Gutless, scared and no laughing matter are all used to describe West Ham's worsening plight after their 3-0 defeat to Liverpool.

THE HEADLINES

The Sun: 'EMBAROSING' The Mirror: 'TEL: I'LL STAY' Daily Star: 'GUTLESS' Daily Mail: 'TEL WILL STAY' Daily Express: 'NO LAUGHING MATTER' The Guardian: 'TOO FAR GONE' The Times: 'HUSSAIN SAYS PLAYERS WILL BOW TO PUBLIC OPINION ON BOYCOTT' The Daily Telegraph: 'WEST HAM OFFER NO DEFENCE' The Independent: 'BAROS DEEPENS THE DEPRESSION AT WEST HAM'

But the Sun steals it with the headline "EmBarosing" after Reds striker Milan Baros' early effort put his side on the road to victory at Upton Park.

Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier, who like Hammers boss Glenn Roeder has had his fair share of stick of late, sympathises with his peer, according to the newspaper.

The Daily Star tells how Roeder turned on his players after the game, describing the performance as "gutless" and insisting his team were too full of fear.

The remaining tabloids focus their attentions to another manager in the spotlight - Leeds boss Terry Venables.

Both the Mirror and Daily Mail say Venables will be staying after confirming his future to both his players and caoching staff on Sunday.

But the Daily Express believes the matter has been taken out of El Tel's hands.

It says the former England boss will be axed at the end of the season and that a successor has already been lined up.

The Guardian's football writers turn back to the misery at Upton Park, speaking of the Hammers' now sure-fire "case for relegation".

The major focus does move elsewhere, however, in the Times and to seemingly one of the longest debates in recent sport history.

England's will-they-won't-they trip to Zimbabwe may finally be decided by public opinion, the newspaper reveals.

Captain Nasser Hussain is reportedly willing to gauge feeling among the cricket-viewing public back in England before making a final decision.