Bale thrilled with new Spurs role

18 September 2012 09:36

Tottenham winger Gareth Bale says he is delighted with his role under new manager Andre Villas-Boas.

The Portuguese coach favours a 4-2-3-1 formation with Bale, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Aaron Lennon all providing support to lone striker Jermain Defoe, with the insurance of two holding midfielders behind them.

This has allowed Bale the freedom to express himself in attack and the Wales international has praised the tactical switch, saying it suits his style.

Bale told The Daily Mirror: “We’re not playing the same formation as last year – it’s a different way of playing.

“It’s great. You get to attack more, which is always good. You don’t have to run too much – although you still have to run back. As long as we’re enjoying our football, then we can show what we can do.

“He (Villas-Boas) is here to build a team and it’s a new way of playing for us.

“Everybody should understand that it takes time and I think there has been an improvement in every game and you’ve seen that against Reading.

“I think everybody just has to be patient. As players we’re learning different things every day so it’s positive for the club. Things will come and it’ll start to click like it did against Reading and hopefully we can push on from there.”

Defoe has also benefited from the new system, netting twice in Sunday’s 3-1 win at Reading and Bale has praised the contribution of the England international.

“He’s looking sharp, isn’t he? Bit greedy, as normal. But that’s him. It’s great for him and great for the team. As long as somebody’s scoring, I don’t think any of us mind,” Bale said.