Monday 23 March 2015 21:05, UK
Terry Gibson believes Gareth Bale must start to replicate the ability he showed at Tottenham or risk being cast aside by Real Madrid.
After an impressive start to life in the Spanish capital, the 25-year-old's form has dipped rapidly as his second season with Los Blancos nears its end.
Bale was non-existent as Barcelona edged a frenzied El Clasico at the Nou Camp on Sunday night - completing two passes in the final 30 minutes and only touching the ball 14 times in the second half in total.
The Real fans are notoriously demanding of their stars, and with Los Blancos struggling for consistency, Bale will make an easy target for the supporters to vent their frustrations upon.
It's slightly irritating seeing such an athletic, supremely gifted footballer on the periphary of the game. He (Bale) does need to get involved a lot more.
And Gibson insists that time is of the essence for the Wales forward, and he must start to show what he can do sooner rather than later.
"Bale's not helping himself in terms of getting in positions," Gibson told La Liga Podcast.
"It can happen in some games where the wide player doesn't get the service, but it won't happen at Real Madrid.
"With (Toni) Kroos, (Luka) Modric and Isco in midfield, there's enough to suggest you're going to get the ball.
"Bale has to do more. It's slightly irritating seeing such an athletic, supremely gifted footballer on the periphary of the game. He does need to get involved a lot more.
"At Spurs, he had that free role where he was allowed to drift to go and get the ball. Saying that, the players at Spurs were happy to give him the ball whenever possible.
"It's something that has crept up on Real Madrid and Bale that he is not involved in the game as much as they'd like and certainly not as much as he would like.
"But he's going to have to resolve that situation, he's going to have to be more demanding of the ball from his team-mates, or go into midfield and get it.
"Get himself in a position where he is not on the fringes of the game."
Images have emerged in the aftermath of Real’s defeat against their great rivals of fans attacking Bale's car, and with the Spanish media also starting to get on the Welshman's back, Gibson has warned Bale they will both need appeasing.
"There's a sinister threat to Gareth Bale in every sort of game now. He has to react to that," Gibson added.
"Even after his two goals against Levante, there was still this sinister threat from the media: 'Okay, that's two goals against Levante, let's see how you do next week, because if you don't, we're going to be after you.'
"To leave some out on the pitch when you should be coming off the pitch having given everything, is disappointing."
