The Welshman scored twice in Tottenham Hotspur's 2-1 home win over Newcastle United on Saturday to make it four in three league matches but he could so easily have grabbed a hat-trick had an injury-time opportunity not fallen on his right foot.
Instead of the goal-of-the-season contenders he is accustomed to score, his wild effort over the bar with the net at his mercy was possibly one of the misses of the campaign.
"I'm disappointed with the one I missed, I need to work on that," he told Sky television with a smirk. "I'm enjoying my football, that's the most important thing."
Bale, coveted by some of the world's top clubs and constantly linked with a move away if Spurs do not start becoming true Premier League and European contenders, will use his right foot more often in his new role and will improve.
"We gave him more freedom and things worked out better second half," the Portuguese coach said.
"We are just fortunate to have a player, another player, like this."
"He is difficult to contain. He was always going to get some freedom and he is in electric form," said Pardew, who added that injured goal-scorer Yoan Gouffran had gone to hospital for an X-ray on a sore shin.
