Les Ferdinand urges Tottenham fans to forgive Gareth Bale over recent behaviour

Supporters should remember the good times says former striker

Les Ferdinand hopes Gareth Bale will still be remembered fondly by Tottenham fans despite his rebellious behaviour of the last few days.

Bale is expected to complete his world-record move to Real Madrid once Spurs announce the signings of Erik Lamela and Christian Eriksen.

Bale had hoped to part ways with the club on good terms, but he has angered manager Andre Villas-Boas by skipping training for two successive days and is now expected to be fined £160,000.

That news has not gone down well with Bale's camp, who are annoyed by Villas-Boas' public criticism of a man who scored 26 goals for Spurs last year.

With so much bad blood between the two camps, the memories of Bale scoring last-minute wonder goals have faded, but Tottenham coach Ferdinand hopes the supporters will not hold his recent conduct against him.

"I certainly hope that won't be the case," Ferdinand said at the launch of the Vodafone 4G in Trafalgar Square.

"The whole thing has gone on for a while now. The manager just wants to see the end of it and he just wants to get organising his squad for an important campaign.

"What Gareth has done for the club over the last few years has been fantastic.

"No-one wanted to see it end this way, but sometimes when a saga goes on for this long unfortunately it doesn't end as smoothly or as nicely as everyone wants it to but I just hope that everyone remembers the good things that Gareth has done and they wish him all the best for the future."

Ferdinand, who coaches Tottenham's youth squads, witnessed Bale's final appearance at the club's training ground in Enfield last Friday when he bade farewell to his team-mates.

With a world-record price tag on his shirt, the Welshman will be under extreme pressure when he finally turns out for Real, but Ferdinand is sure the Welshman will succeed in Spain.

"A lot of people talk about British players struggling abroad, but Gareth is level-headed and if anyone can adapt to playing abroad then it will be him," the former Spurs striker said.

While Bale gets ready to board a plane for Madrid, Tottenham were planning for their Europa League game against Dinamo Tbilisi and the huge north London derby at Arsenal on Sunday.

Spurs have won all three of their games without Bale this season and have yet to concede a goal.

Former captain Ledley King is sure the club will be able to survive without their talisman so long as the players Bale leaves behind step up and take responsibility.

"You need everyone pulling in the right direction," said King, who is now a club ambassador.

"We do have players in the squad who can score goals throughout the team, so rather than relying on one person this season it's going to be much more of a team effort and they need to put in hard work to get the results."

Although Spurs have spent £60million so far this summer, Villas-Boas has promised even more new signings to compensate for the departure of Bale.

Ajax midfielder Eriksen looks to be on his way to Spurs after the London club lodged an £11million bid for the Dane on Wednesday while Roma's Lamela is in London to finalise his £25.8million move.

Eriksen's current boss Frank de Boer is convinced the 21-year-old will become a star at Spurs.

"It would surprise me if that won't happen," the Ajax manager told De Telegraaf.

"His departure will be an enormous loss, Chris was very important for us."

PA