There was an unfortunate statistic being bandied about at the time: if he played, his team didn't win. That team were Spurs and that much maligned player was Gareth Bale.
The Welshman had been at the club for more than two years before that statistic was finally broken. Admittedly he was injured for a sizeable proportion of his early time at the club but it was indicative of his, and his club's, form following his £7 million move from Southampton in the summer of 2007.
Manchester United were amongst a string of suitors that summer and how they must be ruing that missed opportunity now as his value has soar towards the £50 million mark. In fact, the biggest compliment that could be paid to him in his current form is that he would grace any team in the world, including the current Barcelona side.
Bale's, and his club's, last three years have seen a dramatic turnaround. From bottom of the table under Juande Ramos, to Champions League quater-finalists and now title contenders under Harry Redknapp. This has been ably assisted by the rise of the full-back turned winger.
One of the most memorable moments of last season was the way Bale tore apart the widely best recognised right-back in the world, Inter Milan's Maicon, both in the San Siro as he scored a hat-trick and then again back at White Lane, as the home crowd mocked the Brazilian with the chant 'taxi for Maicon'.
Last night his two goals against bottom club Wigan Athletic were exquisite and perhaps only Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo could have scored them in world football today.
It is inevitable he will leave Tottenham one day, but probably not this summer. He certainly has the character and quality to grace one of Spain's top two clubs, Real Madrid and the aforementioned Barcelona, it is extremely unlikely he will remain in this country.
For now, though, it is Spurs who will be the grateful recipient of his goals and assists as they seek an unlikely Premiership crown.
The Welshman had been at the club for more than two years before that statistic was finally broken. Admittedly he was injured for a sizeable proportion of his early time at the club but it was indicative of his, and his club's, form following his £7 million move from Southampton in the summer of 2007.
Manchester United were amongst a string of suitors that summer and how they must be ruing that missed opportunity now as his value has soar towards the £50 million mark. In fact, the biggest compliment that could be paid to him in his current form is that he would grace any team in the world, including the current Barcelona side.
Bale's, and his club's, last three years have seen a dramatic turnaround. From bottom of the table under Juande Ramos, to Champions League quater-finalists and now title contenders under Harry Redknapp. This has been ably assisted by the rise of the full-back turned winger.
One of the most memorable moments of last season was the way Bale tore apart the widely best recognised right-back in the world, Inter Milan's Maicon, both in the San Siro as he scored a hat-trick and then again back at White Lane, as the home crowd mocked the Brazilian with the chant 'taxi for Maicon'.
Last night his two goals against bottom club Wigan Athletic were exquisite and perhaps only Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo could have scored them in world football today.
It is inevitable he will leave Tottenham one day, but probably not this summer. He certainly has the character and quality to grace one of Spain's top two clubs, Real Madrid and the aforementioned Barcelona, it is extremely unlikely he will remain in this country.
For now, though, it is Spurs who will be the grateful recipient of his goals and assists as they seek an unlikely Premiership crown.
