynecastle?
Even though he was deployed in a position that forced him to be more ‘active’ than in the previous two weeks (in the centre instead of wide right), for the third match running Larry looked every bit
like a player who was saving his energies for when he really might need them. On Saturday he jaunted around the centre of the park and had the odd nice flick or two here and there, but generally he showed no real desire to get properly stuck in like his midfield team-mates Karipidis and Stewart, and in the end I thought he was a bit of a passenger, really. Very reminiscent of when Brian Laudrup continued playing for Rangers having already signed for Chelsea…..I believe the phrase used back then was ‘playing within himself’.
Could it be that Kingston has been earmarked for a move elsewhere and is merely going through the motions until it happens? Stranger things have happened, especially given what our club’s owner has shown he is capable of, and given that Kingston is still under contract for another two years or more, the time is probably right for Hearts to sell if they want to merely cash in on this guy. And the fact that his performances may dip as a result of knowing that he’s ‘in the shop window’ will not matter a jot when it comes to being selected……….unless of course you believe that Csaba is indeed truly in charge of all first-team affairs…………..!
It’s either this or Kingston needs a serious kick up the backside to get himself going. Maybe it’s simply a case of taking his selection for granted because he knows that he’s probably the best technical footballer at the club, but you need more than just that to be effective in this game. In fact if this is how his attitude actually is, then that’s all the more reason to drop him for a few games, just to jolt him into action.
Whatever it is, I hope we find out soon. Kingston has clearly not been himself for the opening few games of the season, and it’s a shame because he really can be a cracking player when he’s on top form. Maybe I’m being unkind here and he’s been carrying a knock and still playing on because he really wants to, but if that’s the case then it would be much fairer on everyone (including Kingston himself) to let that be known.
Get well soon, Larry…..
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Hmm I think Kingston is suffering from a bout of ‘lazyitas’ and a bit of healthy competition might help him to get his finger out…
well i always thought him and nade worked well together
Well, as you say, anything’s possible when it comes to the Mad One !! But with only a week to go in the transfer window, that would be his last home SPL game for us if he has indeed signed for someone else. I’d suggest an alternative explanation for Kingston – namely, Csaba !! After checking him out in his normal right wing/midfield role and being unimpressed that he’s costing over 12k a week, Csaba may have come to a similar conclusion to us – namely that he ought to be contributing more to the team, and so has decided to “make” Kingston get involved more by moving him away from the right wing. Perhaps Kingston himself feels a bit unsettled by this, after being able to “coast” under Frail last year ? Anyway, I think we’ll either see an improved Laryea, or else Csaba will recommend that he be sold in January (he may get sold regardless).
He’ll only be sold if Romanov wants to sell him, unfortunately.
He missed so much of last season through injury and the African Nations cup anyway. If he were to leave I am sure Hearts would bring in the much needed quality to replace him…
Not sure about this to be honest. He played central midfield for a large chunk of last season (when he was available / fit), and at the time it was felt that he didn’t graft enough to do that position justice. Of course, that description could be applied to just about any Hearts player last season… so its no particular reflection on Kingston. It lead to him being placed out wide, which is the position he plays in for Ghana, and one where he excelled at when he first arrived at Tynecastle. I think he just needs time to adjust to Csaba’s work ethic – and of course, we can’t rule out that he will be sold (which may not be a bad thing).
I do think that his best position is out wide, mainly because of the lack of graft he tends to show infield that SJ mentions. Doesn’t get involved enough for a central midfield player, meaning that we continue to be lightweight in the most crucial area of the park.
if he has been sold its a sore loss for youz but good news for the others in the spl!!!great player and it will be a shame because he is the nucleus of your squad
I think he has got less than 2 years on his contract – so I’d expect him to be sold sometime in 2009.
I think that if quality players sign for us, play very well for 2 or 3 seasons and then move on at a considerable profit then that is not a bad way to run a football club in Scotland. As long, of course, that we reinvest the money in topping up the talent in the squad and when we do sell it is not under any circumstances to Rangers or Celtic. Trouble with Kingston is he is not meeting his part of the bargain ? i.e. he is without doubt a quality player but he?s not (for us at least) playing anywhere close to his potential. His disappointing contribution so far this season could be down to the turmoil of last year taking it?s toll on him and/or him taking time to get used to Csaba?s new style of management but? he is a talented professional (who plays very well by all accounts at international level) and should be relishing the opportunity to impress in the new regime. If he’s not about to leave us then he needs a kick up the backside sharpish!
Well put imcd – I’d agree with all of that. As for his contract SH, did he not sign a new 3 year deal last season? Thought he did…