We don’t know how Gareth Bale has looked behind the scenes for the majority of the season, but it looks as though Mourinho has just been biding his time and waiting for him to get back to full match fitness before playing him regularly. Just because you’re Gareth Bale doesn’t mean you’re going to walk straight into the starting XI, especially under a manager like José Mourinho.
There’s only a handful of managers who would be able to make a decision like that about such a big name. He’s been under a lot of pressure this season from the owners undoubtedly, but also from the fans. Everyone rightly expected Bale to be a regular pretty much from the offset, so there were questions from the supporters and the media as to why he wasn’t playing. But Mourinho is one of the few managers who have the credentials and the trophy cabinet to say “shut up; I’m the manager, and I’ll do what I want”, so fair play to him. I’m a big fan of Mourinho. Every training session your distance is covered, your heart rate is covered, they’ll know exactly how fit he’s been and if he’s not been hitting the numbers, Mourinho has been right to leave him out of the side.
Bobby was speaking exclusively to Ladbrokes on behalf of The Boy Hotspur.
I am now a fan of Ndom, I root for him, I cheer for him… Opposed to last season where I was shouting at him through frustration and anger….. Any player at Spurs has to want to be there. Anyone who wants out or who doesn’t give one hundred percent then I would get rid. Regardless of how good they are or can be.
In context he was playing for our second string against sub par opposition in the ropey and other cup games. We all expected more considering he cost more than the opponents teams put together. He is now finally showing fitness and form (Burnley and Palace) and broken into the firsts. Happy days…. Can’t reply on other thread but you’ve been telling me repeatedly now all season ‘you were wrong about Ndombele’, to try and make me look a fool. I am no fool… Tanguys skills and ability was never in question. His mentality, attitude and consistency certainly was.. Considering he was our club record signing and on Kane wages he was a ginormous disappointment. Not managing 90 minutes in 10 months, always on the bench, and when he did play his performance against wolves and Burnley were embarrassing. Was his returns really good enough for you? Now considering he was a Botch signing, Maureen wasn’t playing him, and the lad wanted out himself, it was logic to get rid and spend all that fee and wages on a player our gaffer actually wants and needs…. Now Tanguy has said the reason he stayed was because Levy persuaded him. So you have Baldy to thank there. Fair shout to Tanguy the lad has been night and day compared to last season. He’s broke into the firsts and showing effort.. He still has it all to do to justify club record fee and wages. He needs to keep improving. Not bits of brilliance in spurts. He needs to go hard for 90 minutes. Take games by the scruff of the neck. Control the middle like a general. Be man of the match. Be the matchwinner.. Stop going missing and stay on his feet more.. His consistency is still in question.
We’ll see – probably if he stays here even next season. If he goes back, it seems Zidane won’t play him no matter what, as there’s a LOT of antipathy there.
We’ll also see if he can do it against a stronger side than an out-of-sorts Burnley and Palace. If he shows he can (like tomorrow, for example), I would happily keep him here for another year.
I’m hoping he gets a bit fitter than VDV did. He had some long term injuries for much of his career, I’m hoping this is more about match fitness and sharpness with Bale.
Although I don’t expect the explosive physicality from 8 years ago either.
Any sane manager would have done the same. Bale hasn’t played regularly for the best part of two years and arrived injured, so to think he’ll come here and slot right into the starting 11 week in week out is a bit daft.
As Jose said himself “anyone would want a fit Gareth Bale in their team” – so this was never about a lack of trust in his ability, just about managing his fitness. There’s no point in getting three 90-minute performances in a row out of him just to crock him for two months.
He’s in vdV territory now – a bit older, experienced, brilliant technique, but rarely lasts 90 minutes. And that’s fine – if he gets 60-70 and grabs a goal and an assist in that time, I’m not complaining at all.
9 goals in 21 appearances (many as a sub or subbed off) ain’t too shabby though… 🤔