The return of Wilson Palacios from suspension last weekend seemed to give Harry Redknapp a problem he failed to solve at Old Trafford; too many first team options. One of the most significant consequences was his decision to move Gareth Bale back to left-back, rather than keep him at left midfield, where the young Welshman has been so successful of late.
Bale has been superb since coming into the first-team back in January, but the previous two gameweeks had seen him really excel; two goals and four Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Bonus Points from left midfield have seen him pick up twenty points against Arsenal and Chelsea as Spurs took control of the race for fourth. Last week saw 45,000 FPL managers transfer the youngster in, despite an away trip to Old Trafford on the agenda.
Palacios’ recent ban meant Redknapp had paired Luka Modric and Tom Huddlestone in the centre of midfield to great effect, but the Spurs boss immediately re-installed the Honduran alongside Huddlestone on Saturday, moving Modric left at the expense of Bale. Only with the introduction of Aaron Lennon and a subsequent re-shuffle did they return to the shape of the previous two weeks, and the stats back this up; Spurs had 9 shots at goal all game, with 5 coming in the first 65 mins, and 4 in the last 25 mins, as Bale moved to left midfield.
With the race for fourth still a long way from being settled, Redknapp must be brave in his selection over the last two gameweeks if he is to beat Man City to the final Champions League slot.
It’s almost as if the introduction of Bale to both first-team matters and, subsequently, to left midfield was forced upon the Spurs boss due to the absence of others, but these chalkboards – showing Bale and Modric’s respective performances at left midfield in Spurs last two games- clearly illustrate that when positioned there it is Bale, and not Modric, who gives the team more bite and balance.
Gareth Bale Passes vs Chelsea
Luka Modric Passes vs Man United
Gareth Bale Shots vs Chelsea
Luka Modric Shots vs Man United
Bale allows Spurs more natural width and penetration higher up the pitch, whereas Modric’s tendency to continually drift inside results in a far narrower midfield shape. Modric sees more of the ball, but Bale is clearly more of an attacking threat.
Spurs have a double fixture game week on the cards this week, first playing host to Bolton before travelling to Man City in what could turn out to be the fourth-place decider. Bale has been transferred in by over 11,500 FPL managers already this gameweek, with every one of them no doubt desperate for Redknapp to return Bale to his rightful place, starting next weekend at White Hart Lane.