Gareth Bale believes that the stability at Tottenham Hotspur has helped him to rediscover his form.
The 20-year-old was brought to White Hart Lane in May 2007 by Martin Jol and is now back in favour under Harry Redknapp after a long spell out injured.
“I think as you get older you become more experienced and more mature, and obviously confidence is a big thing,” he said.
“Inside, I knew what I could do, but it was just getting opportunities to show that. Since January I’ve had that chance and it couldn’t have gone any better.
“Obviously, I think you learn more quickly. There are tough times, but when you get your chance at a younger age you take so much on-board – that’s a good thing, it earns you sound experience which will shape the way you go on to play the game.
“Progressing from the youth-team to the first-team is a big step but I think if your temperament is right and you have quality people around you, then the rewards can be fantastic.
“What has helped is that the manager’s come in and there’s a bit of stability now,” Bale added.
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“Everybody’s focused on what we’re doing on the pitch. Everyone’s enjoying the fact that we’re exceeding expectations in the Premier League; we just want to do as well as we can.”
“I’ve been working with all the coaching staff to help with my all-round game,” he added.
“Whenever the opportunity has arrived to play first-team football I’ve been trying my best and hopefully, in their eyes, have been playing well. Fine-tuning my defensive skills has been an important part of that.
“I’m an attacking full-back so that offensive side of my game comes naturally. Getting forward, that’s my game. I like to move up the pitch at every opportunity. I do think I needed to work at my defensive skills and I’ve done that now so hopefully I can just keep improving.
“Combining the two has, I hope, made the Gareth Bale package all the better. It has certainly been a very exciting time.
“I still feel I’m most comfortable at full-back but in recent matches I’ve been moved further forward. It’s another new challenge and, if the manager feels we are a better proposition as a result of it, then I am happy with that.”
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