Andros Townsend told talkSPORT that Gareth Bale currently ‘isn’t confident’ on the ball for Tottenham when in one v one situations.
The Crystal Palace winger shared that he thought it would ‘take a month’ for Bale to get back to his best following his return to Tottenham in the summer.
But it has been far from that for the left-footed speedster, who is struggling to earn starts in North London.
Townsend is well aware of what it takes to produce the goods in a Spurs shirt, and having played alongside Bale, he shared his thoughts on the player.
“We thought it would take a month to get his form and fitness back then he would be the old Gareth Bale we all know,” said Townsend.
“Myself as a winger, I watch him closely, he was one of the best players in the world. To me, it seems that he isn’t confident when he gets the ball in one v one situations.
“He kind of hesitates when he looks to take the ball on one v one. Whereas, the Gareth Bale of old, he already knows before that he is knocking it past his man. And he’s getting the other side.
“Whereas it seems there is a slight hesitation in his mind before he goes one v one. In the Premier League, against the top fullbacks, once you hesitate you have got no chance.”
Time is running out for Bale to show those at Tottenham that he is worthy of returning to the club next season.
On this current path, Bale is headed one way and that’s back to Real Madrid and winding up the locals by playing just Golf.
But Tottenham are still in the Europa League, the top-four race in the Premier League and in the League Cup final – all of which provides Bale with a chance to showcase why he really returned to Spurs.
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