Gareth Bale

FCBarca said:

Plus, Nedum Onuoha is a freakishly pacy defender himself

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Warik said:

In all fairness though he is far from the best in the world it isn't just the English media hyping him up, as shown in a European press review here:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/nov/03/gareth-bale-hailed-european-press

The guys simplistic style is what is great. It is one of the reasons I like Messi, Iniesta, Xavi, Villa etc so much, they don't try all these fancy stepovers, they keep it simple. In fact it seems to be our youth systems point to make our players keep it simple. So for that reason I kind of laugh at the detractors who say "But all he did was kick it past the opponent and run after it!" isn't that what all footballers do to an extent? I mean whether you're kicking it 1/4 yard past them or 5 yards past them you're still kicking it past them and running after it. Moreover, to be serious about it, if that works, why do anything else? He made a very good full back look ordinary by doing it, so why change?

I fear for us if we play Spurs tbh, despite many on here wanting to play them. With Dani flying forward Bale could cause a lot of damage to us and Dani might not be able to catch him, especially when you consider that Maicon is pretty quick himself and he couldn't keep up with Bale.

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Warik said:

I fear for us if we play Spurs tbh, despite many on here wanting to play them. With Dani flying forward Bale could cause a lot of damage to us and Dani might not be able to catch him, especially when you consider that Maicon is pretty quick himself and he couldn't keep up with Bale.

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Metaphysical said:

Maicon didn't put the work in. that's why Bale completely roasted him. Rafa's tactics also left him completely exposed 1v1 nearly all the time.

Pep would almost certainly start with Pedro on the right, so immediately we will be able to double-up on Bale. and then if we actually study his game and play him accordingly, we can shut him down as many a PL-team has done. he will be a problem, because as you say Dani's natural instinct is to get forward, but I certainly don't "fear for us" especially because we'll have such a monopoly of the ball that Spurs will struggle to utilise Bale's obscene pace. plus then we have Messi and Villa vs. the Spurs defence.

frankly I'd be more concerned about Lennon. say what you will about Dani but he can defend when asked to. Abidal has always struggled with fronting up his winger and Lennon would turn him inside out, and then he'd get to Puyol, who has the balance of a one-legged drunk. so yeah, I'd be much more concerned about Lennon causing us problems than Bale.

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por supuesto said:

You haters are just as hilarious as the bandwagoners IMO

@Alexsong tell me you wouldn't wank your balls blue if he was a gunner?

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Pajo said:

whats so strange, english media ffs... They always make EPL players the best in the world, even those which are not even decent...
but yeah, bale had some phenomenal games.. not only in the past 2-3 weeks, but he has been consistent performer a year now, more or less... But still not the best, not nearly the best.. He is 21 though, has lots, lots of time to imrpvoe his game and improve his weaknesses...

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Warik said:

In all fairness though he is far from the best in the world it isn't just the English media hyping him up, as shown in a European press review here:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/nov/03/gareth-bale-hailed-european-press

The guys simplistic style is what is great. It is one of the reasons I like Messi, Iniesta, Xavi, Villa etc so much, they don't try all these fancy stepovers, they keep it simple. In fact it seems to be our youth systems point to make our players keep it simple. So for that reason I kind of laugh at the detractors who say "But all he did was kick it past the opponent and run after it!" isn't that what all footballers do to an extent? I mean whether you're kicking it 1/4 yard past them or 5 yards past them you're still kicking it past them and running after it. Moreover, to be serious about it, if that works, why do anything else? He made a very good full back look ordinary by doing it, so why change?

I fear for us if we play Spurs tbh, despite many on here wanting to play them. With Dani flying forward Bale could cause a lot of damage to us and Dani might not be able to catch him, especially when you consider that Maicon is pretty quick himself and he couldn't keep up with Bale.

Click to expand...