[Archived] Michael Appleton - New Rovers Manager

[jim mk2]

Talking to some PNE insiders today; they were astonished (to put it politely) when Rovers let Shaw through the door but the appointment of Appleton is in their eyes a big joke. They cannot see why Appleton should be a success and would not be surprised if he was removed before the end of the season.

[Mike E]

I had every confidence in Hughes as manager despite the average start due to his excellent record as Wales manager.

Nothing in Appleton's career so far indicates anything promising for Rovers.

I agree we should give him a fair go, but to say "I'm sure he'll be pretty good" about a man who has won 15 out of 64 games a manager makes very little sense.

I'm mostly going off the fact we aren't in as much of a kerfuffle as Pompey and Venkys may give Appleton the money for players that Oystron didn't. Also reckon we have a better squad (despite it's imbalance) than either of those teams.

By 'pretty good', I mean I reckon he'll deliver us at least a midtable finish. So anywhere from where we are now up to 7th. If he can break that barrier and get us to 6th, then he'll have done terrifically well. While I don't EXPECT it of him, I'm hopeful. The only reason being gut instinct tbh. I feel better about Appleton than I have about our previous managers this season. Even more so than Bowyer, who I feel is more of a Parkes/Sbragia type of figure.

[CapeTownRover]

Have we become a lottery? Next ball out, who will it be? It just seems that we are hoping for the next best thing, and that it actually works out.

[LeChuck]

Talking to some PNE insiders today; they were astonished (to put it politely) when Rovers let Shaw through the door but the appointment of Appleton is in their eyes a big joke. They cannot see why Appleton should be a success and would not be surprised if he was removed before the end of the season.

Why should PNE fans have any knowledge of Appleton? West Brom and Blackpool fans seem to rate him highly. Haven't bothered to check the Portsmouth forums.

[Blue n White Rover]

So you would have a player in the team who can't pass and has a sky dig at the incoming manager on national tv ?

I don't care who they are captain or no captain.

For the record, I would not have Murphy anywhere near our team. However, dropping him may have more negatives than positives is my point.

Also, we have nobody to replace Murphy. God knows where Dunn is.

[davulsukur]

Dunn is back from injury for tonights game. No idea if he would be ready to start and do a full 90 (can he ever?)

[CapeTownRover]

Dunn is probably enjoying his massage on the treatment table. He is probably telling Leon Best to wait his turn

[Mercer]

Talking to some PNE insiders today; they were astonished (to put it politely) when Rovers let Shaw through the door but the appointment of Appleton is in their eyes a big joke. They cannot see why Appleton should be a success and would not be surprised if he was removed before the end of the season.

I think the relationship between Shaw and Appleton is quite deep rooted.

Rumoured that the two of them have an interest in a pub close to Preston.

If this is correct, there is nothing wrong in that, however, perhaps confirms that Shaw knows him well and the driver behind the appointment.

[Mike E]

Tbf, I think Murphy is the right person to have as the captain. Experienced and a great player on his day. The pity is his day has long gone. But he's nonetheless a guy for the younger players to look up to, but a dud on the pitch. The only other people I'd have had as captain were Dunn and Robbo, but they're hardly in the team now.

Possibly Dann, as one of the more experienced figures? Meh.

I miss the captains of old. Your Nelsen, your Todd or your Flitcroft :/

[ABBEY]

so we carry him and let the youngsters benefit from learning how to mispass time and time again.

[Blue n White Rover]

so we carry him and let the youngsters benefit from learning how to mispass time and time again.

What's the alternative?

[Steve Kean's Hypnotoad]

Strewth, give him a chance!

My interpretation of some of the players on Saturday was that they weren't putting a shift in as a statement against Appleton.

Is that his fault? No.

It must be unsettling for the players but anyone who doesn't give 100% should be removed.

Appleton wouldntve been my choice but every day he says the right things and seems to have a plan of action ( unlike Berg ).

Admittedly this has to be translated to the product on the pitch.

This isn't the X Factor and we don't want to be one of those clubs which changes manager at the drop of a hat ( doesn't work ).

At least give him until the end of the season before passing judgement.

Course its his fault, he's the manager! If he came in and impressed them, they took a liking to him, or just respected his ideas and tactics, they wouldn't have put in that performance. Everyone's taking the approach to Appleton that is usually taken to new managers. But most new managers are selected on their achievements and ability. Our new managers are selected on their willingness to accept compromise or their matey links to the idiots who run the show. He hasn't been selected on merit, so he shouldn't be entitled to this unwavering support. Its bonkers sticking up for him and laying into players like Murphy who'd previously captained us to an unbeaten 4 game run.

Why are people eager to tie their flag to the mast of that clueless, corrupt slimeball Shaw's choice? Maybe cause they're forgetting/deliberately ignoring that that he's the choice of a clueless, corrupt slimeball.

[Willie Eckerslike]

We are currently ten points off the play-off positions and ten points off the bottom three.

Let us see which we are closer to when Appleton has had his ten games.

Nothing in his track record as a manager gives me any confidence that he is our messiah but time will tell

[Adam C]

A breath of fresh air. You mean the way he ended our unbeaten run by losing to a mid-table team at home? Or the way he seems to have sapped the morale of the players? Most good managers get the new manager bounce. But, like Berg, Appleton hasn't even had the new manager continue as you were. We've immediately got worse.

That was his first game! How would you have felt if he had won that game and lost against Brighton? Would that have been better? Does he have to win every game to satisfy you? If he wins tonight does he get your backing? It was quite obvious from my post that I was referring to his attitude and statements to the press, a fact you would have realised if you had bothered to read my full post before getting stuck in. The clue was when I made reference to the fact that he didn't get the new manager bounce.

The players' morale is already at rock-bottom and they seem to be totally insecure and lacking in any sort of team spirit. They seemed happy under Bowyer but that is likely because they know him so well from so many years spent at the club. Anybody who has had 5 bosses in the space of a year, with some of them being hopeless, will be nervous and unsure of the new guy. It is to be hoped that if Appleton can prove himself a winner that we will see better morale and performances. CKRs latest comments give a bit of hope in that direction

[martonrover]

Course its his fault, he's the manager! If he came in and impressed them, they took a liking to him, or just respected his ideas and tactics, they wouldn't have put in that performance. Everyone's taking the approach to Appleton that is usually taken to new managers. But most new managers are selected on their achievements and ability. Our new managers are selected on their willingness to accept compromise or their matey links to the idiots who run the show. He hasn't been selected on merit, so he shouldn't be entitled to this unwavering support. Its bonkers sticking up for him and laying into players like Murphy who'd previously captained us to an unbeaten 4 game run.

Why are people eager to tie their flag to the mast of that clueless, corrupt slimeball Shaw's choice? Maybe cause they're forgetting/deliberately ignoring that that he's the choice of a clueless, corrupt slimeball.

My post states that he wouldntve been my choice and I'm not tieing my flag to the mast.

Most of the informed reports state Appleton was not Shaw's choice and the decision to go for him came direct from Pune.

Re players not taking to Appleton, I think one or two decided not to give him a chance before he even got started ( like some on here ) which is definitely not his fault.

I felt very uncomfortable about Berg's appointment but didn't write him off after the Palace game.

Appleton should be given a fair crack of the whip which, considering a growing snowball of turmoil, should mean until the end of the season.

I've never liked Shaw but have no idea whether he's corrupt or not and would be careful about making such comments.

Give Appleton a chance.

It would help us hugely if he turns out to be a good manager as the alternative is yet more chaos and unrest.

[Adam C]

We are currently ten points off the play-off positions and ten points off the bottom three.

Let us see which we are closer to when Appleton has had his ten games.

Nothing in his track record as a manager gives me any confidence that he is our messiah but time will tell

I didn't realise that! The perfect position for us to judge him after 10 games then. Like you I am a bit underwhelmed at his appointment, I think a good point was made by another poster that it is worrying that his record suggests he has been appointed because he is so good at working with skint teams; even teams that are in administration and selling all their players. Regardless he is here now and there is nothing we can do, I for one don't want to be a supporter of a club with the record for appointing and sacking managers in a year (I wonder what that record is, we must be getting close). I guess it all depends on whether you are a glass half-full or empty person. I am going to give him a chance and try to enjoy match days again.

[thenodrog]

I think Appleton has correctly diagnosed the problem, an overlarge, overpaid, unbalanced, unfit and demoralized team. Cutting the squad back to 22-25 quality fighters is the right way to go.

The question is can he deliver? We should give him a few games before discounting him as a manager.

Unless the intention is to line certain managers and agents pockets BRFC squad should never be over 25 members. Allardyce appeared to aim for even less and wanted specialists for every position but with a numbert of utility players who could play in more than 1 position as cover. But the stupid bstards sacked him didn't they.

[arbitro]

Talking to some PNE insiders today; they were astonished (to put it politely) when Rovers let Shaw through the door but the appointment of Appleton is in their eyes a big joke. They cannot see why Appleton should be a success and would not be surprised if he was removed before the end of the season.

It is nearly twelve years since he played for Preston (note that is played not managed). Sometimes the comments on here are ludicrous.

[thenodrog]

Tbf, I think Murphy is the right person to have as the captain. Experienced and a great player on his day. The pity is his day has long gone. But he's nonetheless a guy for the younger players to look up to, but a dud on the pitch. The only other people I'd have had as captain were Dunn and Robbo, but they're hardly in the team now.

Possibly Dann, as one of the more experienced figures? Meh.

I miss the captains of old. Your Nelsen, your Todd or your Flitcroft :/

The words Danny Murphy and great should never be used in the same sentence..... nor should they ever have!

[Laurence]

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/

Anyone know if he's actually done this? The **nkys would have to still be around if he has.

[pontyrover]

Appleton on Radio now, talks a lot of sense. Will be a success if given support and time.

[G Somerset Rover]

Anyone know if he's actually done this? The **nkys would have to still be around if he has.

If Markus Olsson and Gamst are central to his action plan the we may as well all pack it in.

[SydneyRover]

Appleton on Radio now, talks a lot of sense. Will be a success if given support and time.

You've heard the phrase "talks a good game" haven't you?

[DE.]

You've heard the phrase "talks a good game" haven't you?

Evidently not. Although picking Markus Olsson in the first team is surely the sign of a top manager, no?

[pontyrover]

You've heard the phrase "talks a good game" haven't you?

Indeed I have. It's a footballing cliche that tends to be the hallmark of successful managers... and before you try to say Kean and Kidd talked a good game, I beg to differ. The bigger picture behind my comment is that I believe that given our full support, Appleton could turn our club around. Feel free to castigate me if proven wrong.