The ‘Gazza’ saga: boot the sidekicks
I’ve no complaints with those who argue Paul Gascoigne is ultimately responsible for his own demise. But when the stories come out of the woodwork about him downing two litres of gin, 15 cans of Stella, 30 antidepressant pills a day and injecting himself with cocaine, you have to wonder about the people who work for him or call themselves his friends.
The extent of Gascoigne’s illness has been revealed this week as money is raised to pay for his latest round of treatment in the US.
I’m not suggesting the world should take responsibility for Gascoigne’s failings but there seems to be an over-riding theme to his life that has him socialising, binging and collapsing. It’s hardly a secret that he is an alcoholic, so what level of responsibility have those people around him demonstrated?
Spurs great Jimmy Greaves wrote this week: ‘‘ . . . alcoholism is an incredibly complex mental illness which never leaves you. It doesn’t matter that I’ve not had a drink for 34 years. For me, it’s still about not having one today’’.
He says part of Gazza’s problem is that he wants to please everyone and be the centre of attention.
‘‘When you are down, when you are lonely, that is when you want a drink the most. And Paul Gascoigne is a very lonely man. That is the heart of the problem.’’
Must admit I scoffed when Harry Redknapp suggested Gareth Bale was the best player in his position in the world a few seasons back. Today there’s no doubting his pedigree and it’s no surprise to see some European giants drooling over him. What price he’ll team up with Luka Modric again at Real Madrid?
The tabloids reckon Roy Hodgson and Stuart Pearce are not on the same page, particularly over the use of Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere . . . Frank Lampard will have a wide choice of clubs to move to at the end of the season and one could be Everton . . . new Blackburn boss Michael Appleton could bring back David Bentley to Ewood Park.
Spanish referee Alberto Undiano Mallenco copped the blame for the farcical professional wrestling antics (wrestle, feign injury, bounce back as good as ever) at corners during Juventus’ win over Celtic this week but it really is a case of shooting the messenger, isn’t it? Defenders have free reign at corners and have for years, thanks to Fifa’s negligence. I’m with Spurs boss Andre Villas Boas, who said this week he was surprised Celtic should have taken such umbrage, given players north of the channel are equally guilty.
Former Villa and Liverpool striker Milan Baros has left Galatasary ‘‘by mutual consent’’ . . . Teenage Viborg keeper Kevin Ray Mendoza Hansen is hoping to secure a Liverpool contract during a week on trial at Anfield . . . Among the dozens of players being linked to Manchester City in the summer is Bayern Munich’s Mario Gomez.
I salute Everton fan Neil Jordan, who tweeted a picture of racist grandad William Blything, then reported him to stewards at Goodison. Blything, who claimed the police got the wrong man, was this week convicted for the sideline rants, which were in front of his children and a grandchild. Blything has also been banned from watching his favourite team. Meanwhile, Gerrard Scanlon, 53, is in similarly hot water after his rants at Millwall were highlighted by a Sky News report. Interesting that football yobbism appears to afflict the 50-plus brigade. Everton’s Sylvain Distin, 35, is one game away from 400 appearances in the Premier League and will be the first foreign player to hit that mark.
Arsenal fullback Andre Santos has gone on loan to Gremio in Brazil for the rest of the season but says he expects to return. I suspect he and Denilson, who is on loan at Sao Paulo, will remain in South America. Another former Arsenal player whose career has nose-dived, Fran Merida, has also moved to Brazil, to play for Atletico Paranaense.