Gareth Bale's future??

[Hauler]

Well he hasn't played in a couple games and I'm worried Harry well might want to sell. I know that his track record isn't good when playing in the EPL as he hasn't won a game when he plays but he has a great future and it is worrying harry hasn't even brought the kid on as a sub. What are your takes?

[LedleybetterthanSol]

He is young and we will definately keep him, just give it time.

[electrickeeper]

Who will play LB once we sell BAE to PSG?

Gilberto?

[Phillystile]

still only 19 years old. Right now BAE is better. I think Bale will overtake him before the season ends, but no reason to throw him back into big matches now when he has no confidence. Will probably see him in the UEFA match next week...and with all the games around Christmas and early January we'll definitely see him.

[DigitalTron]

Clearly Bale is by far the most talented LB we've had in a long while, and the obvious choice to start at LB. But, the fact remains, Harry isn't picking him. Bale is at least as good as Ekotto defensively (and I like Ekotto defensively while most people do not), and Bale is far better offensively--although Bale hasn't been showing it of late. The only things negative I can say about our monkey-faced Wales Star is that he does appear to be injury-prone. Our record with him starting is a non-sequitur. He has played extremely well and not been a weak link or bad influence in any way. Sure, he's a tad funny looking in the face, but he's one heck of a talented player. Given his age, I think he is as good of a prospect at any position as there is in the entire Premiership. The fact that Harry is showing him no faith really upsets me.

But at the end of the day, 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it.' Harry has been winning games, so even if Bale is the far superior player, there's no reason to mess with the winning chemistry. Still, if it were me, there is no question I'd start Bale in every Premiership game and let him grow and build confidence ... and I believe we'd have won just as many games if not more. I can't ever recall us benching Christian Ziege, and IMHO Bale is a better player than our beloved German.

-Digital

[pookspur]

Clearly Bale is by far the most talented LB we've had in a long while, and the obvious choice to start at LB ...

i'm not sure you'll get concensus, there, tron.

[rbpierce]

Bale is at least as good as Ekotto defensively

I would have to disagree with this assertion. I think that the reason that BEA plays over Bale in the league is because Harry sees Bale as being a liability defensively. In the league, where we are in dire straights, the risk is not worth the potential reward. We need outside defenders who will keep players from swinging in crosses to protect our goalie who does not seem to be able to deal with them. In European competition, teams are less likely to employ that tactic and thus, the we are less susceptible. In that scenario, Bale is worth the risk. Im sure that Harry wants to get him time as well, but the league is just too important right now to be mucking about letting players learn the ropes when we dont have to do that.

[Jensers]

Bale looks very good going forward, he has good pace going forward - and serves a great ball. I think he could work as he sits as an outside mid - but we are already booked up at that position... So what is Harry to do?

If you have the Fulham match on your DVR - go back and watch his performance. He gets caught out a lot, and fails to pick people up defensively - He has a tendency to jump in, and lacks speed going backward and is slow/clumsy on the turn. Demps took advantage of him over the entire match.

I agree with the statements that he is young. All of the things I listed can be fixed with training and experience. I would think Harry will keep him and keep working with him as he is still a fairly raw talent with obvious potential.

[Hauler]

Bale looks very good going forward, he has good pace going forward - and serves a great ball. I think he could work as he sits as an outside mid - but we are already booked up at that position... So what is Harry to do?

If you have the Fulham match on your DVR - go back and watch his performance. He gets caught out a lot, and fails to pick people up defensively - He has a tendency to jump in, and lacks speed going backward and is slow/clumsy on the turn. Demps took advantage of him over the entire match.

I agree with the statements that he is young. All of the things I listed can be fixed with training and experience. I would think Harry will keep him and keep working with him as he is still a fairly raw talent with obvious potential.


I think I will do just that. I love DVR.

[sendorange]

Bale lost confidence from having such a bad injury last season, struck him down just as he was doing very well. He is still coming back from that mentally and has a fair bit to learn defensively as well. He will be fine.

[rbpierce]

He will be fine.

I think most of us agree about this as well as about his potential and his shortcomings. The issue is that some people think that his not playing is a reflection that Harry does not rate him and some think its a reflection of his not being ready yet (or the best option right now or however you want to say that). All I have to say is that Harry is a fool if he doesnt rate Bale, but not playing him right now in the league is acceptable to me.

[spurs2rise]

Hopefully Ramos is just playing BAE to get his value up for when he sells him to PSG, so he can buy a decent replacement. Then Bale will be starting more at LB or LM, whilst we have an upgrade on BAE for rotation.

[Slater582]

Ramos is the coach of Real Madrid not Spurs 2rise :p

[Spur_Forever]

I don't think it's a question in anyone's mind that Bale's future is as the best British left back of his generation... but frankly, he's been pretty poor defensively for us this season. Great overlapping, great crosses, but he makes tons of mistakes at the back (in critical areas at that) and for now, I think most would agree that the better left back is BAE.

I don't think there's anything sinister going on between him and Harry, it's just that BAE is doing well and Garreth is not.

[Hauler]

According to some papers it seems we are lining up a move for Stephen Warnock. Probably just speculation but you never know.

[N-I-C-H-O]

Ramos is the coach of Real Madrid not Spurs 2rise :p


He's on Australia time the news hasnt gotten there yet.:p

[sendorange]

One thing that hasn't been mentioned is Manchester City, assuming Hughes is still there in January then I would be surprised if he does not make a serious bid for Bale. That could be interesting and I think the club would sell if there's a good offer on the table.

[rbpierce]

One thing that hasn't been mentioned is Manchester City, assuming Hughes is still there in January then I would be surprised if he does not make a serious bid for Bale. That could be interesting and I think the club would sell if there's a good offer on the table.

will he give us elano too?