Glenn Hoddle adamant there’s ‘more to come’ from talented Spurs attacker

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Tottenham Hotspur legend Glenn Hoddle has backed Gareth Bale to come good before the end of the season.

The 31-year-old rejoined Spurs on a season-long loan deal from Real Madrid in mid-September, a move which saw the media spotlight shine brightly on North London.

However, his high-profile return has so far not gone to plan amid injury and fitness issues, as well as rumoured question marks over his application.

Bale has just 16 competitive appearances under his belt this season, 10 of which have been starts, and just 248 minutes of Premier League football.

He got 18 minutes off the bench against Manchester City on Saturday but failed to make much of an impact as Jose Mourinho’s charges were beaten 3-0 at the Etihad.

“One thing’s for sure: Gareth Bale has to be doing better to get in the team, or get off the bench and have more minutes on the football pitch,” Hoddle said on the Glenn Hoddle Footy Show. “He has to do better than he has.

“He had one or two champagne moments (against City) where he beat two or three players and had a shot. If that goes into the top corner it might just kickstart his career or restart it at Tottenham.

“Something like that has to happen for him. But he has to force it and make that happen.”

Hoddle is confident that Bale can get back to his best and finish the season on a high – if he is prepared to look within and get himself out of his current slump in form.

He added: “I do believe there’s still ability in there. I still don’t think he’s searched within himself to get that out. There is more to come.

“But how he gets more time on the pitch is a difficult one because Jose needs to see that. He’ll respond and react as a manager off that when sees that sort of application and end product.”

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The Tottenham fanbase was rejoicing when Bale rejoined Spurs, but several months down the line, he has flattered to deceive, to put it mildly.

The talent is obviously there, but the form isn’t at present – hopefully Hoddle is correct because a Bale firing on all cylinders would be a great asset to the team.