Former Coventry City forward, Noel Whelan has questioned Jose Mourinho’s man-management and claimed that the Tottenham boss should have made better use of Gareth Bale and Dele Alli this season.
Bale and Alli seem to have rediscovered their hunger and determination over the last few weeks after spending the majority of the season on the fringes of the squad.
Alli produced his best performance of the season in Tottenham’s 4-0 win over Wolfsberger last Wednesday as the midfielder scored a brilliant overhead kick and picked up two assists.
It was Bale who was the star of the show during Spurs’ demolition of Burnley on Sunday, with the Welshman scoring twice, assisting another and looking extremely sharp.
Jose Mourinho insisted after Bale’s performance against the Clarets that it was a case of managing the Welshman’s minutes carefully over the last few months to help him reach the level he is now at.
However, Whelan suggested that it was Mourinho’s stubbornness that stopped him from handing both players more minutes this season.
The pundit told Football Insider: “Bale I think should have been in the team straight away when he came from Real Madrid in order to get that continuity and trust from the manager.
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“He’s a game-winner and we know what quality he possesses and he’s gone out and shown that.
“We’ve seen it with Dele Alli also. They look a stronger squad with these two guys in it. You’d be more fearful seeing Gareth Bale out there than Bergwijn. Their squad looks massive with those guys being there and not being used.
“Sometimes stubbornness can get the better of somebody. Be a great manager but be a great man-manager too. You’ve got to manage these players right.
“If you’re going to get the best out of these players and get them on your side, you’ve got to use them, you’ve got to treat them right, you’ve got to give them that pat on the back when needed. It’s all about man-management these days.”
Spurs Web Opinion
It’s laughable how quickly some pundits have gone from claiming that Bale was past his best and was a waste of money, to now suggesting that Mourinho should have handed him a run of matches months ago.
In reality, it is impossible to make a judgement without being privy to conversations between the coaching staff, Bale and the sports science team regarding the Welshman’s fitness.
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