Chris Coleman Backs Bale To Recapture Old Form
Former Wales manager Chris Coleman is optimistic that Gareth Bale can recapture his old form at Tottenham Hotspurs.
Bale made a fairytale return to Tottenham on a season-long loan deal from Real Madrid in last summer’s transfer window but he has been unable to claim a regular place in Jose Mourinho’s starting eleven.
The 31-year-old has made most of his 15 appearances across all competitions from the substitutes’ bench and he has recorded just four goals this term.
"He's been out for a long time and he's finding it hard to get back in and get his rhythm," Coleman said on Monday Night Football.
"We all know what a world-class player he is. He can win a game, he can score a goal from nothing, he's got a last pass.
"But when I'm watching him now it looks like he's always on his first game back after an injury. Obviously, we expected him to be in the flow of it by now but he clearly isn't.
"He's only 31 so I wouldn't write him off. I don't know what's happened at Tottenham but knowing Gareth, he's a very serious boy about his football and he loves playing football.
"I've heard comments that maybe he'll be happy to be on the bench. He won't be happy on the bench - not the Gareth Bale that I know.
"He will very much want to be in the heart of it and if he's not quite there yet, he's either not ready physically or maybe mentally there's a lack of confidence."
