Tales of the Tabs

Spurs fans spent most of last season chanting "Bloke in an overcoat's Blue and White Army", because they couldn't bring themselves to sing the name of their manager, ex-Gooner George Graham. Don't know how they'll cope if the Sunday Mirror's exclusive proves to be accurate: Tony Adams will join the club as player-coach next season. "There's only one bloke with his right arm permanently aloft appealing for offside," perhaps?

Steve Staunton won't be too chuffed to read in the Sunday People that Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier remains determined to sign a new left-back, having missed on Mickael Silvestre. His latest target is Italian Alessandro Dal Canto, currently playing with Venezia.

The Star, meanwhile, claims that Newcastle's Duncan Ferguson could be on his way to Middlesbrough, with Bryan Robson set to make a £5 million bid, and north-east neighbours Sunderland are one of a string of Premiership clubs chasing FC Twente's Jan Vennegoor, a 20-year-old striker who has been lumped with the title of "the new Patrik Kluivert" in his native Holland.

"If Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink went for £12 million, Jan is worth more," FC Twente's technical director has declared. Mmm, that might cool their ardour.