Today's Papers / Top Dog / 14 January 2008 / Leave a comment " class="free-bet-btn" rel="external" onclick="javascript: pageTracker._trackPageview('/G4/inline-freebet');" target="_blank">Free Bet

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:

What's the old line about the proud Mum watching the Army passing out parade and saying: 'Oh look, my Johnny's the only one in step!'. Well this morning Fleet Street has it's best foot forward backing Mark Hughes as the next Newcastle manager, all except the Express which goes for Frenchman Gerard Houllier with the brilliant headline: 'Oui Aye Man'. Are they the only ones in step? Well North East man Niall Hickman is usually pretty well clued in and he shares a by-line on the story with Harry Harris, good friend of former Spurs vice chairman Paul Kemsley who has been advising Newcastle owner Mike Ashley on what to do next. Hughes has shortened to [3.45] favourite, Houllier's still good value at [11]. If you took Top Dog's advice on Thursday morning to lay Harry Redknapp here's a chance to build your profit even more by backing both of them. Harry, incidentally, says Alan Shearer should get the job now. Don't expect that to influence Mike Ashley's thinking, even though the Geordie legend is [6.2] second favourite.

Cruft's:

The Sun - Dream on - Chief Football Writer Shaun Custis has his roots in the North East and gets a good exclusive interview with Sir John Hall who insists the Shearer-Keegan dream ticket for Newcastle is just that - a dream.

Daily Star - Sid in Light fight - Ian Murtagh is up to his neck in work watching the Newcastle situation, but still alert enough to hear from contacts at Sunderlant that Steve Sidwell will be joining on loan with a view to a permanent move, The switch won't happen until January 31 so he can remain at Chelsea during the African Cup of Nations. Good news for the Black Cats who are still in the bottom three but [3.45] for relegation after yesterday's win over Pompey

Pedigree Chum:

Daily Express - Wenger wanted Becks - Interesting admission by Arsene Wenger that he tried to sign David Beckham after his first season at Real Madrid. Golden Balls is at Arsenal now keeping himself fit to chase that 100th cap and Wenger confesses: 'I didn't want a media circus so we agreed if he came to train with us he wouldn't talk about Arsenal and I wouldn't talk about him. Now here I am breaking my own rules!'

The Sun - Terry on way back - With England's captain on their payroll The Sun are always good for reliable info on John Terry, and they say he'll be fit again in two weeks. Good news for the Blues' outside title hopes. They have shortened to [6.8]

Daily Mirror - Redknapp after Jermain man - Won't be much doubt that extra cash for players will have been one of the reasons Harry Redknapp stayed at Portsmouth. A bid for Jermain Defoe makes sense, although if Spurs give the slightest hint of being ready to sell then Aston Villa will come in strong too.

Daily Star - We'll give Kop rivals what four - A few weeks ago Liverpool were 1.05 to finish in the top four. Now they are [1.37] and rising. Everton's Joleon Lescott talks about why David Moyes' team [7] can break up the Champions League cartel. Aston Villa [8] and Manchester City [9] fancy their chances too

Dog' s dinner:

Daily Mirror - Big Sam: The Job's going to, hic, Bruce - When the idea was put to him after Wigan's game at Derby, teve Bruce laughed off the idea that he could get another crack at Newcastle after turning it down two years ago. But it seems later that night - or in the early hours of the following morning - that was exactly what was being discussed over a few bottles of champagne by Bruce, Sam Allardyce and Bryan Robson in a Newcastle club. Bruce has shortened to [23] but this sounds like the drink talking.

Today's other stories:

The Sun - Sparky to light up Toon - Harry: Give it to Shearer - Flops let Redknapp down - 28 page Super Goals pullout - Sparky's grand 'exit' - Moyes steeled for glory mission

Daily Express - Toon turn to Houllier - Shearer can strike it lucky says Harry - Sub Robert makes point with winner - Kieran's cheers to Pompey boss - Lita looking for Royal leave - Anelka has settled on the big time - Fulham need to call fire brigade - Championship focus

Daily Star - Toon's bright Sparky - Terry roars back - Hero 'Arry is toasted - Jason Nics it after Kev's cruncher - Shearer and Keegan are Toon Barmy dream team - 20 page Seriously Football pullout - I can Nic more

Daily Mirror - St James' Sparky - Howling at the Toon - It's tough up North, Arry - 20 page football Mania pullout - Jase me, Jase me - Fergie: best is yet to come from Ronaldo - Tosh and Becks - Stan Collymore column

Daily Mail - Now it's Hughes - "I'd give the Toon job to Shearer," says Harry - Roberts revenge a timely message - A double top for Keane - The Three Ronnies - Souness warning for the man who dares take on Geordies - Happy Anelka in the mood - Savage foes turn friends - Chris Coleman column.

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