Real Madrid winger Gareth Bale laments inability to recapture Tottenham form

Real Madrid winger Gareth Bale is at a loss to explain the reasons for his failure to translate his Premier League form for Tottenham Hotspur into his performances for the Bernabeu club. Despite enjoying a fruitful maiden campaign for Los Blancos, in which the club won the Copa del Rey and the Champions League, Bale has slipped into obscurity.

The Wales international has failed to live up to those early performances and, after being a subject of supporter unrest, his performances have failed to improve under Rafael Benitez. The 26-year-old has scored just four goals in nine La Liga appearances this term while Real have failed to keep pace with Barcelona and already trail the Catalan giants by four points.

Bale's performances are in stark contrast to those which he turned out for Tottenham, which saw him twice crowned the PFA Players' Player of the Year and upon his exit from north London he attracted a world record fee of £85m from the Spanish giants. However, the player is unable to explain his dramatic loss of form.

"I don't know why I'm not the player I was at Tottenham," he admitted after the 4-1 win over Getafe, according to The Evening Standard. "This league is different to the Premier League, it's a different style of football, and that's perhaps behind it." Bale returned to scoring ways with the third in Real's weekend win, which came after their expulsion from the Copa del Rey after fielding an ineligible player.

Reports emanating from Spain have suggested that at the centre of Real's poor form has been a breakdown in the relationship between Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo – who has also been notably out of sorts this season. But the ex-Tottenham wideman says: "We get on very well, there are a lot of rumours, but there's no truth to them. He's one of the best players in the world. Is he the best? That's down to each individual to decide, he's certainly a top, top player."

Barcelona's draw with Valencia meant Real were able to cut the gap to the leaders to four points, a fortnight on from being beaten 4-0 by Luis Enrique's side. Real's attacking triumvirate of Bale, Ronaldo and Karim Benzema all got on the scoresheet and the former has hailed the return to form.

"Winning is the most important thing," Bale told the club's official website. "The first half was incredible, we were all working for each other and we showcased our good form. What matters most is that the team are united, that we win games and try to get better every day".

"Personally speaking, I feel comfortable with where I'm being played on the pitch and I always do the best I can. It's nice to score but the most important thing is the team. I have a good relationship with Rafa Benítez. The fans were great and they always want us to win".