José Mourinho got 24-minutes out of Gareth Bale last night, who replaced Erik Lamela in our Europa League game against Wolfsberger. A pretty dramatic cameo ensued and the calls for Bale to start every game here-on were inevitable. Frankly, I’m happy that Bale managed to turn it on last night, but am more concerned about making actions that count in ‘real’ games like our ailing Premier League campaign and the 90-minutes of potential humiliation against Manchester City.
The goal!
All pictures c/o Sky Sports Italia
The shot assist!
The interception
The fact that we scored goals and beat a Lupis Burger Kids meal without fries isn’t impressive but what I thought was impressive is that we didn’t make hard work of it and every goal had a feel of quality about it.
None. Permanent too.
There is no substitute for class !
Bale cutting in from the right gives me the horn.
Bale appears to be getting up a head of steam and that has been the only positive aspect of this dismal run of form. We have to try and find a way for him now to start most games alongside Kane and Son. If they can gel together then that may carry the team forward and somehow compensate a little for the defensive dross that has plagued us all season. I would adopt an attacking high-intensity press approach to get us on the front foot in games. If we play a higher press perhaps we can go with a back three and let loose Requilion and Aurier as attacking wingbacks. Pair up Toby with Rodon as part of that back three with Hoijberg in front and Ndombele in front of Hoijberg in the middle and Lo Celso in front tucked behind Son Kane and Bale. That should give us a transition from defense to midfield to attack with pace and forward momentum. Use Lamela, Berwijn, Moura, Vinicius, Scarlett./Devine, if we are well in control, as subs for the last 20 mins to continue to add energy and forward movement and keep the game in the opponent’s half. Try and maintain the same starting lineup so the team can build unity and confidence.Bale may not run around like Bergwijn and Moura but he is capable of providing moments of world-class skill and he has in his limited appearances and lack of fitness still scored important goals and made important assists more so than most who have been selected instead of him.I think it lifts Son and Kane to know he is on the pitch with them especially Son. World-class players need to be playing alongside world-class players to stay motivated and may just keep the team together if we win something this season like the EUFA Cup.