Gareth Bale has admitted he must improve defensively if he is to reignite a stuttering career and regain a place in the Tottenham Hotspur side after a disappointing second season at White Hart Lane. The Wales international has not started a Premier League match for more than two months after surrendering the left-back position to Benoît Assou-Ekotto and is aware that he needs to address weaknesses Harry Redknapp has identified.
The Tottenham manager has previously suggested that Bale, who joined Spurs from Southampton in a deal worth up to £10m a little under two years ago, must become "stronger defensively" to complement his ability going forward. It is something that the 19-year-old recognises also and he believes he can prove that he merits a run in the side.
"I am still young," said Bale, who has yet to finish on the winning side in the Premier League for Spurs in his 21 appearances. "I am still learning all the aspects of my game. I love to go forward and attack but I need to improve on my defensive side. I have been working on it and I will keep working hard in training and hopefully it will [pay off]. I work with [Spurs coach] Kevin Bond on one-on-ones and positional play. We talk about it and look at previous games and recap and do some analysis.
He added: "I have to keep plugging away and show [Redknapp] that I am still worth a position. Hopefully next season, or when we are out of the relegation battle at the end of this season, I will get a few more games. [The manager] showed confidence in me to bring me on at such a vital stage of the [Carling Cup] final. So, all I have to do when I get my chance is to try and play well and keep on top of things and hopefully get a place back in the team."
Although Bale says he feels "more comfortable" at left-back rather than playing further forward, as he has done on occasion under Redknapp,he is arguably best suited to the wing-back role he takes up for Wales. "Obviously with Wales, there is more licence for me to get forward," said Bale, who insists he is "feeling sharp" despite his lack of competitive football. "With my attacking game, I just love to do that."
