Fans Worried Over Villa Future

[dave.woodhall]

Like Peter said, a myth that grows.

'Interferes with team selection' is an easy stick to beat Doug with, rather like 'never spends enough' and 'falls out with every manager'. There just isn't any evidence, though, apart from "It must be true because everyone says it is and I don't believe anyone who says any different."

[Laughing Gravity]

I flatly refuse to believe that he dictated team selection to previous managers.

You don't believe Doug expressed his opinion on selection? Especially when things were perhaps not going so well for the incumbent manager?

I can't believe that a man like Ellis would have resisted this opportunity to make his footballing expertise available.

I remember the incident about Doug and Big Fat Ron's program notes.

[Risso]

Can't say I've ever given much thought to whether Doug interferes with team selection or not.  I'm more concerned with the fact that under him we've stagnated for far too long, as he runs the club for his own self promotion.

For Doug Ellis, by Doug Ellis etc etc.

[dave.woodhall]

Dou may well have 'expressed an opinion.' About a hundred people will do the same on here between now and Saturday. There's a difference between that and interfering.

[Laughing Gravity]

Dou may well have 'expressed an opinion.' About a hundred people will do the same on here between now and Saturday. There's a difference between that and interfering.

Not if you're he's your boss and you're perhaps under a bit of pressure.

This man has had a finger in every pie, he doesn't trust anyone except himself.

[dave.woodhall]

And your evidence is?

[Laughing Gravity]

The programme notes.

http://astonvilla.blogfootball.com/drkeene/discuss/msgReader$164

Thanks Dr Keene.

Just in case anyone has forgotten what a complete tosser Doug is.

[Laughing Gravity]

And your evidence is?

The man himself!

37 years of him.

You kid yourself if you think he never interferred.

[dave.woodhall]

Does that prove that Doug interefered, or does it prove that Doug wanted to show what a wise old sage he thinks he is?

[Laughing Gravity]

Hand on heart Dave, do you really believe he never interferred.

[the weatherman]

Andy Gray mentions in his book that Doug used to piss Atkinson off by hovering around the training ground. Atkinson used to give him short shrift.

Gray however mentions that when the team was announced on a match day, he used to make sure that Doug received the team sheet first - he said little things like that pleased him and Gray was happy to keep him informed.

He never though suggested that Doug dabbled in team selection.

[Risso]

It's enough evidence though that Doug's first and foremost reason for doing anything at Villa is to further his own self image.  As soon an anyone shows him up to be the outdated numpty he is, they're out the door.

[Laughing Gravity]

He never though suggested that Doug dabbled in team selection.

I'm not suggesting that Doug wrote his own team sheet. I am suggesting that Doug would express an "opinion" about playing A instead of B and if you were Graham Turner or any other manager perhaps not enjoying a good run then you would take note of his "opinion".

Anyone who believes that Doug doesn't express "opnions" to his managers is dreaming.

[Disco Stu]

Not thinking to hard then?

Shepherd, Kenright, Glazer.  These names not ring a bell?

Off the top of my head I can add:

Hill-Wood/Dein, Gold/Sullivan, Jordan, Delia Smith, Whelan, Geoffrey Robinson MP, Rupert Lowe, Madeski, Moores, Gibson, Levy…

[Rip Van We Go Again]

ATKINSON QUOTE When I accepted the job, he had turned to me and asked: "Do me a favour - don't ever take the mickey out of me in public."
I can't blame Herbert for that, I wouldn't get away with taking the piss out of my boss in front of everybody.
Let's be honest, this blind hatred of Ellis produces some ridiculous claims about him.