Gareth Bale

[kellzfresh 7,229]

We do. Only issue is those shots were often than not wayward. Besides, this issue can be fixed with more practicing. It's not like this aspect of the game is only something Bale is good at.

Yeah but what if the opposing teams sit back and defend deep? This goes back to the point TheChels brought up above. What can Bale do when oppositions 'park the bus'?

So? I don't think pace is really an issue with the team right now. More of executing counter attacks correctly, if anything.

The long shots are meant to catch teams off guard who sit deep. He did this for tottenham so many times. People shouldn't underestimate someone who won player of the year in England, he's good.

[Jase 43,479]

The long shots are meant to catch teams off guard who sit deep. He did this for tottenham so many times. People shouldn't underestimate someone who won player of the year in England, he's good.

So, you want us to buy Bale only because he can shoot from distance? You still haven't provided a sound argument to counter TheChels' point of Bale being ineffective against deep defences.

[The Chels 2,502]

To be fair, those long shots were all he needed in his last season here to kill teams in the last 10 minutes who parked the bus.

My word those shots were unbelievable

Who actually parks the bus against Tottenham? Long shots can be useful and very impressive but they also can be very inconsistent and frustrating. As mentioned earlier in this thread Bale is very much a 'does nothing for 80 minutes, scores a screamer' type player and that means he will never be worth anywhere near the quoted prices (can't believe how much Real paid for him) because if he doesn't score he'll have ended up doing nothing. Bale is brilliant against teams like Bayern and Barca who press up very high but what does he actually do against more defensively resolute teams like Atletico (apart from a tap in) and what would he do against us in the CL? Very little I'd wager even though he has a lot less focus on him compared to Ronaldo.

[Supermonkey92 1,428]

Who actually parks the bus against Tottenham? Long shots can be useful and very impressive but they also can be very inconsistent and frustrating. As mentioned earlier in this thread Bale is very much a 'does nothing for 80 minutes, scores a screamer' type player and that means he will never be worth anywhere near the quoted prices (can't believe how much Real paid for him) because if he doesn't score he'll have ended up doing nothing. Bale is brilliant against teams like Bayern and Barca who press up very high but what does he actually do against more defensively resolute teams like Atletico (apart from a tap in) and what would he do against us in the CL? Very little I'd wager even though he has a lot less focus on him compared to Ronaldo.

Hey I never said we should buy him, but he is a better than you are giving him credit for. In his last year at spurs he shingle handedly kept them in the charge for top four, and towards the end when teams were sitting deep he win games by himself, with shots that were out if this world, and for games on the trot. Real are stupid but don't break their transfer record for a guy who does nothing for 80 minutes then hits a screamer

[kellzfresh 7,229]

So, you want us to buy Bale only because he can shoot from distance? You still haven't provided a sound argument to counter TheChels' point of Bale being ineffective against deep defences.

All I say is if he's available for 50mil, it's good value and he's better than anything on our right and on par with hazard imo.

And he's actually a pretty good dribbler, you are massively underestimating him here.

[didierforever 7,349]

i know we have hazard and oscar but lets not underestimate bale here. he is top 5 in the world.

saying he is weak against deep defences is wrong in my opinion. for spurs, who did he have to play with to break a deep defence? holtby, defoe, adebayor, lennon parker?? breaking down a deep and organized defence needs a team and he dint have that.

in liga, he has been just brilliant. totally overshadowed by CR, but who would not be.

[Nike 373]

Hazard not really fast.

He's really quick, moreso than fast.

Bale is lightning fast. As is Reus.

Chelsea fast players are pretty much rambo, willian and salah/schurrle...

[Jase 43,479]

All I say is if he's available for 50mil, it's good value and he's better than anything on our right and on par with hazard imo.

And he's actually a pretty good dribbler, you are massively underestimating him here.

So, having doubt or not convinced on ONE aspect of his game constitutes as me MASSIVELY underestimating him? I could easily turn around and say you're MASSIVELY overestimating him.

You still have not provided any argument on his effectiveness in dealing with deep defences. All you have said is him being great in shooting from distance and now a pretty good dribbler. Pretty sure I can see that myself.

[iseah100 5,612]

So, having doubt or not convinced on ONE aspect of his game constitutes as me MASSIVELY underestimating him? I could easily turn around and say you're MASSIVELY overestimating him.

You still have not provided any argument on his effectiveness in dealing with deep defences. All you have said is him being great in shooting from distance and now a pretty good dribbler. Pretty sure I can see that myself.

The fact he has the ability to win you a game with 1 shot vs a parked defense is enough for me.

[kellzfresh 7,229]

So, having doubt or not convinced on ONE aspect of his game constitutes as me MASSIVELY underestimating him? I could easily turn around and say you're MASSIVELY overestimating him.

You still have not provided any argument on his effectiveness in dealing with deep defences. All you have said is him being great in shooting from distance and now a pretty good dribbler. Pretty sure I can see that myself.

Ronaldo is not as good as Hazard in dribbling or creating against parked buses, so if he's available we shouldn't try for him.

Bale can shoot from distance, is better than everyone in our team in scoring freekicks, better than everyone in our team bar Costa in finishing, better than all our attackers in heading, and has the strength to power through defenses combined with his speed. Defenses will have to double mark both hazard and Bale, leaving so much space for teammates.

He will improve us against parked buses, it's beginning to look naive that you think he won't.

[iseah100 5,612]

We aren't getting him anyways.

[mediator 2,026]

We aren't getting him anyways.

Just like getting Ronaldo, Messi... a dream nothing more

[Jase 43,479]

Ronaldo is not as good as Hazard in dribbling or creating against parked buses, so if he's available we shouldn't try for him.

Bale can shoot from distance, is better than everyone in our team in scoring freekicks, better than everyone in our team bar Costa in finishing, better than all our attackers in heading, and has the strength to power through defenses combined with his speed. Defenses will have to double mark both hazard and Bale, leaving so much space for teammates.

He will improve us against parked buses, it's beginning to look naive that you think he won't.

Where I did say that I don't think he will improve us? Some fellas really need to differentiate between having doubts and things like thinking the player is average etc just because of one comment against him.

[Billy. 2,742]

Wont happen

[Jase 43,479]

We aren't getting him anyways.

No kidding. The wankfest and the way people have been talking like we even have a chance of signing Bale is hilarious, to put it kindly.

[Chelsea4LifeBaby 20]

Great player for Spurs, not so good for Madrid, Is he worth this money, not sure .......

[The Chels 2,502]

Hey I never said we should buy him, but he is a better than you are giving him credit for. In his last year at spurs he shingle handedly kept them in the charge for top four, and towards the end when teams were sitting deep he win games by himself, with shots that were out if this world, and for games on the trot. Real are stupid but don't break their transfer record for a guy who does nothing for 80 minutes then hits a screamer

Didn't Spurs only get 3 points fewer the following season even after selling Bale and buying lots of dross? He had a good season but his qualities are easily replaceable, although his goalscoring perhaps less so (doesn't score many for Madrid, mind). Real are stupid and would break their transfer record on anyone. I think they overpaid for him by £40-50m.

[Joker10 946]

No kidding. The wankfest and the way people have been talking like we even have a chance of signing Bale is hilarious, to put it kindly.

I don't think we will sign him, but it is not really out of the question that he leaves Madrid this summer or next tbh. It is not like he is a fan fav at Madrid or place unquestioned. Isco has improved greatly since arriving in Madrid, if he continues his play he might force Bale out of the lineup. In case we have forgot this is Madrid, they will continue to buy a new toy even if not needed. They just sold a better player then Bale this past summer in Di Maria.

United have a major hard on for Bale, so i would guess that would be his next destination.

If given the choice between Bale and Reus? i would take Reus all day, even if you don't agree with the openion that Reus is better a player, but the value we can get Reus makes this even easier.

I don't think Bale is a poor mans version of CR7 at all, in fact he is more like a dead man version of CR7.

[BlueLyon 9,359]

To certain level, he reminds me of young Robben. And Mou sold Robben, so...

Besides, his work rate has dropped big time since Tottenham days. Heck, Isco is slowly putting him out of team (but Bale will still play because of his fee).

[Supermonkey92 1,428]

Didn't Spurs only get 3 points fewer the following season even after selling Bale and buying lots of dross? He had a good season but his qualities are easily replaceable, although his goalscoring perhaps less so (doesn't score many for Madrid, mind). Real are stupid and would break their transfer record on anyone. I think they overpaid for him by £40-50m.

I don't know about the points comparison, but I can bet you there are more factors than just bale. Manchester United were incredibly weaker, and none of the top teams were playing consistent enough to show the gulf in quality through a gulf in points. Factor in the change of manger and therefore style. Also, you could see the difference in the big games. I'm just going from memory here, but they were no where nears as bad v the top six with bale as without. They were getting spanked like 5-0 home and away by city and Liverpool, and couldn't take points of a moyes united team at home.

As for Madrid, of course he would score less when he is not the main every one gives the ball to shoot, that position is already taken! Ronaldo scores so many because he's a greedy bastard hell bent on stats and reputation rather the team, that's going to affect bale's stats but didn't stop hi scoring in the most important games.

The transfers these days are ridiculous, but because they overpaid does not mean he is up there as a top 5-10 player.