Could Bale be used upfront?
by a special correspondent
Andre Villas Boas might just end up rueing not signing a striker in the January transfer window, especially with the club’s top scorer Jermain Defoe ruled out of action for three weeks after going off injured in the away win against West Brom.
But with Emanuel Adebayor set to return from the African Cup of Nations at home to Newcastle on Saturday and Clint Dempsey able to fill in up top, hopefully the goals of Defoe won't be missed too much.
Lately, however, Gareth Bale has been played by AVB in a more central role. Granted it hasn’t been as a central striker, rather in the role of a number 10.
The 23-year-old has it in his locker to play up top though according to national team boss Chris Coleman, speaking ahead of Wales' friendly in midweek, a game in which Bale continued his scoring form. Coleman said: "Gareth will not start up front against Austria, but it is something I'm actively considering for the future. You have to score goals to win matches and it's a role he could perform, without any shadow of a doubt.
"He could even perform the role of a false nine, so to speak, the system Spain have used. Barcelona also play that way from time to time with Lionel Messi. Could I see Gareth doing that for us, too? Yes, I could.''
Would this be a role that Bale could play for Spurs (bet on Spurs with Paddy Power online)? There is the argument of why change something that is working well, but with Defoe out of action and if the goals of Adebayor and Dempsey aren’t forthcoming it should be an option going forward and one that could prove a masterstroke from AVB as Spurs look to get the coveted Champions League spot, hopefully beating off competition from Liverpool, Everton and Arsenal.
Spurs are currently odds of 10/11 to finish in the top four this season.
Bale's match winning performance at the Hawthorns last weekend saw him score his thirteenth goal of the season in all competitions, making him the highest scoring midfielder in the Premier League but also the joint top British goal scorer in the league, ahead of team mate Jermain Defoe, Stephen Fletcher and Wayne Rooney.
So, there is no doubt that Bale can score goals, and could potentially be used as a striker in the future, but whether it is during the absence of Defoe is doubtful.
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