Tottenham Hotspur manager Andre Villas-Boas does not see a defensive role for star attacker http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Gareth-Bale-c14422, despite deploying the player at left-back this past weekend against Queens Park Rangers.
The Portuguese manager had started Bale as a left-back in the home game against Queens Park http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Rangers-c40314 this past weekend, but vows that he will use the player as a midfielder in the upcoming fixtures.
Bale had been switched back to the left wing in the second half, and the tactic paid off as the Welshman’s pace and drive constantly provided problems for the QPR defence. The manager insists that it was only a tactical decision to start the Welshman as
a defender.
The player joined Tottenham from Southampton as a defender back in 2007. Bale demonstrated killer pace and a strong attacking flair. The player was also defensively not the best player, and to make full use of his attacking talent, he was converted into
a winger.
A recent injury to defender Benoit Assou-Ekotto has left manager Andre Villas-Boas short of cover in the left-back position, and thus, Bale had to be deployed in that role.
The player did not have much of a say in the game as QPR dominated proceedings. Tottenham had gone down in the first half courtesy of a Bobby http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Zamora-c40983 goal. The visitors would’ve extended their lead twice had it not been for a series of impressive saves by
veteran goalkeeper http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Brad-Friedel-c7953.
Villas-Boas later admitted that he felt immense pressure and anxiety after QPR had taken the lead, and the manager made two tactical changes at half time. Centre-half http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Jan-Vertonghen-c17814 was moved to left back to allow Bale to venture further up the pitch.
The move paid off as Tottenham took the lead through two quick goals. Bale had a hand on both goals as he helped his side to their first home win of the season. The effectiveness of the move convinced Villas-Boas to use the Welshman only in the midfield
from now on.
"We thought he would give us more width," said Villas-Boas as he explained his tactical switch.
"But we were much steadier in the second half when we made changes."
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