As Wales get ready to host England in the Euro 2012 Qualifying match this Saturday, all the pre-match discussion is focusing on one individual: Gareth Bale
Gareth Bale has been in sizzling form for Tottenham Hotspur this season with performances that have led to Fabio Capello hailing him as one of the best in the business. But the main question for now is: Should England fear Gareth Bale?
From the moment he scored that fantastic hat-rick at the San Siro last year, everybody knew Gareth Bale wasn't someone ordinary. He has the pace to beat defenders and that is the aspect that Glen Johnson should be worried about; considering how inconsistent he has been for club and country.
However, Johnson denied that he fears Bale while insisting that Wales are not only made of Gareth Bale but also other stars.
"He has been playing really well this season and tearing teams apart," Johnson told Sky Sports News.
"Hopefully he won't be doing that. He is obviously a good player, but we will be preparing right and concentrating on ourselves."
However, England defender Michael Dawson was not too optimistic about their chances with Bale as he believed that the Welshman is 'very hard to stop'.
Dawson believes England will find it hard to shackle the former Southampton player. "How do you stop Gareth Bale? That's a good question," Dawson told Spurs TV Online. "If I am in the England squad, people will be asking me how.
"It's very hard to stop Gaz. Sometimes he is just unstoppable. Many a team have tried this season. Before his back injury, he was flying. He's back in full training now and he is certainly looking like he was before he left so hopefully we will see the best of him against West Ham and not against England."
But while England players will be hoping to be able to keep Bale at bay, another Welsh legend has already set his sights on witnessing Bale 'tear' England apart. Manchester United winger Ryan Giggs believes Gareth Bale is the kind of player that everybody wants to have in their squads. But Giggs was also quick to insist that Wales are also made up of other talented individuals like Craig Bellamy and Aaron Ramsey.
Giggs said: “As a Welshman, you want to see Bale put in performances for Wales like he has for Spurs. He has pace and power, makes goals and scores goals.
“To beat England you need everything to go for you, but we also have quality and that includes Craig Bellamy. That can be scary for the opposition.
“There will also be a full house. Under Mark Hughes we were getting full houses, and hopefully the current players can be inspired by the atmosphere and produce a shock.”
Fabio Capello would have studied Gareth Bale closely before this and he might have some kind of clue of what to expect when England face Wales. However, Bale is the kind of player who can pop up with anything and anytime to ultimately destroy the Three Lions.
From the moment he scored that fantastic hat-rick at the San Siro last year, everybody knew Gareth Bale wasn't someone ordinary. He has the pace to beat defenders and that is the aspect that Glen Johnson should be worried about; considering how inconsistent he has been for club and country.
However, Johnson denied that he fears Bale while insisting that Wales are not only made of Gareth Bale but also other stars.
"He has been playing really well this season and tearing teams apart," Johnson told Sky Sports News.
"Hopefully he won't be doing that. He is obviously a good player, but we will be preparing right and concentrating on ourselves."
However, England defender Michael Dawson was not too optimistic about their chances with Bale as he believed that the Welshman is 'very hard to stop'.
Dawson believes England will find it hard to shackle the former Southampton player. "How do you stop Gareth Bale? That's a good question," Dawson told Spurs TV Online. "If I am in the England squad, people will be asking me how.
"It's very hard to stop Gaz. Sometimes he is just unstoppable. Many a team have tried this season. Before his back injury, he was flying. He's back in full training now and he is certainly looking like he was before he left so hopefully we will see the best of him against West Ham and not against England."
But while England players will be hoping to be able to keep Bale at bay, another Welsh legend has already set his sights on witnessing Bale 'tear' England apart. Manchester United winger Ryan Giggs believes Gareth Bale is the kind of player that everybody wants to have in their squads. But Giggs was also quick to insist that Wales are also made up of other talented individuals like Craig Bellamy and Aaron Ramsey.
Giggs said: “As a Welshman, you want to see Bale put in performances for Wales like he has for Spurs. He has pace and power, makes goals and scores goals.
“To beat England you need everything to go for you, but we also have quality and that includes Craig Bellamy. That can be scary for the opposition.
“There will also be a full house. Under Mark Hughes we were getting full houses, and hopefully the current players can be inspired by the atmosphere and produce a shock.”
Fabio Capello would have studied Gareth Bale closely before this and he might have some kind of clue of what to expect when England face Wales. However, Bale is the kind of player who can pop up with anything and anytime to ultimately destroy the Three Lions.
