[Archived] Michael Appleton - New Rovers Manager

[Amo]

I can see what he's saying but it's a very glib interpretation of the last two years. It isn't just relegation and bad results that has driven fans away, it's being completely disenfranchised from the club they used to know and love.

[ada2020]

Read the next line and it's pretty clear what he meant.

They won't, much easier to ignore that.

[Rover_Shaun]

Oh well done, great attitude there.

Nothing much to be postitive about. Novice number 3 and an average squad. If in the future I am wrong I will be very very happy indeed.

[Jock]

Anyone would have thought it was Agnews words coming out of his mouth. Oh hang on a minute.

[allan]

Daily Star comments probably drafted by Wankys new PR outfit. The fee note will be in the post.

[DE.]

Wonder how many games "Appy" is going to get before getting the bullet?

Or will the fact the owners hired him give him a Kean-style shield of invincibility?

It will be interesting to see.

[booth]

Great start Venky's, well done. That new manager bounce has happened again.

Well done to Shaw as well.

[LDRover]

Apart from Bowyer.s short reign today could have been any home game from the past 2 years.

Bald bloke on the touchline stood motionless and apparently unaware of what to. If that's players playing for their future at the club it's safe to say the majority want out.

[Stuart]

Apart from Bowyer.s short reign today could have been any home game from the past 2 years.

Bald bloke on the touchline stood motionless and apparently unaware of what to. If that's players playing for their future at the club it's safe to say the majority want out.

He did plenty, if anything he was more decisive than Kean and Berg (with his subs at least).

It's just that what he tried was more miss than hit. Hopefully he'll learn and fast. Not long til the next match.

On a side note, did he clap the fans when Gerald introduced him before the match? I just saw the back of his head, seemingly looking up at his new paymasters in the directors box.

[Mike Graham]

What a dick. Appleton stood still for 90 minutes and did not communicate with the players once. He looked like a thin Steve Kean.

[John]

Jesus, not heard him speak before, sounds seriously out of his depth.

Likes saying 'you know' a lot too.

Early days still.......said there will 2-3 new additions to the squad soon.

[chaddyrovers]

he did communicate with players. keep encourage the players like CKR and Rochina.

cant believe fans are moaning alright ffs

[PAFELL]

Can we really make a judgement on Appleton on one match with the same squad. Hope there will be some players leaving as well as coming in. Squad needs a huge shake up.

[Mike Graham]

he did communicate with players. keep encourage the players like CKR and Rochina.

cant believe fans are moaning alright ffs

Sorry Chads but he was motionless for the whole game

[LDRover]

You think so Stuart? He waited til nigh on 70 mins to make changes and even then didn't change the shape of the side. Only discernible change was the desperate throw of the dice to stick Dann up front for the last 5.

I couldn't understand it, the only chances created were when we got the ball wide yet, even after we equalised there was no width. We tried to play through the middle all game and we haven't got the quick movement or passing quality to do that.

It was crying out for two up top and two wingers all game.

[AggyBlue]

What a dick. Appleton stood still for 90 minutes and did not communicate with the players once. He looked like a thin Steve Kean.

He asked the players to give a honest performance and stood back to assess them, what did you expect him to do?

He wanted to see their desire, passion and workrate

[patrickvalery]

http://www.rovers.co.uk/news/article/lessons-to-learn-608851.aspx

How long have we heard this 'learning' thing? Its our flaming owners who need to learn a thing or two. Starting with 'if it aint broke, don't fix it'. For the first time in ages the players looked like they were happy under Bowyer. So the most logical thing to do is replace him with another manager! I can't comment on the performance first hand, but it sounds like the players were lacking in effort again. I might suggest it was a petulant message to our owners.

[chaddyrovers]

Sorry Chads but he was motionless for the whole game

where u just watching Appleton all game.

[DE.]

Would have been more entertaining than watching the team, to be fair.

But then, he could have painted a wall and watched that dry for 90 minutes and gotten more satisfaction, so...

[Mike Graham]

A fair bit of it yes. I wanted to see if we had a manager with some passion.....more like a stuffed chicken.

[sambo]

where u just watching Appleton all game.

Firstly that barely makes sense.

And secondly, it's pretty clear to see if he's communicating with the players or not, you don't have to be watching him for 90 minutes to know.

Anyway, he has his work cut out. A squad full of losers, seems like the attitude is just @#/? poor.

[patrickvalery]

Can we really make a judgement on Appleton on one match with the same squad. Hope there will be some players leaving as well as coming in. Squad needs a huge shake up.

This side, although it is unbalanced, should be far higher in the league. For me the squad has enough talent in pockets if not throughout. But there is a real problem with attitude. I don't know who is behind it but something stinks within the Rovers ranks.

[Stuart]

cant believe fans are moaning

Exactly!!!

I mean, we've had at least three fresh starts since Venkys relegated us.

We should simply draw a line under everything that they've done, all that they've taken away from us, all the humiliation they've put the club and its fans through.

People really need to MOVE ON!!! GET OVER IT!!! IT'S ONLY A GAME!!!

GET BEHIND THE TEAM FFS!!!

And...

# Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life #

[Tyke87]

This side, although it is unbalanced, should be far higher in the league. For me the squad has enough talent in pockets if not throughout. But there is a real problem with attitude. I don't know who is behind it but something stinks within the Rovers ranks.

I could think of a couple of players that are probably spreading their bad attitude through the team.

[Stuart]

You think so Stuart? He waited til nigh on 70 mins to make changes and even then didn't change the shape of the side. Only discernible change was the desperate throw of the dice to stick Dann up front for the last 5.

I couldn't understand it, the only chances created were when we got the ball wide yet, even after we equalised there was no width. We tried to play through the middle all game and we haven't got the quick movement or passing quality to do that.

It was crying out for two up top and two wingers all game.

This is what I posted in the match thread, LD.

I'm baffled by the substitutions today.

We were awful in the first half (CKR, left wing; Rochina, hole) and in the second half, Appleton swaps them (Rochina, left wing; CKR, hole). Within 5 mins we equalise. Great stuff, we think.

Then he changes it and bring Vuckevic off (has he ever played a full game? Makes you wonder about contracts!) and brings Pedersen on. (Pedersen, left wing; Rochina, right, CKR, hole).

Rochina the ignores his position and does what he wants - even to the point that the new young kid at right back has to visibly tell him off).

Then Rochina is rightly removed - had a shocker, again - and we change the team backwards. (CKR, left wing; Pedersen, right wing !!, Nunes, hole).

At which point the wheels fell off in terms of performance and discipline.

Appleton has his work cut out but if he persists with these tactics and simply tinker with the personnel then we may as well not bother playing Rhodes.

Oh, and we can fairly safely say goodbye to the play-offs.