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Sport

Bale's best is still to come - Bond

Gareth Bale

Gareth Bale

Sunday February 05 2012

Gareth Bale may have been in devastating form this season but he is yet to hit the peak of his powers, according to Tottenham assistant manager Kevin Bond.

Bale set the Champions League alight by helping Tottenham destroy Inter Milan last season and has kicked on this term, scoring 11 goals and providing countless assists to help turn Spurs in to genuine title contenders.

"He's on top of his form, you can see he is full of confidence at the moment," Bond said. "He is improving, he has done terrific and I think there is still more to come from him and he wants to improve as well."

Bale has been in particularly good form over the last month and has scored three in his last two games to help him pick up the Barclays Premier League player of the year award for January.

The Welshman now operates as effectively on the right flank as he does in his natural position on the left and has recently started venturing inside a lot more, allowing him to score more.

Bond has kept a close eye on Bale's progress since he first saw the winger come through Southampton's youth ranks and has been impressed with his performances over the last 18 months.

He added: "We were with him when he was at Southampton and we always thought he was a fantastic prospect.

"Then he had a difficult period when he first came here. He found it difficult to get in the side. He tried to get in at left-back but couldn't get a game there and now he seems to have evolved.

"Now he has a little bit more freedom.

"He has added to his game. He has a bit of variation, he comes inside a bit. It helps him and makes it difficult for opponents to pin him down. He has always been a good player he has kicked on in the last year or so."

Press Association

 
 

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