What a difference a tackle can make. In December 2007 when Fabrice Muamba injured Gareth Bale, which would rule him out for the rest of the season, Bale was considered one of Tottenham’s brightest young stars.
He had scored 3 goals from left-back including a superb free kick against the scum. It could be said he was one of the only successes to the start of the end of Jol. Therefore when Bale returned for the 08/09 campaign under exciting manager Ramos there was real optimism Bale was going to immediately return to his previously dazzling form for both club and country, however it didn’t quite work out that way.
When Bale played he looked unassured, and appeared to have lost the pace he once had, he also was very reluctant to get stuck into 50-50’s. Spurs’ dreadful start to this campaign again didn’t help his cause, but it was evident Bale did not look the player he once was. It then became a well known fact Bale had not won a premiership game in a absurd amount of experiences which obviously went to his head.
Redknapp became manager and Bale hardly featured for the rest of the season – Bale’s future looked bleak at Tottenham to say the least. Then the 09/10 season began and with his close friend and teammate for Wales, Gunter left to Forest, and there were rumours Bale was heading in the same direction – albeit on loan. BAE had finished the last season well and continued to play at left back and scored a screamer against Liverpool on the first day of the season.
Bale finally broke his premiership duck in September 09 however only because he came on as a 85 min sub v Burnley. He played in the cup games, and suddenly the Bale spurs had once knew showed signs of returning – a fantastic cross against united in the Carling cup springs to mind. Then January came and BAE got injured – finally Bale’s chance to prove his worth , and boy did he. In 2010 it could be said Bale has been Spurs’ best player with his fantastic runs down the flank, and considerable improvements to his defensive qualities, he can tackle now.
I accept Bale is still a work in progress and isn’t always up the scratch defensively, however I believe Bale has the potential to become a Tottenham starter for the many years to come as he is very young and already looks better than the average at best BAE. I also think Bale could quite easily become a left mid for spurs after his performance against Fulham because this would require less of him defensively, and he has the ability to beat anybody with his skill and pace – imagine a midfield with Aaron Lennon and an on form bale on the wings? I just hope this dream will become a reality.
by Joe Alexander
About the Author
bale is a superb player with a massive future ahead of him. Although he can play on the wings he’s far more dangerous picking the ball up at speed from deep. He is a very attack minded player which is what we all love.
Compimenting this though is BAE, he kept Ronaldo very quiet in last years Carling cup final which very few left backs are capable of. In that game Ronaldo only looked dangerous when he came inside. Huge respect to BAE.
Big smiles boys, we’ve got two cracking left backs, one for attacking and one for shutting the door. Happy days.
Nice article Joe,and you’re right it’s great to have Bale back to his best and more if truth be known,however I have to admit that I prefer him a a left back as Modric can pull the covering midfielders away from Bales runs helping him join the attacking play slightly later.
While I am thrilled with Bale’s improvement/return to form, I continue to argue that Spurs are not using him in his best position. The player Bale reminds me of now is Steve Gerrard when he broke into the Liverpool team. Gerrard also started at fullback but that soon schanged. Bale has that same all action attitude and has the engine to become a top central midfield box to box player. Everyone always want to pushhim into LEFT back or midfield but who says a left footer can’ play incentral midfield? Thoughts anyone?
O’Hara, we used to play him left back even though he was cm in reserves. I’ve not seen any of the Portsmouth games but sounds like he’s thriving. May be a good point about Bale. Milner thriving in cm, Isn’t Barry a lefty? They are out there.
Nooooooooooooooooooooo – Bale is a full-back; Modric and Krankjar play left midfield; Bale’s great form has been as a left-back linking up with one of these two. Why do you want to break that partnership up? What do you want to do with Modric and Krankjar? And he was okay against Fulham, tried hard, but anyone could see the Fulham players werre doubblig up on him and he just wasn’t getting the space he gets when Modric (or Kankjar) plays in front of him and cuts inside. He is a full-back, he wants to be a full-back, the team considering hi a full-back, and his best form is as a full-back. He plays on the wing in emergencies – like right now. Why can’t you just accept that?
Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooo – BAE is not ‘ordinary at best’.
You’re right Sean BAE is not average at best, he’s shite at best. He constantly goes into tackles on his wrong foot and turns his back, going in blind. He also misses headers left right and centre and gives away fouls like confetti
You people have the memories of fleas. Before his injury, BAE was in the form of his life and probably one of the three best LBs in the premiership. Bale has taken his opportunity and currently deserves his place but that does not mean you have to dis BAE. Call yourselves supporters? You’re a disgrace.
ParkLane67
I’m sure no one’s a disgrace really, just folk with different opinions, eh?
ParkLane 67
Your obviously a gooner if you say im a disgrace because even though BAE played well for a few months, if that he is a terrible footballer that consistently gives the ball away and gets destroyed by wingers – you my friend have no ambition for spurs if you rate BAE
Bale didn’t score against Liverpool on the opening day of the season. Otherwise he would have broken his duck THEN wouldn’t he.
Lazy lazy lazy research.
@COYS
Almost as lazy lazy lazy as your reading abilities. Joe said it was Ekotto, not Bale.