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Gareth Bale

ricky2tricky4city said:
I think you could be right.
I said the other day I had a theory built on what's gone on the last 2/3/4 weeks.

Jose has gone from being bemused/frustrated about Bales behaviour around his fitness/body to saying quite clearly twice that Bale is experienced, he knows best, and knows his body best.

There was a definite change there and that change (in Jose's world) would never come about without a third party being involved, and the only third party at the club he'd ever (be forced to) listen to is Levy.

It sounds as though Bale has been empowered to be in control of his body and fitness. That would be massive in Bales eyes, not just physically but mentally, basically the pressure is off, he calls the shots.

On the flip side, Jose would hate this as he is a control freak BUT he is pragmatic enough to accept something is working. He's never stupid though, and that's why he flags these points in his press conferences as he like to make it clear what's happened as if it goes wrong he's not to blame.

People (Jose) can get quite frustrated if others (in this case all hopefully fighting for the same goals) are not like them, and Bale does come across as quite a delicate flower, bit shy, and would bottle stuff up rather than kick off (I'd say Ndombele is similar). Jose is straight talking, bullet proof, super confident and I'd imagine he'd get exasperated with said players if he thinks they're flaky or weak-minded. And although he will give them time, he'd quickly become exasperated as it would grate on him 'why can't they be like me' and feels it's just unnecessary extra work to get them integrated and pulling in the right direction...it's as though they're stragglers.

Of course they're (Bale, Ndombele) world class players, and although I completely understand that Jose is the way he is (and that's fair enough, we are all different), you've just got to be flexible enough to work it out for the greater good of the team, an who knows, sometimes maybe even he is still learning.
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It will not shock you to know I agree with every word, having expressed similar myself. Even Moura was in the press the other day speaking about a recent "shift in gears" (I am NOT making that up, honestly!)...

On another note, I wish people would stop looking at any observations/opinions on Mourinho and his style as a flat-out rebuke.
 
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SpurMeUp said:
Listen it was the same pattern in his first stint at Spurs. Shy, took time to build up, Arry had a pop at him for worrying about taking a knock....and then it clicked. He’s not going to have that searing pace of his youth but he’s still quick and will find his range and confidence.


Sitting on my porcelain throne using glory-glory.co.uk mobile app
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Knew he’d come good. Bale just loves playing for us. His best football has been in our colours. Provided he stays fit he should elevate us for a couple more years touch wood!


Sitting on my porcelain throne using glory-glory.co.uk mobile app
 
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His form has coincided with being fit and having no “reported” injuries or “illnesses”

Makes a big difference to his confidence and swagger

I guess Jose would have loved to have him fitter earlier for that shocking period we had
 
ricky2tricky4city said:
I think you could be right.
I said the other day I had a theory built on what's gone on the last 2/3/4 weeks.

Jose has gone from being bemused/frustrated about Bales behaviour around his fitness/body to saying quite clearly twice that Bale is experienced, he knows best, and knows his body best.

There was a definite change there and that change (in Jose's world) would never come about without a third party being involved, and the only third party at the club he'd ever (be forced to) listen to is Levy.

It sounds as though Bale has been empowered to be in control of his body and fitness. That would be massive in Bales eyes, not just physically but mentally, basically the pressure is off, he calls the shots.

On the flip side, Jose would hate this as he is a control freak BUT he is pragmatic enough to accept something is working. He's never stupid though, and that's why he flags these points in his press conferences as he like to make it clear what's happened as if it goes wrong he's not to blame.

People (Jose) can get quite frustrated if others (in this case all hopefully fighting for the same goals) are not like them, and Bale does come across as quite a delicate flower, bit shy, and would bottle stuff up rather than kick off (I'd say Ndombele is similar). Jose is straight talking, bullet proof, super confident and I'd imagine he'd get exasperated with said players if he thinks they're flaky or weak-minded. And although he will give them time, he'd quickly become exasperated as it would grate on him 'why can't they be like me' and feels it's just unnecessary extra work to get them integrated and pulling in the right direction...it's as though they're stragglers.

Of course they're (Bale, Ndombele) world class players, and although I completely understand that Jose is the way he is (and that's fair enough, we are all different), you've just got to be flexible enough to work it out for the greater good of the team, an who knows, sometimes maybe even he is still learning.
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That's a great take on this situation. Well summed up.
 
ricky2tricky4city said:
I think you could be right.
I said the other day I had a theory built on what's gone on the last 2/3/4 weeks.

Jose has gone from being bemused/frustrated about Bales behaviour around his fitness/body to saying quite clearly twice that Bale is experienced, he knows best, and knows his body best.

There was a definite change there and that change (in Jose's world) would never come about without a third party being involved, and the only third party at the club he'd ever (be forced to) listen to is Levy.

It sounds as though Bale has been empowered to be in control of his body and fitness. That would be massive in Bales eyes, not just physically but mentally, basically the pressure is off, he calls the shots.

On the flip side, Jose would hate this as he is a control freak BUT he is pragmatic enough to accept something is working. He's never stupid though, and that's why he flags these points in his press conferences as he like to make it clear what's happened as if it goes wrong he's not to blame.

People (Jose) can get quite frustrated if others (in this case all hopefully fighting for the same goals) are not like them, and Bale does come across as quite a delicate flower, bit shy, and would bottle stuff up rather than kick off (I'd say Ndombele is similar). Jose is straight talking, bullet proof, super confident and I'd imagine he'd get exasperated with said players if he thinks they're flaky or weak-minded. And although he will give them time, he'd quickly become exasperated as it would grate on him 'why can't they be like me' and feels it's just unnecessary extra work to get them integrated and pulling in the right direction...it's as though they're stragglers.

Of course they're (Bale, Ndombele) world class players, and although I completely understand that Jose is the way he is (and that's fair enough, we are all different), you've just got to be flexible enough to work it out for the greater good of the team, an who knows, sometimes maybe even he is still learning.
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I find it somewhat confusing that Mourinho should be bemused by Bale's fitness situation. Him not being enthusiastic about signing him because of his fitness situation I get, but Bale's fitness issues are well documented by now.

Mourinho has worked with older players that's needed more careful management in terms of playing time in the past hasn't he?

An alternative explanation would be that Bale just wasn't very good because he was short on form and fitness. I can't remember any point of the season where Bale has been asked to play too much.

Once Bale came into form he's been managed at least somewhat carefully in terms of minutes played.

I definitely see that there could have been more of a conflict. Definitely frustration. Perhaps the expectations Mourinho's had have been too high too early, like many of us fans. I just also think that when a high profile player struggles for form and confidence there will be unhappiness and it doesn't necessarily reflect on the manager's expectations.
 
braineclipse said:
I find it somewhat confusing that Mourinho should be bemused by Bale's fitness situation. Him not being enthusiastic about signing him because of his fitness situation I get, but Bale's fitness issues are well documented by now.

Mourinho has worked with older players that's needed more careful management in terms of playing time in the past hasn't he?

An alternative explanation would be that Bale just wasn't very good because he was short on form and fitness. I can't remember any point of the season where Bale has been asked to play too much.

Once Bale came into form he's been managed at least somewhat carefully in terms of minutes played.

I definitely see that there could have been more of a conflict. Definitely frustration. Perhaps the expectations Mourinho's had have been too high too early, like many of us fans. I just also think that when a high profile player struggles for form and confidence there will be unhappiness and it doesn't necessarily reflect on the manager's expectations.
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Once he has actually been fit he has been managed well
 
braineclipse said:
I find it somewhat confusing that Mourinho should be bemused by Bale's fitness situation. Him not being enthusiastic about signing him because of his fitness situation I get, but Bale's fitness issues are well documented by now.

Mourinho has worked with older players that's needed more careful management in terms of playing time in the past hasn't he?

An alternative explanation would be that Bale just wasn't very good because he was short on form and fitness. I can't remember any point of the season where Bale has been asked to play too much.

Once Bale came into form he's been managed at least somewhat carefully in terms of minutes played.

I definitely see that there could have been more of a conflict. Definitely frustration. Perhaps the expectations Mourinho's had have been too high too early, like many of us fans. I just also think that when a high profile player struggles for form and confidence there will be unhappiness and it doesn't necessarily reflect on the manager's expectations.
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I really do think it was "mental fitness" that was the problem, not physical fitness.

I don't think Bale has the arrogance and self-confidence that some other top-level footballers have. I'm talking the likes of Ronaldo and Zlatan here. Intelligent clams who absolutely don't need anyone to love them. Whereas we all know that Bale needed a bit of love. Sure, he must have some arrogance, otherwise he wouldn't be a global football superstar, but nowhere near the same level. And what he had may well have been eroded by injuries and the Madrid experience.

I reckon Bale has been putting up the fitness numbers for a few months now, but just hasn't got his head right. Whether it's being scared of getting a hard tackle, or making that risky pass (and getting a public dressing down from his clamy manager), or even dropping a shoulder and trying to burst past a defender. Is the speed still there?

In the world of top football, I think this is the exception rather than the norm, and that's why Mourinho has been frustrated. Maybe it just took a couple of good games (and many not-so-good games) and something clicked.

Either way, Bale's head is now back in the game. Long may it continue.
 
FatBloke said:
I really do think it was "mental fitness" that was the problem, not physical fitness.

I don't think Bale has the arrogance and self-confidence that some other top-level footballers have. I'm talking the likes of Ronaldo and Zlatan here. Intelligent clams who absolutely don't need anyone to love them. Whereas we all know that Bale needed a bit of love. Sure, he must have some arrogance, otherwise he wouldn't be a global football superstar, but nowhere near the same level. And what he had may well have been eroded by injuries and the Madrid experience.

I reckon Bale has been putting up the fitness numbers for a few months now, but just hasn't got his head right. Whether it's being scared of getting a hard tackle, or making that risky pass (and getting a public dressing down from his clamy manager), or even dropping a shoulder and trying to burst past a defender. Is the speed still there?

In the world of top football, I think this is the exception rather than the norm, and that's why Mourinho has been frustrated. Maybe it just took a couple of good games (and many not-so-good games) and something clicked.

Either way, Bale's head is now back in the game. Long may it continue.
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Confidence at this level is huge. It’s what makes or breaks players when they get their chance
Peter crouch talked about Ledley in one of his podcasts abs said we all knew he would make it, but it came down to him putting in a big performance in his debut to build his confidence in himself
players are human and need that extra edge
Is there a more confident player in world sport than Ronaldo??? I doubt it
 
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FatBloke said:
I really do think it was "mental fitness" that was the problem, not physical fitness.

Whether it's being scared of getting a hard tackle, or making that risky pass (and getting a public dressing down from his clamy manager), or even dropping a shoulder and trying to burst past a defender. Is the speed still there?

In the world of top football, I think this is the exception rather than the norm, and that's why Mourinho has been frustrated. Maybe it just took a couple of good games (and many not-so-good games) and something clicked.

Either way, Bale's head is now back in the game. Long may it continue.
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I agree, said it earlier, he needed confidence in his body. He's been stuck in a brick cycle -> not fit -> injuries -> not enough games to get fit/sharp -> injury -> not fit

People don't watch it, but look at Kane in the games since his injury comeback, he's clearly hesitant to go into tackles, it will go away with time but for now he's there.

For @Bedfordspurs I think Ronaldo is different, a commentator described it best for me with Ronaldo "most players taking a penalty in the 90th minute of a critical match/final will be thinking, I must not fudge this up, Ronaldo will be thinking this is my chance to be on the front page of the papers tomorrow"
 
Raziel said:
I agree, said it earlier, he needed confidence in his body. He's been stuck in a brick cycle -> not fit -> injuries -> not enough games to get fit/sharp -> injury -> not fit

People don't watch it, but look at Kane in the games since his injury comeback, he's clearly hesitant to go into tackles, it will go away with time but for now he's there.

For @Bedfordspurs I think Ronaldo is different, a commentator described it best for me with Ronaldo "most players taking a pelanty in the 90th minute of a critical match/final will be thinking, I must not fudge this up, Ronaldo will be thinking this is my chance to be on the front page of the papers tomorrow"
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Yep Ronaldo has more confirmed everything in himself than any sportsman other than maybe Mayweather
 
Bedfordspurs said:
Confidence at this level is huge. It’s what makes or breaks players when they get their chance
Peter crouch talked about Lesley in one of his podcasts abs said we all knew he would make it, but it came down to him putting in a big performance in his debut to build his confidence in himself
players are human and need that extra edge
Is there a more confident player in world sport than Ronaldo??? I doubt it
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Lord Bendnter?
 
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