Source: Team_Talk
Bale happy to take the hits
Tottenham talisman Gareth Bale has no problem being kicked by Premier League defenders - as long as referees keep sending them off.[LNB] The past eight days have seen Liverpool's Martin Skrtel and Wigan's Steve Gohouri shown red for bringing down the flying Bale, who has looked looked virtually unstoppable in recent weeks.[LNB]Harry Redknapp has urged officials to continue protecting his prize asset from over-zealous defenders, and Bale is prepared to suffer if it helps Spurs continue to win games.[LNB]"It's not nice but I suppose it's a compliment when you're playing well and people want to drag you down," he told Spurs TV Online.[LNB]"There have been two sent off in the last two games, so they can keep kicking me if they want as long as they get sent off."[LNB]Bale has become renowned for his lung-busting runs, devilish crosses and spectacular strikes, but Saturday's win at Wigan saw him demonstrate another string to his bow as he headed home Luka Modric's corner.[LNB]"We've been speaking about making runs from corners," said Bale after what was his first Premier League goal since New Year's Day.[LNB]"It's always good to get you head on it and get a goal.[LNB]"I've scored a few goals in the air now.[LNB]"Hopefully, I can score a lot more, on the floor and in the air."[LNB]Bale's new-found aerial prowess could not be worse news for Arsenal, who are set to be the winger's next opponents if he is rested - as expected - for Thursday's Europa League game with Shamrock Rovers.[LNB]The Gunners, who have a disappointing defensive record from set-pieces, travel to White Hart Lane on Sunday for the first north London derby of the season.[LNB]Bale said: "It's a massive game, even for the fans.[LNB]"We need to keep looking to win, get on a run, keep looking up the table.[LNB]"Hopefully, we can post a good win going into the international break."[LNB]Rafael van der Vaart was controversially left out of Spurs' Europa League group-stage squad but he admitted that could be a good thing this week.[LNB]"Sunday's a big game coming up," the forward said.[LNB]"For the fans, for everybody, it's the biggest game of the year.[LNB]"So let's beat them."[LNB]Van der Vaart, who last week completed an incredible recovery from a hamstring injury that was expected to rule him out for more than a month, added: "I'm getting there, getting fitter.[LNB]"You need the minutes, you need the games, and I'm happy that I can play the games again.[LNB]"I have to listen more to my body."
