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http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...-Redknapps-guide-Tottenhams-Gareth-Bale.html?
Jamie Redknapp's guide to Tottenham's latest star Gareth Bale
By JAMIE REDKNAPP Last updated at 11:59 PM on 3rd November 2010
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Seems like a nice boy
When I first met Gareth down at Southampton, he was with Theo Walcott. They were two well-mannered and polite boys, with good parents who understood the game. They were grounded and charming, eager to learn - and I wondered if they were too nice to be footballers!
I'd seen Michael Owen and Steven Gerrard coming through the ranks at Liverpool and I like the buzz when a young player is on their way up. Everyone at the club starts to talk about the player and I like to take a look for myself.
Wing wizard: Gareth Bale flies past Inter right back Maicon (right)
It was the school holidays and they were training with the Under 18s. The first thing that struck me about Gareth was his broad shoulders. I stood there watching training and thought, 'You've got some shoulders on you!'
The more I watched the session, the more I thought, 'Yeah . . . you're a player'. He had a sweet left foot, but he had intelligence and could select a pass.
He's the new John Barnes
I've seen Gareth compared to Marc Overmars and Ryan Giggs, but he reminds me of a cross between Thierry Henry and John Barnes (right).
Henry's ability to run at defenders and panic them allied with the execution of a cross that resembles a young Barnes at his best for Liverpool.
There are brainless speed merchants who get clear and then smash the ball over the bar. What does that achieve? Bale will create the opening and then send over a delicious cross that says 'There you are' to the striker.
He rolls it over, passes it into the box. The speed and the distance for the third Spurs goal was stunning. But the accuracy of the cross is what created the goal.
You've got to laugh
After the game on Tuesday night, the comedian Michael McIntyre came into the manager's office. All Michael wanted to do was to meet Gareth Bale.
Michael is the funniest man in Britain, a comedy genius who sold more than a million copies of his last stand-up DVD. He's a star in his own right, but wanted to meet his new hero. Then he was lost for words when Gareth came in to say hello!
He was taken aback with how quiet and gentle Gareth is. Not that Maicon, Lucio and his team-mates left chasing shadows would have the same opinion!
More from Jamie Redknapp...
Redknapp on Carroll: He could be England's spearhead for next 10 years01/11/10
Jamie Redknapp: Hell's Bells! Manchester City could have done with Craig Bellamy against Wolves31/10/10
Jamie Redknapp: New fox Hernandez reminds me of a young Michael Owen24/10/10
Jamie Redknapp: Could Rooney ever join Manchester City? Maybe17/10/10
Jamie Redknapp: Capello right to stick with captain cool Rio over Gerrard12/10/10
Jamie Redknapp: Roy must rally to get disastrous Liverpool back on track03/10/10
Jamie Redknapp: Chelsea kid Josh McEachran can be next big thing26/09/10
Jamie Redknapp: Super Chelsea are a mixture of Arsenal and Man United19/09/10
VIEW FULL ARCHIVE
What's with the straps
Looking at our picture, you might be wondering why he is wearing black tape on his thighs. It's not because he is injured, but to help prevent him from pulling a muscle. It's called Kinesio tape and originates from Japan.
The tape first came to the attention when worn by seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong, who praised its 'magic powers'. Gareth takes care of his body and doesn't drink. He is a fine athlete, but has his own unique stretching routine in the dressing room before each game.
The tape is said to help mobility, it is light and can aid muscle support around sensitive areas, such as the hamstring.
Keep him safe, Spurs
We've all gone Gareth Bale crazy, but I picked him out as one of my players to watch for the season - I was hearing so many good things from the training pitch. He can now be the best left-sided player in the world. And he can do that playing for Tottenham. The Italian papers are urging Inter to buy him, but why would he go to Italy?
Daniel Levy must reward Bale's talent. When I broke into the England team, Liverpool gave me an unexpected pay rise. It was a class gesture, it was their way. Now Spurs will have to behave similarly with their rising star.
The running man
Against Inter, Gareth covered more than 1,114 metres at what is deemed 'high intensity' (faster than 13mph). The Barclays Premier League average is 691 metres per game.
Of that 1,114 metres he ran 719 metres at a 'sprint' (defined at above 15mph). The Premier League average is 324 metres. Tottenham's analyst said after the game he had never seen stats like it in his eight years at the club.
In the Premier League, Bale's average-per-game is 1,000 metres at 'high intensity' speed. It puts him at No 1, with Manchester United winger Nani (below) second on 880 metres.
For the third goal on Tuesday, he ran 68 metres, reaching a top speed of 19.3mph, and took four touches in that burst upfield, before the key touch: the cross into the box.
Not such a genius, Rafa
Maicon isn't really a full back. For Brazil, the opposition winger has to mark him. I was certain Rafa Benitez would have a plan to stop Bale, given the Spaniard is such a genius.
Where was the help for Maicon? Why didn't they double up after his hat-trick in the first game? It was a huge error and not one that Jose Mourinho, his predecessor, would have made.
Elementary error: Rafa Benitez failed to learn his lessons from Bale's fine hat-trick in the San Siro
Out of sorts
My dad, Harry, was never going to sell but he was puzzled as to why Bale's form was so poor when he took over. 'Every time the kid plays, we lose,' he would say.
In 23 games, Spurs didn't win when Bale was on the pitch, but my dad brought him on against Burnley when the game was won, just to break the hoodoo and give the lad a break.
He inherited a mish-mash of players, being played out of position. Now they've gone from the bottom of the league to feeling on top of the world.
The secret is playing good players in the best positions: Bale, a left-sided player on the left side, Luka Modric in central midfield. There's no point having a jigsaw, if you can't put it together.
Shame he's not English
With Gareth and Ryan Giggs, the two best left-sided players of the last 20 years have both been Welsh. It's a weak position in the England team and we have all had to look jealously towards Wales.
England, of course, will get a closer look at Gareth when he plays against them in this European qualifying campaign. There will be a few full backs hoping he plays centre midfield.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...de-Tottenhams-Gareth-Bale.html?#ixzz14GhEuvwJ
Jamie Redknapp's guide to Tottenham's latest star Gareth Bale
By JAMIE REDKNAPP Last updated at 11:59 PM on 3rd November 2010
Comments (0)
Add to My Stories
Seems like a nice boy
When I first met Gareth down at Southampton, he was with Theo Walcott. They were two well-mannered and polite boys, with good parents who understood the game. They were grounded and charming, eager to learn - and I wondered if they were too nice to be footballers!
I'd seen Michael Owen and Steven Gerrard coming through the ranks at Liverpool and I like the buzz when a young player is on their way up. Everyone at the club starts to talk about the player and I like to take a look for myself.
Wing wizard: Gareth Bale flies past Inter right back Maicon (right)
It was the school holidays and they were training with the Under 18s. The first thing that struck me about Gareth was his broad shoulders. I stood there watching training and thought, 'You've got some shoulders on you!'
The more I watched the session, the more I thought, 'Yeah . . . you're a player'. He had a sweet left foot, but he had intelligence and could select a pass.
He's the new John Barnes
I've seen Gareth compared to Marc Overmars and Ryan Giggs, but he reminds me of a cross between Thierry Henry and John Barnes (right).
Henry's ability to run at defenders and panic them allied with the execution of a cross that resembles a young Barnes at his best for Liverpool.
There are brainless speed merchants who get clear and then smash the ball over the bar. What does that achieve? Bale will create the opening and then send over a delicious cross that says 'There you are' to the striker.
He rolls it over, passes it into the box. The speed and the distance for the third Spurs goal was stunning. But the accuracy of the cross is what created the goal.
You've got to laugh
After the game on Tuesday night, the comedian Michael McIntyre came into the manager's office. All Michael wanted to do was to meet Gareth Bale.
Michael is the funniest man in Britain, a comedy genius who sold more than a million copies of his last stand-up DVD. He's a star in his own right, but wanted to meet his new hero. Then he was lost for words when Gareth came in to say hello!
He was taken aback with how quiet and gentle Gareth is. Not that Maicon, Lucio and his team-mates left chasing shadows would have the same opinion!
More from Jamie Redknapp...
Redknapp on Carroll: He could be England's spearhead for next 10 years01/11/10
Jamie Redknapp: Hell's Bells! Manchester City could have done with Craig Bellamy against Wolves31/10/10
Jamie Redknapp: New fox Hernandez reminds me of a young Michael Owen24/10/10
Jamie Redknapp: Could Rooney ever join Manchester City? Maybe17/10/10
Jamie Redknapp: Capello right to stick with captain cool Rio over Gerrard12/10/10
Jamie Redknapp: Roy must rally to get disastrous Liverpool back on track03/10/10
Jamie Redknapp: Chelsea kid Josh McEachran can be next big thing26/09/10
Jamie Redknapp: Super Chelsea are a mixture of Arsenal and Man United19/09/10
VIEW FULL ARCHIVE
What's with the straps
Looking at our picture, you might be wondering why he is wearing black tape on his thighs. It's not because he is injured, but to help prevent him from pulling a muscle. It's called Kinesio tape and originates from Japan.
The tape first came to the attention when worn by seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong, who praised its 'magic powers'. Gareth takes care of his body and doesn't drink. He is a fine athlete, but has his own unique stretching routine in the dressing room before each game.
The tape is said to help mobility, it is light and can aid muscle support around sensitive areas, such as the hamstring.
Keep him safe, Spurs
We've all gone Gareth Bale crazy, but I picked him out as one of my players to watch for the season - I was hearing so many good things from the training pitch. He can now be the best left-sided player in the world. And he can do that playing for Tottenham. The Italian papers are urging Inter to buy him, but why would he go to Italy?
Daniel Levy must reward Bale's talent. When I broke into the England team, Liverpool gave me an unexpected pay rise. It was a class gesture, it was their way. Now Spurs will have to behave similarly with their rising star.
The running man
Against Inter, Gareth covered more than 1,114 metres at what is deemed 'high intensity' (faster than 13mph). The Barclays Premier League average is 691 metres per game.
Of that 1,114 metres he ran 719 metres at a 'sprint' (defined at above 15mph). The Premier League average is 324 metres. Tottenham's analyst said after the game he had never seen stats like it in his eight years at the club.
In the Premier League, Bale's average-per-game is 1,000 metres at 'high intensity' speed. It puts him at No 1, with Manchester United winger Nani (below) second on 880 metres.
For the third goal on Tuesday, he ran 68 metres, reaching a top speed of 19.3mph, and took four touches in that burst upfield, before the key touch: the cross into the box.
Not such a genius, Rafa
Maicon isn't really a full back. For Brazil, the opposition winger has to mark him. I was certain Rafa Benitez would have a plan to stop Bale, given the Spaniard is such a genius.
Where was the help for Maicon? Why didn't they double up after his hat-trick in the first game? It was a huge error and not one that Jose Mourinho, his predecessor, would have made.
Elementary error: Rafa Benitez failed to learn his lessons from Bale's fine hat-trick in the San Siro
Out of sorts
My dad, Harry, was never going to sell but he was puzzled as to why Bale's form was so poor when he took over. 'Every time the kid plays, we lose,' he would say.
In 23 games, Spurs didn't win when Bale was on the pitch, but my dad brought him on against Burnley when the game was won, just to break the hoodoo and give the lad a break.
He inherited a mish-mash of players, being played out of position. Now they've gone from the bottom of the league to feeling on top of the world.
The secret is playing good players in the best positions: Bale, a left-sided player on the left side, Luka Modric in central midfield. There's no point having a jigsaw, if you can't put it together.
Shame he's not English
With Gareth and Ryan Giggs, the two best left-sided players of the last 20 years have both been Welsh. It's a weak position in the England team and we have all had to look jealously towards Wales.
England, of course, will get a closer look at Gareth when he plays against them in this European qualifying campaign. There will be a few full backs hoping he plays centre midfield.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...de-Tottenhams-Gareth-Bale.html?#ixzz14GhEuvwJ
