Alan Shearer has admitted that he 'almost came to blows' with David Ginola during his playing days because his former Newcastle United team-mate had not put a cross into the box for 'six or seven weeks'.
Shearer, like most strikers, thrived off service from the flanks and the number nine had actually been looking forward to linking up with Ginola after completing his world-record move from Blackburn Rovers in 1996. Shearer, after all, had taken note of the crosses both Ginola and fellow winger Keith Gillespie had provided for strike partner Les Ferdinand the previous season.
However, Shearer soon ended up having a 'pretty heated' row with Ginola after one particular game because the Frenchman was not providing enough service. Although Ginola 'did not want to give up', which Shearer 'respected him for', the dressing room exchange ended up doing the trick.
READ MORE: Newcastle players and staff's far from happy reaction after narrow Liverpool defeat was telling
"I needed balls into the box and I needed them in early," Shearer told That Peter Crouch podcast. "I went to Newcastle and David Ginola was an amazing player, but he did like a flick, trick and doing other little bits.
"I remember going into the dressing room after five or six games and going absolutely f------ mad at him because he hadn't put a cross in for six or seven weeks. He was twisting, he was turning, he was going down the line, he was flicking his hair and I was thinking, 'What on earth is going on here? This can't continue.'
"I went in the dressing room and, after a game, went absolutely berserk and we almost came to blows. But, then, after that he started putting balls in so it worked!"
For the latest Newcastle news direct to your inbox, go here to sign up to our free newsletter
