[Archived] Michael Appleton - New Rovers Manager

[hi-jaq]

It's about time we had a leader, if he plays his card right, gets the players on working for him and weeds out all of the soft arse primadonnas we might have half a chance.

I liked it under Hughes when we had a bunch of madmen running about throwing their bodies on the line to get the results. We might not have had the most gifted squad, barring Tugay and Bentley, but we worked harder, had more endeavour and we were more intense then all the other teams around us, this worked and IMHO I think that was Hughes' personality that shone through.

If this fella can pull in some decent players, willing to fight for the club & get rid of some of the dead wood we could have a decent finish to the season.

I know he's not the most experienced of managers, but neither was Hughes when we appointed him (Neither was Ince or Kean and we all know how they turned out) but maybe it's time we had a bit of luck with it. I'm optimistic about Appleton, maybe, just maybe he might turn out OK???!!!

[bypass06]

Kazim-Richards: I'm right behind new Blackburn Rovers boss

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/blackburn_rovers/news/10176377._/?

[Rover_Shaun]

Kazim-Richards: I'm right behind new Blackburn Rovers boss

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/blackburn_rovers/news/10176377._/?

“I just want everyone to know obviously we can’t control what goes on upstairs but we can control what happens on the pitch."

Obviously none of you can Colin. Your attitude on the pitch stinks

I think the penny has dropped with some of the 'prima donnas' and speculation is that quite a few are feeling very uncomfortable now.

Realistic and no bullsh1t here:

http://www.rovers.co.uk/news/article/it-will-take-time-612512.aspx

If you read between the lines, he knows, IMO, just how much the squad is both overrated and unbalanced.

A breath of fresh air I would say.

He said playoffs is the goal. We are already an unsurmountable 10 points adrift and he says it may get worse before it gets better....sheesh!

[arbitro]

Kazim-Richards: I'm right behind new Blackburn Rovers boss

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/blackburn_rovers/news/10176377._/?

I really want to believe this but the sceptic in me is screaming bullshit. Talk is cheap. After Saturday's performance Kazim-Richards deserves to be dropped never mind coming out with big man talk.

[Mercer]

I really want to believe this but the sceptic in me is screaming bullshit. Talk is cheap. After Saturday's performance Kazim-Richards deserves to be dropped never mind coming out with big man talk.

Totally agree.

Would have hauled him off in the 42nd minute given his attitude at that Rovers' free kick where he strolled into the box, head down, back to ball / free kick taker and hadn't a feckin clue what was going on, and didn't appear to be bothered !

Think his words suggest Appleton rattled him. and others, very soon after the game !

[SydneyRover]

I know he's not the most experienced of managers, but neither was Hughes when we appointed him (Neither was Ince or Kean and we all know how they turned out) but maybe it's time we had a bit of luck with it. I'm optimistic about Appleton, maybe, just maybe he might turn out OK???!!!

This comparison is often trotted out on here to back up our previous inexperienced appointments but it just doesn't wash.

Hughes spent five years in charge of Wales and got great results against the likes of Italy, Germany, Argentina and the Czech Republic. When we appointed him I for one thought his excellent record in charge of Wales at a very high level lets not forget was a great indicator to how he would do with Rovers.

This simply can't be said about Berg, Kean or Appleton.

[Mike E]

“I just want everyone to know obviously we can’t control what goes on upstairs but we can control what happens on the pitch."

Obviously none of you can Colin. Your attitude on the pitch stinks

He said playoffs is the goal. We are already an unsurmountable 10 points adrift and he says it may get worse before it gets better....sheesh!

10 pts is insurmountable with 57 yet to play for? I agree it isn't likely, but by no means is it insurmountable.

[rovers11]

Appleton, once again, being very critical about the recruitment policy at Rovers over the past two years http://www.rovers.co.uk/news/article/a-model-to-follow-612610.aspx

He's bang on with those comments and that's what you get if you have an incompetent manager, agents running amok and a board bringing in their own players.

From those comments, I think it is pretty clear that Appleton has full control over transfers which is vital. As I've said before, this is not a quick fix and he shouldn't be axed if we don't get promoted this season.

[m1st]

I think the penny has dropped with some of the 'prima donnas' and speculation is that quite a few are feeling very uncomfortable now.

Realistic and no bullsh1t here:

http://www.rovers.co.uk/news/article/it-will-take-time-612512.aspx

If you read between the lines, he knows, IMO, just how much the squad is both overrated and unbalanced.

A breath of fresh air I would say.

+ 10

[broadsword]

10 pts is insurmountable with 57 yet to play for? I agree it isn't likely, but by no means is it insurmountable.

why are we 10 points adrift in the first place? Because we're crap.

10 points isn't insurmountable for a united squad with talent to burn with a well-balanced squad, well-motivated with an experienced manager at the helm and no off-field distractions.

We have none of that, so yeah, it is insurmountable.

[jonv]

It almost feels that the tiniest bit of weight has lifted from my shoulders after hearing a bit of truth for the first time in two years from Rovers regarding our current situation. Whilst I do praise Appletons comments, the big challenge is for him to turn his words into points. It will take time and weeding will need to be done yes, but dare I dream that we're finally, slowly turning the ship? It's too early to tell in regards to what we've seen on the pitch after just 1 game but certainly through Appletons words we're hearing an honesty that's not necessarily reeking of sunshine and lollipops positiveness for once.

[forumquizmaster]

It almost feels that the tiniest bit of weight has lifted from my shoulders after hearing a bit of truth for the first time in two years from Rovers regarding our current situation. Whilst I do praise Appletons comments, the big challenge is for him to turn his words into points. It will take time and weeding will need to be done yes, but dare I dream that we're finally, slowly turning the ship? It's too early to tell in regards to what we've seen on the pitch after just 1 game but certainly through Appletons words we're hearing an honesty that's not necessarily reeking of sunshine and lollipops positiveness for once.

Precisely my thoughts. I am certainly warming to his words, lets see whether it translates itself into performances and points over the coming months.

[m1st]

At least he didn't say on Saturday, "We can take positives from that defeat."!

I agree with jonv, it feels like we're beginning to turn a corner with his appointment, especially if he's got agreement that he can decide who he wants to bring into the club.

[RibbleValleyRover]

Looks like his PR company has been going into overdrive with all the interviews and quotes about how badly Rovers have been run in the past. It doesn't particularly impress me as he is stating the bleeding obvious. What will impress me is if he starts to get results on the pitch, that is what he is here for and that will mark him down whether he is a bust or a success.

[3rdpillar]

i like all the positive comments on the board.... just shows what a proper PR compnay can do with a few well worded articles.

COYB!

[rovers11]

Looks like his PR company has been going into overdrive with all the interviews and quotes about how badly Rovers have been run in the past. It doesn't particularly impress me as he is stating the bleeding obvious.

The bleeding obvious has been there for 2 years yet no-one at the club has stated it until now. Berg said he could get the current squad of players promoted and, in the end, started to sound like Kean with his post match positiveness. Kean was just a liar who ignored the bleeding obvious and, indeed, twisted the obvious. Stating the bleeding obvious shouldn't be underestimated after the last 2 years we've had of the wool being pulled over our eyes. It is actually quite refreshing.

[John]

Wow, shows how bad things are when we are getting excited/feeling positive following some quotes from our manager.

I will be more impressed, and slightly happier, if he can show he knows how to win football matches.

[DE.]

"The table doesn't lie, it is what it is," added the Rovers boss. "The win ratio this year pretty much suggests that that is exactly where they are.

"It is okay having a team on paper of so-called experience and class but team-sheets never win games. The players that go on the field win games of football."

As sad as it is, I have to admit to feeling slightly relieved that finally somebody at the club is speaking sense and being honest.

Ultimately though, if this doesn't translate positively to the pitch, it doesn't matter much. I still don't think the squad are behind him, but I guess we'll see tonight just how many of them have had their minds changed.

[Adam C]

I think Appleton has been a breath of fresh air since he has joined the club. His honesty is completely new to us Rovers fans after the years of Kean, and CKR seems to be responding after his ill-judged tweets. OK we didn't get a result in the first match but not every new appointment gets the "new manager bounce". Please God let us win tonight to take some of the pressure off him and let the team kick on.

[Andy]

"It might get worse before it gets better and that would be my message, but when it does get better it'll be as good as we've seen for a long time."

This makes me feel positive.

However, as has been said, let's hope his words ring true and aren't as hollow as...well pretty much everything we've heard from the club for over 2 years now.

[Stuart]

i like all the positive comments on the board.... just shows what a proper PR compnay can do with a few well worded articles.

COYB!

+1

I wonder how many of them are reading this mb??

[Blue n White Rover]

He is talking sense, however so did Berg and that didn't turn out very pretty. The only thing I can see different from Berg is that Appleton has moved quick to get his own backroom staff in, something which Berg didn't do (and that I believe was one of his downfalls).

He let the players express themselves in training last week and during the match (it wasn't broke, so no need to fix it). However, after the dismal performance vs Charlton, he probably has a much better idea of the task he faces with Rovers. He is saying the right things, but actions always speak louder than words, unless you're Shebby!

[bypass06]

Appleton delivers action plan to Blackburn Rovers owners

http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/blackburn_rovers/news/10176427.Appleton_delivers_action_plan_to_Blackburn_Rovers_owners/

[davulsukur]

He's talking alot of sense but results is obviously where it matter the most. I would say, as another topic on here suggests, this season is a write off. Hopefully though, this gives Appleton the time between now and the start of next season to remove the deadwood and the players who don't want to be here, balance out the squad and get the players he wants to keep playing his way.

Then we can have a more realistic crack at promotion next season. (If we still exist or haven't gone into administration etc)

[Rover_Shaun]

Bullshi.t baffles brains. Time for the bin man to do it where it matters without getting the excuses in beforehand.