Those who say bale is past it

[superfeathers]

He won us that penalty today, through experience

[Ninja]

Had he come to City, I think it would have been a travesty.
Maybe it was the right decision after all.
No man wants to admit he's past his best, but we know when we are.
He obviously knows he is too.

[Taffy Blue in Berkshire]

you play to your strengths and recognise your weaknesses. he is a very experienced and capable player and very glad he wears a red shirt.

[islandblue]

He won us that penalty today, through experience

Yep did virtually nothing all game until then but he's still a game changer.

[superfeathers]

Had he come to City, I think it would have been a travesty.
Maybe it was the right decision after all.
No man wants to admit he's past his best, but we know when we are.
He obviously knows he is too.

I’m glad he didn’t come, but just because the expectation would’ve outweighed delivery.

He still delivers in small moments. But he’s worth playing the 90 because he’ll pop up in the moments. And won’t feel the pressure because he’s done it all.

On a seperate point, where he was fouled just as he was about to shoot at the end (their keeper
Way off his line). How is that not a red? Denial
Of a clear goal scoring opportunity

[Taffy Blue in Berkshire]

I’m glad he didn’t come, but just because the expectation would’ve outweighed delivery.

He still delivers in small moments. But he’s worth playing the 90 because he’ll pop up in the moments. And won’t feel the pressure because he’s done it all.

On a seperate point, where he was fouled just as he was about to shoot at the end (their keeper
Way off his line). How is that not a red? Denial
Of a clear goal scoring opportunity

the ref was pretty clueless tbh

[Eric the Half a Bee]

Yep did virtually nothing all game until then but he's still a game changer.

The only problem is carrying him when we don't really have enough talent in the squad to do so.

[Dave Blue]

the ref was pretty clueless tbh
Not as clueless as the guy who awarded Bale MOTM

[Wales-Bales]

I've seen him play better.

[ToTaL ITK]

The only problem is carrying him when we don't really have enough talent in the squad to do so.

yeah..we should have played ...? or ....? or maybe the in form ...?

[Grangenders]

He’s not past it. He just hasn’t played enough football in the last few years to dominate games like he used to.

[Trigger]

He's certainly well past his best, not sure there's much argument with that, whether even he would make a case.

But, for us he's still our best and most influential player.

He did little of anything and was as bad as James until typical of him he wins and scores the pen.

Must start moore, not sure why Page would ever think we are better without him. Just does a lot of the basics well and even if he can frustrate me at times he has 99% more chance of the ball sticking to him than the other options. Without space James just doesn't do it.

Johnson, Moore and Bale I'd go. Have to put everything we have into the Iran game then probably 11 behind the ball against england.

[goats]

Yep did virtually nothing all game until then but he's still a game changer.

He did give the ball away a lot….:hehe:

[SOXY BOY]

James is so frustrating, with his pace,he should beat most full backs but his final pass lets him down. Moore has got to play Friday because a win will probably see us through ,especially if England beat the Yanks.

[Rjk]

James is so frustrating, with his pace,he should beat most full backs but his final pass lets him down. Moore has got to play Friday because a win will probably see us through ,especially if England beat the Yanks.

the American fullbacks are both lightning and quality players, he won't be up against fullbacks like that in the remaining group games

[Hilts]

the American fullbacks are both lightning and quality players, he won't be up against fullbacks like that in the remaining group games

Unless Kyle Walker is fit.

[Cleve van Leef]

Why do we always knock our best ever (at the time they are) athletes as they get older? We seem as a nation to love bringing them down. Ridiculous.

[BlueArmy 86]

James is so frustrating, with his pace,he should beat most full backs but his final pass lets him down. Moore has got to play Friday because a win will probably see us through ,especially if England beat the Yanks.

Why do you think a win Friday will see us through? USA will beat Iran too. Its 50/50 depending on goal difference i think. Hopefully England play a weaker side against us.

[Wales-Bales]

He’s not past it. He just hasn’t played enough football in the last few years to dominate games like he used to.He past it to the wrong player a number of times.

[Wales-Bales]

the American fullbacks are both lightning and quality players, he won't be up against fullbacks like that in the remaining group gamesWe should have changed tactics early on and probed the central areas, but we got there eventually even if it did take 45 minutes for the penny to drop.

[SOXY BOY]

Why do you think a win Friday will see us through? USA will beat Iran too. Its 50/50 depending on goal difference i think. Hopefully England play a weaker side against us.

Because I’m optimistic.

[ManBearPig]

I think Bale offers that moment of magic. It might be coupled with 89 minutes of very little but in tight games all you need is that one chance and there is no one I would rather it fall to in the team than Bale.

That being said, Iran should not be a game that relies on one moment. I would rest him and save him for the England game.

[Wales-Bales]

I think Bale offers that moment of magic. It might be coupled with 89 minutes of very little but in tight games all you need is that one chance and there is no one I would rather it fall to in the team than Bale.

That being said, Iran should not be a game that relies on one moment. I would rest him and save him for the England game.We need all our best attacking players on the pitch against Iran if we want to boost our goal difference, while the game against England will be a damage limitation exercise.

[ManBearPig]

We need all our best attacking players on the pitch against Iran if we want to boost our goal difference, while the game against England will be a damage limitation exercise.

I'm not entirely sure Bale is one of our best attacking players if you need 90 minutes of offensive football to get multiple goals.

[Blue blood]

Think I’d start with Bale on the bench against Iran and bring him on later in the game.

He’s on a yellow card so we don’t want to lose him for the England game.

[NYCBlue]

Think I’d start with Bale on the bench against Iran and bring him on later in the game.

He’s on a yellow card so we don’t want to lose him for the England game.

We need to beat Iran by as many goals as we can. If the US gets anything against England we're ****ed.

[barrybloo]

The last time we scored more than 3 was at home to Ireland maybe? But we really need to get goals against Iran (3 points first obviously)
Assuming Engerland do the yanks, they might rest some players, not risking yellow cards etc.

[fugsyphil]

I don't think Iran go home with 0 points just praying it's not us that slips up

[BLUETIT]

Think I’d start with Bale on the bench against Iran and bring him on later in the game.

He’s on a yellow card so we don’t want to lose him for the England game.

I agree wholeheartedly :thumbup:

Team against Iran
Hennessey/Ward
Back 4 of Roberts, Rodon, Davies, N. Williams

Middle 3 of Ampadu, Allen, Morrell

Between midfield and the front 2, Ramsey

Front 2 of Moore and James/Johnson

I wouldn’t start Bale, as he’s been booked, so take a bit of pressure off him

[life on mars]

Bit like CR7 at Utd , Bale wouldn't add much to the City , other than distractions , he looks like he doesn't have the legs for rigours of the Championship is my humble view

[North Cardiff Blue]

I think he adds still and can't be left out, but I think Johnson's quick throw-in earned us the penalty it though them into panic, but Bale played his part and did very well under pressure.