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Player Watch: Gareth Bale - Retires

C0YS

Just another member
Jul 9, 2007
12,780
13,817
I don't disagree totally, but I still think that was a raw Bale back then, and not totally developed. He was, by and large, tearing up teams back then. I still think he actually became a better player at Real though.
I think he might have technically become a better player, but he didn't preform better. Like, even the most generous appraisals of Bale's time in Madrid would admit to him being inconsistent. Bale shone for Madrid during the big moments, but that is really what he was known for there, for 'moments'.

Bale left to early to become the player he could have been, and he matured, but I don't think he consistently hit those heights for Madrid. So technically, maybe yes, but in practice, no. I also don't think we will get a peak real Madrid Bale either, considering that peak Madrid Bale was almost three years ago at this point. Time doesn't stop for anyone. I do think he will be an effective player for us however.

I'm not sure he was raw when he left us either, and in 2012/2013 his game wasn't built on pace as it was in the seasons before, but it was roy of the rovers stuff. Never seen anything like it, never seen a team so reliant on one player. I will say if Bale becomes a useful if not spectacular player I hope people will accept that and not live the dream of what he was.
 

mil1lion

This is the place to be
May 7, 2004
42,344
77,598
I thought his link up play with Doherty was really promising. They're not pacey as Reguilon and Son on the other side but I fancy seeing more of what we saw for the second goal with that quartet. The pace on the left coming inside draws players inside and leaves space on the other side. It's very similar to when Messi would come in from the right for Barca and scare the hell out of teams leaving space wide left for Alba.

It will be interesting to see whether he starts on Monday or we bring him off the bench again and start him Thursday instead.
 

InOffMeLeftShin

Night watchman
Admin
Jan 14, 2004
15,104
9,113
Fans were complaining how bad Kane looked after the Everton and early Europa games. Just think like every other player Bale needs a few games to get into form. He’s going to be quality.
 

DiamondLites

Well-Known Member
Jul 29, 2011
4,630
13,062
Thought he was fine, you can see his obvious quality on the ball he has some lovely touches and passes including for the OG

His physical edge will return with games, few times he had space to run into but the pass was delayed or he was ignored. Would’ve loved to have seen him get a chance to run with space ahead of him
 

coyspurs18

Mistakes were made
Jul 4, 2013
2,598
7,075
350E422A-C40A-4717-B562-B940B2FAC96D.jpeg
 

ajspurs

Well-Known Member
Jul 7, 2007
22,990
31,168
He was a bit rubbish wasn't he let's be honest but needs time on the pitch I guess ?‍♀️

Just think he needs to get the strength back into his legs and regain his sharpness. I mean without googling it must be quite a while since he last had a decent run of matches.
 

cjbyid

Well-Known Member
Jan 4, 2009
7,169
25,020
Needs another 3/4 weeks of match practice like every other professional footballer returning from injury or pre season, as we see with Kane it can take a few weeks to ramp up after an injury.

Still so surreal watching him out there for us again.
 

SlotBadger

({})?
Jul 24, 2013
13,751
43,099
He‘s such a simple guy. Doesn’t take a genius to work out that he will always give everything he’s got when being shown the respect and love a player of his quality and effort deserves.

As a side note, when Bale was with us before, I saw him out and about a dozen or so times and spoke to him directly on two occasions. One of those was with two massive Arsenal fans, which I couldn’t resist telling him. We spoke about the Inter hat-trick. Both mates congratulated him and one asked if he’d consider joining them, to which he laughed and very abruptly said, “No.”

He wasn’t the global superstar he is now and was probably just glad to get away from third-wheeling his mate at the cinema but, if you see him out and about, you won‘t regret approaching him.

If two Arsenal obsessives still talk about what a gentleman he is, I fail to believe he’d refuse a quick chat.
 

JCRD

Well-Known Member
Aug 10, 2018
19,153
30,013
He was a bit rubbish wasn't he let's be honest but needs time on the pitch I guess ?‍♀️

He does look stiff and erm super slow. He reminds me of Kane when he comes back after a lengthy time off, slow, leggy, not flexible, losing the ball, touch missing etc but i am certain in a few weeks he will be much better.

You can tell he still has the skill and just needs the fitness... he wont be as quick as he was before but he will be invaluable i think.
 

spids

Well-Known Member
Jul 19, 2015
6,647
27,841
He only looks about 60% or 70% fit at present. The rest will come over another 3 weeks of training and games. I really hope he does find an extra yard of pace as he gets sharper as that will make a massive difference to his cutting edge (and was notable when Son came on last night how much impact pace can have in the final third).
 
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