Jol's situation is increasingly unclear

Betfacts / Top Dog / 25 September 2007 / Leave a comment Free £25 Bet

Betfair's Top Dog sniffs around the truth behind the latest tabloid tales

Top Dog

Betfair's top dog sniffs around the truth behind the latest tabloid tales.

• Cruft's champion - Top stories that can dominate the news agenda
• Pedigree chum - Insights that tell you something you don't know
• Dog's dinner - Speculation, guesswork, or ideas that just don't come off.

Top Dog says:

Chelsea's PR department has become notorious for making life difficult for newspaper reporters, and Fleet Street's finest are getting their own back this week. It's open season on Stamford Bridge - and Arsenal have put the boot in too with gentleman chairman Peter Hill-Wood calling Peter Kenyon's plan for world domination "a load of bullshit". There's confusion over Michael Owen's injury. The Mail backs up yesterday's Sun story that he definitely needs surgery, others report Newcastle's party line that he could be fit in ten days with rest.

Cruft's:

Daily Mirror - Jol's £4m Kiss off - John Cross reveals that Martin Jol has agreed he'll get £4million pay off if and when Spurs get their next boss. Harry Harris, whose Spurs contacts are outstanding, says the same in the Express. But don't be fooled into backing Jol at only 1.56 to be the next boss to leave. Read the small print and it's clear Jol has merely strengthened his contract and is fighting on - while Tottenham might not get the man they want to replace him until next summer.

Daily Mirror - At last Torres is main man - Dave Maddock is strong on Merseyside contacts - he wrote Robbie Fowler's book - and says that Fernando Torres is a definite starter at Reading in the Carling Cup tonight. Steven Gerrard's also in the squad making 2.08 a Liverpool win against Reading with Steve Coppell planning to play the reserves an unmissable bet.

Daily Mail - Terry in trouble - Matt Lawton follows up claims that John Terry tried to grab the red card from referee Mike Dean's hand at Old Trafford. The Mail's picture desk have found the snap that proves it, Lawton has been told by FA insiders that the England captain is facing a rap. Losing their skipper for a few games could hammer Chelsea even further - unless the Soho Square bigwigs duck it to make sure Terry is available for England.

Pedigree Chum:

Daily Star - Roman threat to sell Avram rebels - Danny Fullbrook's clearly been briefed by the Chelsea hierarchy that Roman Abramovich won't tolerate anybody failing to back his new boss. Didier Drogba, Florent Malouda and Ashley Cole are named as the main moaners. Roman's reminded them they won't earn the same elsewhere. That should bring Cashley, in particular, into line!

The Sun - Ian Wright column - Shaun's Dad should know a thing or two about what goes on behind the scenes at Stamford Bridge and warns that Avram Grant will struggle to get the respect of the players. He compares Chelsea's situation to when George Graham left Arsenal and Bruce Rioch made a mess of it. Relevant views and more reasons why Chelsea have drifted to 5.5 for the Premier League title.

Daily Mirror - Drogba peace talks fail - Martin Lipton brings more evidence of disharmony at the Bridge. Drogba's people were clearly briefing at the weekend and now say he's agreed he'll be "professional" but is depressed about Mourinho's departure as well as the two months he faces out with knee problems. Last chance to lay Drogba to be among the top four Premier League goalscorers at 5.6

Dog' s dinner:

The Sun - You disgust me, Av - Rom hands Ron £58m for five years - Antony Kastrinakis starts his first week working for the Sun after leaving the News of the World and is trying too hard to make an impact. He claims Ronaldinho's agent has accepted a five-year deal worth £11.6m a year, then gives himself an out by claiming the world player of the year might go elsewhere. Where, exactly?

Today's other stories:

The Sun - Roman ruins - Ashton cap hint - Rafa's Gerrard rap for England - Lita won't Copp it - am the Guv'nor says Fergie - 28 page Super Goals pullout - Defoe axed again

Daily Express - Spurs plot to pay Jose's legal bill - Mourinho interview - Three more weeks out for Lampard - Alan Curbishley column - Wenger says he doesn't need more cash - Yakubu told to work harder

Daily Star - Arsene in Wonderland - Big Sam's Cup for it - Fergie's going soft on Saha - Grant says he can handle the heat - Cap fits for Ashton - Robbo: We'll save Jol

Daily Mirror - Hill-Wood on Arsenal finances and Chelsea - Big Sam rap for Wenger - Sven's Cup aims - Giggs says United goals will come - Hammers fans have helped me through hell says Dyer

Daily Mail - Reality check for roman - Rich Gunners taunt Kenyon over fantasy - Agony for Owen - League bosses slam "learner driver" Grant

Tags: Betfair's Top Dog, Fernando Torres, Martin Jol, sack race