Spurring on: The Gareth Bale conundrum

One defeat in 10 in the Premier League seems to be league-winning form. Every time Spurs play, something seems to be expected of them. Gareth Bale looks to be the best player in the league at the moment. Just a point off Chelsea in third and four ahead of their North London rivals Arsenal. Tottenham look to be gathering steam to play in the Champions League again next term. Things appear to be brilliant. But are they?

When we talk of Tottenham and now, we can’t help but talk about their new number 11, a certain Welshman who has been setting the league on fire, it seems. The heir apparent to Ryan Giggs (or so Tottenham fans would lead you to believe), the pacy winger has been on a stunning run of form that has seen him become the focal point of everything that Tottenham are doing these days. He seems to be doing everything and all at once. He seems to be attacking and defending, taking free kicks and clearing off the line. He seems to be everywhere and he seems to be the linchpin that Tottenham are revolving around at the moment.

However, are things really that rosy? Yes, he is in a fantastic run of form and in full flight, he is just a joy to behold with his stunning dribbling and directness. However, the good also seems to be the bad. That he seems to be everywhere at once might not be the blessing that many see it to be now. The problem is that he often drifts into positions that other players ought to be occupying. Now, for the time being, he is brilliant at almost all that he does and almost all that he touches is turning to gold, but what when the golden streak starts paling?

Well, the problems will start, that’s what. Right now, because of Bale drifting to the right on many an occasion, Aaron Lennon seems to be stuck on the left at times and it is quite clearly not where he is most comfortable or most dangerous. Similarly, Bale drifting infield leaves the likes of Dembele wondering if he ought to push on or wait for Bale to push on. As a result, the game actually slows down and stutters. Thus, this whole conundrum if you like, must be dealt with. And soon.

With Defoe out and Adebayor clearly not in the best of form, it has been Clint Dempsey who has been leading the line for Spurs and if the fans are to be believed, he is quite certainly not the apt man for the job. Perhaps he is not but he is perhaps what AVB feels is the right stop-gap. With the signing of Holtby, there seems to be some solution emerging but he will take some time yet to fit in.

The other problem, and this is something that worried many (yours truly included) was the apparent pre-season signing of so many players – of undoubted quality- but of similar attributes. I did wonder how Gylfi, Clint and Mousa would fit into the same team. The answer: they don’t, and when all of them do play together, the balance of the team goes for a toss. However, with the lack of striking options, the best must be made of what is available and perhaps, the more fluid system could work. Perhaps super Bale could play striker. Perhaps.

Tottenham have been breathtaking in parts, this season. In parts, they have been barely adequate and in parts, they have been pretty ordinary. However, they have reached a position of strength and would be aiming to stay there come the end of the season. For this to happen, they need to work out what works best for them. This, they have to do fast, lest their neighbours catch up to them sooner than they know it.