Holland or Indonesia

 From hero to zero?

Quote from Bale today “Really looking forward to my trip to Indonesia this weekend! Got some exciting things lined up and hope to meet lots of fans!

Ryan Giggs Man U, in many people’s eyes that’s what he will always be known as, approximately 20 years later is Gareth Bale going to be known as Gareth Bale Real Madrid.

Giggs along with John Charles was the greatest player Wales ever had, Bale seems certain to eclipse those two.

Giggs in the Welsh fans eyes that followed them home and away will be known as a traitor, the man who played 64 times for his country, albeit not many friendlies and who eventually retired to prolong his club career. Judas, traitor are some of the words attributed to him, for ex footballers, pundits, the press he was hero who made a good decision mmm.

Bale who I saw make his debut against Trinidad and Tobago was different, he turned down TeamGB unlike Giggs, Ramsey, Bellamy and Taylor he was an icon who stood up to the pressure from the British media, albeit he said he was injured, it’s come back to bite us.

Bale who turned up injured for Wales previously was gaining respect from the loyal fans that saw him as different to our long gone friend Giggsey.

Joke?

Cue the Champions League final in Lisbon where he scored the all important goal to put the Castilians ahead, and then draped himself in the Welsh Dragon where social media went crazy with the welsh public salivating themselves. I wasn't I support Bale in a Welsh shirt not in a Spurs or Madrid one, did the pathetic Welsh public who turned up for a Welsh match and asked which one’s Giggs go ballistic when he scored for Man U ?

The much maligned Chris Coleman possibly did a mistake when he didn't pick another hero Aaron Ramsey who again draped himself in the Welsh dragon, and who was excused from travelling to Holland, about an hour’s flight not 6, 7 or 10 hours to far flung country for a meaningless friendly, this is Holland’s vital last friendly before the real thing starts on June 8^th.

Ramsey has been sunning himself in Monaco and even tweeted and I quote “Please ignore any stories about me needing surgery. They are completely false. I'm enjoying my summer and already can't wait for pre-season.”  Enjoying my summer, you should be going to Holland son.. According to one Arsenal fan who I understand wasn't defending him he’s getting married, well get married end of June then, not when there is a chance of a lucrative friendly where you can test yourself against the best in the world.

On to Bale he was picked, ready to play; we were told recently by Coleman to look at the big picture, we did, but no, a few day after his flag draping moment on the Lisbon pitch he pulls out claiming injury, many weren't surprised.  I naively was, I thought he’s the man, he’s not a Giggs, low and behold it got worse, he’s injured, can’t endure an hour’s flight to support his Welsh team mates in Holland, he’s on his way to Indonesia for a promotional tour, how long’s the flight? 

The pundits, ex pros press are out in force, and the so called Welsh fans  when they want to be all claim, oh he’s had a long season, he’s tired, he usually turns up, it doesn't wash with me.

If only him and Ramsey would have played say a half each, the 1000 loyal fans who are going over would have been content, is he another Giggs hope not.