Bale should be all over Rafel now. He's a pretty average defender to start with.

Zico wrote:

No. Ref was correct. Article 7 of the Football Law states 'A player will be sent off for a two-footed lunge, unless said player is playing for Manchester United'.

Fair enough 😆

Haha, jesus United are dirty. They've resorted to break up play now. Every other second there's a foul. They just can't cope with a team that's passing the ball well on the ground.

Bale is so obviously NOT a world class player. Good, yes. Effective, yes. World class, no.

Bale's a runner, a very good but very predictable runner.

Modric is by a million miles there best player.

Agreed Tim. Bale and Lennon are on the same level, roughly. Good upper half Premier League players. Not anywhere near world class. Modric is so much more accomplished.

Who's better at the moment in your opinions, Walcott or Bale? Stats-wise this season I think Theo's done more.

Hang the fucking ball up for Crouch. Stop with the whipped in crosses, Crouch won't win sod all that way.

Theo's definitely been better stats-wise this season. I wouldn't swap him for Bale if someone offered to do it.

Tim wrote:

Who's better at the moment in your opinions, Walcott or Bale? Stats-wise this season I think Theo's done more.

Hard one, not a lot in it. Walcott's movement and finishing is streets ahead, but Bale's crossing and ability to work a yard, get on the outside of his marker, and produce reliable deliveries is also streets ahead.

Other than their speed, they're actually quite different. Theo has the bigger upside for my money, and by a distance - because if he improves what he's poor at and he will do what Bale does, but better.

Ricky1985 wrote:
Kel Varnsen wrote:

why? spurs need a win today.

Because they always do at Shite Hart Lane.

well they haven't so far. been the best side in the first 45 mins.

They were 3-0 up after 45 minutes once upon a time, kel.......

Ricky1985 wrote:
Tim wrote:

Who's better at the moment in your opinions, Walcott or Bale? Stats-wise this season I think Theo's done more.

Hard one, not a lot in it. Walcott's movement and finishing is streets ahead, but Bale's crossing and ability to work a yard, get on the outside of his marker, and produce reliable deliveries is also streets ahead.

Other than their speed, they're actually quite different. Theo has the bigger upside for my money, and by a distance - because if he improves what he's poor at and he will do what Bale does, but better.

what an odd argument. what if bale improves what he's poor at?

Theo fits our formation better than Bale imo. He's more of a striker whereas Bale is a classic wide midfielder who's looking to get to the byline and put a cross in.

They're about the same level at the moment, I feel. While Bale may be more pleasing on the eye, he's not as productive as Theo.

Kel Varnsen wrote:
Ricky1985 wrote:

Hard one, not a lot in it. Walcott's movement and finishing is streets ahead, but Bale's crossing and ability to work a yard, get on the outside of his marker, and produce reliable deliveries is also streets ahead.

Other than their speed, they're actually quite different. Theo has the bigger upside for my money, and by a distance - because if he improves what he's poor at and he will do what Bale does, but better.

what an odd argument. what if bale improves what he's poor at?

I don't think he has that kind if improvement in his locker. He's good at what he does, but Theo has shown flashes of being able to be SO much more than what he currently he is.

If Theo maintains his current rate of improvement, at 23 he will be a frightening good footballer. I genuinely think all that has happened to Bale in the last 12 months is he's gained power and speed, don't think he has anything like Theo's understanding of the game, appreciation of time and space, calmness in front of goal - all Theo needs to do is improve his technique to match that.

i disagree. i think bale has shown he has as much as theo in "his locker" if not more.

The main reason is that, for me, Theo's technical ability will make a similar jump forward in the next two years as it has in the last two. People think he doesn't have a "footballing brain", I think he just can't currently execute what he sees in his mind. Remember he didn't kick a ball until he was 10 years old, so he is behind in his development.

Can you imagine how good Theo would be if his control of the ball at speed improved? Or his ability to manipulate the ball one-on-one improved? He'd be absolutely unstoppable. He's not far off that now.

Ricky1985 wrote:

People think he doesn't have a "footballing brain", I think he just can't currently execute what he sees in his mind.

Spot on there, ricks. This is what bugs me the most about all the criticism Theo recieves. Not being great technically does not equal being stupid. Theo certainly isn't a stupid player. I think he's underrated technically too. You have to have a good amount of ability to be able to control the ball and dribble so well at high speeds.

i dont get why those arguments dont apply to bale. he already has pace, power, a great left foot. who's to say bale won't find another gear in his game and turn into the 2nd coming of giggs?

i think it's very tough to call. what a team southampton would've had, though.