The only way teams can stop Gareth Bale is to kick him out of the game, is the opinion of Tottenham midfielder Rafael Van der Vaart.
Steve Gohouri recevied his marching orders on Saturday for scything down the Welshman, a week after Liverpool’s Martin Skrtel was sent off under similar circumstances.
Team-mate Van der Vaart understands the difficulties opponents face when coming up against Bale, and was quick to praise the former Southampton trainee for tormenting Premier League defences week-in, week-out.
“Bale is great, so quick and strong,” the Dutchman said in The Sun.
“I’m just glad I don’t have to mark him. I feel sorry for those that do. There have been a lot of cards for fouls against him, but that’s because it’s impossible to stop him at times.
“Gareth goes on one of those amazing runs, and all a defender can do is resort to kicking him or pulling him down.
“Sometimes, when he has been floored, you think the challenge has been so bad that he is heading for hospital. But he bounces back up again, and you just look on in admiration.”
Harry Redknapp agrees with the Dutchman, and has urged referee’s to continue taking action against offenders.
“Some try to stop Bale by just hacking him down. It doesn’t work. What can referees do to stop it? Carry on giving out yellow and red cards. That is the only way,” the Spurs manager said.
The former Real Madrid midfielder was also quick to praise new recruits Scott Parker and Emmanuel Adebayor after the impact the duo have made since their respective arrivals over the summer.
“I thought Scotty was the best player on the pitch. He is unbelievable. He’s not that big, but he is a great player and so strong,” Van der Vaart said of Parker.
“He is fantastic for me, because he gets the ball and plays it to me and is always available to keep the move going.
“He’s not just a holding midfielder. There is more to his game than that, and he proved it.”
On Adebayor, he added: “We have more possibilities, more options, and we are capable of producing better football. So when you weigh it up, I would say the squad is better now.”
