'Hurtful stuff' needed saying - King
Tottenham captain Ledley King believes his side can turn their Carling Cup disappointment into a positive when they face Fulham at White Hart Lane on Monday.
Grimsby pulled off one of the shock results of the second round when Congo midfielder Jean-Paul Kamudimba Kalala scored a dramatic late winner at Blundell Park to send Martin Jol’s men crashing out of a competition many felt they stood a good chance of winning.
King revealed the squad held an inquest into their defeat, and believes the frank discussions were worthwhile.
“We were disappointed in the changing room afterwards,” said King, who missed the opening few games of the Barclays Premiership campaign because of a groin problem.
“You need to be told because the manager wasn’t happy and there were words said between players.
“The next day we had a meeting and said more about it. It was hurtful stuff and needed to be said to make sure we’re moving in the right direction and that it doesn’t happen again.
“Plenty of players had things to say. I tried to look at the positives, we’ve lost a game, not six or seven on the trot.”
King added: “We have to bounce back. We didn’t do enough as a team to beat them, that’s it and we have to move on.”
“There are plenty of games down the years when teams are expected to win. That’s football and that’s why everybody loves it – you never know what’s going to happen.”
Despite their midweek disappointment, Spurs have enjoyed one of their best starts to a season.
Jol’s men have lost just once – to Chelsea – in their six league matches, are unbeaten away from home and the Dutchman feels, when he has a full squad, Spurs are now a much more competitive outfit.
Although King accepts the season is still in its infancy, the defender believes the potential is there to secure qualification for Europe come May.
“As players we put pressure on ourselves,” the England international said.
“Of course, we want to get into Europe – that’s our aim and we feel we’ve got a talented squad capable of doing that and personally I’d been disappointed if we didn’t do that.
“We came close last year and we’ve got a few new players we hope will make the difference for us.
“We’ve learnt from the mistakes we made last season and that will make us stronger.”
Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho also feels Jol has now built a team capable of challenging for a Champions League place, and King added: “You never know - nobody expected Everton to have done it.
“It’s going to be tough, but if we can show consistency throughout the season, it is possible.”
King came through the youth ranks at White Hart Lane to make his first-team debut at Liverpool in May 1999.
Now also an integral part of Sven-Goran Eriksson’s England squad when fit, the versatile 6ft 2in centre-half – who can also play a holding role in midfield - featured in all of Spurs’ 38 Premiership games last season.
And the 24-year-old would be more than happy to extend his current long-term deal with the north London side.
“I’ve always said if the club’s moving in the right direction, like I feel it is, then I haven’t got a problem,” he added.
“People are saying good things about the club, we’re moving in the right direction, we’ve got a lot of talented young players and it’s a nice place to be at the moment.”
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