Would he of been the player he is today had he joined us?. Clearly he's fast becoming a worldclass player if he isn't one already in some peeps eyes. However that wasn't always the case, during his first few seasons he was quite an average player who showed glimpses of his quality but generally frustrated a lot of spurs fans with his inconsistency. I remember him being linked with bottem half PL teams and championship teams for either a loan or even a permanent move.
To spurs's credit they stuck with him and gave him the time to develop and are now obviously benefitting massively from it. But I'm not so sure we would have given him the time especially as he was a left back at the time he was signed, Wenger would have probs stuck with Clichy and given the odd game to Bale. Also we can be a very impatient bunch at the emirates!. What do you think?. Spurs fans allowed.
Bale
posted on 26/2/13
Yeh your right on Ox, clearly has imense talent but he needs a consistent run in the team which I can't see him getting at the moment. Seeing what he's doing to Ox, giving him a game here and there might of been the case with Bale.
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If you look at Bale, he wasnt getting a run-in at Spurs properly till 21 despite playing some good games for us! I think the difference is that Ox doesnt look like he has the same drive the Bales/Ronaldos/Walcotts of this world have and work hard at the training ground to always improve. I can see him taking the foot off the gas and never really impressing.
posted on 26/2/13
It was Modric getting injured that really kick-started his career batmanu, not the BAE injury
posted on 26/2/13
power,
A fair atrticle.
I'm not sure of the answer but it would have been criminal if he'd wasted his career at LB.
Thankfully, due to injuries here & there he was given a chance on the left wing.
His composure in front of goal was massively lacking last season, but he seems to have got that sorted now - so is going from strength to strength.
And it shows that British players can make it if only they're given a break.
posted on 26/2/13
I think the issue is Bale would not be tried as a winger powerking, but I still think patience should be taken with Ox as he is still very young and done better than Bale had at that age. His issue is he needs to buck his ideas up.
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Don't put ox and bale in the same sentence. The ox is the biggest over hyped talent ever, more that wilshire (who actually is a good player) really annoyed me he went to he euros over Lennon who had a good season. It was like when they take 16yo walcott over defoe in 2006 (i think). Not saying the ox cannot become a good player but I can honestly say hand on heart that I think i think he will be playing for Villa or Wigan in a few years.
i don't rate him at all
posted on 26/2/13
Edin, correct me if I am wrong but he did initially get a run at LB, he was pushed higher up the field when BAE came back because he was playing well.
posted on 26/2/13
His first game was a 5-0 win vs Burnley where he played LB. But I think BAE came back the game or two after and modric got injured, which moved bale into LW where he played in great performances like the 2-1 win vs you and Chelsea.
posted on 26/2/13
Obviously Bales attitude and determination was and is spot on if your gonna make it big in this game. Talent really is just 50 % of it just look at Ricardo Quesma for example.
posted on 26/2/13
Bale scored a very good free kick at the Lane against your lot. He was 18 at the time. Think fans have always rated him just not Redknapp - from time to time.
A mate of mine who has a ST at St Marys was more sad to lose GB than TW.
Always looked decent IMO - but he is simply different gravy at the moment.
posted on 26/2/13
Bale's early progress was halted by injuries - foot and knee. When he came back he struggled a bit at his 'best' position of LB...but even then he was younger than Jenkinsonis now at Arsenal so you could not expect a 19/20 year old defender to have a complete game.
His quality has always been their, superb technique, especially in striking a ball/pass/cross/shot.
He's just gone up a different level in each of the last 3 seasons and now he's really in top form
posted on 26/2/13
Bale scored a very good free kick at the Lane against your lot. He was 18 at the time. Think fans have always rated him just not Redknapp - from time to time.
A mate of mine who has a ST at St Marys was more sad to lose GB than TW.
Always looked decent IMO - but he is simply different gravy at the moment.
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I always rated him, the season you signed him I put him straight in my FPL team. Got me feck all points though. Also I remember that free kick but there were 2 better goals in that game alone