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Author Topic: John Gregory back in management  (Read 9900 times)

Offline Damo70

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Re: John Gregory back in management
« Reply #30 on: December 04, 2013, 08:18:10 AM »
His record wasn't too shabby overall. Played 190. W82 D 52 L 56
Win% 43 (Better than MON and SBL)
He had a certain steadiness I suppose, where-as even more regarded managers like BFR and Brian Little, had the moments it all started going wrong and they got the can.
In fairness that would have come with JG. He didn't have enough nous for it not to happen but considering he never finished outside the top 8, I thought that was remarkable for a manager who's actually quite limited. Part of it probably was the fact he really cared and for better or worse wore his heart on his sleeve for us.

The cup final will forever be a stigma for him. It was such a wretched display and we never looked close to scoring. Nearly but not good enough. I think that's the difference between a BFR and a manager like Gregory. Ron could mastermind a game like Utd in the LC final. Big occasion against a better side. Gregory didn't have that in him I don't think. Chelsea weren't even that brilliant. They were favourites but I wouldn't have necessarily called us underdogs that day.


We didn't exactly cover ourselves in glory in 120 minutes of open play against Bolton in the semi either.

Offline SoccerHQ

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Re: John Gregory back in management
« Reply #31 on: December 04, 2013, 10:52:54 AM »
No we were very luck in the Bolton game, Holdsworth somehow missing an open goal right at the end of extra time I remember.


Offline supertom

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Re: John Gregory back in management
« Reply #32 on: December 04, 2013, 11:28:54 AM »
No we were very luck in the Bolton game, Holdsworth somehow missing an open goal right at the end of extra time I remember.


Ha ha. Yep now I recall. I tend to mostly remember Dion smashing in a penalty in the shootout shortly after returning from his horror neck break (first game back??).
Still, I don't think any team gets through to many finals without some luck along the way.

Offline richard moore

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Re: John Gregory back in management
« Reply #33 on: December 04, 2013, 11:38:30 AM »
Like the man. Hate Crawley, bloody awful place

Offline Damo70

  • Member
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Re: John Gregory back in management
« Reply #34 on: December 04, 2013, 11:38:49 AM »
No we were very luck in the Bolton game, Holdsworth somehow missing an open goal right at the end of extra time I remember.


Ha ha. Yep now I recall. I tend to mostly remember Dion smashing in a penalty in the shootout shortly after returning from his horror neck break (first game back??).
Still, I don't think any team gets through to many finals without some luck along the way.


I was right in line with Holdsworth (albeit at the opposite end of the ground) when the ball came to him and with the goal looking like a massive target he couldn't miss. I had my head in my hands waiting for the distant cheers when I heard cheering and laughter all around me.

Offline eastie

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  • Age: 58
Re: John Gregory back in management
« Reply #35 on: December 04, 2013, 11:51:42 AM »
No we were very luck in the Bolton game, Holdsworth somehow missing an open goal right at the end of extra time I remember.


Ha ha. Yep now I recall. I tend to mostly remember Dion smashing in a penalty in the shootout shortly after returning from his horror neck break (first game back??).
Still, I don't think any team gets through to many finals without some luck along the way.


I was right in line with Holdsworth (albeit at the opposite end of the ground) when the ball came to him and with the goal looking like a massive target he couldn't miss. I had my head in my hands waiting for the distant cheers when I heard cheering and laughter all around me.

Shocking indeed.

Offline manic-road

  • Member
  • Posts: 6497
Re: John Gregory back in management
« Reply #36 on: December 04, 2013, 12:19:07 PM »
Good luck to JG, I used to see him regularly in the morning walking his dogs in Windsor Great Park, always friendly and chatty and Villa through and through. I remember him most when he got the team together for a photograph on the pitch after guiding us to our best start in the league. Can't see that record being beaten any time soon.

Offline PeterWithesShin

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  • GM : 17.03.2015
Re: John Gregory back in management
« Reply #37 on: December 04, 2013, 12:23:46 PM »
His record wasn't too shabby overall. Played 190. W82 D 52 L 56
Win% 43 (Better than MON and SBL)
He had a certain steadiness I suppose, where-as even more regarded managers like BFR and Brian Little, had the moments it all started going wrong and they got the can.
In fairness that would have come with JG. He didn't have enough nous for it not to happen but considering he never finished outside the top 8, I thought that was remarkable for a manager who's actually quite limited. Part of it probably was the fact he really cared and for better or worse wore his heart on his sleeve for us.

The cup final will forever be a stigma for him. It was such a wretched display and we never looked close to scoring. Nearly but not good enough. I think that's the difference between a BFR and a manager like Gregory. Ron could mastermind a game like Utd in the LC final. Big occasion against a better side. Gregory didn't have that in him I don't think. Chelsea weren't even that brilliant. They were favourites but I wouldn't have necessarily called us underdogs that day.


We didn't exactly cover ourselves in glory in 120 minutes of open play against Bolton in the semi either.

Or the 180 minutes of the LC semis vs Leicester. 390 minutes of semi and final games, 0 goals scored and we rarely looked like scoring. That sums JG up, could get us so far thanks to spending a fortune, but couldn't get us going when it counted.

Offline PeterWithe

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Re: John Gregory back in management
« Reply #38 on: December 04, 2013, 01:00:39 PM »
Was he ever on record in later years regarding his treatment of Collymore?

Offline Lizz

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Re: John Gregory back in management
« Reply #39 on: December 04, 2013, 01:04:08 PM »
No idea why I remember this, but after his first game in charge of Villa against Liverpool, a Louise Redknapp song was played over the sound system. At the time, all I could think of it was something to do with her husband. Still think the same, but more in it was a bit of a Gregory showman type event.

Offline not3bad

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  • GM : 15.06.2022
Re: John Gregory back in management
« Reply #40 on: December 04, 2013, 01:09:32 PM »
Started off really well at Villa and I'll remember the good times, but I wasn't sorry when he left.

As people have said, a Villa man and seems like a decent guy.  Good luck at Crawley.

Offline Fred

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  • Posts: 270
  • Location: Holte End
Re: John Gregory back in management
« Reply #41 on: December 04, 2013, 01:13:19 PM »
Is it really 15 years ago and we were heading for the summit of English Football under JG.
It was sad how his time as manager ended.
I liked him as manager and wish him all the best for the futre.

Offline sirlordbaltimore

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Re: John Gregory back in management
« Reply #42 on: December 04, 2013, 01:17:08 PM »

Loved JG, wish him all the best

Online Toronto Villa

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Re: John Gregory back in management
« Reply #43 on: December 04, 2013, 01:46:04 PM »
I hope he does well. He holds Villa so close to his heart. Unfortunately and inevitably his stay at Crawley will end sooner than he'd like.

Offline Rudy Can't Fail

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Re: John Gregory back in management
« Reply #44 on: December 04, 2013, 02:44:14 PM »
Good luck to him.

Apart from being a decent player, his part in Sir Brian's backroom team when we played some superb football and his early days as our manager should never be forgotten. The fact that he always demonstrates great passion for the club is a credit to the man.

 


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