[Archived] Michael Appleton - New Rovers Manager

[broadsword]

I remember Souness picking Peaciock when he first took over. He soon wised up.

For his first few years at least, GS could consistently pick a bloody good player.

Can Appleton?

[DE.]

I guess we'll soon find out.

I personally have no issue with Appleton staying - mainly because I have no faith Venky's will appoint anybody better.

[Guest Norbert]

We'll have to wait and see, however annoying that is now.

[patrickvalery]

Souness had a track record. In fact, Liverpool apart, it was a bloody brillian track record. We need someone who has the knowledge and not some green PR driven rookie

Yet you seem adverse to Appleton saying things Souness might well echo. Souness was fantastic for 2-3 years at Rovers. Part of that was you knew that any player who played for him had to give everything they had. If they didn't, well, they'd feel the wrath. Appleton is cutting his teeth. I appreciate 99% of us wanted an experienced manager at the helm, but thats life. Now he is here i'd sooner hear him tell the brutal truth than sugar coat everything like the previous incumbents used to do so regularly.

[Baz]

Souness's great attribute was he knew a footballer. Thommo, Tugay, Neill, Berkovic, Jansen, Yorke, Friedel etc.

His biggest failing was trying to kill them in 5 a side.

My biggest concern with Appy is his transfer record so far.

[tomphil]

Yet you seem adverse to Appleton saying things Souness might well echo. Souness was fantastic for 2-3 years at Rovers. Part of that was you knew that any player who played for him had to give everything they had. If they didn't, well, they'd feel the wrath. Appleton is cutting his teeth. I appreciate 99% of us wanted an experienced manager at the helm, but thats life. Now he is here i'd sooner hear him tell the brutal truth than sugar coat everything like the previous incumbents used to do so regularly.

After going to the Legends night of ex rovers at Chorley fc last night the subject of Souness was discussed and the likes of Flitty, Jansen and Short still can't speak highly enough of him as a bloke or manager. He knew what he was doing and just delegating to the right players on and off the pitch did half his job for him. Short summed it up when he said most of the players would run through a brick wall for him and he had the right players who were leaders on and off the pitch and together they created an enviroment were no players could hide. Thats clearly missing now but it takes time and the right people to do this. Be nice if Jones could be MA's Flitcroft.

[patrickvalery]

After going to the Legends night of ex rovers at Chorley fc last night the subject of Souness was discussed and the likes of Flitty, Jansen and Short still can't speak highly enough of him as a bloke or manager. He knew what he was doing and just delegating to the right players on and off the pitch did half his job for him. Short summed it up when he said most of the players would run through a brick wall for him and he had the right players who were leaders on and off the pitch and together they created an enviroment were no players could hide. Thats clearly missing now but it takes time and the right people to do this. Be nice if Jones could be MA's Flitcroft.

I think anyone who has played club football at any level should be able to relate to this post. In the same way managers need to have coaches around them they trust, they also need players on the pitch to do a job for them too. Think about it, 30,000 fans shouting and one man on the sideline is supposed to get intricate messages across to the players. No chance. Football is as much about desire to win as it is tactics. You need people on the pitch who can lift other players. Once that happens it spreads very quickly and breeds confidence. When you look at our squad you don't see a team at all. You don't see much enjoyment in the faces of the players and you don't see anyone leading from the front. Our Captain mooches about with a right sulk on most Saturdays. If he can't muster enthusiasm then it's no wonder the rest can't. Appleton needs time to get players in he trusts. Players who believe in what he can do as a manager. If you can get that tight knit group half the battle is won. Unfortunately, i would wager the group we have at the moment couldn't be further from this.

[Steve Moss]

Wow Appleton stating 'certain players were spineless' I am aghast, there is one thing thinking it but another saying it- lets see if this gets a reaction out of the players.

What was he to do? Make up drivel about taking the "positives"? Some wearing the shirt are spineless and are half the reason we're in the mess we're in. Calling a spade a spade, venting his spleen, and relegating them to cleaning the toilets (at $40k/week!) is exactly what is needed until they can be moved on.

Otherwise we'll just get more of the same.

I said I would give him 10 games the same as Berg got. Let's be clear I did not approve of his appointment at the start. I did not like his outgoing moves at the window. I was pleased he shored up the back line (albeit temporarily) but I was aghast at how totally toothless we became up front. We were lacking in that area before he came Appleton has now perfected that void, we are now not able to score at all. So, after these 10 games we are just about where we were when he got here, 10 points off a pipe dream playoff spot with less games to play and a worse goal diff. Good job Venky's and whoever is pulling your plonkers, yes I'm sure Mr's D has one she just doesn't have the balls that should go with it. Their skill at appointing the completely uninspiring is, well, uninspiring.

According to wiki he's had 11 games, 4 wins, 3 draws and 4 losses. Without checking the table, I assume that includes non-league matches.

Regardless, I still believe MA can turn it around, though I'm beginning to despair of our play-off chances.

Then again there is still the FA Cup.

You don't often see comments like that from a manager. I imagine he feels somewhat betrayed. For some reason I do think he actually believed he was going to get a "reaction" from the players today after the no-shows against Hull & Leicester. He was made to look very stupid by the players after his public comments that we would put up a fight and put in the effort. Certain players will now have their cards marked by Appleton and I think come the summer he'll do everything in his power to move them on.

I just don't understand how it took him this long to see what we've all known for months. This should have clicked for him some time ago, I can only assume up until this point the players have been making excuses which he's believed.

I recall an article where he expressed an opinion that most players deserved 12 or so games to prove themselves. Well he's at 11 and I hope he's of the opinion that's close enough.

From the start of the first part of that interview:

"I thought the lads that came in did really really well. Once you go in and do well, sometimes in life you deserve an opportunity to stay and continue to do it. So I'm sure they'll be looking forward to the game as much as I am on Tuesday."

Sounds like confirmation Murphy at the very least won't be starting. Probably Orr as well.

Good news.

[USABlue]

So how are all of those who didn't want Billy Davies feeling right now!

Forest now 6 points above us after being well behind us when he took charge!

Yes I wonder. Shoe in for a playoff spot if you ask me. Could he have done anything here dunno but it would have been more exciting maybe.

[USABlue]

You can't judge a manager on 10 games. another pathetic comment!!!

Appleton needs to be after a full summer to overhaul and judge from the start of next season.

I said I'd give him the same as Berg. Seems fair to me. Pathetic maybe but then so was sacking Berg after ten games. You did not come out against Berg being sacked after 10 games if I recall you were fine with it. I just thought I would use the same gauge seems fair enough he's better than Berg whoopee. I'll give him summer and a pre season but I don't want to see you snivelling if we underachieve again.

[USABlue]

Oh dear I did not realise we had a game at Notlob on Tuesday.

[Parsonblue]

I said I'd give him the same as Berg. Seems fair to me. Pathetic maybe but then so was sacking Berg after ten games. You did not come out against Berg being sacked after 10 games if I recall you were fine with it. I just thought I would use the same gauge seems fair enough he's better than Berg whoopee. I'll give him summer and a pre season but I don't want to see you snivelling if we underachieve again.

The question that will need to be asked is what is viewed as "underachieve"? Personally, I now think that keeping the club in the Championship over the next few seasons will be viewed as success. The way in which the quality of the squad has been destroyed by the owners transfer policy and the fact that we are now shopping in the bargain basement department once again would suggest that money for transfers will be tight. If the future pans out as I expect then I think Appleton is probably a decent choice as manager. It might not be pretty but I suspect he will get a group of players together who will be able to grind out enough results to keep us afloat in the Championship. Sadly, under Venkys that is now where my expectation levels are.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

Souness's great attribute was he knew a footballer. Thommo, Tugay, Neill, Berkovic, Jansen, Yorke, Friedel etc.

His biggest failing was trying to kill them in 5 a side.

My biggest concern with Appy is his transfer record so far.

Yorke was a waste of space at Rovers.

[gumboots]

The txts I got from my usual pals who frequent Ewood suggested today Murphy lacked effort in every sense. I do think it's gotten to the point with Murphy where he hates the fans and doesn't respect the manager - therefore he isn't going to put in anywhere close to 100% even if he is able to. No matter how much he's paid it is better that he's left out of the squad because as long as he's in the team he's going to poison the rest of the players' motivation and morale.

If any of us looked as uninterested in doing a job we're paid for as he does, we'd be sacked. I have never, in the games I've attended this season, seen him break into what I'd call a run as opposed to a slow jog. It was noticeable that the whole team was lifted, not just by the players who came on, but by the fact that Murphy wasn't on. Even if they aren't very good, the others played like a weight had been lifted off their shoulders. I noticed when the second and third goals went in, the whole of the defence were having a go at one another. Murphy just walked away. With a couple of youngsters in the defence, this was the time of the CAPTAIN to be sorting it out, encouraging, lifting players. He didn't seem to care

[Clitherover]

Appleton needs to be after a full summer to overhaul and judge from the start of next season.

I agree with you here chaddy, it would be ridiculous to get rid of him now just as we should never have got rid of Berg so soon. Being 3-0 down before the half hour mark of a game is inexcusable, but the difference with Appleton is he is pointing out where he has gone wrong. I think the starting line up against Bolton on Tuesday is very, very important and will be a clear indication of what Micheal Appleton is all about, If Murphy or Orr start the game I really fear for the future of our club and my trust for Appleton will be gone forever.

[adsfortheblues]

What I do criticise Appleton on, is his persistence of playing Murphy. Surely he can see that he alone is a major reason we get totally overrun every single game in midfield.

If he drops him fair enough.

[Clitherover]

What I do criticise Appleton on, is his persistence of playing Murphy. Surely he can see that he alone is a major reason we get totally overrun every single game in midfield.

If he drops him fair enough.

if he doesn't drop him he's totally contradicted what he said yesterday in the post match interview and is therefore just another bullshyte merchant.

[thenodrog]

I think the myth that we have one of the strongest squads has well and truly gone. I thought players like Murphy, Etuhu and Martin Olsson would absolutely storm this league whereas they've actually been quite poor.

Whereas I thought they were crap and I was right.

If you are old enough compare them to the 'crown jewells' last time around. The likes of Duff, Dunne and Jansen did storm the league .... but only just in second place! The 3 you named aren't and never would have been fit to lace their boots.

[thenodrog]

It's another myth that any of those three have been creative DE.

In fairness I rated Rochina's natural ability highly. I couldn't stand the swindle behind him coming but he could change a game in an instant and would cause concern to the opposition and there is always room for someone like that in a match day squad. The other "Carlos's" were just as good as Alan Sugar's withering condemnation. Vuckevic in particular showed nowt here to justify his reputation amongst some fans. Bit like the great rock and roll swindle by Maclaren and the Sex Pistols where their reputation was improved by NOT playing.

[DavidMailsTightPerm]

I remember Souness picking Peaciock when he first took over. He soon wised up.

For his first few years at least, GS could consistently pick a bloody good player.

Can Appleton?

For that we have to give him time - many doubted the wisdom of bringing in Friedel, similarly many would have kept Berkovic instead of some midfield player from Rangers called Tugay. We have to give him time to see how things pan out - but I do share you concerns.

[DavidMailsTightPerm]

Whereas I thought they were crap and I was right.

If you are old enough compare them to the 'crown jewells' last time around. The likes of Duff, Dunne and Jansen did storm the league .... but only just in second place! The 3 you named aren't and never would have been fit to lace their boots.

But the truth is - we didn't "storm" the league until we added the experience of Hughes and Berg.

As for Murphy, Etuhu and Martin Olsson being crap - think that is a little extreme - especially for Olsson.

[thenodrog]

But the truth is - we didn't "storm" the league until we added the experience of Hughes and Berg.

As for Murphy, Etuhu and Martin Olsson being crap - think that is a little extreme - especially for Olsson.

'but only just in second place' was intended to make a point.

Your second point leaves you open to ridicule. They are crap of that there is no doubt. Olsson is the best of the bunch but only if you appreciate a defender who cannot defend to save his life.

[yoda]

'but only just in second place' was intended to make a point.

Your second point leaves you open to ridicule. They are crap of that there is no doubt. Olsson is the best of the bunch but only if you appreciate a defender who cannot defend to save his life.

Appleton has has put himself on a pedastal now, unwittingly or by design, he now has to show that HE is not spineless and ditch the freeloaders toute suite.

Monday morning will not be to soon

[John]

Aside from the glaring lack of ability in the squad, as we've been saying for months now, there are no leaders in the team.

Appleton, if to be successful, needs to bring in a couple of players who can help do his job for him - all good mangers try and have a Kevin Nolan/P Neville type figure.

The fact Murphy is captain is part of the problem considering he is playing so badly at the moment.

[DE.]

But the truth is - we didn't "storm" the league until we added the experience of Hughes and Berg.

As for Murphy, Etuhu and Martin Olsson being crap - think that is a little extreme - especially for Olsson.

How is it extreme to say Murphy and Etuhu are crap given their performances this season? If anything it's being too kind to them. The pair of them have been pathetic and not worth 1k a week let alone the £30k+ they're both getting. Neither of them have ever shown the desire to put the effort in this season, which is the minimum requirement for any player. The reason I never agreed with Andrews getting booed was that he put his 100% into every game, even if he wasn't good enough to play for a Premier League side. Murphy and Etuhu by comparison don't put in even close to 100% and that's why they get called crap and deservedly booed - Murphy more than Etuhu, obviously.