Gareth Bale is...The most expensive player ever?!

I also think Bales delivery is better. Valencia is a good crosser but Bale gets that fantastic whip on his crosses.
 
I also think Bales delivery is better. Valencia is a good crosser but Bale gets that fantastic whip on his crosses.

Indeed, that whip is great, but again, it is far less consistent than Valencia's. Also, I think Valencia is great at mixing it up with low hard crosses and curled classic crosses. So, overall I think Valencia edges it, but Bale can deliver the best crosses, as such.
 
I think if Bale moved here he'd become a much better player than Valencia.

It won't happen though, not with Levy in charge.
 
Every time I open this thread I'm expecting someone to have quoted the OP and replied: "The stapler. Rated PG13".
 
And he's abawt teh find out, that being a stapler, is harder than it lewks!
 
I saw that run from Bale vs Ronaldo - wasn't that after Ronaldo had played for 80min and Bale just came on and Ronaldo didn't even bother to chase him?

Sure, Bale has outpaced Rafael, but Rafael has also outpaced Bale on a longer run, and he is certainly quicker acceleration wise, which isn't Bale's biggest strength, imo.

Nah Ronaldo tried to chase him at full pelt but couldn't get near him. He then slowed down but he wasn't fatigued it was a pedestrian match.

Can't agree with you about Bale's acceleration it is absolutely rapid. I think it is perhaps deceptive as he doesn't accelerate with quick strides he is very rangey almost like a 200 metre runner. He has got wide shoulders and his running is really fecking powerful. Once he finds space he is gone.
 
Nah Ronaldo tried to chase him at full pelt but couldn't get near him. He then slowed down but he wasn't fatigued it was a pedestrian match.

Can't agree with you about Bale's acceleration it is absolutely rapid. I think it is perhaps deceptive as he doesn't accelerate with quick strides he is very rangey almost like a 200 metre runner. He has got wide shoulders and his running is really fecking powerful. Once he finds space he is gone.

Just re-watched that video, Ronaldo is hardly trying - a typical Ronaldo defensive run where he gives up half way, afraid to use too much energy. No doubt Ronaldo is faster than Bale!

Bale is quick, but he is massively overrated by many. His kick and run against Inter where one of the defenders didn't even try to chase him illustrates that - it's a bit hyped. Maicon is fast, so that was a bit surprising, but then I heard he had recently been out with an injury.

Imo, as many agree with me, Bale has great top speed, but not great acceleration from a standstill, like Lennon for instance - a young Giggs would pawn him for top speed and acceleration - you may disagree, but I doubt either of us is going to pursuade the other :smirk:
 
Just re-watched that video, Ronaldo is hardly trying - a typical Ronaldo defensive run where he gives up half way, afraid to use too much energy. No doubt Ronaldo is faster than Bale!

Bale is quick, but he is massively overrated by many. His kick and run against Inter where one of the defenders didn't even try to chase him illustrates that - it's a bit hyped. Maicon is fast, so that was a bit surprising, but then I heard he had recently been out with an injury.

Imo, as many agree with me, Bale has great top speed, but not great acceleration from a standstill, like Lennon for instance - a young Giggs would pawn him for top speed and acceleration - you may disagree, but I doubt either of us is going to pursuade the other :smirk:

You're right I do disagree. I will leave you with a few points though to digest.

To suggest his performance against Inter is tainted by players not trying to catch him, or Maicon returning from a supposed injury, really hampers you're argument. Maicon covered 11.7km that evening which was the sixth highest by any player on the pitch. He was clearly fit he just couldn't contain a player who was too quick & skilful for him to handle.

Bale covered 12km which was the most (unsurprisingly) on the pitch. He also ran 1,114 metres at "high intensity speed" measured as being at least 21km per hour or more. The average for a Premier League player at the time was 691 metres. Furthermore 719 metres of his total was run at sprint pace which is the equivalent of 24km per hour or more. Unbelievable figures.

To say his acceleration is not great from a standing start is just plainly wrong. All the evidence suggests otherwise. Look at any of his compilation videos for the general picture, any of his games. Just for the sake of it look at the one against Inter at WHL. Just look how often he collects the ball and has a standing start with his opponent......and look how many times he uses his acceleration to burst away. His acceleration is his main asset, allowing him to reach top speed in rapid time. After that you cannot catch him. It's why defenders are trying to force him inside so he runs into congestion....hence why he is trying to improve his game centrally and become more rounded.

Acceleration....not pace...is Bale's best weapon.
 
I think it's clear Bale will be off at the end of the season if Spurs don't qualify for the CL, which I don't think they will. I'd tip both Arsenal and Everton to finish above them. Yes that's right, I said it...Arsenal. As crap as they are, I still think Wenger will get enough consistent results out of this team to scrape another top 4 finish. Spurs will struggle as they have a manager with one decent season, one very good season, and one very disappointing season under his belt. His one very good season came with a Porto team that had a front line of Hulk, Falcao and Varela. In a wank league.

Chelsea job came far too early in his career. He won't get patience in England, not at CL chasing clubs. My money is on Spurs to sack him by January after a poor run of results leads to him cracking under the pressure. Wigan started the rot.

So Bale will be off, and I would love it to be to United. He's a proper old fashioned winger. If we are going to continue our fine tradition of playing wide men, then I can't think of a better one in world football. He'll go to the next level at a club like United. I like Valencia a lot (shame his current form is so poor) but Bale has a lot more in his locker and is just a better all round player. That's no slight on Antonio, just a rather big compliment to Gareth. I'm convinced he'd be an absolute monster playing alongside the likes of RVP and Rooney.

I'd be perfectly happy to swap him (plus cash no doubt) for Nani.
 
He would be incredible here.

Physically he isn't too different from Valencia but Bale is a much bigger goal threat - better delivery and shot on him. Him and a resurgent Evra on one wing and Rafael & Valencia on the other is really lights out for any opposition.
 
An interesting call that actually might not be the wrong call. But if you're staffing up the player roster for Man United you go with Bale over Di Maria every without a moment's hesitation.

nah, we have lads like valencia and young that are un-inventive wide players.

give me di maria any day over bale. he actually has some nous, imagination, and variety on the ball.

and he's left footed (which seems to be the biggest bale attribute from reading this thread).
 
I think it's clear Bale will be off at the end of the season if Spurs don't qualify for the CL, which I don't think they will. I'd tip both Arsenal and Everton to finish above them. Yes that's right, I said it...Arsenal. As crap as they are, I still think Wenger will get enough consistent results out of this team to scrape another top 4 finish. Spurs will struggle as they have a manager with one decent season, one very good season, and one very disappointing season under his belt. His one very good season came with a Porto team that had a front line of Hulk, Falcao and Varela. In a wank league.

Chelsea job came far too early in his career. He won't get patience in England, not at CL chasing clubs. My money is on Spurs to sack him by January after a poor run of results leads to him cracking under the pressure. Wigan started the rot.

So Bale will be off, and I would love it to be to United. He's a proper old fashioned winger. If we are going to continue our fine tradition of playing wide men, then I can't think of a better one in world football. He'll go to the next level at a club like United. I like Valencia a lot (shame his current form is so poor) but Bale has a lot more in his locker and is just a better all round player. That's no slight on Antonio, just a rather big compliment to Gareth. I'm convinced he'd be an absolute monster playing alongside the likes of RVP and Rooney.

I'd be perfectly happy to swap him (plus cash no doubt) for Nani.

if bale leaves, he'll be off to one of the spanish big boys IMO.

he doesn't strike me as the insular type that will fall apart if he has to move from dear old blighty
 
He would be incredible here.

Physically he isn't too different from Valencia but Bale is a much bigger goal threat - better delivery and shot on him. Him and a resurgent Evra on one wing and Rafael & Valencia on the other is really lights out for any opposition.

It'd make us very predictable and one dimensional.
 
It'd make us very predictable and one dimensional.

Except that with SAF's rotation policy, we wouldn't be using him every week, and the team would continue to rotate and be as predictable or unpredictable as it is know. I really don't see that as a problem.

I think he'd do very well here even though his face annoys me and the prospect of having both him and Young in the same team, diving-wise, irks me.
 
Just re-watched that video, Ronaldo is hardly trying - a typical Ronaldo defensive run where he gives up half way, afraid to use too much energy. No doubt Ronaldo is faster than Bale!

Bale is quick, but he is massively overrated by many. His kick and run against Inter where one of the defenders didn't even try to chase him illustrates that - it's a bit hyped. Maicon is fast, so that was a bit surprising, but then I heard he had recently been out with an injury.

Imo, as many agree with me, Bale has great top speed, but not great acceleration from a standstill, like Lennon for instance - a young Giggs would pawn him for top speed and acceleration - you may disagree, but I doubt either of us is going to pursuade the other :smirk:

Don't think so. Ronaldo is very very quick but Bale is faster.
 
Except that with SAF's rotation policy, we wouldn't be using him every week, and the team would continue to rotate and be as predictable or unpredictable as it is know. I really don't see that as a problem.

I think he'd do very well here even though his face annoys me and the prospect of having both him and Young in the same team, diving-wise, irks me.

Levy will demand an insane amount for him. If we buy him, it'l be to start most games for us, no point spending so much on someone to rotate him most of the time.

If Nani's leaving, we should buy someone of similar ilk. If we can sort the situation out, i dont see the need for a winger at all.
 
Levy will demand an insane amount for him. If we buy him, it'l be to start most games for us, no point spending so much on someone to rotate him most of the time.

"Insane amount" may be an understatement. In any event, whatever offer we might put on the table, you know City or even Chelsea will go further. Both clubs are going to be very very interested in Bale when the time comes for him to leave Spurs, probably at the end of this season.

If Nani's leaving, we should buy someone of similar ilk. If we can sort the situation out, i dont see the need for a winger at all.

Agreed. The hot rumor of the day is Rodriguez, the "new Ronaldo". You can't help but drool (or wank, whichever you prefer) over the prospect of Rodriguez but he's got an alleged 36m price tag on him. Can Bale be had for 36m? Probably, but assuming he could be, would you go with Bale, a proven prem standout, or Rodriguez, who probably has a higher potential upside but is far from a sure thing in the English prem? Hard to say.
 
i would hold off spunking 40 million on bale until we know when fergie is leaving.

If we get someone like Pep, i doubt he would spend so much on bale and instead use that on a more technically gifted and flexible player and go away from one-dimensional wingers.
 
i would hold off spunking 40 million on bale until we know when fergie is leaving.

If we get someone like Pep, i doubt he would spend so much on bale and instead use that on a more technically gifted and flexible player and go away from one-dimensional wingers.

That'l definitely be taken into account, no way will SAF buy him for a huge sum unless its him thats going to play him.

"Insane amount" may be an understatement. In any event, whatever offer we might put on the table, you know City or even Chelsea will go further. Both clubs are going to be very very interested in Bale when the time comes for him to leave Spurs, probably at the end of this season.



Agreed. The hot rumor of the day is Rodriguez, the "new Ronaldo". You can't help but drool (or wank, whichever you prefer) over the prospect of Rodriguez but he's got an alleged 36m price tag on him. Can Bale be had for 36m? Probably, but assuming he could be, would you go with Bale, a proven prem standout, or Rodriguez, who probably has a higher potential upside but is far from a sure thing in the English prem? Hard to say.

I'd always pick the more versatile attacker over someone like Bale. Havent seen enough of Rodriguez to say whether he'd be fit here but i'd hate it if we spent 40mil on someone like Bale when it could be used to actually replace Nani with someone of similar style. As i said, if he stays, we dont need anyone.
 
Needs to stop being a greedy chimp and help his fullback.
 
2 weeks in a row Spurs have been done time and time again down that side. He must think he's too good to help his defence now.
 
With Walcott's ridiculous pace, one should think that Bale had the decency to help out his fullback - perhaps he is afraid he will be found out too? Been awful tonight. Walcott has been good though.
 
Bale has one eye on a transfer, and it's been that way for quite a while now.
 
A few guys are too ready to bash Bale he's a wonderful player who would be superb at United.
 
The only thing he has done in the game so far is an 80 yard run to win a corner. He surely will make the world XI ahead of Rooney. :rolleyes:
 
A few guys are too ready to bash Bale he's a wonderful player who would be superb at United.

I keep saying it, but he is a one trick pony. Pace down the flank, cuts inside and gets lost. 30mill is a waste on a player like him when you can get someone in for half that price who is more rounded.
 
A few guys are too ready to bash Bale he's a wonderful player who would be superb at United.
Ferguson knows better than to toss away 40 million for an overrated chimp.
 
Ferguson knows better than to toss away 40 million for an overrated chimp.

If the reports of Nani leaving are to be true then I wouldn't be surprised if Fergie signs Bale. Even if it's not the position which requires immediate addressing, we know Fergie loves his wingers, and he has loved his direct ones throughout the years too.

Bale may be overrated but overrated doesn't mean he's crap. He's still a very good player who'd be excellent for us if he joined.
 
I keep saying it, but he is a one trick pony. Pace down the flank, cuts inside and gets lost. 30mill is a waste on a player like him when you can get someone in for half that price who is more rounded.

He hits good dead balls, has lots of pace, he is strong, has a good left footed. Fantastic crosser scores goals a plenty and beats men he is much more than a one trick pony.
 
If the reports of Nani leaving are to be true then I wouldn't be surprised if Fergie signs Bale. Even if it's not the position which requires immediate addressing, we know Fergie loves his wingers, and he has loved his direct ones throughout the years too.

Bale may be overrated but overrated doesn't mean he's crap. He's still a very good player who'd be excellent for us if he joined.

It isnt a player I can see SAF agree to pay 30-40mill for, especially as it isnt a priority as we have players to plug the gap. Plus the wages he'd demand aswell, if that is the reason Nani is being pushed out then going for Bale doesnt make sense to me.

Better players out there to suit us imo.
 
Ferguson knows better than to toss away 40 million for an overrated chimp.

Don't think we would ever pay £40m for him but if it was 25-30m then I think SAF would be in for him as a replacement if Nani leaves.
 
He hits good dead balls, has lots of pace, he is strong, has a good left footed. Fantastic crosser scores goals a plenty and beats men he is much more than a one trick pony.

But that is his trick is it not? Use's pace and his frame to get past a player. he has no real skills at all, if he loses a yard of pace he will disappear.
 
But that is his trick is it not? Use's pace and his frame to get past a player. he has no real skills at all, if he loses a yard of pace he will disappear.

I agree to a point and he is similar to Valencia as he relies on pace but after beating his man his crossing is normally brilliant. I'd take a left sided Valencia any day of the week.
 
Lol good goal there but regardless it doesn't change my opinion the boys a class act.