Bale quotations...

[Maske2g]

1) Presumably, you mean, primarily, attacking like he has been as a full back...as he has only had two games on the wing, and the first of those saw him making a huge amount of effort but struggling to make any head (especially in the first half when Fulham were systematically doubling up against him), and the second was against a pretty substandard Balckburn side. I think it is time to raise this point: he huffed and puffed and looked 'reasonably' impressive against Fulham - how many goals did we score?;

2) And as I said, he can be a good winger, but a world class full-back - nothing about my analysis in 1, above, sows anything to make me change my opinion;

3)Read my lips: 'Arry likes to play a settled team; read my lips: 'Arry likes to play players in position (and considering that he has stated that Bale's position is full-back...);

4) Thank God you are not in charge of any Spurs side other than (presumably) one on your computermg:

First point is ridculous, I get the whole"he's is great arriving from deep" thing believe me, and I AGREE with it. But ultimately its in the final third he has done the damage, in and around the box, and on Saturday he got the ball out there a lot more in space with early balls, or a few lucky breaks. BECAUSE he started futher up the park.

And yes, I agree we didn't attack well at Fulham. But on the upside, we got a good draw to force a replay, and Duff was completely void as an attacking threat cos he was so worried about Bale. How is that a BAD thing??

Maybe, he could be World class at both? how about some optimism?

Nothing wrong with playing a settled team? But isn't it great when its your BEST players that are settled in it. God forbid giving Keane another run out in left midfield.

Nice joke, I'm sure you have used that one in about 4000 of your ridiulous amount of posts. You digging others out for being computer geeks? I haven't played CM since I was at college.....12 years ago. I heard its good on the Iphone though...

 

[Maske2g]

struggling for goals? thats a stat not a truth. truth is we were smashing teasm (villa et al) and not scoring. Talk about not gettting goals if you want but please don't claim we couldn't create chances before bale starting playing LW. It's chacne conversion that was the issue and therefore Pav is the key to taht seachange not Bale playing as a winger.

Also a reminder to everyone Bales first game at LM was also a game in which we did not score... where as the reviosu 4 where he was at FB he had 6 assists and 4 clean sheets.

I'd point to Wolves home and Away before making bold claims like we were "Smashing teams" We did not create a single great chance with Villa at home either, whilst dominating play, we were largely a poor threat.

 

[StartingPrice]

First point is ridculous, I get the whole"he's is great arriving from deep" thing believe me, and I AGREE with it. But ultimately its in the final third he has done the damage, in and around the box, and on Saturday he got the ball out there a lot more in space with early balls, or a few lucky breaks. BECAUSE he started futher up the park.

And yes, I agree we didn't attack well at Fulham. But on the upside, we got a good draw to force a replay, and Duff was completely void as an attacking threat cos he was so worried about Bale. How is that a BAD thing??

Maybe, he could be World class at both? how about some optimism?

Nothing wrong with playing a settled team? But isn't it great when its your BEST players that are settled in it. God forbid giving Keane another run out in left midfield.

Nice joke, I'm sure you have used that one in about 4000 of your ridiulous amount of posts. You digging others out for being computer geeks? I haven't played CM since I was at college.....12 years ago. I heard its good on the Iphone though...

Well, we will have to agree to disagree that the first point is ridiculous - I can't see anywhere where you have actually counrtered it. The point is stil there - he did so much damage as an attacking threat in the final 3rd (well, playing as a full-back he wasn't going to do it in the first 3rd was he), precisly because he was arriving from deep and Modric was pulling the defensive open with his movement - that is what gave him so much space. And, as seen as you have applauded his attcking play this season, and in all but 2 of those games he was a full-back, I would suggest it is a very pertinent point. You even concede that our attacking wasn't great against Fulham. So, his attacking play as a full-back was very impressive, and in the two games as a winger it has been good at home against a substandard Blackburn side - and that proves he is best as a winger:shrug: I think not.

No. I think he could be a good winger. I believe he willbe a world clas full-back. I don't want you to think I am being equivocal about that. That is the way I think it is...and I shuued at what it could do to our season if those who think like you were in a position to try to force through your pet project.

You point about settled teams and Keane on the left would have more validity if it wasn't just ignoring (COMPLETELY) the point I have made several times that we have Modric AND Krankjar both of whom link up brilliantly with Bale (as a full-back), and both of whose best position is in left-midfield.

No, I've never used that one before...why do you think my post count is ridiculous:shrug:

 

[DJS]

Yay! It turned into a classic "What to do with Modric" thread.

Maybe if Modders had more direct assists and goals he could be part of the solution. As it is, he is still in "what to do with Modric" mode.

Modric on the left is scary for defense. Remember how often Bale was targeted back then? Since Kranj was on the left, all of a sudden Bale was improving defensively? Yeah right. Bale is not that great at defense. His improvement is due to a better team shape and a little more effective harassing from Kranj. (Modders tries, but is still a ghost in the tackle)

With BAE AND Bale on the left, we are rock solid. Who is on the other side??? Corky...another rock solid player.

IMO Modders should be in the middle with Palacios. On paper that should work with Kranj and Bale on the wings because they are not bad in the tackle dept.

And here was me thinking Bale has been pretty solid in recent matches with Modric playing in front of him, don't remember Krancjar starting on the left for a few games now... :think:

No, I've never used that one before...why do you think my post count is ridiculous:shrug:

And I've got even more posts then you, does that make me more ridiculous...? :wink:

 

[Maske2g]

Well, we will have to agree to disagree that the first point is ridiculous - I can't see anywhere where you have actually counrtered it. The point is stil there - he did so much damage as an attacking threat in the final 3rd (well, playing as a full-back he wasn't going to do it in the first 3rd was he), precisly because he was arriving from deep and Modric was pulling the defensive open with his movement - that is what gave him so much space. And, as seen as you have applauded his attcking play this season, and in all but 2 of those games he was a full-back, I would suggest it is a very pertinent point. You even concede that our attacking wasn't great against Fulham. So, his attacking play as a full-back was very impressive, and in the two games as a winger it has been good at home against a substandard Blackburn side - and that proves he is best as a winger:shrug: I think not.

No. I think he could be a good winger. I believe he willbe a world clas full-back. I don't want you to think I am being equivocal about that. That is the way I think it is...and I shuued at what it could do to our season if those who think like you were in a position to try to force through your pet project.

You point about settled teams and Keane on the left would have more validity if it wasn't just ignoring (COMPLETELY) the point I have made several times that we have Modric AND Krankjar both of whom link up brilliantly with Bale (as a full-back), and both of whose best position is in left-midfield.

No, I've never used that one before...why do you think my post count is ridiculous:shrug:

I didnt ignore the Krankjar point, I brought it up early doors, I found it amusing that Krankjar could be uttered in the same breath as Bale on current form in any position. He has done very little in the last 5-6 games. I like him, dont get me wrong, but I believe in picking the form players.

I also didn't discount Modric, I think the little man is equally gifted in the middle and mentioned that I would have no problem playing him in the middle in any game, such is his talent, and even going all out with 2 wingers in Lennon and Bale. I think it would destory teams at home.

Let thee not forget the much improved Benny, who was back to his best on Saturday and linked with Bale excellently.

Of course, there is still much debate in this one, we could have injuries for the rest of the season, and Bale could be forced to continue in Left midfield for that time, rather than be a "Pet prject", so we'll revisit it in a few games.

Why do I think your post count is too big? It suggests you do little else! :wink:

 

[gibbs131]

And here was me thinking Bale has been pretty solid in recent matches with Modric playing in front of him, don't remember Krancjar starting on the left for a few games now... :think:




And I've got even more posts then you, does that make me more ridiculous...? :wink:

If you think Modric and Bale on the left is a well balanced pairing, then that is fine. I am of the opinion long term that Modders is wasted on the left and Bales shortcomings if any are are in defense.

 

[Maske2g]

And I've got even more posts then you, does that make me more ridiculous...? :wink:

Absolutely!! I dont even remember you form being prolific in 05!!

Triks and SP, old school!!

 

[DJS]

Absolutely!! I dont even remember you form being prolific in 05!!

Triks and SP, old school!!

:think:

:shrug:

 

[tRiKS]

I'd point to Wolves home and Away before making bold claims like we were "Smashing teams" We did not create a single great chance with Villa at home either, whilst dominating play, we were largely a poor threat.

pick out my choice of words if you like but remains the case we were creating lots of chances. Wolves are excecptions but wovles away was the same as wolves at home and in that game we had Lennon flying where lennon failed Bale would do not better... or is Bale now a better winger than Lennon? will you bend the truth that much to fit the agenda.

The rest of the games befor eand after both wovles games we were dominant and created lots of chances.

Villa. did you actually watch that game then. sillyness.

 

[Adam456]

If you think Modric and Bale on the left is a well balanced pairing, then that is fine. I am of the opinion long term that Modders is wasted on the left and Bales shortcomings if any are are in defense.

Couldn't agree more.

With the players we currently have at the club (who are likely to play again this season) I think we should be going like this:

...................Gomes
Chalky....Dawson....Bassong....BAE
Lennon.....Hudd.....Palacios.....Bale
....<---------Modric---------->....
...................Defoe

Modric's role is completely free to go wherever and link with Bale, Lennon and Defoe.

As usual somebody will talk about who is going to hold the ball up (blah, blah, blah) and the answer is of course that we should be playing the ball to feet not lumping it in the air

 

[StartingPrice]

I didnt ignore the Krankjar point, I brought it up early doors, I found it amusing that Krankjar could be uttered in the same breath as Bale on current form in any position. He has done very little in the last 5-6 games. I like him, dont get me wrong, but I believe in picking the form players.

I also didn't discount Modric, I think the little man is equally gifted in the middle and mentioned that I would have no problem playing him in the middle in any game, such is his talent, and even going all out with 2 wingers in Lennon and Bale. I think it would destory teams at home.

Let thee not forget the much improved Benny, who was back to his best on Saturday and linked with Bale excellently.

Of course, there is still much debate in this one, we could have injuries for the rest of the season, and Bale could be forced to continue in Left midfield for that time, rather than be a "Pet project", so we'll revisit it in a few games.

Why do I think your post count is too big? It suggests you do little else! :wink:

In the last 5-6 games Kranks has either been on the bench or on the right - when playing on the left, his preferred position, he was more-or-less player of the month, for this team, while Modric was out. I always made the caveat of 'to a lesser' about Bale/Kranks linking up, as they only had a few opportunities - the primary point is about Modric.

I personally think Modders is by far at his best cutting in from the left, (and, dare I say, linking up with Bale). Against the top teams, Wilson/Modders is, IMHO, going to be overrun. But, clearly, 'Arry likes two deep midfielder - Wilson/THudd has been preferred this season (strange that this should come-up on the day THudd is offered a new contract.

Forgetting BAE is the last thing I can be accussed of...I was arguing on here that he was a very good player when he was injured and quite a few were discounting him. I just happen to think, let players in their best positions fight it out. BAE versus Bale; Modric versus Krankjar - and much as I rate them the preferred choice has to be Bale at full-back and Mods in left midfield.

What I don't mind at all is, accepting that with our midfield injuries, Bale is good as we could possibly hope for on the wing, when our two left-midfielders are wanted elsewhere - as they both were on Saturday. What I have find very frustrating is that before this injury crisis, when the most exciting feature of our play was Bale/Modric on the left, the clamour was in overdrive for Bale to be a winger. I first got involved in this debate (on a different thread) when I read someone stating as fact that Bale was a winger and not a full-back, when it is literally the opposite - that is why I refer to it as a 'pet project' that some Spurs fans have. I don't mind at all that he can play, and even flourish on the left in an emergency - why on earth should I?

My post count is 4.34 a day - I don't think that is excessive. I could just as easily say something along the lines of "for someone who seems opinionateed why do you have such a tiny post count - are you inhibted, do you have confidence issues backing your judgements". I'm not saying it is true...just seems a bit strange to tell someone who posts on average less than 4 and a half posts a day that the count is excessive. But I did work in a museum for 5 of those years, as a cataloguer/indexer, in an office all by myself, where hardly anyone ever ventured, and my boss could be away a lot, and saometimes I wouldn't see him for 3 or 4 days at a time...so it was quite easy to feel free with the internet, especially seen as my work was done and I was good at it:grin: I am on an unofficial sabbatical at the moment:wink:

Now, I have said this beefore: Bale is a full-back; he wants to be a full-back; the club consider him to be a full-back; and 'Arry and Bale have been working on his defensive qualities as they envisage his future as a full-back. This is a quote from an interview with 'Arry in this month's 'Hotspur Magazine' responding directly to a question about converting Bale into a winger:

"Yes, it's a massive dilemma two great left-backs, but what a smashing dilemma to have! Gareth has done brilliantly but Benoit is also a top player. We're very lucky in that position. Gareth is great coming on to the ball from left-back and it's a differrent position, wide left. It's a possibility but we've Luka Modric and Niko Krankjar in that position."

The emphasis is mine. I think that should inform any discussion we have on this subject, don't you?

Adam - I have already adressed that point: THudd and Wilson are not contributing goals and Luka is positively lightweight in the shooting department - so, your stroke of genius is to drastically reduce our goal threat by playing several players out of position and thereby removing one of our strikersmg:

p.s. How can me and TRIKS be old school when we are advocating Bale as an attacking wing-back which is a very modern develpment and playing Modric on the left to cut inside when that is most defeinitely not traditionally a wingers role:shrug:

 

[DJS]

Couldn't agree more.

With the players we currently have at the club (who are likely to play again this season) I think we should be going like this:

...................Gomes
Chalky....Dawson....Bassong....BAE
Lennon.....Hudd.....Palacios.....Bale
....<---------Modric---------->....
...................Defoe

Modric's role is completely free to go wherever and link with Bale, Lennon and Defoe.

As usual somebody will talk about who is going to hold the ball up (blah, blah, blah) and the answer is of course that we should be playing the ball to feet not lumping it in the air

So we should drop Pav who's scored quite a few goals recently...? :think:

 

[talkshowhost86]

Couldn't agree more.

With the players we currently have at the club (who are likely to play again this season) I think we should be going like this:

...................Gomes
Chalky....Dawson....Bassong....BAE
Lennon.....Hudd.....Palacios.....Bale
....<---------Modric---------->....
...................Defoe

Modric's role is completely free to go wherever and link with Bale, Lennon and Defoe.

As usual somebody will talk about who is going to hold the ball up (blah, blah, blah) and the answer is of course that we should be playing the ball to feet not lumping it in the air

That's just a daft formation though and you've pointed out exactly the reason why in your own post. Defoe upfront on his own would be a disaster.

Whilst I agree with your philosophy that we should pass it into feet that doesn't preclude the need for a striker who can keep control of the ball and outmuscle defenders every now and again.

Man Utd play passing football but they have Rooney (and sometimes Berbatov) who can hold the ball up brilliantly. Arsenal play the purest form of passing football but they've been at their best this season when Van Persie or Bendtner have been playing and being able to hold the ball up (and it's no surprise that they're in for Chamakh to play exactly that role).

Holding the ball up doesn't mean 'lumping it up' to that player. It means controlling the ball (at feet) and being able to hold off defenders. Defoe can't do that and Modric certainly can't.

Plus in this two-winger system you've created, exactly who are our wingers going to cross the ball to? The shortest strike-partnership in the world?

As a system it simply would not work. We have to build a team and that doesn't necessarily mean playing players in exactly their favoured position. To just try and put the best 11 technical players in their best positions is tactically naive and I suspect Harry realises that (thank god).

 

[talkshowhost86]

If you think Modric and Bale on the left is a well balanced pairing, then that is fine. I am of the opinion long term that Modders is wasted on the left and Bales shortcomings if any are are in defense.

A season ago I'd have agreed with you but Bale has massively improved defensively and certainly hasn't looked any weaker there than BAE has this season (and BAE has been doing well there).

And Modric has, surely without doubt, always looked better for us playing on the left rather than in the middle.

 

[gibbs131]

A season ago I'd have agreed with you but Bale has massively improved defensively and certainly hasn't looked any weaker there than BAE has this season (and BAE has been doing well there).

And Modric has, surely without doubt, always looked better for us playing on the left rather than in the middle.

I think a stronger formation helped him more than him suddenly being a rock defensively.

I am the biggest B(W)ales fan on here. But I am not about to claim he is a good defender in the classic sense. He was DIRE in defense previous. So even an improvement takes him into below average territory when you compare him to top 4 left backs.

Modric has been decent on the left I suppose. Nothing mind blowing or World Class that Harry keeps claiming he is.

 

[Adam456]

So we should drop Pav who's scored quite a few goals recently...? :think:

Well we won't have both Lennon and Hudd back for a while so not yet.

But Defoe is our most clinical finisher with pacy balls along the ground from Lennon and Bale so yes Defoe first choice

 

[gibbs131]

I don't think Pav is a top striker. Time will tell but we set up enough chances for practically any striker in the Prem to have a good run on.

 

[StartingPrice]

Well we won't have both Lennon and Hudd back for a while so not yet.

But Defoe is our most clinical finisher with pacy balls along the ground from Lennon and Bale so yes Defoe first choice

Answer the question!

Wilson and THudd offer little goal threat and Modders is lightweight in the shooting stakes...so where are the goals gonna come from if you take another forward off, in order to accomodate your penchant for playing players out of position (Bale and Modric)?

 

[mill]

Dont get me wrong, Salgado was shit when he was good, but it wasn't just a day of getting the better of him, him morehe ruined than I've ever seen a premier league full back ruined. In a position where you all said he he wouldn't be at his best.

He wouldn't have done the same at Left back cos he wouldn't have been that far up the pitch, as often as he was.

Modric can play the middle next to Palacios all day. They were different class against 3 men on Saturday. At the minute for the first time in years, our right side is the side out of form. Stable, but not great.

You didn't watch the Blacburn game last season then when Lennon absolutley terrorised Olsson so much he was sent off after 39 mins, or the 9-1 against Wigan when Lennon finished Edman's Wigan career, he was released not long after that game. Bale was very good, definatley had the beating of him, you're a bit OTT though. Try watching Messi play.

 

[mill]

Far be it for me to think of disagreeing with you Stoof but I think I disagree with you, I believe he does have great acceleration, not as fast as Lennon but then he has far quicker feet and better ball control than him.

My problem with people saying he should not play left wing because he is a better left back is that they were saying it before he even played left wing for us so how could they know? My feeling now is that having said it they have difficulty saying otherwise.
My personal opinion, as I've said before, is that I believe anyone with that much ability should not be 80 yards from the oppositions goal and that is why I believe in time he will be neither LB or LW but will move in the middle and play a free roving role.
I guess we'll have to wait and see where Sir Alex decides to play him!mg: Only joking :grin:

As someone else mentioned Roberto Carlos, add to that Cafu and Dani Alves