Chris Waddle says he’s not too impressed with one Spurs player’s body language

“I think the main reason I came to Spurs this year was to play football first and foremost,” he is quoted by the Evening Standard as saying.

“Going into the Euros I wanted to be match-fit. The original plan was to do a season at Spurs and after the Euros still have a year left at Real Madrid.

“My plan is to go back, that’s as far I have planned.”

Waddle shared his thoughts on Bale’s current situation following his comments yesterday.

“He’s had a lot of injuries,” Waddle told BBC Radio 5 Live Sport. “I am not saying he’s had anything major. But a lot of niggly injuries for the last two or three years and I don’t think he has ever got back to that rhythm.

“And I can see why Real Madrid became fed up with him because he didn’t seem to rush to want to get back.

“Even when you watch his body language now. He had a little spell at Tottenham, okay it was the Europa League and some other games, but he’s not really come back on the scene where you have thought ‘wow’.

“He’s 31, not 34, 35 or 36. Whether mentally those injuries have taken their toll. Whether mentally he’s thinking ‘do I really need this?’. His body language doesn’t excite us when he’s warming up or coming on or off the field.”

TBR View:

It’s been good to see Bale finally up and running following a difficult few months at Spurs, the Wales international answering many of his critics and naysayers.

Admittedly, his comments didn’t go well with some Spurs fans, but others thought they were designed to get the two sides talking about extending the deal, maybe even wind up Real.

Obviously Bale not going to be the same player he was a few years ago in wake of the injury problems he’s had, but he’s certainly shown he’s got something to offer Spurs.

Let’s see how he finishes the season and whether he’s done enough to warrant Spurs signing him on loan again – or perhaps even permanently.