SO, is Graham Westley the messiah or a very naughty boy?

Between the 4-1 defeat at Blackpool and the battling 0-0 draw at Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup it’s been another extraordinary, almost Pythonesque, week at Newport County AFC.

Last Wednesday night it emerged that club secretary Graham Bean had departed, something that was confirmed by the Exiles the following morning.

Bean, who claims to have resigned, told the Argus that he found Westley “impossible” to work with, adding: “If they stick with Westley then I fear for them.”

The Daily Star reported that the club was investigating the manager’s conduct towards other staff members and that Westley had resigned earlier in the week before reversing that decision.

The County board issued another statement to deny that there was any investigation and make it clear that they are fully behind their manager.

But neither the club nor Westley refuted the suggestion that he had resigned or threatened to resign following a reported row over hotel accommodation in Preston and, specifically, a very noisy ice machine.

And there were more unwelcome off-the-field headlines after a bizarre incident involving Westley and Plymouth boss Derek Adams at Home Park at the weekend.

Adams stormed out of the Argyle media centre after Westley attempted to listen in on his post-match press conference.

And the Exiles manager then clashed with a Plymouth Herald journalist when repeatedly asked about the incident, questioning Chris Errington’s choice of headwear, calling him a clown and telling him to shut up.

Westley feels that the Argus was incorrect to label Saturday’s incident a ‘row’ and it’s true that he did not say anything to Adams.

But his actions did, intentionally or not, provoke a reaction from his opposite number that will only add to his reputation for rubbing people up the wrong way and his angry exchange with Errington was unnecessary at best.

In the eyes of most County fans, however, Westley’s status seems to have been enhanced by the events of the past week.

He has certainly charmed many by the way he interacts with supporters before during and after matches and, crucially, the results on the pitch are hugely improved.

If Westley sticks around then I’m confident that County will beat the drop but, despite being given the opportunity again and again, he is unable or unwilling to say how long he’ll be at Rodney Parade.

Asked on Monday if he is happy in South Wales, his response was revealing.

“What a strange question,” he said. “I love football. The club’s been terrific in its support of me from the minute that I walked in the door.

“It’s always nice to be asked to come and do a job rather than you being the person who sends your CV in.

“The club sought me out, asked me to come in and they’ve been really supportive of me from the minute I walked in the door.

“Whether it be me asking to travel differently and better, asking to bring an out of contract player in or to change some of the support arrangements behind the team.

“Everything that I’ve wanted to do, the club has done its utmost, within the levels of affordability, to support me.

“You can’t ask for any more than that.”

When he was then asked about his relationship with the fans, he said: “What they’ve got is somebody who will give his all for what he believes is right for the football club.

“I don’t take prisoners, I don’t suffer fools, I do like winning and I despise losing and if I feel that something needs to be done for the betterment of the football club then I’ll pursue it and I’ll pursue it relentlessly.

“I want to have enjoyable Saturday nights. I don’t want to have misery.

“I liked coming back from the game on Saturday.

“I think the fans that travelled would have seen a team that cared, showed a passion and a pride and a determination to push Newport forward and give it everything that the FA Cup can bring.

“That’s my job – to bring the very best out of the players, give them all the support I can and to help them to become the best they can be and help the club to be the best it can be.

“And as long as I’m in the job that’s my choice.”

He added: “A fan asked me on Saturday ‘are you going to stay?’ “Listen, a club might keep a manager and it might not.

“Sometimes managers go and sometimes clubs move managers on.

“I was manager of the month in November last year at Peterborough and I didn’t expect to be sacked in April.

“Stuff happens in football and it’s one of those precarious occupations but whenever I’m in a job I give 110 per cent, if there’s such a thing, and I always try to make sure that I do my very best for the people of the club – the fans, the players and all those who are supporting me behind the scenes and the board.”

Westley will always make headlines but if he keeps getting results on the pitch he will keep the fans on side.

And, though we in the media love a bit of controversy, I hope to merely be reporting on a crucial win for County tonight that will lift them out of the League Two relegation zone.

There is very rarely a dull moment where this club is concerned but a few quiet weeks with a steady climb up the table would be a welcome Christmas present.

And if Westley stays it could well be a very happy new year for County fans – particularly if they can see off Plymouth next week and book a January trip to Liverpool.