What motivates a manager? I don't believe its money, because if they were savvy enough during their playing days, they should not have to do a days work ever again. To become a manager, its another bite at the cherry for glory, to extend their career within football after their body says no more. Considering their dispensability and becoming a pariah if things are not going well, or totally forgotten about if the team is doing well, I believe the primal motivation is reputation.
RDM came to Villa with a reasonably sound reputation. If Villa keep on not living up to expectations, his stock lowers and his reputation takes a hit. However, if he does a Fergie, finds the right switches and turns Villa around, then generally everyone will ignore him and focus back on the players, but at least he knows his reputation is protected.
I hope he does turn it around soon. Maybe he is timing it. Against Forest, it was very much attack. We saw a totally different game against Ipswich. It was very boring, but at least we didn't concede in the last 5 minutes, so you could say it was an exercise in defence. Hopefully for the Newcastle game, they can put the two together.
I hope he is able to turn it around very soon. If he manages to do what it takes and makes everybody happy, I will be happy for him that he can sleep better at night, with a contented smile that a manager with a good reputation has before going ny nyes.