Bale modest after season praise

Gareth Bale has insisted he doesn’t deserve the praise that has been heaped upon him after his exploits this season.

Bale has enjoyed a spectacular campaign so far including outstanding performances in the Champions League, culminating in the Welshman being awarded the PFA player of the year award last month, an award he was a free bet favourite for.

But the 21-year-old, who endured a torrid time at the start of his Spurs career after his move from Southampton in 2007, believes he is not as good as many people have made him out to be.

“I don’t think that I’m as good a player as people say I am,” Bale said, according to The Mirror.

“That’s what keeps me working hard – because I want to be the player that others say I am.”

Bale early career at Spurs was hampered by a series of injuries which kept him out of the side, and the youngster revealed that despite setting a record for the most consecutive games without ending up on the winning side, he always had faith he could excel in the Premier League.

“When I first joined Spurs, it was hard for me when I was not playing, although I actually felt confident that I would show what I could do if I could get into the side. It was the same when I had a bad injury and couldn’t get back in.” he said.

“Then suddenly it took off. I went from strength to strength, because now I was playing regularly and not just training.”

“I wasn’t even in the squad for a good while, but it all went right when I had a run in the side. My confidence grew with each and every one of those games and there’s no doubt that you learn more from playing than training, and you get better with every experience.” He added.

The winger went on to pay tribute to his team-mates for helping him receive the player of the year accolade, acknowledging their role in his success.

“You have to acknowledge your team-mates and I did that at the presentation – you don’t win awards like this without them.” He commented.

Bale and Spurs now turn their attention to their next league game against Blackpool, which they have been installed as favourites amongst free bets placed, despite the shock 3-1 defeat at Bloomfield Road earlier this season.