There are some murmurings about Gareth Bale and not just from a section of the Tottenham fan base, pundits are also being negative over the Welsh wizard.
The season is ten games old, that is it, yes, there have been some cup competitions but even those are at the early stage, though maybe not the Carabao Cup.
This season is still in its infancy and it was always going to be the case that Bale was going to need time to get to the required level.
Even if he had played regularly in Spain it is still a significant jump in intensity from La Liga to the Premier League, some players do adapt quickly but most do not.
Look at the length of time that is has taken Tanguy Ndombele to settle in, it is not something that happens overnight and Bale’s situation was a lot different in comparison to most new signings from different leagues.
Players like Ndombele, Nicolas Pepe at Arsenal, even Kai Havertz at Chelsea came to England with a full season behind them playing regular competitive football and initially flopped, Bale did not have a competitive season behind him, in fact, he turned up injured.
Getting back to full fitness takes time, getting used to new surroundings, new teammates, new management and new styles and tactics, takes time and not every player adapts straight away.
Bale has been a little disappointing it has to be said but we have also seen glimpses of his extraordinary talent and it will only be a matter of time before we see the Welshman ripping teams to shreds, that I am 100% confident about.
We have not seen the last of Bale at his brilliant best and too many people are jumping the gun with their negativity.
Bale will get used but I’m guessing in games where we are camped in the opponents half desperate for a goal not games like Chelsea when all 11 players are working as one defending deep . I’m guessing he doesn’t trust him for this type of job . Even in these games if we get a break he would rather speedy moura chasing down a ball as he is just quicker. He will get time I’m sure just not as much as many of us thought.
Having Bale back has probably galvanised Kane and Son and other squad members. It has sent a message to the other teams that we are looking to challenge. I am confident that Jose is easing Bale back slowly into the EPL and using him in the EUFA Cup matches as part of his return to match fitness. I did expect him to be given at least 15 min’s at the end of the match against Chelsea in place of Bergwijn who is worrying me more than Bale tbh. Bales presence at that time in the match may have caused Chelsea to drop back deeper rather than pushing into our half looking to snatch the winner. Jose must have been thinking about the fact that Bale played in the previous EUFA cup match just a few days before and he also wanted to use him for this weeks EUFA cup match. I would expect him to see some mins against Arsenal though as he is a big game player.
MATCH fitness requires playing, not just “a couple of weeks of training” & whilst he’s not getting much regular playing time, yes it does take longer for stamina & sharpness, etc to return fully.
Gareth is 31 & arrived back at THFC without hardly any playing time last season & with an injury so he just needs a bit more time.
It’s a loan deal which hopefully works out over the season!!
I agree – and as i say below, if it was fitness, sitting on the bench watching a full 90mins will not fix that.
Such an experienced player shouldnt have problem adjusting for any league. Also, getting a match fitness doesnt take 3 months, it should take a couple of weeks of training! I dont believe any of those things anymore. Either he doesnt have manager’s trust, or the quality required for starting 11. His case is rather worrying for me, I wish I was wrong.
My “concerns” if you will are not what he is doing on the picth, but the fact he is not on the pitch…at all! If it was a fitnes thing, 10mins at the end each game is needed. If it is something else…well that is that. End of the day, he should be making cameo’s, my worry is that he is not.
Affected by a lack of full match fitness, clearly those fans expecting Bale to reach the dizzy heights of 7 years ago roaring down the wing skinning defenders for fun is fanciful at best and so it has proved!!, but by strengthening our squad is a major plus point as well as other attributes he brings to the side.