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Player Watch: Gareth Bale - Retires

hughy

I'm SUPER cereal.
Nov 18, 2007
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He was a bit rubbish wasn't he let's be honest but needs time on the pitch I guess ?‍♀️
A bit rubbish by 2018 CL Final standards or...?


I actually thought it was a decent run out at about 70% fitness. I don't think he'll start in the league until after the next International break, but regardless of his current fitness he was hardly anonymous.
 

Shadydan

Well-Known Member
Jul 7, 2012
38,247
104,143
A bit rubbish by 2018 CL Final standards or...?


I actually thought it was a decent run out at about 70% fitness. I don't think he'll start in the league until after the next International break, but regardless of his current fitness he was hardly anonymous.

He was rubbish by anyone's standards, if Dele (or insert another scapegoat) dropped that kind of performance they'd be pitchforks out, no need to give him a pass just because of his reputation, call it for what it is.

But understandably so he's not fit so I expect him to get much better as the season progresses.
 
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BringBack_leGin

Well-Known Member
Jul 28, 2004
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Fur all the rustiness, he still produced 4 or 5 really classy moments. The reverse pass to get Doherty in was lovely and he played a couple of other really decent slide rule passes. A couple of good dribbled which only his own sharpness stopped him getting away, decent link up with I think Højbjerg at one point and obviously a lovely hand in the own goal.

Obviously he needs to be able to involve himself more significantly in matches and that will come with improved fitness, as will the ability to maximise those lovely touches and feints, but that effortlessness and composure is clearly still there.
 

hughy

I'm SUPER cereal.
Nov 18, 2007
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He was rubbish by anyone's standards, if Dele (or insert another untouchable) dropped that kind of performance they'd be pitchforks out, no need to give him a pass just because of his reputation, call it for what it is.

But understandably so he's not fit so I expect him to get much better as the season progresses.
So the whole statement above was pointless then.
 

Shadydan

Well-Known Member
Jul 7, 2012
38,247
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So the whole statement above was pointless then.

Interesting stance...so now we're not allowed to critique players performances on a game by game basis, doesn't that make any post review entirely pointless in that case?
 

spids

Well-Known Member
Jul 19, 2015
6,647
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He was rubbish by anyone's standards, if Dele (or insert another untouchable) dropped that kind of performance they'd be pitchforks out, no need to give him a pass just because of his reputation, call it for what it is.

But understandably so he's not fit so I expect him to get much better as the season progresses.

I agree that he was a lot less impressive than our other WFs have been, but as you allude to his fitness - that is the key. He needs these games to build sharpness and fitness levels and get rid of some rust. His balance, footwork, touch, aerial ability, passing etc. all seem to still be of a very high standard. Just fitness (both stamina and power/pace).
 

hughy

I'm SUPER cereal.
Nov 18, 2007
31,842
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Interesting stance...so now we're not allowed to critique players performances on a game by game basis, doesn't that make any post review entirely pointless in that case?
Not at all. But saying someone who had played 20 minutes of football this season prior to yesterday was was "rubbish by any standard" when he quite clearly wasn't, and then comparing him to Dele who has had a fair few chances this season and has failed to impress in any, was utterly pointless.
 

JR1994

Well-Known Member
Jan 11, 2018
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He does look stiff and erm super slow. He reminds me of Kane when he comes back after a lengthy time off, slow, leggy, not flexible, losing the ball, touch missing etc but i am certain in a few weeks he will be much better.

You can tell he still has the skill and just needs the fitness... he wont be as quick as he was before but he will be invaluable i think.

Agree he looks stiff but don’t think he looks slow at all. Showed his pace Sunday against west ham for chance he should of scored and last night few times he knocked the ball past players with ease
 

Shadydan

Well-Known Member
Jul 7, 2012
38,247
104,143
Not at all. But saying someone who had played 20 minutes of football this season prior to yesterday was was "rubbish by any standard" when he quite clearly wasn't, and then comparing him to Dele who has had a fair few chances this season and has failed to impress in any, was utterly pointless.

Please don't try to defend this and just accept his performance for what it was.



And I didn't compare him to Dele, I said a player like Dele who is always scapegoated which is the point I'm making you can critique such players like Bale because of their reputation, he is a world class, experienced player who has won the CL 4 times so the bar is always going to be high thus the expectation is higher. That doesn't mean I think he's shit, that just means I think he was poor last night, having said that it's totally understandable because he hasn't played that much football so I also expect him to get better, that's not a pointless statement...this is kind of how reviews work.

This site has some hilarious double standards on certain players.
 

E17yid

Well-Known Member
Jan 21, 2013
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30,495
He was rubbish by anyone's standards, if Dele (or insert another scapegoat) dropped that kind of performance they'd be pitchforks out, no need to give him a pass just because of his reputation, call it for what it is.

But understandably so he's not fit so I expect him to get much better as the season progresses.

He definitely wasn’t rubbish. I’d go with meh with a few nice moments.

Rubbish, for me, would be offering nothing which you can’t say about his performance last night.
 

hughy

I'm SUPER cereal.
Nov 18, 2007
31,842
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Please don't try to defend this and just accept his performance for what it was.



And I didn't compare him to Dele, I said a player like Dele who is always scapegoated which is the point I'm making you can critique such players like Bale because of their reputation, he is a world class, experienced player who has won the CL 4 times so the bar is always going to be high thus the expectation is higher. That doesn't mean I think he's shit, that just means I think he was poor last night, having said that it's totally understandable because he hasn't played that much football so I also expect him to get better, that's not a pointless statement...this is kind of how reviews work.

This site has some hilarious double standards on certain players.

Well done using something to back up your point instead of just saying you thought he was shit. Maybe lead with that next time. ??
 

glacierSpurs

Well-Known Member
Sep 28, 2013
16,163
25,472
The current Bale will never be the Bale 7 years ago. To see that Bale, watching YouTube highlights will get you less disappointed.

If anyone thinks a player who has won tonnes during this 7 years and are actually now happier than ever to be back playing for us wouldnt offer a whole new lot on his return, then you are more than recommended to adjust your expectation abit. Because speed definitely won't be the main attributes of Bale now.

And marquee players like Bale will have an effect more than just his performance on the field, something which we will never get to see, which even Kane may be lacking.
 

E17yid

Well-Known Member
Jan 21, 2013
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He didn’t lose the ball 20 times did he? Didn’t seem like he did anyway, maybe he did and I’ve just got my Bale goggles on.
 

yankspurs

Enic Out
Aug 22, 2013
41,883
71,188
I expect he’ll round into peak fitness somewhere in the next few weeks. But this needs to be managed slowly to avoid more injury problems. Being stiff after 60’ in a game no one got out of 2nd gear is a bit of a worry. Dont think he’ll start Monday. Maybe 30 minutes tops
 

hughy

I'm SUPER cereal.
Nov 18, 2007
31,842
56,935
He didn’t lose the ball 20 times did he? Didn’t seem like he did anyway, maybe he did and I’ve just got my Bale goggles on.
Yeah looking at the stats, they look entirely made up but I can't be bothered to argue it further.

44 touches and he lost the ball with half of them? Give me a break.
 

Shadydan

Well-Known Member
Jul 7, 2012
38,247
104,143
He didn’t lose the ball 20 times did he? Didn’t seem like he did anyway, maybe he did and I’ve just got my Bale goggles on.

Yeah lol, I think everyone is guilty of the same thing and having Bale goggles, Lucas lost it 15 times ( but I thought he played well regardless) so it's not that bad in comparison, wingers do normally lose the ball quite a lot because they're always trying to make things happen.

Just tells you that perceptions shape people's opinions of players doesn't it?
 

Shadydan

Well-Known Member
Jul 7, 2012
38,247
104,143
Yeah looking at the stats, they look entirely made up but I can't be bothered to argue it further.

44 touches and he lost the ball with half of them? Give me a break.

It's on Sofascore as well, feel free to have a look: https://www.sofascore.com/football/2020-10-22

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