Bale savouring free role at Tottenham
Tottenham's Gareth Bale is enjoying his time playing in a "free role" this season.
By FOX SPORTS staff
The Welshman has been very impressive for Tottenham in this campaign, scoring 21 goals and notching nine assists in all competitions so far. With Andre Villas-Boas' team still on course to challenge for the Europa League title, Bale could mark one of his most outstanding seasons with a piece of continental silverware.
Speaking to the club's official website, the winger revealed that he was enjoying his time on the pitch very much.
"I am probably in the best form of my career. It's probably the most I've enjoyed my football as well," Bale shared.
"Since I burst onto the scene in the last couple of years I've been getting doublemarked on the left so it's been kind of frustrating. Now I've been able to come inside with this free role it's enabled me to enjoy my football, have more space and be able to do more things."
Domestically, Spurs occupy third place in the Premier League table, one spot ahead of Villas-Boas' former side Chelsea. Bale admitted that his manager deserved some recognition for the outstanding displays put on by the team and himself.
"I think he has to take a bit of credit. We've spoken about it before but by actually playing me there and giving me that free role he's given me the confidence to go out there and do what I'm doing now," he explained.
"I just want to keep doing it and keep learning. Hopefully there's still more to come."
The 23-year old believed that Tottenham have benefitted from Villas-Boas' training methods and that the Portuguese manager's techniques have boosted the players' confidence on the pitch.
"However he wants us to play in our next game, that's how we train all week. So come the weekend we all know exactly what we need to be doing. It feels like we're one step ahead on the pitch," Bale stated.
"It was a lot different to what we've done in the past. But it's something you get used to, given time. He has had the total support of the players and that has certainly helped him get his ideas across. We're all moving forward together."
Tottenham welcome Fulham to White Hart Lane for their Premier League game this weekend.