Gareth Bales out of Spurs pre-season
Wednesday, June 3, 2009 at 3:33PM Gareth Bale in all probability won't be fit for the start of next season. He faces a race to recover from knee surgery for a medial meniscal tear. Which means by the time he's back in full training, he'll be lagging behind for a place in the first team.
He's never had it great at Spurs.
Six months out with an ankle injury, comes into a Spurs side that is utterly shite and incapable of winning and has yet to taste victory in the Prem as a consequence leading to loss of confidence and keeping another victim of hard luck David Bentley (cough) company on the bench. He just doesn't get a look in, possibly because Harry doesn't rate him. But probably because there hasn't been much on offer since his arrival. If Gareth was in his late twenties, then I wouldn't expect Harry to be so patient.
The only positive out of all this is that we are unlikely to sell the kid now. Harry has to be paitent, all things taken into consideration, Bale is only 20 years old. There is no doubting he has talent. It's there, it's been hiding behind the footballing sofa except now it's having to lay on it, feet up with little to do but wait.
But as we've seen time and time again, it doesn't always come together at the first time of asking. In Gareth's case, it's all down to that first injury.
It's frustrating for all concerned.
His talent isn't quite defined, and coming to Spurs was meant to be the next step in his development to evolve into a more complete all round player. He's great coming forward, and arguably better at his offensive duties than his defensive ones.
Now he's back to square one, again. As long as he is not rushed back and starts playing in a winning side, then I'm certain he will be a success. Confidence breeds confidence which breeds smiles all round.
Talking of square one (or should that be ground zero?) Kevin Prince Boateng is back at Spurs having been told Dortmund can't afford to sign him. Which translated simply means he didn't do enough to impress the German club to sign him full time. It's difficult to gauge if KPB has anything in his locker to make it in the EPL, considering he failed to impress first time round. And tbh, I'd rather we push Adel Taraabt than the 'never won the German Young Player of the Year award no matter how many times the tabloids and broadsheets tell you he did' midfielder.
He's the perfect illustration of an unnecessary Comolli signing. Hyped potential, all tattoos and no substance. My advice to Levy and Harry? Lower your asking price.
Then again Harry did sign Kaboul when he was at Pompey, so never quite know what's in store...
Reader Comments (11)
Hello. Did you mean 'back to ground zero'? Are you cleverly mixing metaphors?
'Ground zero' is what the scientists who created the nuclear bomb called the epicentre of the explosion and it has recently been used as the name for the site of the destruction of the twin towers.
Going back to square one is just temporary, but ground zero is terminal.
great blog by the way!
Gutted for Bale. He was flying when he first joined us then was totalled by a really poor Muamba tackle against Brum and that's been him ever since.
I really do think the boy is class and we've not seen the best of him yet. As Spooky pointed out he's only 20 years old and he has a wealth of experience the talent he showed when he first joined hasn't vanished it's hiding behind a wall of self-doubt and lack of confidence. Personally i think he should be playing LW or LM his defending still needs work doing to it but I understand he's been staying behind after training and having defensive lessons with Kevin Bond (the boys got commitment) and he looked good toward the end of the season (especially against Everton).
I've always felt that he needs a really good pre-season to boost his confidence and fitness unfortunately this won't happen this season due to injury.
I realy hope that he'll come back stronger he's too good to let it fall by the wayside so let's get behind him and hope he roars back into action when he gets fit.
Bah! This is what happens when I attempt to blog when multi-tasking. Square one is what I meant for Bale. But ground zero is just fine for our Prince.
I'll clean it up.
KPB is gush.
I completely agree with Jamiespurs, Bale has so much potential, it would be crazy to let him leave. I see him playing a really important part in our future, lets hope Harry does as well. As for KPB your right Spooky I think we should cut our losses and let him move on.
Spooky good shout on the -
'never won the German Young Player of the Year award no matter how many times the tabloids and broadsheets tell you he did'
I knew from day 1 that he'd never won that award. He won some obscure award but not 'young player of the year' Too many Spurs fans fall for the tabloid shit
All sounds too familiar, reminding me of a player who started out in Southampton. Could this be the sequel 'Son of Sicknote'?.
I tore my medial meniscal and without the constant treatment and physio that Bale will receive, I was back running and playing football in 6 weeks.
Which I believe with Gareths level of treatment and aftercare, he should be available for pre-season, as long as he doesn't just piss it up in the off season and concentrates on getting fit.
Agreed with all above on Bale, loads of upside at 20. Too bad about the knee, as pre-season would've given him a chance at redemption. I think BAE was lightning in a bottle this season- not a sneer at him in any way, but I will be surprised if he reproduces this season's success in the next.
I'm anxious to see what summer will bring.
Keep up the good work Spooky. This 'blog is always a pleasure.
if gareth bale cant make the first game of the season, i hope hes not far off with a medial cratilage tear! they will cut it out with keyhole surgery, its a simple and comon op.
im sory to be negatively judgemental towards a spurs player, but i really cant see the potential of kpb, he just doesnt seem to have that quality although i dont think you can fault his effort.
personally i thought kabul was a great player and would be an excellent up and coming spur, i felt we should have stood by him better. im sure he is going to be a great player! also lets stick with the hud for at least another season! and im not a big fan of jenas either!!