Bale's biggest problems will start if/when Harry decides he's a full time full back and starts playing him there week-in, week-out. Because all the evidence suggests that while he might be a very, very good player on the wing, he looks a decidedly average full back, or at least defensively.
Modric vs Bale
- Thread starter Pogue Mahone
- Start date
And I should probably point out that prior to Welbeck's two goals today, his spell at Sunderland has been far from impressive.
At LB or LW?
If Bale wasn't going to win in Welbeck on current form would definitely be in with a shout. Who else could step up? Wilshere probably ahead right now, if Rodwell stays fit he could be in the mix, Carroll would be ahead of him at the moment as well.
Yay, this gives me a chance to once again use my MOTM log:
Gareth Bale (1 unaccounted assist)
Code:
[B][U]Date Opponent Result G A MOTM (for Spurs)[/U][/B]
nov-20 A-Arsenal W 2-3 1 0 ?
nov-13 H-Blackburn W 4-2 2 1 MOTM
nov-09 H-Sunderland D 1-1 0 0 No Votes
nov-06 A-Bolton L 4-2 0 0 4th
nov-02 H-Inter W 3-1 0 2 MOTM
Oct 30 A-Man United L 2-0 0 0 6th
Oct 23 H-Everton D 1-1 0 0 No Votes
Oct 20 A-Inter L 4-3 3 0 MOTM
Oct 16 A-Fulham W 1-2 0 1 No Votes
Oct 2 H-Aston Villa W 2-1 0 0 No Votes
sep-29 H-Twente W 4-1 1 0 MOTM
sep-25 A-West Ham L 1-0 0 0 No Votes
sep-18 H-Wolves W 3-1 0 0 3rd
sep-14 A-Werder B D 2-2 0 0 MOTM
sep-11 A-WBA D 1-1 0 0 4th
aug-28 H-Wigan L 0-1 0 0 3rd
aug-25 H-Young Boys W 3-0 0 0 3rd
aug-21 A-Stoke City W 1-2 2 0 MOTM
aug-17 A-Young Boys L 3-2 0 0 2nd
aug-14 H-Man City D 0-0 0 0 MOTM
May 9 A-Burnley L 4-2 1 1 2nd
May 5 A-Man City W 0-1 0 0 7th
May 1 H-Bolton W 1-0 0 0 4th
Apr 24 A-Man United L 3-1 0 1 4th
Apr 17 H-Chelsea W 2-1 1 0 MOTM
apr-14 H-Arsenal W 2-1 1 0 5th
Apr 11 H-Portsmouth L 0-2 0 0 ?
Apr 3 A-Sunderland L 3-1 0 0 3rd
Mar 27 H-Portsmouth W 2-0 0 1 MOTM
Mar 24 H-Fulham W 3-1 0 0 3rd
Mar 20 A-Stoke City W 1-2 0 0 3rd
Mar 13 H-Blackburn W 3-1 0 1 MOTM
Mar 6 A-Fulham D 0-0 0 0 3rd
Feb 28 H-Everton W 2-1 0 0 2nd
Feb 24 H-Bolton W 4-0 0 1 2nd
Feb 21 A-Wigan W 0-3 0 1 3rd
Feb 14 A-Bolton D 1-1 0 1 MOTM
Feb 10 A-Wolves L 1-0 0 0 MOTM
Feb 6 H-A Villa D 0-0 0 0 2nd
Jan 30 A-Birmingham D 1-1 0 0 MOTM
Feb 3 A-Leeds W 1-3 0 0 No Votes
Jan 26 H-Fulham W 2-0 0 0 2nd
Jan 23 H-Leeds D 2-2 0 0 MOTM
Jan 20 A-Liverpool L 2-0 0 0 MOTM
Jan 16 H-Hull City D 0-0 0 0 MOTM
[U]Jan 2 H-Peterborou W 4-0 0 2 ?[/U]
12 14 3.5 (Average rank)https://www.redcafe.net/f6/nani-now-best-winger-country-295927/index16.html
I would say as a LB going forward as a LW.
Disagree totally, think he's been one of their better players.
well, he always looked ropey at LB, so I'm guessing that his best performances came at LW.
Prior to this weekend, his record was 14 games, 0 goals. As a forward, how on Earth can you justify him being one of their better players with a record like that?
I think some of our fans are deluded.
On another note, I think Barcelona would be absolutely scary if they got Bale and played him at left back. With the amount of possession they have he could basically play as Alves does on the right, frightening prospect!
His best performances seem to be in the CL, this season.
He had been playing left wing! As soon as he's been played up front he's scored goals, and while he's been playing left wing he's kept out some very good players like Zenden.
Bruce hasn't just picked him in almost every game for shits and gigs.
Because he hasn't been used as a forward, and he's only started 8 league games.
He's been doing all right, even before the Chelsea match.
"All right", as in not great. Mediocre at best, I'd say.
Nine MoTM's for the second half of last season says a lot. He was also voted Barclay's Player of the Month for April.
How some people seem to be completely oblivious to his outstanding form during the latter part of last season, I don't know.
Shown by all the chalkboards I've been posting in the Welbeck thread he has been all over the pitch and his passing accuracy has been fantastic.
Its been his first regular run of games for a premiership side, in an unfamiliar position, for a new club, and he's performed admirably. I think you need to give him a break.
Yeah but Spoony said he doesn't remember that and he only remembers the Inter games, so he has to stick to it.
Thus says the Chief
We are in need of a player of Modric's ilk more than Bale.
Bale is unattainable anyway.
Bale is unattainable anyway.
Bale's always had the potential to be a top player. He's been talked up in Wales for years, well before Ramsey, as their next genuine top player and it's no surprise to anyone who knew of his talent that he's putting it together consistently now. Wenger and Fergie were after him for a very good reason, he had huge potential. I was indifferent to United signing him when we were in for him because I did not think it was needed with Ronaldo, Nani, Tevez and co about but I have never subscribed to the whole Gareth Fail shite.
Bale's never been shite at all. The whole Gareth Fail nickname was because of that stat of Spurs never winning when he started and in fairness to him that was largely down to Spurs going through an awful run under Juande Ramos. When Redknapp took over he needed experience to get himself out of the situation he was in and playing an inexperienced youngster who was being used mainly as a defender was not the best way to achieve the necessary short term success they needed.
It's all no surprise he has settled as a winger as all his strengths have been attacking, even as a youngster. His strengths were set piece delivery, having a wand of a left foot, great technique on striking the ball with his left, decent on his right and very quick and direct when running at players. He's certaintly added some strength to his game this last 9 months or so and that's helping him add a different dimension to his game. He's got more to show as well as he's not a one trick pony like some have portrayed him as here.
Bale's currently flavour of the month because of his CL performances but this is hardly his fault. He's getting a spot in the limelight because his form is meritting it.
He would be a cracking addition to United and add a dimension with his wand of a left foot with Nani on the other flank we do not have at the moment. He's only going get better as well. I'm actually abit disappointed he's not shown his set piece ability as much as he can with Spurs.
Bale's never been shite at all. The whole Gareth Fail nickname was because of that stat of Spurs never winning when he started and in fairness to him that was largely down to Spurs going through an awful run under Juande Ramos. When Redknapp took over he needed experience to get himself out of the situation he was in and playing an inexperienced youngster who was being used mainly as a defender was not the best way to achieve the necessary short term success they needed.
It's all no surprise he has settled as a winger as all his strengths have been attacking, even as a youngster. His strengths were set piece delivery, having a wand of a left foot, great technique on striking the ball with his left, decent on his right and very quick and direct when running at players. He's certaintly added some strength to his game this last 9 months or so and that's helping him add a different dimension to his game. He's got more to show as well as he's not a one trick pony like some have portrayed him as here.
Bale's currently flavour of the month because of his CL performances but this is hardly his fault. He's getting a spot in the limelight because his form is meritting it.
He would be a cracking addition to United and add a dimension with his wand of a left foot with Nani on the other flank we do not have at the moment. He's only going get better as well. I'm actually abit disappointed he's not shown his set piece ability as much as he can with Spurs.
That's not realy what's going on. It's simply been stated that Danny Welbeck is a very good prospect and comparable in that respect to Bale at the same age. This doesn't seem that outrageous to me. He is a very good prospect. He has been ever since he first appeared in the United youth set up. Many people have noticed this, including Alex Ferguson, who's said as much on numerous different occasions.
I've no idea why or how Welbeck has managed to drag himself into this thread, but was simply pointing out that the idea of him having the potential to be a very good player isn't actually "irrational" in any sense.
and I'm not denying Bale has matured into an exciting and highl talented looking player, but firstly, he was comparatively shite for Spurs up until the later part of last season (I don't care about Southampton, looking good for a lower division side is a different world to the Premier League - see Theo Walcott et al), and secondly, in terms of what United need, a CM is top of the list in a lot of people's opinion, and Bale is a winger. Why is this so hard to accept?
Yeah, every single game was his fault
Not quite sure what your point is, or how you can relate that unlucky run to Bale himself.
My point is, that if you go a whole year without being in the winning team once, despite playing for a team who usually get a result when you're not playing, that's probably a fairly good indicator that you're doing it wrong, rather than just being unlucky.
The debate is about potential, which Bale obviously had, but also obviously took time to develop.
You've just called my point nonsense and then spent the rest of your post agreeing with exactly what I'm trying to say, you...er, weirdo.
Bale took time to realise his potential. That's the point.
What's so "irrational" about suggesting Welbeck also has potential he can realise? Which is literally all that seemed to be suggested by Pogue in the first place.
I called your point about Bale being shite at Welbeck's age nonsense because that's what I feel it is. I haven't agreed with you that he was shite. You can't call a teenage LB shite because he was failing to set the word alight for his team.
My description of Pogue's views on Welbeck are not based on one post. They stem from the ludicrous claim he made about Welbeck a year and a half ago (about him being a superior player to Ronaldo at the same age), as well as a few other over-optimistic posts I feel he has made since then.
You've only seen one or two of his games haven't you?
Of course you can. A LB who gets caught out defensively and offers little end product going forwards is by definition a bit shite. Last time I saw him play at full back was against us at OT last season, and he was still a shite full back then. He even cost them the game by failing completely at a basic piece of defensive concentration.
He was very good as a winger towards the final part of last season and has been excellent so far this season, but before that his career in Premiership football had been iffy at best. Most young players go through similar spells.
Yeah but to be fair, all he's basically said is Welbeck has potential, which he has. You're effectively arguing that he hasn't while at the same time arguing that he has, which is a bit weird.
Bale every single time. Modric is a very good player, but Bale is going to be special. There are plenty of creative midfielders we can sign who will do a good job in our midfield, but how many left sided Wingers are there that can slot in and get the goals and play in a 442 like Bale?
Love to get both, but if it has to be just one - then the answer is pretty obvious.
Love to get both, but if it has to be just one - then the answer is pretty obvious.
For feck sake just sign both and lets all be friends again!
Modric because we don't need Bale. We have excellent wing options in Valencia and Nani whilst our creativity in the middle is limited. Modric along side Carrick who will sit back could be a good combination. Kind of like Scholes and Carrick in 2006/2007.
Modric if we are signing one of the two
Bale can run fast though, a left-sided Valencia (faster and better finisher)
Bale can run fast though, a left-sided Valencia (faster and better finisher)
Bale, he's going to be special.
The feck is Welbeck still being discussed in this thread for? 
We've established that was Mockney making a snidey little comment with no relevance to the discussion at hand. The fact Welbeck immediately proved why so many people have such high hopes for him is nice but is no reason to allow the thread get derailed by mockney's petty interjection.
Seeing as Mockney and our resident Welsh misanthrope are getting all menstrual about the perceived slight to Bale in the title of this thread I'll clarify my own opinion on this. I think Bale is an exceptional young talent but Modric is closer to what we need in terms of the role he plays for the team. He is - like bale - having an exceptional season but his contribution seems to be getting over-looked and he's been at the heart of all Spurs' best football in every game I've watched this season.
Soooooooo, if we had to sign just one of them I'd go for Modric. Obviously signing both would be ideal but meh, we'll probably sign neither.
We've established that was Mockney making a snidey little comment with no relevance to the discussion at hand. The fact Welbeck immediately proved why so many people have such high hopes for him is nice but is no reason to allow the thread get derailed by mockney's petty interjection.
Seeing as Mockney and our resident Welsh misanthrope are getting all menstrual about the perceived slight to Bale in the title of this thread I'll clarify my own opinion on this. I think Bale is an exceptional young talent but Modric is closer to what we need in terms of the role he plays for the team. He is - like bale - having an exceptional season but his contribution seems to be getting over-looked and he's been at the heart of all Spurs' best football in every game I've watched this season.
Soooooooo, if we had to sign just one of them I'd go for Modric. Obviously signing both would be ideal but meh, we'll probably sign neither.
Bale is the most exciting British footballer since Rooney. An absolute world*beater*in*the*making. If We dont*get him I will bè absolutely gutted!!!!!
We need a player with Modric's class on the ball with Scholes coming up on the end of his career. I doubt that we could get him away from Spurs but we need a player similar to him.
Because not everyone has watched him play as frequently as you. Anyway Top's table suggest he was their third best player last season. He looks a good LW but a shite LB.
Actually Spoons, Bale was their Player of the Season 09/10 - based on MOTM votes on tottenhamhotspurs.tv - despite not making it into a top 3 even once during the first part of the season.
MOTM = 3 points
2nd = 2 points
3rd = 1 point
Overall point tally Spurs PL Season 09/10
Code:
[U][B]
# Name Points MOTM 2nd 3rd[/B][/U]
1. Bale 32 7 4 3
2. Kranjcar 25 3 5 6
3. Gomes 24 6 2 2
4. Dawson 21 2 5 5
5. Modric 19 3 3 4
6. Lennon 19 4 3 1
7. Crouch 16 3 2 3
8. King 14 1 4 3
9. Bentley 9 1 1 4
10. Defoe 9 3 0 0
11. Palacios 8 1 1 3
12. Corluka 7 1 2 0
13. Keane 6 1 1 1
14. Huddle 6 0 2 2
15. Cudicini 6 2 0 0
16. Pavlyu 5 1 1 0
17. Kaboul 4 1 0 1
18. Gudjohn 3 1 0 0
19. Jenas 2 0 0 2
20. Walker 1 0 0 1http://www.tottenhamhotspurs.tv/forum/players-lounge/13542-tottenhamhotspurs-tv-player-year.html
Last week I thought Modric's performance was extremely overrated, in particular with the man of the match award. Bale was better.
This week there's no doubt about it, Modric was fantastic and man of the match imo. Bale still had his moments like the run where he went past 4 or 5 Liverpool players and then won a freekick. His freekick won the penalty, and he had a shot cleared off the line. So he did well too, however Modric was more involved both offensively and defensively and his burst of speed, whilst controlling a bouncing ball, leading to the own goal is probably what changed the game for Spurs.
All in all... If we have the money and Giggs and Scholes are gone in the summer, I cant think of a pair of players who are more suited to coming in and replacing them. Not just in terms of their individual qualities but also to try and recreate Giggs' and Scholes' understanding, because Bale and Modric work well together too. If only we had the £60 million to get them both
This week there's no doubt about it, Modric was fantastic and man of the match imo. Bale still had his moments like the run where he went past 4 or 5 Liverpool players and then won a freekick. His freekick won the penalty, and he had a shot cleared off the line. So he did well too, however Modric was more involved both offensively and defensively and his burst of speed, whilst controlling a bouncing ball, leading to the own goal is probably what changed the game for Spurs.
All in all... If we have the money and Giggs and Scholes are gone in the summer, I cant think of a pair of players who are more suited to coming in and replacing them. Not just in terms of their individual qualities but also to try and recreate Giggs' and Scholes' understanding, because Bale and Modric work well together too. If only we had the £60 million to get them both
I did choose Modric and more than ever I standby my previous comment.He's a player we need as he has improved so much.I used to laugh at the thought of him in CM but he's great there.
Modric would suit our requirements or should i say more urgent requirements at this stage, hes a fabulous player.
Modric was excellent today and had to be since Palacios was sabotaging Spurs midfield by seemingly being unaware his team were in the white shirts.
Modric was good today, though there were a couple of times when he just ran into people by trying to go through them on the inside pointlessly when he had a great chance to get clear of them if he'd tried to go on the outside. Don't know why that annoyed me but it did
I thought Palacios was going to become a really top player when he was at Wigan and for most of his first season at Sours. He's been utter shit for ages now.
I think that's harsh on Palacios to be fair. He got suspended late last season and lost his place because they beat Arsenal, Chelsea, and City in the space of 10 days and when he was free to play again he couldn't get his place back. That can happen to any player from time to time.
He was shocking today but I'd be more inclined to give him benefit of doubt due to rustiness more than anything, he was dreadful though. That still doesn't excuse the taunting from his own so called "supporters" though.
Modric was class today, the defensive side of the CM role was something I thought he'd struggle with but he's gradually become a top midfielder who can be relied upon to fill in defensively aswell as provide creativity. Superb performance capped off by that burst which led to the goal.