It is hard to believe that back in July 2012 – a summer of transition for Tottenham - there were more than a minority of dissenting voices suggesting Gareth Bale should be sold instead of want-away Luka Modric. It was never likely to happen such was the Croatian schemer's desire to depart White Hart Lane, but the overarching feeling suggested Bale could improve no further; he was expendable.
The beginning of this season appeared to back-up this claim as the Welshman and Tottenham, under the watchful brow of Andre Villas-Boas, stumbled under the starter's gun with just two points from a possible nine and back-to-back home draws in front of a mutinous home crowd still pining for Harry Redknapp.
