I for one am definitely 'pro' Gregory. What ever his flaws and he has a few, the Ginola/Samuel substitution against Newcastle for one proves that his desperation for success can cloud his judgment. But, if anybody gives Gregory the correct backing then I have no doubt that he is totally capable of creating a team that can challenge for the Premiership.

His frustration at the lack of backing at Villa Park is becoming ever more apparent. His antics during a game are evidence of an exasperated Manager.

He's cleverly used his media interviews to 'persuade' the board to invest in new players, remained silent as his senior players have themselves called for new editions, has expressed total admiration for a small squad of players that have so far this season have secured a decent Premiership position and overall has remained patient while his transfer targets are purchased.... but the cracks are beginning to appear. Injuries to the squad are limiting the performances and results are now going the wrong way.... Gregory has proved on two occasions at Villa Park that he can turn it around when the results aren't going his way and probably now feels that he ain't go to do it a third time if the end result is that he isn't allowed to strengthen the squad when we are on the up. Any ambitious manager must view Doug Ellis's stewardship of Villa's finances in the transfer market as pathetic!!

Yesterday we know that Gregory stormed out of the club after 'heated words' with the Villa Directors. (If anyone like myself, was driving home after the game along the Aldridge Road, Perry Barr towards Sutton Coldfield at about 17:45 will have seen him driving his Red Jag at 'excessive speeds'... this was one pissed of manager, and i for one wasn't going to hold him up)

How much longer will he watch as Ellis ruin the chances of Aston Villa to stay at the top..... not that long I would imagine... at the end of the day he's got his own future to consider.

It is well documented that Bobby Robson will have direct involvement in choosing his own successor when in the near/medium term he takes over as Director of Football at Newcastle United. My guess is Gregory has already realized himself that the Newcastle job is he's if he wants it. So does he??

Gregory from the onset at Villa Park has claimed that a successful Premiership Manager needs to work in close proximity to a senior footballing figure at the club... unfortunately at Villa Ellis has continually retained himself in footballing matters.. something that time after time has proved is a recipe for disaster (Atkinson / Little etc..) working 'with' Robson would appeal to Gregory, they have great admiration for each other.... I believe Gregory could broker a deal that allows himself to be Newcastle Manager with Robson in the background.

Regardless of what we read about Newcastle's finances, this is a club that is prepared to spend when the need is there... unlike Aston Villa they are not still pissing about building their 51,000 seater stadium... it's built and it is full!!!. They too have received 27m from NTL and probably understand that with shrewd investment of this money the Champions League is attainable for any forward thinking club.

Newcastle, like Villa, have a good side (albeit a little behind us at the moment!!!!).... now imagine Gregory at St James Park making Southgate his first signing... players like Aaron Hughes and Kieran Dyer will appeal to Gregory and i reckon he could get more out of Alan Shearer. Gregory would reveal in the opportunity to clear out a few players, bring in a few players... and then spend some significant cash on 1 or 2 stars!!! Newcastle could offer very everything Gregory hopes to achieve at Villa

Will he go?? My personal view is that the next month will decide... It's becoming more obvious the transfer system isn't as 'under siege' as Doug would have us believe.... The purchase of McCarthy is I think critical,almost as a point of principal as to whether the board backs his judgment... the crucial moments for Gregory will come regarding transfers beyond the imminent arrival of a new striker... if Gregory gets the 3 new players he's been asking for he'll stay and continue to build success at Villa Park.... He craves this success at Villa as much as we do in the stands.... if he doesn’t get the backing i believe he'll start next season as Manager of Newcastle United at we'll have to sit back and watch him succeed amongst the Fog the Tyne

-- Anonymous, December 04, 2000

Answers

That does nothing to explain those awful bloody shorts last season...

-- Anonymous, December 04, 2000

The man is a twaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat.

-- Anonymous, December 04, 2000

DeB showing his controversial streak again ;-). Championing Gregory and Hartson. I bet Gregory would be a fan of Barton though ;-))

-- Anonymous, December 04, 2000

I truly hope this is garbage. There is only one manager I'd like to see less at SJP, and that's George Graham. I really dislike Gregory, there is nothing appealing about him whatsoever. He's argumentative, boring, adn unpleasant, all of which would be tolerable if he was a good manager, but he's not. He's Mr Average middle-of-the-road, not capable of attracting great players, not capable of hanging on to his best players, has limited vision, struggles to make average players great or great players awesome. He is in short The Prince of Darkness and should he ever be offered the job here I'd be clamouring for the return of Ruud Dalglish.

-- Anonymous, December 04, 2000

I am not a Gregory fan but his career with Villa is remarkably like Bobby Robson's... saved the, from certain relegation and been battling agisnt ill-luck and few funds ever since.

-- Anonymous, December 04, 2000

I am not a Gregory fan but his career with Villa is remarkably like Bobby Robson's... saved them from certain relegation and been battling against ill-luck and few funds ever since.

-- Anonymous, December 04, 2000

I'm not championing John Gregory. I said on a different thread I'd like to see the Preston bloke become Bobby's pupil for a year before taking over as manager.

I posted the article because I think the pessimistic Villa fan actually paints NUFC in a good light.

-- Anonymous, December 04, 2000