Today's Papers / Top Dog / 15 May 2008 / Leave a comment

Betfair's newshound 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:

The Mail and Sun are both on the ball with gossip from Portsmouth that Harry Redknapp might be thinking of quitting after the FA Cup final. Friends say Pompey's boss is down and disillusioned after the police raid on his home and then the sudden death of his sister-in-law Pat Lampard. But, while the Mail leaves it to chief football writer Matt Lawton to speculate on Redknapp's future, the Sun has asked him direct and his response is: 'I want to go on as long as Alex Ferguson and I don't see why I can't.' Harry remains firm favourite to take the first major trophy of his long management career - Pompey are [1.35] to be Cup winners.

Crufts:

The Sun - Adebayor: I'm staying a Gunner - Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor insists he's not looking to follow Mathieu Flamini out of the exit door. 'I am off to Togo on Thursday but will return for pre-season training in July. I love Arsenal and will be here next season.' Good news at last for Arsene Wenger

Daily Mail - I'm a keeper so no wonder I'm misunderstood - Matt Barlow gets the best interview of the day, a long chat with Arsenal's departing Jens Lehmann about the science of goalkeeping, why they are all misunderstood, and his coaching ambitions. Germany are [5.3] favourites to win Euro 2008

Daily Express - Arsenal DO want Stan's sort now - Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood reveals he's changed his mind about the potential for American sports tycoon Stan Kroenke to join the board at The Emirates. Arsenal have got to resolve their problems behind the scenes and this suggests a first move to doing it.

Daily Mirror - Avram's turning into Jose - All the papers report Avram Grant's claim that Sir Alex Ferguson influences referees and got into the mind of Steve Bennett on the final day of the season. The Mirror headline sums up his rant best! He reckons Fergie won't be able to influence the ref in Moscow because he won't be English. Don't count on it!

Pedigree Chum:

The Sun - Drogba: I wanted to strike - More revelations from Didier Drogba's new book. He says he nearly refused to play in this season's Champions League in protest at the exit of Jose Mourinho. Just try telling him he can't play in the final now!!

The Sun - He's in with a squeak - Top Dog liked this story about how Cardiff defender Kevin McNaughton went to their FA Cup final record recording session dressed in a cartoon outfit. David Facey says he's been installed as the Bluebirds danger man - or at least their Danger Mouse! Cardiff are [3.8] to be the first Cup winners from outside the top flight since West Ham in 1980

Daily Star - Leo: It's a Mow-go zone - Poland boss Leo Beenhakker has told young midfielder Radoslaw Majewski not to join West Bromwich Albion because he fears a relegation fight won't help the 21-year-old's long term career. West Brom boss Tony Mowbray is in talks about a £1.5m move for the promising young star

Daily Star - Fans win SOS fight for Copp - The Star says Steve Coppell has agreed to stay at Reading because of the support he's had from fans who launched a special website pleading for him not to quit. Coppell's own quote is not quite so convincing at the moment: 'I am the manager and my overwhelming feeling is I have let people down, but I was touched by the reception I received.'

Daily Star - Lee driven by final agony - Bristol City's Lee Trundle recalls how he stayed on the pitch to watch Barnsley get their medals after losing a play-off final with Swansea to inspire himself not to suffer the same hurt again. Trundle's side are now [2.22] to be promoted, with Hull the [1.81] favourites.

Daily Mirror - Sven can spice up Mexico - Sven Goran Eriksson has been offered the chance to coach Mexico to the World Cup. The £4.5million a year deal is another option when the axe eventually falls at Manchester City

Daily Mail - Winning this Cup will bring Harry the respect he deserves - Ivan Speck gets a good, detailed interview with Tony Adams about his working life with Harry Redknapp. Interesting read.

Daily Express - O'Neill on warpath over Barry - Martin O'Neill warns he'll dig his heels in and refuse to let Gareth Barry move to Anfield even if he wants to, especially if Rafa Benitez won't improve his £10million cash and players offer.

Dog' s Dinner:

The Sun - Rafa eyes £10m Flo - Ian McGarry reckons Liverpool are trying to buy Florent Malouda from Chelsea. Don't count on it happening, especially as the story also says it depends on the Reds being taken over by Dubai International Capital to provide enough cash for the deal

Daily Star - Puyol's bait in Barca Fab bid - You'd think we've got enough of our own speculation without importing some from Spain. Danny Fullbrook recycles gossip from Barcelona that Carles Puyol will be used as bait in a swop deal for Cesc Fabregas. Don't believe a word

Today's Other Headlines:

The Sun - United title was reffin' fix - Roar power - Walter Euro woe - Some refs can be influenced - Trundle's pain gain - Barmby army - Rangers bid ends in heartbreak - Diarra Lassana interview.

Daily Express - Ref gave the title to Fergie claims Grant - Hull go marching on - Adebayer: I'm happy at Arsenal - Drogba thought of going on strike - Smith's men fall at final hurdle - Trundle magic can take City up - Ridsdale now hailed by McPhail

Daily Star - I knew ref would hand title to United - Hull Nick it - Gers flop - Cup final shows I was right to quit Guns says Lassana Diarra - Nicky gets Hull party going - Crouch key to Barry bid

Daily Mirror - Running Cardiff is more stressful than Leeds says Peter Ridsdale - The high of the Tigers - Walter robbed of Euro dream - Trundle's Wembley mission - Shevchenko a target for Fenerbahce - Yaya Toure could join brother Kolo at Arsenal

Daily Mail - Final farewell - Igor Blimey we lost - Fergie sways referees claims Grant - Rampaging Tigers end Aidy dream

Tags: Cardiff, FA Cup Betting, Football Betting, Harry Redknapp, Portsmouth