Paper Gossip: AVB Under Fire, City Eye Begovic, No Arsenal Return for Henry
It’s a big week of Champions League action and there’s plenty of chatter about the games.
There’s still fallout from the weekend, though, with a manager and a referee in the spotlight.
And the papers are also overflowing with transfer speculation.
All this and more feature in Tuesday’s edition of the Paper News and Gossip Roundup.
Andre Villas-Boas Faces Tottenham Job Fight
1 of 9
Mail writer Neil Ashton has focused his attention on Tottenham boss Andre Villas-Boas, who he says is fighting to save his job.
Ashton saw Spurs thumped 6-0 by Manchester City on Sunday and says "Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy and director of football Franco Baldini were deep in discussion" in the Etihad Stadium boardroom.
His piece, titled "How AVB's £107 million Spurs dream team is turning into a NIGHTMARE," suggests that having spent such a huge amount on transfers in the summer, more was expected than the club's current ninth place in the table.
Tottenham face Manchester United on Sunday and Ashton suggests it is a game which could have a huge bearing on Villas-Boas' future.
Referee Kevin Friend Axed After Wes Brown Red Card
2 of 9
It wasn't just Villas-Boas who had a bad weekend. The Mail's Sam Cunningham says referee Kevin Friend has been axed following his decision to send off Sunderland's Wes Brown against Stoke.
Black Cats boss Gus Poyet was incandescent with rage after seeing Friend pull out a red card for Brown.
Most observers felt it was an excellent challenge, while Sunderland confirmed they would lodge an appeal to the FA.
It appears referees' chief Mike Riley felt it was a mistake, as Cunningham says Riley has taken the decision to omit Friend from this weekend's round of games.
Cunningham states it is the second time this season Friend has been left off the list in the week after one of his decisions had come under the microscope.
In his piece Cunningham wrote:
"In August, he awarded Southampton what West Brom boss Steve Clarke called a 'soft' last-minute penalty and a few days later didn't give Aston Villa a spot-kick for a blatant John Terry handball at Chelsea—then spent more than a month on fourth official duty.
"
Jose Enrique Op Boost as Steven Gerrard Praises Jon Flanagan
3 of 9
There's positive news coming out of Anfield, with Liverpool defender Jose Enrique's knee operation deemed a success.
And in the Spaniard's stead, Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard's feels the Reds are in safe hands with Jon Flanagan.
Enrique has not played since early October and after struggling on in training for over six weeks, club and player felt surgery was the best option.
The operation has been deemed a success, writes the Mail's David Kent, but Enrique is likely to be sidelined until February.
Flanagan was pitched in at left-back for the Merseyside derby and Gerrard was hugely impressed with his performance against Everton.
Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, Gerrard said:
"Our star man for me was Jon Flanagan by a country mile.
He doesn't get many headlines but as captain of the team he was the player I am most proud of. I thought he was unbelievable.
He's been fighting hard in training just to get in the 18, never mind the starting 11, but the manager threw him in at the deep end against a top class player like Mirallas and I thought he was sensational.
It was one of the best derby performances I have seen for many years. He reminds me of Carragher in a lot of ways.
"
Arsenal's Napoli Trip Worry for Fans
4 of 9
Arsenal are in Champions League action against Marseille this week, but there is already one eye on the trip to Napoli on December 11.
Napoli's visit to London earlier this season was marred by crowd trouble on the streets surrounding Arsenal's Emirates Stadium.
Mail writers Sami Mokbel and Neil Ashton claim the Gunners do not want to see any trouble in Naples and are planning to lay on coaches for any fans wanting to make the trip.
In the piece, Mokbel and Ashton state:
"Arsenal are organising special coaches for fans heading to Napoli next month amid security fears. The Gunners have been in talks with UEFA over their Champions League trip to Naples on December 11 after the teams’ clash at the Emirates last month was marred by violence close to the ground.
The Gunners want to avoid any repeat and will arrange for coaches to transport their fans to and from the San Paolo Stadium.
"
Aaron Ramsey is likely to be in action for Arsenal against Marseille. But manager Arsene Wenger has revealed he considered dropping the Wales star after criticism from fans.
Ramsey has been in sensational form this season, but a matter of 12 months ago the midfielder was being booed by his own fans.
The Mirror’s John Cross has the quotes from Wenger:
"Let’s not forget that one year ago people were saying to me, ‘It’s difficult to play him at the Emirates.'
You could see there was an impatience with him at home. You always are, as a manager, in a period where you think, ‘Do I push him through and he can go more down, or do you give him a breather - to regenerate, to get him a fresh start?'
You have to give Aaron credit for that transformation—the credit goes to him because he could deal with that.
"
Manchester City Eye Asmir Begovic and Will Let Joe Hart Go
5 of 9
It's been a dramatic fall from grace for Joe Hart at Manchester City. But he might not have hit rock bottom yet, according to the Mirror's Alan Nixon.
The keeper has gone from undisputed England No. 1 to bench warmer at City. But with the transfer window looming, he is the subject of exit talk.
And Nixon suggests Hart has fallen so far that he is being considered a makeweight by City in a deal to secure the services of Stoke's Asmir Begovic.
In his piece, Nixon writes:
"Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini wants Stoke keeper Asmir Begovic to be his new No. 1.
And Joe Hart could head the other way for the second half of the season to preserve his England World Cup place.
The Blues are ready to bid up to £15 million for Bosnia & Herzegovina international Begovic, who has proved to be one of the steadiest goalies in the Premier League.
"
Nixon suggests the fact that Begovic is eligible to play in the Champions League's knockout stages makes him an appealing option.
Wenger Cools Thierry Henry Return Talk
6 of 9
Wenger has dampened talk of Thierry Henry making another return to Arsenal.
Henry was pictured training with the Arsenal squad and with the transfer window looming, it was interpreted as a potential solution to the club's lack of strikers.
But Wenger has stated that Henry, who plays for New York Red Bulls, is merely training with the club in order to remain sharp during the MLS off-season.
In John Cross' piece in the Mirror, Wenger said:
"They (former Gunners players) like to come back to Arsenal, to practise. When they can join in, they do.
They integrate well [with] the spirit of the team.
Nothing more than that!
"
Wilfried Zaha Manchester United Loan Move in Doubt
7 of 9
Wilfried Zaha's attitude in Manchester United training is threatening to scupper his chances of securing a loan move away from the club in January, according to the Mail's Ian Ladyman.
Zaha has made little impression under David Moyes, with it widely believed that the England international would be farmed out on loan in January.
That might not happen, according to Ladyman, who says doubt has been cast on the player's attitude.
In his piece, Ladyman wrote:
"Sportsmail understands that the England international’s case for a move is not being helped by suggestions from within United’s training ground that he simply has not yet developed the mental toughness for life at the very top level.
At least one Premier League manager who was considering a loan move for Zaha has been put off by feedback suggesting that the winger’s day-to-day contribution at United is not what it needs to be. It now remains to be seen if Zaha can up his levels between now and the start of the January transfer window.
"
Daniel Sturridge Has No England Regrets
8 of 9
Daniel Sturridge has insisted he has no regrets about starting for England against Germany last week, even though it cost him his place in the Liverpool team for the Merseyside derby.
Sturridge returned from international duty with a muscle problem, which he claims to have had for a number of weeks. And after failing to train at 100 percent, he was left out by Reds boss Brendan Rodgers.
The striker climbed off the bench to score the leveller and if he had his time again, he would not do anything different.
The Star's Chris McKenna has the quotes:
"For me, regardless of what condition you are in, if you are selected by the England manager, you go out there and do the best you can—regardless of whether you are carrying an injury or not.
The manager gave me an opportunity and it's always a pleasure to put the England shirt on.
I have been hampered for the past three games. Since West Brom, when I got the bang, I've had blood underneath the muscles in my thigh
When I shoot from long distance I still feel pain, but it's getting better.
It's important that I'm training. I didn't get to train much when I was away with England.
"
Bits and Pieces: Spurs Want Morata, Ribeiro Eyes United, Bendtner Arrested
9 of 9
The Sun’s (Subscription) Antony Kastrinakis claims Wolfsburg midfielder Diego has issued a come-and-get-me plea to Arsenal.
Tottenham have set their sights on a loan move for Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata, per the Mirror John Cross.
Mirror's scribe Cross also says Benfica are demanding £20 million for Nemanja Matic, amid talk of a bid from Manchester United.
Everton Ribeiro has set his sights on securing a move to Manchester United from Cruzeiro, according to the Star’s Nick Lustig.
Nicklas Bendtner has been questioned by police after doors to a gym and a window were smashed at his luxury apartment complex, according to the Mirror's Piers Eady.
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
