Rio Ferdinand says that Gareth Bale was treated unfairly when he first arrived back at Tottenham last year.
The attacker has been signed on a one-year loan from Real Madrid, but Spurs are only now starting to see some of the best of the Wales international.
Bale had made just nine Premier League appearances prior to his start against Fulham after suffering with calf and knee injuries this season, featuring mainly in the Europa League under Jose Mourinho.
He has managed to notch eight goals in all competitions so far, including a brace against Burnley last time out in North London.
However, former Manchester United star Ferdinand feels that it was unfair of Mourinho to expect Bale to take off as soon as he returned to Spurs, having gone such a long time without regular first-team football.
"I think he was unfairly treated when he first came here," Ferdinand told BT Sport.
"You can't expect someone who has played so little football to come in and hit the ground running."
Mourinho was asked about Bale's future ahead of the clash against Fulham, but said that it would be a decision that Real Madrid have to make.
"He is not a Tottenham player so Real Madrid have everything in their hands," said Mourinho.
"I just have a player on loan and I am trying to take the best out of the player for Tottenham Hotspur.
"We try to take care of the player we have on loan for us but also for the respect we have for the club who loans the player.
"If you want to ask anything about Gareth's future ask your colleagues in Madrid to ask [Real Madrid manager Zinedine] Zidane."
