Player Watch: Gareth Bale - Retires

[SUIYHA]

I am so mixed on this. His signing is what the fans want/need and a front 3 of him, kane and son sounds fucking amazing. The influence he could have on the team and a winning mentality will also be really advantageous.

The things I worry about are his age, injuries and whether he still has it (or even some of it) We are going to spend a significant amount of money bringing him in and he has been largely anonymous (not all his fault) for 2-3 seasons. His age means his speed which was one of his best attributes arguably will be in decline.

One of the best players I have ever seen at the club and I fully expect people to read this and think "what a prick" but i am just very wary of thinking he will sort out our team. We still need a midfield that can support or provide the attack with the ball. Again the benefit with him is that he is intelligent on the field so I can see Kane benefitting from the service he could get.

Oddly I am more excited about getting a left back as I think that is something we do need to fix but fuck me if I can't get excited about the return of one of the finest players in the world, I probably need to start playing chess or something.

Am inclined to agree with this. My heart says the king is back and is excited about seeing him link up with Kane and Son. My head says we are all getting carried away because of things he did with us in a different era when he had a different body. I agree that signing JR actually excites me more in a way as we'll now actually have a fast attacking threat from LB for the first time in almost four years since Rose got his long term injury. And what a time for him to settle in - all the attention and media hype will be on Bale so he can calmly go about his business!

 

[cozzo]

The ENIC Out lot have been very quiet on Twitter

 

[tiger666]

The ENIC Out lot have been very quiet on Twitter

They'll be back if we haven't signed a striker by tomorrow evening.

 

[Fredo]

The ENIC Out lot have been very quiet on Twitter

Tbf I don't think anyone thats been ENIC out should receive any hate, I've been ENIC out too, we have been starved to death in recent years where we were so close yet so far, but of course this is two massive massive signings. Blown me away - if they express this sort of ambition consistently, theres no reason for me to be no comfortable with ENIC ownership again.

 

[parj]

Mine said “I thought you had Mourinho?”

Mine just laughed and still brings up didn't you almost sign Rivaldo but he said no in a polite letter. She knows how much that irks me.

 

[N-T-G]

He will be fit and extremely motivated to stick two
fingers up to Madrid.

This is about pride. This is about being in the best form of his life for this season to take that to the Euros.

I honestly believe we will see a better Bale than the one that left us.

 

[Lily White Lady]

I’m probably going to cry a bit today. Can’t believe he’s actually coming home

 

[Don_Felipe]

How can we call it Son, Kane and Bale? KBS (Korean Broadcasting System)?

If we get Deeney in we could have BTS - Korean fanbase would love that!

 

[easley91]

I still think BASK with Alli in behind ??‍

 

[Guernman]

Bale isn't going to be the same player who left, because as his agent said his body has gone through a lot and he cannot even train five days a week. But this is still an epic statement from the club and will provide a huge lift for the squad and great exposure following the Amazon doc and Alex Morgan coup.

Hopefully this will now also help close deals with our other primary targets and get players like Ndombele really incentivised to deliver.

If it is just a one year deal though, how absolutely sickening that this should be the year we fall out of the Champions League.

 

[Finchyid]

this is the most unlevy like signing ever. I am so shocked he has got it done!

I am not, makes complete sense

 

[deanostheyido]

The ENIC Out lot have been very quiet on Twitter

You say that...they've already claimed responsibility for this signing...

 

[knowlespurs]

You say that...they've already claimed responsibility for this signing...

It really isnt

 

[mark87]

You say that...they've already claimed responsibility for this signing...

 

[thekneaf]

You say that...they've already claimed responsibility for this signing...

Unbelievable, will they take responsibility if it doesn't work?
Or will the point to a lack of a CB signing as a LACK OF INVESTMENT FFS

 

[George94]

It really isnt

Morons.... Everyone knows it's because we all changed our profile pictures...obviously ?

 

[Singaspursofsixspence]

I still think BASK with Alli in behind ??‍

I would have gone with their positions:

Kane
Son Bale
Lo Celso

So-Ka-Ba-Lo

 

[Colonel Dax]

 

[Cinemattis]

QUOTE="Cinemattis, post: 6958938, member: 25775"]
It´s been seven years and fifteen days,

since they took my love away …

And ever since there are a handful of us that never gave up hope that he would one day come back to us. Obviously, we were deluded – it was simply unrealistic. But as the years passed, and the relationship to the fans, club and management soured in the Spanish capital – the glimmer of hope shone brighter. And in every single transfer window, there were always reports, rumours that there was a possibility. Always to be dismissed by all the ITKs. Sometimes friendly, softly, gently – sometimes abruptly – but always consistently.

I am deeply grateful for all the work the admins here are doing, and not at least for all the insight and snippets of fans´ gold the ITKs share with us. And I fully understand and respect that these same people can lose their patience when we mortal minions and underlings never stop nagging about “is he coming?” usually followed up with countless reuses of that Jim Carey gif “So you´re saying…There is a chance?!” It´s like having that annoying friend of your own annoying children sitting in the back of the car constantly repeating “Are we there yet?” – two minutes into the ride, every single bleedin´ time.

But, oh what glorious times these last couple of days have been! I was musing late last night, while just flowing with the perfect wave on the craziest and funniest day I´ve ever experienced in here (Bale avatars for everyone?!): what a development?! From a stone cold “no”, via “it´s not 0% chance” and “pull the fucking trigger, Levy!” to “I´m quietly confident”. And then, this morning´s “just medical and formalities”. Flabbergasting!

We football fans are dreamers, most of us. If you chose (or have been told to choose) Tottenham as your club, I would say even more so. If you didn´t experience the Nicholson era first hand, it´s not the overfilled trophy cabinets of constant success that lured you to this part of the footballing world. It´s more likely to be the romantic dream of the traditional cup team – the team that can outplay anyone anywhere on their day, and lose a game when we´re up three or four goals at halftime. We´re some of the last romantics in top football. So, we dream impossible dreams. Like Gareth Bale coming back to us – because we love him and thus he kind of have to like us too, right?

Luckily, we have in our midst some realists that can throw ice cold water in our faces and tell us that it “just isn´t going to happen”. It´s not because they don´t share the dream. But it´s more likely because they´re awake and can see the dream for what it is: a dream, and nothing more.

I immensely respect him and love him to bits the way one man can love another man he has never met. I´ve only read his comments on a website, given likes and stars to his words of wisdom. He probably doesn´t know I exist. I don´t even know if he´s a man, to be honest. So, please, this is not a dig at ITKs in general, or to Trix more specifically: if anything it´s a homage to his and their work! And it´s also an explanation to myself (and maybe others) on how the general mood on a website´s chat forum can change in an instant just because of a few words from the keyboard of someone we believe in and respect.

So, this is @Trix ´s timeline “From Not Doable to Baleiber”:

In this same thread Trix gave one single comment in the January window on the chances of Bale coming back. It simply and politely – as in a way you talk to people that have a hard time understanding the principle of spreading butter on a piece of bread – that the financial obstacles were impossible to work around. As he have said in the wondow before, and the window before that, and in - you get the picture.

Fast forward to August 15th:
View attachment 73683
We´re not getting him back. Yes, we know. And it´s because of the money:
View attachment 73684

Five days later, there´s not a ten thousand to one chance he´s coming back. Even if Levy would only have to pay 10K to get him:
View attachment 73685

A couple of days later, and the patience is wearing thin:
View attachment 73686

Then nothing. Absolute radio silence.

Almost a fortnight later, THAT Bale-interview hits the media. For the first time ever, on September 3rd, Gareth Bale gives an interview where he speaks about how he wants to play football and that Real Madrid stands in his way to do so. The ball is rolling, and the Bale-thread on SC slowly awakens from its slumber.

On the 7th, our man Trix is - as always - the realistic voice: it would take so much from all parties that it´s not realisitc. BUT: he gives the fanatic romantics something to chew on: we want him. And: he´s open for a possible return.
View attachment 73688
And, then: dialogue....! (even though it´s still not possible)
View attachment 73689

And, then on Thursday the 10th of September in the year of 2020, seven years and nine days since Bale signed for Real Madrid, Trix posts what we never thought he would ever do. And the thread goes ballistic:
View attachment 73690

THERE IS HOPE: HE MAY COME HOME!

We even have a special Bale-budget outside the normal transfer budget?..?!
View attachment 73692

Next day, Friday morning, in the ITK-thread - the hope is growing (but the blue is gone...?):
View attachment 73695

Later in the afternoon - reminding us all both that there is a clever businessman at the top, and that we actually were very, very close to get Dybala. And at the same time reminding us aswell that a deal can derail just when everyone think it´s done:
View attachment 73697

Quiet Saturday - we´re all just waiting for more info as the thread heats up. It´s happening isn´t it? Yes, this is the chance! He´s coming home - he has to!

Then Sunday.

Bloody, beautiful Sunday.

I love Sunday mornings! Sometimes, at least.

Trix were on form, online, and definitely not without hope. It´s now as good as it will ever get - it´s Levy´s decision now, only his. Trix gave us 24 minutes of gold that morning:
View attachment 73700

(to be continued)

This is literary wonder, made me tear up lol
[/QUOTE]
Thanks

 

[WorthATry]

You say that...they've already claimed responsibility for this signing...

Surely it's because everyone changed their avatar?