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Mauricio Pochettino: 'Gareth Bale is a decisive player'

Pochettino: 'Bale is a decisive player'
© PA Photos
Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino admits that he rates Gareth Bale "very highly" as his side prepare to face Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.

Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino has admitted that his side will need to be wary of the ability of Gareth Bale when the two sides meet on Saturday.

Bale has been rewarded for his performance with three awards within a week, and Pochettino is aware that the Welsh international is capable of producing a match-winning performance.

The 41-year-old told reporters: "He is a very decisive player - an amazing player because of his speed, strength and goalscoring abilities.

"He has shown that throughout the season this year so I rate him very highly.

"Our collective game needs to be very strong tomorrow. We can't just focus on Gareth Bale - there are other players in that team that can raise their game."

The Argentine boss has taken Southampton to the brink of survival in the Premier League since arriving at the club in January.

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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool18143145172845
2Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest1911442619737
3Arsenal18106235161936
4Chelsea19105438231535
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle1995532211132
6Manchester CityMan City199463226631
7Bournemouth198652923630
8Fulham197842825329
9Aston Villa198562831-329
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton196942928127
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1973941281324
12Brentford187383232024
13West Ham UnitedWest Ham196582335-1223
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd196492126-522
15Crystal Palace194872027-720
16Everton183871524-917
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1944113142-1116
18Ipswich TownIpswich1936101833-1515
19Leicester CityLeicester1935112242-2014
20Southampton1913151239-276


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