Gin's a tonic, not a cure

Robbie Earle13 April 2012

The Gallic genius, he of flowing locks and sublime skills, returned to centre stage over the weekend. David Ginola resumed combat against an Arsenal defence and turned in the type of electrifying performance that will have the blue half of Merseyside panting for more.

Having spent 18 months in 'Villa isolation', you get the impression David is desperate for one last hurrah.

But with Everton sitting just three points above the drop zone, there are some that will question the wisdom of acquiring the enigmatic Frenchman.

In my opinion, the £2 million spent on Lee Carsley may not quite have caught the public's imagination in the same way, but could be money well spent in Everton's bid for survival.

When a team are struggling for results, it is usually the flair players that come in for the greatest criticism.

The common perception is that you are better choosing players with a greater work ethic to get you out of the mire than those blessed with exceptional skills.

This was certainly the case during my time at Wimbledon. No stars, no big-time Charlies, one for all and all that. The owner, Sam Hammam, prided himself on constructing a football club that would not rely on any individual.

He believed the fortunes of a team should not be too closely aligned to one person's form. There was none of that "man in the hole" stuff that other teams adopted.

There's no getting away from the fact that Ginola must now prove he can perform consistently after 12 months of inactivity.

The bare facts remain that there are not many 35-year-old wingers in the Premier League who can still cut a dash.

When you play in the more defensive positions, I believe it is far easier to use your head to save your legs in certain situations. As a forward player, there are many more times when you have to be physically explosive to be able to burst past your opponent.

Ginola, who casts a slightly chunkier shadow than he did a few years ago, is going to need time - and games - to acclimatise to the demands of one of the toughest l e agues in the world.

There's also one other reason why David may find his return to top-flight football somewhat uncomfortable.

When Arsenal's Lee Dixon attempted to tackle Ginola at the weekend, a wry smile came over my face. For there will be a few defenders left in the league who would welcome another opportunity to leave an impression on the flamboyant Frenchman.

Ginola, at his pomp, had the ability to render you foolish with his vast array of skills. To return the compliment, I can remember a couple of occasions during the epic Dons versus Spurs encounters of a few years ago, thinking: if only I can get some of the ball and some of that delicate ankle bone when I tackle him. Then that would be a job well done.

The flair versus brawn debate will continue to rage, but only continued progress in the FA Cup and a move towards mid-table security will show if wily Walter Smith has made another smart move or not.

No place for the young ones

Clubs clearly believe that it takes an experienced campaigner to deal with the demands of the modern game, where the power is held by players and their agents.

I feel a little sorry for managers like Charlton's Alan Curbishley. He has learned his trade, showing an obvious ability to manage well, but may have to wait some years before getting his opportunity at one of the big clubs.

Having worked closely with Graham Taylor on ITV Sport over the last six months, it was quite obvious that the embers of the managerial fire were still smouldering within.

Almost every time we worked on a show together, he would give me his assessment of how he would have handled certain situations - or a particular player.

I was also amazed, and impressed, to see him still write detailed match reports on all the games he worked on, saying it was for his own amusement.

The moment the Villa situation arose, I was convinced the opportunity to manage at the business end of the Premier League would be too big an opportunity to turn down for him.

Like all managers at that end, Graham possesses confidence, tinged with ego. He believes he can take Villa to a top-four finish and subsequently into the Champions League.

I will be intrigued to see how he attempts to find the flair that Villa fans were craving during the John Gregory days, especially as his first action as boss was to wave goodbye to David Ginola.

Graham will bring enthusiasm to the job, believing that winning football makes for happy punters.

Why such familiarity breeds yellow cards

I can remember Graham when he first started officiating, being a nononsense authoritarian, but thankfully with time he relented to become one of our top referees.

While you are playing there are always the refs you get on with and others who have it in for you.

It was usually during the customary 15 minutes spent on the lavatory, an hour before kick-off, that I thumbed through the match-day programme and discovered who the ref was for that day. It usually read: Referee: Mr Graham Poll.

Born: Tring. Job: Carpet salesman. Married: to Jackie. Children: Two boys, John and Jack.

Hobbies: Trainspotting and opera.

I can always remember taking a leaf out of the John Fashanu charmoffensive book. During the coin toss before the kick-off, like Fash I would casually ask how Jackie and the boys were keeping.

Three yellow cards and a penalty against us made me realise, in most cases, this familiarity cut no ice.

Latecomers welcome in Sven's Cup party

Sven obviously took in some Tottenham games on his travels, seeing some of the fantastic performances by Ledley King before elevating the defender into the major ranks for the first time.

King has matured at a rapid rate since the departure of Sol Campbell to Arsenal. He is playing more regularly and it has probably helped his case that a former England boss, Glenn Hoddle, has made it clear his young defender is ready for a chance at full international level.

Of the other new caps, Wayne Bridge and Darius Vassell have been elevated from David Platt's Under 21s team, but must be rated as real outsiders.

The most interesting choice is Michael Ricketts, whose 15 goals with struggling Bolton have proved too impressive to ignore. Ricketts has shown an appetite and ability to worry the most seasoned international-class defenders. At his best, Ricketts is Emile Heskey, Andy Cole and Kevin Phillips all rolled into one, and could just be the person who comes from nowhere to claim his spot in the final 23.

The Holland game probably represents the last chance for anyone trying to make it into Sven's thoughts for the World Cup finals.

Two players who may feel a little unlucky at not being involved are Chelsea's Graeme Le Saux and Jermain Defoe of West Ham.

Le Saux, back to something like his best after a long time out injured, has the undoubted pedigree and intelligence to perform in any position down the left.

Defoe will have plenty of World Cup opportunities in the future. He displays an inner confidence that reminds me of Michael Owen pre World Cup '98. The West Ham youngster has the ability to affect a game, whether starting, or coming off the bench and, if Owen were to pick up another injury before the World Cup (and, who knows, the hamstring may not travel well) Defoe would be the perfect understudy.

Of the 23 players travelling to the Far East in the summer only three or four places are up for grabs. History suggests that those making the trip to Amsterdam for their first international still have a chance of making the Finals. Back in 1966 a bloke named Geoff Hurst made his international debut less than three months before that World Cup, and he kinda did okay.

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