On the latest episode of the Last Word on Spurs podcast, Ricky Sacks, Lee McQueen, Chris Cowlin and Richard Cracknell provided immediate reaction to the Lilywhites’ 2-1 win against Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday night.
One topic of conversation on the recent episode, which was titled ‘Bale Wins It‘, was the winger himself, as it was his goal in the second half that secured the three points for Jose Mourinho’s side against the Seagulls.
It was the 31-year-old’s first goal for Spurs since May 2013 and his first since re-joining the north London club on loan from Real Madrid during the summer transfer window, so it is unsurprising that those on the podcast were singing his praises following the full-time whistle.
Here’s what Cowlin had to say about the Welsh international during the podcast:
“I tell you what, if you give players like Gareth Bale the service like [Sergio] Reguilon did, they’re always going to finish.
“We’ve waited seven years to see Gareth Bale score at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, I’m just gutted I wasn’t there to see it, because even Gareth Bale said after the game that if the fans were in there, he didn’t know what he would have done. An amazing feeling for him, a great three points for us.
“That is what it’s all about, having game-changers on the bench. I think even under [Mauricio] Pochettino, that is what we were really lacking.
“When we needed that goal, when we were chasing the game and needed to get that winner, 80/85 minutes [when you want] to bring a sub on, we always struggled for options.
“When you think that you can have a Gareth Bale coming off the bench and having that option is just absolutely fantastic for Spurs.
“I’m just hugely excited about him getting that little bit fitter, because a fit Gareth Bale in the starting XI will just be absolutely brilliant for us.”
TIF Thoughts on Cowlin’s comments on Gareth Bale…
As Cowlin suggests, having a player of Bale’s quality and experience on the bench right now is a superb option for Mourinho to have, with the Welshman having proved during his time with Spurs and Real Madrid that he is capable of producing superb performances at the very top level, having also won the Champions League on four occasions with Los Blancos.
Should Gareth Bale start the next match for Spurs?
No, he's not ready
Yes, we need him in
After his goal on Sunday, Mourinho has confirmed that he will start in Spurs’ Europa League game against Ludogorets on Thursday, so hopefully, for Spurs fans, he can add another goal to his tally, and also improve his fitness further, as you imagine it is only a matter of time before he becomes a regular starter for the Portuguese manager in the Premier League, as the £22.5 million-rated man continues to regain match fitness following his knee injury.