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Gareth Bale is the total footballer - Nathan Dyer

Last updated on .From the section Footballcomments144

Gareth Bale Tottenham Spurs Wales

Swansea City midfielder Nathan Dyer says he has been amazed by how good a player Gareth Bale has become.

Dyer used to train at youth level with the Wales star when they were both with Southampton.

"I do remember him having the same technique as he has, but I think the pace and the power has blown even me," said Dyer.

"He has blown everyone out of the water with what he can do now. He is the total footballer."

Bale is due to make his second appearance at the Liberty Stadium in the space of five days after he was part of the Wales team which lost 2-1 in Tuesday's World Cup qualifier.

But though 23-year-old Bale will be the headline act on Saturday, Dyer, 25, has warned Swansea they must not concentrate solely on the Welshman.

"I think if you concentrate on what [Bale is] doing most of the time you don't see the runs from other players," said Dyer.

"They have got dangerous players in the whole of their squad. Obviously Gareth is the main man at the moment, but they have players who can score goals from anywhere on the pitch.

"We can't focus everything on Gareth - obviously you have to try to stop him somehow - but you have to make sure everyone else is taken care of as well."

When the two sides met at White Hart Lane in December, Spurs emerged 1-0 winners and are now vying for a Champions League spot.

"They are a great side. They have power and pace in the side," Dyer added.

"But it's not about stopping them - it's playing our own game."

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144 comments

  • Comment posted by User0067458671, at 09:21 29 Mar 2013

    You should remember that Ronaldo was NOT a prolific goalscorer at Man Utd for many years.. It wasn't until CR7 was given freedom to roam until he started free-scoring. Bale has been given that role during this season..

    Cristiano Ronaldo

    2004/2005 - 9
    2005/2006 - 12
    2006/2007 - 23
    2007/2008 - 42

    Gareth Bale

    2010/2011 - 11
    2011/2012 - 12
    2012/2013 - 26 (so far)

    Next year could be immense

  • Comment posted by User0540630817, at 13:43 29 Mar 2013

    Bale diving doesn't prevent him from being a great footballer.
    Look at Ronaldo or drogba.
    Both famed for diving both incredible players.

  • Comment posted by User0555070370, at 13:24 29 Mar 2013

    Theo Walcott!! Hahahahahaha don't make me laugh, Christ dyer is better than him. Try harder jealous little Gooneys.

  • Comment posted by sootmonkey, at 13:34 29 Mar 2013

    For God's sake Arsenal fans, this is about Bale, who is on current form the best player in the Premier League - complete footballer, I don't think so, yet. Not as good as Walcott? You obviously see through Arsene's spectacles - on his way to being decidedly mediocre at best. Wake up, get over it!!!!

  • Comment posted by User0629220551, at 13:32 29 Mar 2013

    As someone who has seen Bale regularly I have to laugh at some of the comments that he's overhyped, overrated and, the best of all, that walcott is better. Yes, I agree he does fall down a bit I seriously think that he's trying to protect himself. You only have to see some of the l dangerous unges at him agree. Why so negative about him? I'd rather him than walcott ANYDAY - easy decision.

  • Comment posted by superfrank08, at 13:37 29 Mar 2013

    My opinion of Nathan Dyer went through the floor as soon as he threw his little brat tantrum at Wembley, so I dont care what his opinion is. Bale is hot and long may it continue, anyone else find it a bit cringey how badly he is trying to look like Ronaldo though? The taped wrists and modelled hair- copy the tekkers yes but be your own man Gareth, your own man!

  • Comment posted by User0603123512, at 09:06 29 Mar 2013

    He's on a great run and when confidence is high and everything is going right for you it's hard to see a rough patch coming. He does tick all the boxes for a top player but I'll be interested to see how well he can bounce back when he has the inevitable crisis of form/confidence. It may be at spurs or even after his big money move. Hope he and his advisers make the right footballing choices

  • Comment posted by Balancedguy, at 22:31 29 Mar 2013

    Walcott better? your having a laugh! I support Arsenal and even I agree that Bale is a hell of a lot better than Walcott. The effect he brings for Tottenham is huge. However he is NOT and I repeat NOT in the same class as Ronaldo and Messi, he's not too far off and is borderline world class, but he is not at their level yet. he is a little over hyped, but he could reach that level very soon.

  • Comment posted by QPR4Me, at 14:19 29 Mar 2013

    Bale is a decent enough football but he is certainly not a "World Great". He has a lot of work to do before being ranked up there with Ronaldo, Messi and the like.
    He also must cut out the diving. Four yellow cards for "simulation" this season says all that needs to be said.
    The true greats have no need to cheat!

  • Comment posted by j0hnbev1972, at 12:05 29 Mar 2013

    @chunk #48 Cristiano Ronaldo won the ballon d'or whilst at united and not won it since joining Madrid. Not arguing that he hasn't improved but only in a natural way due to gaining experience and coming into his peak years as a player. If he'd have stayed at united he'd be just as good as he is now. So stop chatting rubbish and get back to worrying about whether spurs are top 4 or not not this yr.

  • Comment posted by PMP2402, at 13:53 29 Mar 2013

    As a Liverpool Fan and if able to vote for player of the year I think GB would get my vote, he is like some comic book hero of days gone by, his strength,energy and enthusiasm is unbelievable and his free kicks & corners are so accurate and dangerous seemingly every kick, if he went abroad MOTD just wouldn't be the same, I just hope Spurs can keep hold of him or even better sell him to us!!

  • Comment posted by User0690076396, at 13:14 29 Mar 2013

    @59 Check on youtube and you might be able to find a save from Bale, taken during a training session, off which Joe Hart would be proud! So that's another attribute ticked off!

  • Comment posted by User0113592462, at 00:06 30 Mar 2013

    Lots of jealousy from racist England fans. Give me Bale before thickos like Rooney and Ferdinand (when he can be bothered to turn up).

  • Comment posted by Housenation, at 18:35 29 Mar 2013

    117 Fair enough. Ive heard he was good. Wasnt playing in my lifetime though, actually im only aware of Keegan from footage i dont remember him even though it was during my lifetime. Main thing though is UK players just dont cut the mustard. World Class = Zidane, Top class domestically and internationally. Even Messi hasnt quite made it yet despite the hype.

  • Comment posted by 1plus1 is 2, at 13:52 29 Mar 2013

    sp*rs fans better enjoy him while it lasts, I would expect a summer long wrangling europe`s top clubs before he leaves close to the transfer deadline.

  • Comment posted by Ralph, at 12:04 29 Mar 2013

    Gareth Bale is a wonderful player no doubt about it. However, when I watched, over 10 years ago, the Saints youth team beat QPR in quarter final of FA youth cup 4-1 the player who caught my eye was Nathan Dyer, not Gareth Bale or Theo Walcott. There are a whole host of other players from that team who play for other clubs and are also good players. Our youth system is the best in the country!

  • Comment posted by 00Mike26, at 15:32 29 Mar 2013

    He'll be a lot closer to the 'total footballer' when he learns to kick the ball with his right foot.

  • Comment posted by Mark, at 14:00 29 Mar 2013

    Honestly

    It really is simple, Messi>Bale>Walcott.

    I can't really believe even the most jealous and hardened gooner really thinking Walcott is better than Bale. They are in a different class.

    Bale may not ever get to Messi's level, but I don't care, I just enjoying watching him play.

  • Comment posted by FairPlay, at 11:04 29 Mar 2013

    Time to judge Bale will be next season when he is playing amongst top players at a top club. Presently it is not too challenging to look good at TH, even the likes of Lennon shines every now and then.

  • Comment posted by Housenation, at 16:38 29 Mar 2013

    The "best" players in the Premier League who are from UK never seem to risk moving abroad. I suspect without exception they would look ordinary in a top level game in Germany, Italy, Spain or even France. The fact that lesser Spanish players light up the Prem right now is evidence for this, No foreign side has ever relied on a UK player in my lifetime apart from Keegan at Hamburg.

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