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@cornelius_blackfoot
interesting article by "inverting the pyramid" Jonathon Wilson on the rise of Bale and how this has been helped by AVB's use of him and the team compensating for his movement with the interchange of players in the final third.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2013/feb/26/gareth-bale-sensation-tottenham-style
this quote stands out..
"Predictably, that has led to claims that Tottenham are a one-man team, as though his brilliance was inevitable and not linked to those around him. There seems to be a belief that individual brilliance undermines the whole notion of a systemic approach to football.
It is possible that one superb player playing superbly can outweigh shambolic organisation. But far more likely, and far more common, is that individual and system work together, that the system provides the environment in which an individual can thrive and the individual, in doing so, elevates the whole.
André Villas-Boas is clearly grateful to Bale but the way Bale charged to celebrate with Villas-Boas after scoring the winner in the 3-2 victory at West Ham on Monday suggests he is aware how much he owes to his manager."
As much as I'm enjoying Bale performing to such a high level, also equal amounts annoying and worrying are the recurring frequency of the "whose in for Bale" articles, which all start from the premise that he HAS to leave in order to secure participation in the Champions League.
This one from the usually excellent David Conn, http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2013/feb/26/gareth-bale-sensation-tottenham-style
hits all the previously tapped buttons, but this quote gave me pause.
"Whether Bale decides to accept that option, and stay where he is settled and flourishing, partly depends on whether, with his extravagant gifts, Spurs qualify for the Champions League next season. Their manager, André Villas-Boas, acknowledged that earlier this month, when he said of keeping the Welshman: "If we reach our objectives [of qualifying for the Champions League] we can hopefully continue to have Gareth in our club."
That is one settled aspect of the Bale discussion. When playing as well as any footballer in Europe, he does not want to be excluded from the greatest European club competition. If Spurs do qualify the betting, still, is that he will push to leave."
If the reason for him leaving (apart from the money) is playing Champions League football, then why would he leave if Tottenham qualify? Why would he push to leave? Doesn't make any sense..
@Tenderloin, haven't seen any of Griezmann, had a quick look at his wiki page. Good to know we are looking for possible Bale alternatives, but if its anything like our hunt for a striker, it could go on indefinitely..