Gareth Bale

[SpurMeUp]

Re: Gareth Bale

You can see why Bale and his entourage, not to mention £90m richer Spurs, went for this transfer. But I don't think it is the best move for Bale. In a footballing sense and maybe even in a monetary sense.

Way back I called that Bale could play up front (started a thread on here saying as much and compared him to Henry in physique and that he had progressed from playing on the wing etc). I was largely panned. Most still thought Bale should play at left back so he could have more space to run into.

Bale is a good enough player to be an attribute at Madrid. No doubt. But he will not be Ronaldo. Not in gloss or style and he will find the pressure and lime light something else. While it suits Ronaldo, and Spain is a similar culture to Portugal, Bale should have carved out his identity in Great Britain. But how can you turn down tens of millions? I could not. His family could not and his agent couldn't.

 

[billyiddo]

Re: Gareth Bale

glorygloryeze - i must remember to never follow any of your tips should you ever venture in to the betteng thread

 

[DHSF]

Re: Gareth Bale

Todays comments from AVB in my view is the culmination of bad behavior by Bale he is acting like a child and the fact of the matter is he still as of this moment in time remains a THFC player - no matter what anyone says.

He was supposed to turn up but he didnt - this is exactly the reason why even if he turned up tomorrow and said ill stay - ill tell him to **** off.

Maybe its just me but who the **** does that? Who the **** just doesnt turn up to work? the employers who are ****in paying you? Acting like a petulent **** wont make these negotiations go any quicker or smoother. Theyre protracted for a reason - because RM are ****s and it seems that theyre also getting one to fit in with the culture of their club - a bunch of ****s.

OTT maybe but maybe I just dont like how certain players disrespect MY club when you have players like Lennon who some, on this board, suggest that 'it is the end for him'.

 

[SpurMeUp]

Re: Gareth Bale

I just went into Sainsbuys local and there was bale on an Isotonic drinks stand. He's been heavily featured in UK and US Premier League TV ad endorsements. Pepsi, Nike or another would have been next to sign him up for many millions. They may well still be, but there is risk now. He has to settle. If he scores and wins games - game on.

Imo Bale shouldn't try to emulate anyone. He could have become his own brand, in his own image. One that is true to himself and based on North European identity. With a natural transatlantic link to the US and the Premier League fast becoming the worlds most watched league, Bale was well placed (albeit without CL which was probably the kicker). Bale is no Samba star or Latin lover. He will always be second best at being Ronaldo. He could have been 1st around the world, by just being Gareth Bale, from Wales, a super star of Britain and the English speaking world.

Maybe he will get that 'world cup' buzz playing in the Bernabeu - that he'll likely never have with Wales. So I don't begrudge him - I would have done the same for the experience and new culture. But I don't think it was necessarily the best move for him. Time will tell.

 

[Naughton16]

Re: Gareth Bale

I just went into Sainsbuys local and there was bale on an Isotonic drinks stand. He's been heavily featured in UK and US Premier League TV ad endorsements. Pepsi, Nike or another would have been next to sign him up for many millions. They may well still be, but there is risk now. He has to settle. If he scores and wins games - game on.

Imo Bale shouldn't try to emulate anyone. He could have become his own brand, in his own image. One that is true to himself and based on his north European heritage. With a natural transatlantic link to the US and the Premier League fast becoming the worlds most watch football league, Bale was well placed (albeit without CL). Bale is no Samba star or Latin lover. He will always be second best at being Ronaldo. He could have been 1st around the world, by just being Gareth Bale, from Wales, a super star of Britain and the English speaking world.

Maybe he will get that 'world cup' buzz playing in the Bernabeu - that he'll likely never have with Wales. So I don't begrudge him - I would have done the same for the experience of a new culture. But I don't think it was necessarily the best move for him. Time will tell.

Good post.

 

[glorygloryeze]

Re: Gareth Bale

glorygloryeze - i must remember to never follow any of your tips should you ever venture in to the betteng thread

Lol! You'd be surprised how many bets here and there I've won in the last few months:

- Podolski to score 1st against Wigan in their second last game (6/1 odds)
- England and Brazil to draw 2-2 in that Friendly (20/1 odds)
- Italy and Spain to go to penalties in the Confed cup (I think it was 10/1)

I can be good but not with Bale it seems

 

[Rorschach]

Re: Gareth Bale

I love this quote from Stoichkov. Modest as ever...

Former Barcelona forward Hristo Stoichkov has slammed Gareth Bale for his failure to show up for training for Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday.

Spurs are considering fining the Welshman for not turning up to training in an apparent attempt to force through his world record-breaking £86m move to Real Madrid.

Stoichkov feels that Bale is "disrespecting" his Spurs teammates and feels that the fee that Madrid are preparing to pay is an outrageous sum of money.

"Bale is disrespecting his Tottenham teammates by not showing up for training," Stoichkov told Marca.
"No player from England has ever been a success in Spanish football. If Bale is worth €100m (£86m), I'd have been priceless."

 

[Jurgen the German]

Re: Gareth Bale

Lol! You'd be surprised how many bets here and there I've won in the last few months:

- Podolski to score 1st against Wigan in their second last game (6/1 odds)
- England and Brazil to draw 2-2 in that Friendly (20/1 odds)
- Italy and Spain to go to penalties in the Confed cup (I think it was 10/1)

I can be good but not with Bale it seems

The lesson to be learned is don't bet with your heart. I can't tell you the amount of times over the last couple of season I've wanted to tell all my mouthy gooner mates to bet me who will finish higher us or them, but I'm sensible enough to know history is on their side. Hopefully this is the year we finally put them in their place.

 

[glorygloryeze]

Re: Gareth Bale

The lesson to be learned is don't bet with your heart. I can't tell you the amount of times over the last couple of season I've wanted to tell all my mouthy gooner mates to bet me who will finish higher us or them, but I'm sensible enough to know history is on their side. Hopefully this is the year we finally put them in their place.

No way did I place these bets with my heart. At the time of the first bet I thought he'd give us another year and by the time of the later bets I just couldn't see Madrid paying the big fee, especially considering that they didn't feel they could match PSG for Cavani.

The Bale bets were very much made without my heart I can tell you

 

[Jurgen the German]

Re: Gareth Bale

No way did I place these bets with my heart. At the time of the first bet I thought he'd give us another year and by the time of the later bets I just couldn't see Madrid paying the big fee, especially considering that they didn't feel they could match PSG for Cavani.

The Bale bets were very much made without my heart I can tell you

Fair enough if you believed that.

I for one never doubted they would pay it, eventually and begrudingly. Did they really say they couldn't match PSG for Cavani? The only reason I can think of as to why they didn't pay is they see Bale as a bigger star or galactico even though Cavani is arguably a better player.

 

[Baleforce]

Re: Gareth Bale

I love this quote from Stoichkov. Modest as ever...

Former Barcelona forward Hristo Stoichkov has slammed Gareth Bale for his failure to show up for training for Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday.

Spurs are considering fining the Welshman for not turning up to training in an apparent attempt to force through his world record-breaking £86m move to Real Madrid.

Stoichkov feels that Bale is "disrespecting" his Spurs teammates and feels that the fee that Madrid are preparing to pay is an outrageous sum of money.

"Bale is disrespecting his Tottenham teammates by not showing up for training," Stoichkov told Marca.
"No player from England has ever been a success in Spanish football. If Bale is worth €100m (£86m), I'd have been priceless."

wonder what Lineker/Macmanaman/Becks/Samways have to say about that?

 

[Danishfurniturelover]

Re: Gareth Bale

I would make the ****er stay to spite him but then im a little bit of a ****.

 

[metalgear]

Re: Gareth Bale

as long we lots of money and invest it wisely to have a net gain, i don't see why selling bale is so bad, in fact he has been a blessing !
there's a lot of tension right now and I think a lot of it has got to be with his agent who is getting a windfall once this is done.
but when its done, i'm sure bale will come out to rectify everything and we will all love him again.
hope to meet him and real in the CL one day!

 

[nattenskonge]

Re: Gareth Bale

I think EA sports are angry now...

 

[onlyme]

Re: Gareth Bale

I'm not sad to see him go.

Says it all. You hate our top goalscorer from last year and also the one from the year before.

 

[onlyme]

Re: Gareth Bale

I'm with you on all of that. Bale definitely dives, there is no question about it. There have always been fast players and tackling now is softer than ever. In the past these players who were as fast as Bale stayed on their feet when clattered. Bale goes down at the slightest touch and then apparently he is falling over to avoid contact because of injury. What an utter load of nonsense.

I was very ****ed off with Townsend about it too. I actually think he dived on both occasions because on both occasions both feet had left the floor prior to contact being made. I really hope he cuts it out of his game.

Here we go again.

 

[thfcsteff]

Re: Gareth Bale

That is all I ask of a player. I don't expect them to love the club, why players like Sheringham and Bentley proclaim they love the club they play for I have no idea, I really don't care if they support another club. It could be argued that by Bale stating his intentions, he would make Madrid's position stronger, but they are already aware of this anyway. And I don't really think someone as tough of a negotiator like Levy would give a **** tbh. He would still pull Madrid's pants down and rightly so.

I was 11 when Sheringam left and I was gutted, genuinely gutted. Ditto Sol Campbell. But I've seen so many players come and go over the years that I've tried to distance myself from it to a degree. To me, it hurts more when I hear players who actually do seem to genuinely care about the club are nearly sold.

I haven't read the thread since our exchange, but let me just say I apologize for any overreaction perceived. Take away the word 'mod', that has nothing to do with it. i would hope to be able to not get into these sort of unsavory exchanges.

Sheringham was my favorite player of that era, and I was gutted, but I understood. I know how much he loved the club, I even had the pleasure of watching an NLD with him (he was in the row in front!) and we were both off our seats yelling all the time. He was genuinely ****ed over by Sugar. Campbell? What can anyone say! Look, I remember when Ricky Villa left, and when Glenn went I shed tears because he was THE love affair of all-time. So I'm with you mate, we've all seen them come and go, and we all move on, life is about doing that.

I was just expressing the fact that beyond it all, I felt sad. Bale is a rare, rare thing. We'll be lucky to see anything close to that for at the very least a decade IMO. We will probably be more successful than ever now, and I will love every minute of it, but I am still sad to see him go, and when he holds the Madrid shirt up, it will sting. Its not about expecting Bale to 'love the club' it's about having watched a young man who loves his football very quickly get schooled by the game. The tactics. The threats. The brinksmanship. All of it. It's about watching that AND ultimately seeing him disrespect the club. It's sad. I made mention earlier, and will do again, that I am very happy AVB loaded him with some responsibility, obviously he cannot escape untouched and neither should he because he's done his bit starting in Hong Kong. But I'm still sad mate.

Bill Shankley said something I will always not necessarily WILLINGLY agree with, but which with every passing year seems to resonate in my (busy with work and wife and kids like us all) life.

"Some people believe football is a matter of life and death. I am very disappointed with that attitude. I can assure you it is much, much more important than that."

Again, apologies for my part in our exchange, but we are obviously very, very different people. I will, for all my sins, continue to throw my heart into things...perhaps wrecklessly at times...but it's the only way I know and it helps me feel alive. And I will say this regarding Gareth Bale...that in my opinion, it is better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all. I hope, in due course, I can find it in me to forgive him.

COYS

 

[markysimmo]

Re: Gareth Bale

The best laid plans were descending into chaos out here, with the *Bernabeu Bale Box untouched and the world’s most *expensive player still in London.

Real Madrid staff – preparing earlier this week for the arrival of the £86million Welshman – were instead focused on the club’s trip to play in the Teresa Herrera Trophy, a prestigious friendly at Deportivo La Coruna tomorrow.

Gate receipts from the match will go to charity.

Real, however, had hoped to cash in by selling the exclusive television rights to the event.

They had banked on there being a huge scramble to secure the first pictures of Gareth Bale, the Bernabeu’s latest Galactico, in his specially set-aside No.11 Madrid shirt alongside his new team-mates.

They had hoped by now to have had the world’s media giving them the kind of exposure they have become accustomed to over the past decade or so after landing the likes of Kaka, Cristiano Ronaldo and Zinedine Zidane.

Instead, Bale Day has come and gone. Several times.

Instead, the Tottenham *participants in the summer’s biggest transfer saga remain in London, crossing swords with feelings running high.

Daniel Levy’s move to order Bale back from Spain on Monday came with the Spurs chairman, his ego presumably dented, deciding the record-breaking deal would be done on his terms, according to his timetable and when his replacements are in place. He had not been banking, however, on Bale’s defiance on this occasion.

The winger’s anger and *humiliation at being made to return from Marbella to the M25 has now reached boiling point.

His anger spilled over on Tuesday morning, with his *representatives providing the media with a bulletin saying he was “furious and frustrated” when he should have been living the dream.

All eyes then turned *to *Tottenham’s Enfield training complex, to see whether Bale would comply with the club’s order to return to training or whether he would stand his ground and stay away.

He stood his ground. He did not appear.

Instead there was that briefing from Bale’s camp, while Tottenham – presumably taken aback by the player taking on their no-nonsense chairman – kept silent.

Out here in Spain, eyebrows were raised at Bale’s no-show.

Not too much, mind.

Real Madrid do like a player to throw a tantrum in order to facilitate a move to the Bernabeu.

Indeed, the Spaniards have been here many times before, with transfer targets fighting their way out of their clubs.

Not least last season, when the acrimonious move of Luka Modric from White Hart Lane went all the way to the wire on deadline day.

Carlo Ancelotti had not wanted it to be that way with Bale, however.

The Real manager has a specially-planned programme waiting to be put into place, aimed at getting the Wales international in shape.

Although he was relaxed on the issue after the hard-fought league win at Granada on Monday night, Ancelotti is desperate to work with Bale and now knows that will not happen until Friday at the earliest.

Real will train behind closed doors today (Wednesday) before *travelling north ahead of the game at La Coruna’s Riazor stadium.

Any further delays could throw Bale’s unveiling into even more chaos, as he is expected to be called up for Wales today.

He is then due to meet up with his international team-mates next week for their World Cup qualifiers against *Macedonia and Serbia.

Tottenham will not care about all that, however.

They feel they have been put through enough inconvenience by Real over the summer. Now it is their turn.

 

[markysimmo]

Re: Gareth Bale

 

[Hootnow]

Re: Gareth Bale

I hope we've inconvenienced them sufficiently this window so that they think twice about coming in for one of our players again in the future.