[Archived] Michael Appleton - New Rovers Manager

[Parsonblue]

Henley isn't injured tonight, is he? Nor is David Jones. After his interview Saturday he has no excuse to play Murphy or Orr. Play a youth team/reserve member if he's desperate - at least they'd give 100%, unlike the aforementioned scousers. Unless our entire reserve and youth team are injured too, in which case put a training cone on the pitch and stick Murphy's face on it. Nobody will notice the difference and it'll probably give the ball away less.

The Under-21 side played at Southport last night in a League game against Everton. As it was the normal Under-21 side it would suggest that none of the younger players will be on duty at Bolton tonight. However, with the number of senior players available I would still expect Orr and Murphy to be on the bench tonight rather than the starting eleven.

[DE.]

The Under-21 side played at Southport last night in a League game against Everton. As it was the normal Under-21 side it would suggest that none of the younger players will be on duty at Bolton tonight. However, with the number of senior players available I would still expect Orr and Murphy to be on the bench tonight rather than the starting eleven.

That's a shame. Saying that, I don't care if Murphy and Orr are on the bench, I just don't want them in the starting eleven.

[OJRovers]

The Under-21 side played at Southport last night in a League game against Everton. As it was the normal Under-21 side it would suggest that none of the younger players will be on duty at Bolton tonight. However, with the number of senior players available I would still expect Orr and Murphy to be on the bench tonight rather than the starting eleven.

Not true: Hugo Fernandez and Josh Morris didn't play who (if fit) usually do.

[matt83]

Couple of lads go with said if murphy was playing vs Peterborough they would go straight home. (Which these days is south Manchester so not exactly round corner any more). And having already got tickets for tonight they said they'll still go because of manager hinting wont play him but if he is they'll do the same.

So on back of appletons post match comments the steaks are high for those boys at least as can't see them going again if plays him. Plus as long as there is 11 fit players in the squad excluding murphy then no excuse to play him.

We shall see...

[Parsonblue]

Not true: Hugo Fernandez and Josh Morris didn't play who (if fit) usually do.

Hugo played in the centre of midfield last night. He had a decent game until he was taken off about ten minutes from the end. I don't really regard Morris as a young player anymore.

[OJRovers]

Hugo played in the centre of midfield last night. He had a decent game until he was taken off about ten minutes from the end. I don't really regard Morris as a young player anymore.

I must admit I didn't watch the game, was just going off Everton's teamsheet where he is not included: http://www.evertonfc.com/match/report/1213/everton-u21s-v-blackburn-u21s

I hope Hugo F gets a chance in the first team squad soon.

[Parsonblue]

I must admit I didn't watch the game, was just going off Everton's teamsheet where he is not included: http://www.evertonfc.com/match/report/1213/everton-u21s-v-blackburn-u21s

I hope Hugo F gets a chance in the first team squad soon.

Everton used his full name of Hugo Fernandez Molina which is the source of the confusion. Sometimes he is listed as Molina by opposition clubs and sometimes Fernandez.

[arbitro]

It's a big night for Appleton tonight. I just hope he is as good as his word and he leaves out the players who have let us down, particularly on Saturday. If he doesn't then he will be making a rod for his own back.

[USABlue]

Appleton brought Orr back remember... and started picking Murphy again after he was dropped by Bowyer and played Markus Ollson and the ineffective Rhodes/Campbell combo.

It's good to hear him talk about getting rid of those who aren't trying, but he needs to back it up with actions, so far he's done nothing to back up his words.

Hopefully starting on Tuesday.

Very good point regarding the players.

[Oklahoma]

Curious to see the starting line up...

[Tom]

Murphy not on the bench even

The leader is good, the leader is great we surrender our will as of this date

Nanananananananana LEADER!

[OJRovers]

Which young players was he referring to (that would get a chance)? No one new in squad.

[Tom]

Well Henley and Stewart didn't start on Saturday

[LDRover]

Yeah, it's hardly sweeping changes is it. 4 left out and 2 of those are on loan anyway.

Hardly the mass cull he intimated after the game.

[LeChuck]

Yeah, it's hardly sweeping changes is it. 4 left out and 2 of those are on loan anyway.

Hardly the mass cull he intimated after the game.

Perhaps if we'd had more fit players available he would have made more changes. His hands were tied to a certain extent. Had Williamson, Best, King, Etuhu, Richards etc. been available he would have had more freedom.

I don't see any value in throwing young players in if they're not ready. They'd be lambs to the slaughter.

[Mike E]

Yeah, it's hardly sweeping changes is it. 4 left out and 2 of those are on loan anyway.

Hardly the mass cull he intimated after the game.

The 'mass cull' was intimated on here. Appleton only hinted at those he took off (the worse culprits).

Some people are just never happy.

[LDRover]

The 'mass cull' was intimated on here. Appleton only hinted at those he took off (the worse culprits).

Some people are just never happy.

You mean when he said if he could he'd have changed 5 or 6 at half time ?

[LeChuck]

You mean when he said if he could he'd have changed 5 or 6 at half time ?

Wrong side of bed this morning? Seems like you'd be complaining whatever happened tonight! Five you'd be happy with then? But not four?

[LDRover]

Wrong side of bed this morning? Seems like you'd be complaining whatever happened tonight! Five you'd be happy with then? But not four?

It was a response to mike and a direct quote from Appleton.

Disappointed there's none of the youngsters even in the squad, I fail to see what he can learn from drafting Pedersen in and sticking Markus at left back.

[Tom]

You mean when he said if he could he'd have changed 5 or 6 at half time ?

But some of them obviously improved in the second half

[DE.]

I'm happy with the changes he made for tonight. I wanted Murphy, Orr and Rekik out, and they're all out. I would have liked Givet in the team but something is obviously seriously wrong there.

[John]

Givet is in a bad, bad place at the moment.

[Rover_Shaun]

Givet is in a bad, bad place at the moment.

Has he been made to live inside the town borders???

[G Somerset Rover]

Good to see a more battling display tonight but there's no hiding from it - Appleton's league record thus far is terrible.

[DE.]

Appleton needs to work out how to get a team to score goals. Sick of seeing "0" beside our goals scored column. He's like the anti-Kean in every respect, really.