Gareth Bale is still yet to cement a place in the Tottenham starting XI, and because the team is doing just fine without him, it is hard to question the decisions of Jose Mourinho at the moment.
The Welshman was handed the chance to start Tottenham’s game against Royal Antwerp last night.
The Lilywhites struggled to break down the stubborn Belgians, but they eventually got the breakthrough goal when Bale’s freekick was headed in by Carlos Vinicius.
Just a minute after he provided an assist for the goal, the attacker was replaced by Son Heung-min.
Mourinho has shown that he can make changes just about any time he wants, but Jermaine Jenas doesn’t think that Bale will be happy to have been taken off after making an assist.
Glenn Hoddle, however, appears to be critical of Bale and said that the attacker should be doing more than he is doing at the moment.
‘If I’m Gareth Bale, I’m disappointed I’m coming off in this game,’ Jenas said via Mail Online.
‘Especially after just hitting that free-kick, I’m sure the confidence has gone through the roof there. I think Jose probably watched the first 10 minutes [of the second half] and thought “I’ve seen enough” and the free-kick didn’t change his mind.’
Hoddle had a different take on the situation.
‘By now, I would expect him to be ahead of where he is, he looks fragile and tentative when he goes in and when it is tight,’ Hoddle said.
‘He still seems unsure of his body, he hasn’t quite got that change of pace. It is getting there but whether he gets it back again is the big question mark, and that was the big risk bringing Gareth back to Tottenham.
‘But I feel there is more to come, which will elevate Tottenham’s performance as well but it just feels like he is on the back foot.’
Header from a Bale free kick?? 🤣 🤣
So, let’s be real about GB. He’s had too many injuries : he’s getting close to his sell by date.
We will never see the player who could explode past any defence and leave them in his wake. He’s lost 2 yards of pace… Sad by true and inevitable.
He’s still a valuable squad player and free kicks still a speciality.
I really don’t know how Jenas has managed to become a pundit, commentator, broadcaster and game show ‘celebrity’ on the back of a bang average career.
One of my big Spurs disappointments that Hod. didnt do better as Manager.
How come L’Arse have so many pundits Gooner b’stards
What game were you watching Bruce?Vinnie tapped home with his foot after Bale’s free kick came back to him after the keeper had pushed it onto the post.
I agree with Hoddle. Not sure if Bale is playing in the right position at the moment. I would like him out wide on the left in front of Requilion as they seem to make a good combo. If we can get Kane and Son linking and Bale and Requilion then that will work. Bale needs quality around him to bring the best out of him. That will not happen if you keep him in the second string. I believe he needs to get his confidence up. Despite his world class pedigree, he is under enormous pressure to show he can still produce as he used to.
It was a triple substitution. I agree with Hoddle instead of a two bit ex Spurs player pundit.
Bale is getting back just give him more timend games he will come good.