isappointed Leeds midfielder and defender Sean Gregan has taken a parting shot at Dennis Wise after joining the Oldham Athletic on loan until January 1 2007. Gregan was speaking to the official Oldham website when he said:

"All the doors have closed for me at Leeds. Dennis told everyone they had a chance, but I was soon called in and told I was not in his plans. The conversation lasted about 30 seconds."

Gregan has been classed as too old at 32, although I can't say the 'give yoof' a chance approach has particularly made any impression on me so far. We covered Wise's comments on Gregan in an earlier article. Gregan continued with defensive remarks that bear an uncanny resemblance to the thoughts expressed by Chris Hudson in his article of 3 November on this website:

"Although I was a regular last season - and the team's record speaks for itself and is there in black and white - there's no point arguing with the manager's decision."

Sean was correct that there is no point in arguing with a manager that has such close ties to his Chairman. Nonetheless it is disappointing to see a manager of a club in dire financial straits get rid of a player, who was a regular in a season where we reached the play-offs, without giving him a chance to prove himself on the pitch. The only obvious factor for the decision is his age - 32! Frankly Dennis Wise is making rod for his own back with these decisions; whoever he brings into the club had better be able to make a strong central defensive partnership with Butler as Gregan did.

Gregan magnanimously concluded his remarks with: "However, I wish the lads well, and I hope they can get out of trouble".