14/11 The Sports Pages

The Sunday World leads with the headline “Blue Murder” accompanied by claims that Roberto Mancini is a dead man walking following Manchester City’s 0-0 home draw against Birmingham.

City fans at Eastlands Stadium chanted abuse and booed as leading goalscorer Carlos Tevez was substituted for defensive midfielder Gareth Barry seven minutes from time, just as the home team should have been pushing to end their goal drought.

There’s also news that the FAI are handing out free tickets for the Repubic of Ireland clash with Norway on Wednesday night in order to avoid the humiliation of yet more empty seats on show at the Aviva stadium. Schoolboy clubs have been offered 400 tickets each to help fill out the gleaming South Dublin venue.

The Sunday Tribune focus on the most recent game at the Aviva, namely Saturday’s rugby match between Ireland and Samoa. The paper claims that the 20-10 win to Ireland was ‘flattering’ scoreline after the home nation struggled to impress. “Battered and bruised, Ireland finally fall over the finish line” reads one less-than-complimentary headline.

Tribune columnist and Blackpool manager Ian Holloway writes about his surprise at the press mauling he received after making 10 changes in his side prior to the midweek game against Aston Villa.

“When I sat down to write out my side, it didn’t cross my mind that anyone would have a problem with it and I’ve been taken aback with the reaction. I thought my team would be judged on how well or badly they played,” he writes.

The Sunday Times also focus on the lacklustre performance by the Irish rugby team against Samoa and have the story that Arsenal face a renewed battle for Fabregas from Inter Milan.