Gregory on Talksport now

[robbo1874]

His win record of 43% compares better to Mr O'Neill's and Brian Little's and is on a par with BFR's.  I think that's quite good.

I've always thought Gregory and O'Neil were about level on what they did for us. Both spent lots and wasted lots. Both got to good positions in the league only to fade out. Both got to a cup final and were poor in it. Both walked out without really saying why.

True. Gregory was living the dream though. We were just a rung on the ladder for O'Neill.

[Risso]

I still can't believe he signed Balaban for 6m without watching him. Christ.

Little did the same with Savo didn't he?

[N'ZMAV]

And Grayhib.

[N'ZMAV]

Gregory that is.

[Oscar Arce]

I still can't believe he signed Balaban for 6m without watching him. Christ.

Little did the same with Savo didn't he?

Yes, Sir Brian saw Savo as well on video, but he didn't turn out too bad really.

[Risso]

and O'Neill with Salifou.

[JJ-AV]

Thought O'Neill saw Salifou at the 2006 World Cup?

[seanthevillan]

He watched him as a pundit, can't remember who against (Switzerland?).

About Dublin's price now - you can't use Carroll's fee as a benchmark because that has never and will never be understood by a rational person. It was a brainless, meaningless transfer.

How about Bent to Villa? Or Defoe's last transfer? Dublin would not command a higher fee then those players, and I reckon the same player in his prime now would fetch no more than 15m (which in itself is ludicrous, but there you go).

[Risso]

Thought O'Neill saw Salifou at the 2006 World Cup?

Yes, on the telly.

[eastie]

Thought O'Neill saw Salifou at the 2006 World Cup?

Yes, on the telly.

O Neill was a tv panellist for the bbc and over in germany for the tournament.
Pity of all the talent on show he decided Salifou was worth signing.

[Ger Regan]

Kind of ironic that MON (not known for being frugal) comes back from a watching a tournament that traditionally sees players' values inflated on the back of a couple of good performances, and make one of his few relatively risk-free signings.

[Risso]

Kind of ironic that MON (not known for being frugal) comes back from a watching a tournament that traditionally sees players' values inflated on the back of a couple of good performances, and make one of his few relatively risk-free signings.

He made it on the last day of the transfer window, the year after though, I don't think it was a carefully considered purchase.  Salifou is now playing he German third division isn't he?

[john e]

i've only ever seen Pele, Maradona and Messi on a TV screen,
 but i would still chance my arm and say they were players that could have or would do a job for Villa without me ever seeing them live

[Matt C]

I guess what I'm getting at is that it didn't seem, from what Gregory says, that we really did due diligence on Balaban. I can understanding taking a couple of low cost gambles but I'm surprised Ellis as much as anything sanctioned 6m for such a deal.

[SoccerHQ]

I was quite excited before the 01-02 season, I actually thought Gregory had signed well for once.

That summer Mellberg, Schmeichel, Hadji, Kachoul, Balaban all signed.

Obviously we didn't know Balaban would be a dud but his stats were good, let's hope Benteke dosen't go the same way!

Mellberg WAS a great signing and he had a great partnership going with Alpay (all went wrong when we somehow lost at home to Leicester and Alpay broke his leg in that game)

Schmeichel came of mirrored our form. Started off the year in great knick but started throwing them in around xmas time and we sooned pensioned him off (he was very good for Man. City the next season).

Hadji and Kachoul were both solid premier league players who I thought would add a touch of creativity. In reality both became very expensive squad players and soon they weren't even making the bench so two Habib Beye's right there.

Interesting season though we had a great 3-1 win at Anfield, lost a 2-0 lead at Arsenal after playing great, JPA and Vassell were looking like a good partnership and we went top in that October at which point JG decided Muzzy Izzet was the last piece in the jigsaw. He left soon afterwards.