The life and dives of Gareth Frank Bale
Monday, October 8, 2012 at 9:03PM The one good thing to come in the aftermath of Gareth Bale’s embarrassing dive is that Tottenham supporters are pretty much one voice of disapproval for such dramatics. It’s not in our nature to witness/welcome/accept our players cheating. Other teams might have made it part and parcel of their ‘winning’ mentality but it’s something that retains discomfort when a player in Lilywhite is guilty of it. I remember Zokora play acting a fair bit when he was with us. I remember the lack of applause for his ‘performances’. Leave it to the continent and some of our supposedly more classy neighbours.
If you wanted to entertain any form of defence for Bale you could cite the rather obvious concern he has with being clattered in a challenge. It plays on his mind. It plays on his mind so much that he’s consciously thinking too much about that potentiality when he’s running with the ball.
I can almost understand and accept when he's physically brought down and remains grounded. Although there’s an element of strength to be displayed by simply dusting yourself off and standing up as if nothing has happened, these are not the 1960s when players played on with broken bones. The modern footballer is far more self conscious, especially one that has been hacked and injured in the past. The last thing any player wants is to be sidelined. So somewhere in amongst all this, Bale has confused matters by attempting to control that potentiality of being clattered by avoiding it altogether. When he’s fouled, he makes a point of it to perhaps influence the referee he’s being targeted (which is fair enough) and to make sure he's okay but when he’s not fouled he has a habit of tumbling over far too easily to win the free kick. Being 'touched' by the boot or leg of an opposing player doesn't constitute the easy surrender to gravity that prevails.
Much like the way he remains grounded, some might defend his insistence of falling down easily when challenged as a further form of protection. But the fact he entertains this school of thought means that soon enough the ambiguity will cloud his judgement and any chance of any Tottenham supporter attempting to rationalise his behaviour will evaporate. If you're challenged and you don't lose balance then there's no reason to take a tumble.
what happens next?
You go from protecting yourself by simply exaggerating to then second guessing what will happen and falsifying the outcome. The dive Bale was guilty of against Aston Villa was ridiculous and the perfect illustration of this. The keeper was nowhere near making contact. Bale, reacting to what might have happened had contact been made moves his leg to avoid impact then drops to mimic what would have happened had contact been made. Was it instinctive? Was this an example of that ambiguity clouding his judgement? No and no.
It all leads back to Bale always thinking about it. He’s constantly pre-occupied with that potentiality, so much so he's now using it as an excuse rather than the reason. There’s little chance he dived to protect himself in this instance. It was far too choreographed, much like any given dive on a football pitch. It was inexcusable and it was premeditated. He might not have set out to cheat for the sake of cheating but is there really any difference? If you simulate then you're in the wrong by default. If you do so in the penalty area then you're a methodical cheat and if you do so to get someone sent off you're just as pathetic. If you're doing it outside the penalty area then you're just being stupid.
Inside Gareth's head, he probably started out thinking this every single time: He might whack me, he might injury me, I'll glide it out, I'll jerk my leg and minimise impact and injury. Whereas now, it's simply the easy safe option to take every single time.
In his head, it probably doesn't sound daft. We'll argue it isn't pleasant viewing and it's embrassing, he'll argue that having his ankle snapped isn't too pleasant for him. That's probably his rationalisation, that was the reason but as cited already, it's now his excuse.
The one positive to take from it is that he never cried out for a free kick, he didn't roll around. He might have done so had a little contact been made. Had that happened we might not be discussing a diving incident now. Instead we might be asking why he didn't fly past the keeper and aim for the net instead of being easily clattered. If you're going to cheat you may as well see it out until the end. He knew exactly what he did and hopefully when he watches it back he'll have a word with himself. Or he'll just get better at cheating. We'll have to wait and see.
If he truly remains so scared of being injured from a challenge and it is the reason for his behaviour, rather than disguise it by limiting impact and diving (to avoid injury), how about just jumping out of the way. Not so dignified but more so than falling to the ground in pretence.
Bale has to man up. He has to stop thinking about what opposition players might do to him and start doing to the opposition what they fear he can.
Reader Comments (43)
Couldn't really see from PL but having seen replays since, it's embarrassing.
I know he has dived multiple times in the past, but I really don't believe this was a dive. I think he was expecting/trying to avoid contact that never came. He has dived a lot and I hate it and want him to cut it out, but I don't think this was a dive.
http://www.101greatgoals.com/blog/the-gif-battle-of-the-dirty-dives-gareth-bale-tottenham-vs-luis-suarez-liverpool/
I don't see the problem with this, yes he goes down expecting contact but not once does he ask for a foul. Diving is trying to cheat, but Bale was trying to avoid contact and I don't blame him. If the keeper had gone through with the challenge its best for him to be going down before he gets clattered. I don't want him injured again, does anyone else. Again didn't cheat as he didn't request a freekick, just trying to protect himself.
I think he was a bit embarrassed while he lay face down on the ground after the dive. As you say, he didn't look to the ref and try and win a free kick. I like the think he was ashamed of his actions but we will only find out by how he conducts himself in future games. COYS
He didn't need to take the tumble. He could have jumped clear. I'll give him the benifit this time, but if he continues doing a Suarez, he needs pulling up for it by Gallas, Sandro or Vert on the pitch publicly.
Non story. Not sure why you even bothered to write an article on this. Their keeper gestured as if he was going to give him an almighty whack then pulled out. Most players would try and avoid that. Shame your gif doesn't show the whole incident instead of looping an inconsequential part. Move along now there was nothing to see.
Keeper was gonna go for him,
I think Gareth was offered a huge amount of publicity, almost deification, when he roasted Maicon in the San Siro. Since that moment, everything has been downhill. He has been targeted and clattered, and he has frequently flinched in the most obvious way in anticipation of what is coming to him. I don't say this in any disparaging way, but Gareth is really rather scared of being hurt - others just get on with it and take what's coming - Aaron has been getting it for a long time, but he has a lower centre of gravity and a more phlegmatic response to the possibilities of being clattered. I know Gareth still scores the odd goal or two, but he is nowhere near the player he was; he is only free when he has real space and rarely tries to beat anyone in a tight situation in the way he used to, and interest in him from the big names seems to be subsiding. I think the lad needs a psychiatrist to counsel him out of what has become a deep hole for him, or else he may never play with the freedom and consistency he once had. I found myself, when he signed his last contract extension, feeling less than ecstatic about him. I really hope he can recover his former greatness, I really do.
I agree with Richie. That was going to be a horrible kick to Bale in the legs, but Guzan pulled out at the last minute. I just saw it as a reflex to protect himself from getting seriously injured.
Same here
I hope Gareth does not follow your blog Spooky....... Leave this conversation to the likes of Adrian Durham please. An article praising the lads pace and current form is far more productive than knocking the guy over 20 paragraphs......
Yes diving is wrong, yes stamping is wrong, yes tweeting about the FA in a negative way is wrong & yes John Terry still walking this earth is wrong....
Can I also state that Adrian Durham today said Cheatski will thump us 4 - 0 at the lane and that AVB is clueless.
Fact 2nd best start ever to a Prem League
Fact we beat Man U ( a feat no other Sours Manager has done in Prem history
Fact he is far more charismatic than Harry and the passion is there.
I for one can overlook Gareth on this occasion as long as he promises not to do it again!!!!! Instead id like to marvel at the 30 mins in each match where we play football that is sublime... I know we are going in the right direction and I feel good.
On the Goalie situation... Again Durham blasted AVb however maybe it's more genius? I love Brad but he is a million years old and surely another season is to much even for him so maybe dropping Hugo into matches where you know the other team has no hope of scoring to build confidence and help ease the transition is perfect. International break now and I'm sure Brad will be back for the Chelsea game and if he's not I am sure we can overlook it as the French Captain will be in goal...
Back to Bale.... He did dive spooks but he got up and I never see him fake injury or do the invisible card wave thing, in my mind that's the worst, the whole having your ankles clipped and you hit the deck holding your face then limping off rubbing your arm.
Your articles recently are turning into the rumblings of a bitter old man ( like the old boy I sit next to on match days who when we are 3 - 0 up still finds things to moan at) . This is Spurs please enjoy the good times and ride the crest of the form team as it doesn't always last.
Focus on how close we are to Arsenal (points tally) over last 5 years to previous 5 and how in last 5 years with killed hoo doos against the big 4 and indeed have been in the big 4.
COYS & Come on you spooky.....
If that was me I would of had skid marks in me pants the way the goalie came in as if to kick lumps out of him. Seriously though Bale should of dealt with it differently.
But still love the monkey buddha. I blame Charlie Adams for that bad tackle on him and breaking his ankle when we played Blackpool. The kid has not been the same since, but stay true to him Spurs fans, he will come good again. AVB should have a quiet word in his ear about this problem, so as to not be labelled anymore than he is.
Gareth is a great kid, when on form he's a class act, he's been known to dive pretty abysmally before, in the Villa incident he may well have expected Guzan to follow through and re-acted accordingly (yes I am giving the lad benefit of the doubt) however if all opposing defenders are to assume he will react in this way will they run menacingly towards him rather than attempt to win the ball ? If it's Psychological the lad will need to see THE HEAD DOCTOR.
Well said Stevo. Seen this on a few blogs today - HH & etc. Leave this kind of stuff to the Red Tops, the lads are pulling together at the moment and need us behind them, not nit-picking like sanctimonious hens.
Great piece of goalkeeping - feigning to take his legs off and not actually making the challenge. Made Bale look a complete twat - his reaction said it all pointing at Bale and laughing. If he thought Bale had dived to get him sent off he would`ve been furious.
Ironically it happened close to the spot that Lloris threw the ball out to their wide man!
Bale`s doing my nut in at the moment. He is the one that can produce superb final balls but insists on shooting and for some reason always across the keeper rather than curling it in from outside the post.
We need him back to his brilliant best for the chavs.
moe the fact that Guzan pointed to Bale and laughed probably diffused a situation some players would have capitalised on to get him booked. To his credit Bale made no fuss, I believe he was embarrassed by his actions and just wanted to get back in play. Spooky you are right to highlight this, we complain about others and must take the flack when our lads are at fault rather than sweep it under the carpet. Let's hope we don't mention it again.
Agree with the article & Moe.Tell it as it is
I'd like to examine the other side of it.
In what world does Guzan have the gall to fake-kick? He is clearly the last man, he knows Bale has the pace to get there first...how can he be completely sure that Bale doesn't go 100 percent for it? He should have no choice (with his team struggling) but to make the tackle? Isn't Guzan the one who should be guilty of opting out of the challenge?
Not very well said mes. Having something different to read with detailed analysis is surely rewarding as far as being a tottenham fan is concerned, rather than the tripe the Internet usually spews out and whether good or bad views the real fans who write these things are actually real fans. No ones having a massive go at bale, and I love him dearly, but I think it's right to point out the flaws, whether it's vdv not being able to wip in a corner or Freund being an absolute nightmare to play against or JD missing a load of sitters. Christ, my missus has a smelly fanny, but she rides that cock horse to Banbury cross and back. Ying Yang!!
Adrian Durham? Really?
The article, to be fair, in a round about way is defending Gareth Bale although let's place it into context...he does dive, he does go down quite easily. Also now and again articles are written to gauge opinion. Never expect people to agree with everything I write, I hardly agree with most of the comments that get posted in reply. But it's either an article like this or just one sentence stating 'Bale? Did he dive or not?'. I think the article is probably the better bet.
Also, LOL at grumpy old man? What have I written recently that paints me as a depressive? I've been pro-Spurs, pro-AVB and pro-supporting the club? Or is it because I've complained about the fans (not supporters) that have been half-arsed about it so far this season? I'm all smiles.
When I saw the incident during the game frankly I was so embarrassed but now that I have viewed the replays, I agree with Ritchie and the others here. The keeper was gesturing like he was going to sweep Bale off his feet.
"Well said Stevo. Seen this on a few blogs today - HH & etc. Leave this kind of stuff to the Red Tops, the lads are pulling together at the moment and need us behind them, not nit-picking like sanctimonious hens"
It was hardly a sensationalist article now was it? Also, initially, I did hold back from writing something about this until I saw practically everyone slag off Bale for the dive on various football forums. Hence the avoidance of simply slatting him for diving and the attempt to understand why he's so susceptible to it. Are people reading this article with an angry face on or summit?
Also - remember, I have no editorial constraints here. This is just a blog, nothing more, just my opinions. Honestly? If this wasn't sat on so many football feeds I'd probably blog 15-25 articles per day. Damn it, there are constraints. I should really set myself free.
"When I saw the incident during the game frankly I was so embarrassed but now that I have viewed the replays, I agree with Ritchie and the others here. The keeper was gesturing like he was going to sweep Bale off his feet"
Which is where the whole 'jerk of the leg' comes into play. Bale knows it might happen, is prepared it might happen and does his best to avoid it by diving.
Instead of falling over why doesn't he jump over the opponents feet. Far more effective as he can then continue
chasing the ball. George Best used to do it all the time and he was always a defender's "target", clattering him
was the only way they could stop him but he just rode the tackles most of the time without getting hurt.
Seems to me that the chap Stevo clearly listens intently to someone by the name of Adrian Durham, I assume he talks football on the wireless, poss Talksport or Radio 5. Now my question is Stevo, if you clearly disagree and almost detest this Durham fellow why do you constantly listen and refer to his show. Just an observation.
I'm with your Spooky, look folks try this at home start running then push the ball beyond the imaginary player that is going to kick your left leg from the side and see what happens when you try to avoid it..........
Did your legs try to aviod the tackle or just hang lose??
Not commenting upon Bale but Cliff Jones earned many penalties and NONE were considered diving when he dribbled at high speed into the box and was tripped, knocked or touched in any way. Try it yrself(high speed dribbling) and see how finely stable you are and how the slighest imbalance will put you over.
The above clip does NOT show enough for me to convict Bale.
If he is "diving" it is counterproductive, ask Ronaldo who after his season of "earned" penalties received short shrift thereafter although he is not a high speed dribbler like Bale but a european classic ballet diver..
I am not convinced by any video that he was NOT knocked off balance. The Zokora one? No doubt.
Bale can't take any credit from this incident. At the speed he goes he can quite easily jump over Gusans leg. In fact he could go well over any outstretched leg, land on his feet and wheel round on goal.
Every game we see players jumping over prone goalkeepers. With a far shorter run up than Bale had on this occasion.
He probably remembers Adams tackle and it has affected his nerve. For a big strong player he goes down far too easily to tackles that are not particularly bad, and then takes his time getting up.
Just because he didn't appeal to the ref. or wave an imaginary card it does not mean he didn't try to get Gusan sent off.
I watched the game live on TV and also recorded it. After watching the incident half a dozen times it doesn't get any better.
It WAS a cast iron, copper bottomed, gold plated dive. Probably the worst I have seen in many a long year. Even Ronaldo would have been embarrassed by it. He didn't even try to jump a non existent leg he just went straight to ground.
COYS Surely we are better than that.
I do not believe he dived as it was a good chance if clear , bale has had some injuries and so he must naturally try to protect himself by preparing for contact. I would rather have a yellow card for diving than bale out for six months.
As fr talks port I have stopped listening after they got rid of porky.
Cluttered is the past form of "Crowd (something) untidily; fill with clutter"
The word you are looking for is CLATTERED!!
I can't see how bale and the Liverpool player are being lumped together here? Both go down without contact - the Welshman just lays there the red player appeals for a pen!!! The later is cheating the former,whoknows?
For Tony pulis to comment shows him to be unbelievable 'one eyed'. Stoke routinely beat opponents up on order to win games!!! If anyone takes action it should be against these incidents!
Simulation is part of the world game, has anyone seen any serie a or la liga games recently? We may not like it, it could be cheating? But it's here and we shouldn't get to fired up about it when more pressing issues such as goal line tech need sorting as a priority.
What a load of bollocks! Anyone with minimal medical training knows what happened. Has no one heard of the "Diver's Reflex"?
Gareth is charging down the field...just him and the ball...and he sees Guzan coming-out hopelessly late. Suddenly he sees the prospect of a glorious goal to be replayed on MOD and YouTube again and again. What happens? He gets an instantaneous massive erection, the blood rushes from his legs into his penis and he falls-down. Honestly it could happen to anyone of us, Spooky. Probably not me though given certain anatomical disadvantages...but the point stands on its own merit.
It's true! I swear...
Ha Ha, Astro (mes), 'sanctimonious hens', eh?
Excellent post, spooky. I wonder if some of the 'health and safety' brigade would have been so forgiving had it been a big game with Bale through on goal.
As others have said, if this diving (out the way) continues, players will just pretend to go in heavy and make Bale a laughing stock.
Not only does he make himself look either a cheat or frightened/a bit silly, he's also lessening our chances of actually winning penalties when he is fouled; the 'cry wolf' or 'Suarez' syndrome.
No one wants to see Bale hurt, but getting injured is a risk of the game, a game that rewards these players massively. Diving out the way of tackles (he has form) is actually cheating the fans and his team mates.
Stop it.
....and you can imagine how shirty some of this lot would have got had the shoe been on the other foot with Lloris receiving a red.
Indefensible.
Razspur - you are correct it is talk sport... The guy Durham is negative on everyone ( especially the daily Arsenal, where he slates Arsenal) . He creates topics that do not need lengthy discussion to make good radio - a little bit like spooky on a slow day in the office...
Unfortunately Razspur I have a 2 hour drive to work most days hence my tuning in..... His side click supports Spurs most of the time though ( Darren Gough).
My point was answered by Spooky himself, everyone on the Internet is slating Bale, there are arguments either way and it has created a divided opinion, surely an article othe renaissance of Gallas and whom wheals are fit should be the back 4 ?. A focus on the positive stuff at WHL rather trading ing up a negative and putting a spin on it.
Spooky I read your match report after you posted this article and honestly mate read it back, even that has a hint of happy but not happy, but pleased but a bit grumpy.....
Facts are facts, we have a new manager playing pleasing football ( not long ball). Yes we are yet to find our best starting 11 but it's a great start to the season and I addition Kaboul, BAE, Parker are yet to kick a ball & Ade has played 15 mins or so..... Last year they + Modric (VDV cameos) were the main core of the team that did so well for 80% of a season, I am not saying they will start when they are fit but they will offer further strength and competition and they won't weaken the team by there presence.
Maybe a debate on positives such as the starting 11 wh en all fit
LLoris
caulker - Kaboul - Vertonghen
Sandro. Parker
Walker Dembele. Lennon
bale
Defoe
My head hurts - Razspur - I'm working from home today so I shall stay away from the radio....
Stevo - that isn't me being grumpy, it's me retaining feet on the ground. If I go too far the other way I'll be ignoring the fact we still have plenty of improvements to be had. Also, to be fair to myself, I've been positive all season long, even when we drew against WBA and Norwich and people on here we're practically calling out AVB - I remained positive and got accused of dancing around the harsh truths. Seems I can't win either way.
Andy - thank you. When you read something back 10 times before publishing, sometimes you never spot what is crying out to be corrected. Hate it when one gets through.
Again - to reiterate - I explain in the article what I think Bale was thinking. In some ways, I'm almost defending him, indirectly.
Stevo I am glad you have the day off and will avoid the self torture of Talksport/Durham. May I suggest the purchase of an 8 track machine, I used to have one in the Capri Ghia and it was wonderful to listen to ZZ Top and ELO whilst travelling.
Billy G has been superb in our last 2 EPL games, MOTM against Utd and almost as good as Vert against Villa, great to hear that Caulker is learning and listening to him and helping Lloris get to grips with life in the Premier League, sounds like a wise head on such young shoulders.
Why is everyone getting there knickers in a twist. HE DIVED. It matters not whether Guzan was pretending to kick him (personally I think that was a clever move more GK's should try) Let's just hope he learns from this which my gut tells me he will judging by the embarassed look on his face. Spooky was merely doing what he always does, offering a insight into the issue. Criticising Bale for Diving does not make you anti-Bale or anti Spurs just as supporting him no matter what he does. We all care about Gareth but let's face it, the diving is more suited to our scummy neighbours
I remembered hearing an ad finish with "It's what we do" it was for Talksport and with Stevo listening regularly I felt it could not be too bad so i tuned in to CH 723 from 1:00pm until now.
I fully understand why most bloggers have renamed it as Talks**** , they were discussing Rylan Clark the pathetic individual from X-Factor not sport, the conversations were rubbish, programme full of ads for insurance, Tyres, Kitchens etc constantly wanting listeners to phone in but the worst aspect about the show was that everyone seemed to be talking at the same time.
Stevo if you listen to this garbage every day for 2 hours you must be paying a penance for something you did in a former life, this has been half an hour of sheer torture.
Watching the Bale dive again - if you check out Guzan (and you can see him sweep back his left leg in the animated gif above), he feints to basically put his left foot through the ball with a pretty wild swing. He then doesn't follow through with the swing. It's cunning really, as it does make Bale look like a cheat. But from Bale's point of view there's no real win in risking getting kicked into the stands. It's not a red card offence there, so maybe a yellow and a free kick. As a fan there's no real win for us either, if he gets himself injured.
Even if he tried to claim a free-kick, I have some sympathy 'hey ref that guy just swung his foot wildly at me, isn't that a foul!?'
Guys,why are we so worried about this ongoing trait of Gareth's....i dont see anyone writing about Sandro doing the same thing....wonder why...ill tell u,he's a footballer...yes i know thats hard to believe but he's worried about making the tackle...not psychoanalysing the approach,geometrics,Freud....blah blah blah.....stop over analysing this Spooky.Normally love your blogs but don't see the need for an article examining whats going on in his head on every tackle.Its not the first time Gareth has done it...get Joe Jordan back for a week,he should still be just bitter enough to put some training scenarios together for Gareth and teach him how to avoid PROPER tackles!!!!!!!!!