Bale determined to win back boo boys

Gareth Bale has backed himself to silence critics at the Bernabeu, after being jeered by sections of the Real Madrid faithful.

It has been a difficult start to the season for Bale in particular, playing a part in Madrid's underwhelming start to the season and being jeered by his own supporters in midweek. The Welshman failed to score in either of the team's home draws to Valencia and Levante, with Barcelona opening a four point lead at the top of the league.

Since then, though, Bale has fired back. The forward followed up an assist for Cristiano Ronaldo against APOEL with a brilliant solo goal against Real Sociedad, made even more significant as it confirmed a win for Madrid away to a side winning all of its La Liga matches up to that point.

"It's normal, it happens in football," Bale told Spanish TV station 'Movistar' of the booing that has come his way. "For me obviously I just have to try to keep my head down and keep working hard. That's all I can do.

"I can't control what goes on, I can only control how hard I work on the pitch. You go through ups and downs in your career, but it is how you bounce back."

Zidane was praiseful of the Welshman's impact against Real Sociedad. "He needed to score a goal and in this manner. After a run of 60 metres, technically he finished it very well," said Zidane.

"I am happy for him, but for me he is still not at his best. Little by little we are going to discover the best of Gareth. Today he played great, but I know he can do much more. We need to be patient."