U-turn Bosnich set to stay Gregory.
VILLA boss John Gregory believes Mark Bosnich is ready to do a sensational U-turn and stay with the club at the end of season.The Australian goalkeeper, whose contract is up next year, could follow skipper Gareth Southgate's example and commit himself to Villa after seeing the club make an unbeaten start to the season and splash out on England international Paul Merson.
Southgate, after initial doubts that he would stay following Dwight Yorke's departure to Manchester United, appears settled but Bosnich has been stalling on a new deal.
Gregory told the Mercury only last month that he expected Bosnich to walk out of Villa under the Bosman ruling at the end of the season for 'mega-money' but now he feels the 'keeper is having a change of heart.
"If Mark had to make a decision today, then I think he would stay with us," Gregory said.
Last night he added: "As things stand at the moment, he might be thinking 'it's all right here' and sign a short-term contract.
"It's a big 'might' though. He might laugh at me when he reads it, but I've got more chance of signing him today than I had three months ago, without doubt.
"Things are improving in that direction, but I don't think we will ever be able to assess the outcome until something actually happens.
"I'm trying to convince Bossie, like I said to Gareth, that this is the place to be.
"I think Bossie is hitting a purple patch at the moment where he doesn't seem to be able to do a thing wrong. That could continue for years."
Gregory also believes the arrival of Merson from Middlesbrough - and an added sense of responsibility - could sway Bosnich.
"Mark lost his big mate when Dwight left but he's responded very positively to that and taken on the air of being one of the most senior players," said the Villa boss.
"Gareth's the captain, but Bossie's been here since 1992 and this is a young squad with some inexperience.
"He sets an example to everyone else in the way that he goes about his job."
Gregory would not be drawn on the future of striker Stan Collymore however.
Villa are reportedly ready to let the pounds 7 million striker go for the right money, but Gregory would only say: "He's not been put up for sale as such, but I'm powerless now, it's up to him."
Gregory will enter the market for a new striker and may consider Robbie Keane at Wolves or Blackburn's Chris Sutton as he still has cash to spend.
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| Publication: | Sunday Mercury (Birmingham, England) |
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| Date: | Sep 13, 1998 |
| Words: | 431 |
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