Appleton never really stood a chance

After appointing Appleton, who the board knew was not a popular choice, the summer transfer window was frankly bizarre. He was only ever going to be a bad run away from a large chunk of supporters turning on him. Not to give him the best chance to succeed on the back of that, is astounding.
I think he was dealt a poor hand and then with all the injuries, he's been unlucky. That said, when you lose the fans, some you didn't have in the first place, the atmosphere at the stadium is subdued, it' probably best all round for him to go.
Step forward Duncan Ferguson, no idea what he's like as a coach, but the fist pumping brigade would be made up.
 
Insider said:
There's plenty to agree with in what you say but there are plenty of counter arguments.
I never wanted Appy but once he was appointed I could see why. I never wanted Grayson but I could see why the algorithms selected him at the time.
I do think Critch was a good appointment so for me the Board have only made 1 out of three good choices.
However we have Appy in charge and he has been really unlucky even before you look at his ability as a Manager.
So I think we need to stick with him until the end of the season. We have the 2 new guys from Coventry who may have a couple of irons in the fire on the recruitment front that we can afford.
I do believe there will be some money available this window.
I'd get rid of the at least 2 of the loans, Corbeanu and Fiorini, and give Poveda a few more minutes to prove himself. Obviously keep Charlie and Williams seems to have upped his game so I'd keep him on.
Not ideal but I can't see the Board making a change before an end of season relegation if that is the worst case scenario.
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If it carries on like this and they don't sack him it will get toxic..... A d if he has lost some of the players as is being reported then the players will want him gone same as the fans. He has no chance then
 
Whilst I agree the transfer window was far from ideal I’m not so sure Appleton deserves the free ride some are giving him. At the end of the day he applied for the job and knew full well the squad he’d have at his disposal. He had a team that stayed up in the Championship with 60 points and unless he was a blithering idiot (and as far as I’m concerned the jury’s still out on that one) he’ll have been aware the budget was small by the divisions standards. I don’t for a second believe he was promised a mass overhaul of the squad and I don’t for a second believe the board would have brought him in if he hadn’t been able to convince them he could work largely with what was already in place. Since coming in he’s brought 10+ players into the club. All the loans and at least 3 (soon to be 4) of the permanent deals are his players. He’s been backed. In the Oyston era bringing in 10+ players every window on a cheap 12 month deal was normal and I feel like some of our fans think that’s how other clubs act - but the reality is it’s not. He should 100% be doing much better than he is. I’ve no confidence in him being given time and funds to reshape this team anymore. His coaching appears to have quality players getting worse. Don’t let him sign a load of deadwood and then get sacked 4 weeks into 2023.
 
the_stockport_one said:
If it carries on like this and they don't sack him it will get toxic..... A d if he has lost some of the players as is being reported then the players will want him gone same as the fans. He has no chance then
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Like I've said on another post I'm starting to fall off the fence and if the dressing room stories are true then I completely agree with you.
 
LA1 Seasider said:
Whilst I agree the transfer window was far from ideal I’m not so sure Appleton deserves the free ride some are giving him. At the end of the day he applied for the job and knew full well the squad he’d have at his disposal. He had a team that stayed up in the Championship with 60 points and unless he was a blithering idiot (and as far as I’m concerned the jury’s still out on that one) he’ll have been aware the budget was small by the divisions standards. I don’t for a second believe he was promised a mass overhaul of the squad and I don’t for a second believe the board would have brought him in if he hadn’t been able to convince them he could work largely with what was already in place. Since coming in he’s brought 10+ players into the club. All the loans and at least 3 (soon to be 4) of the permanent deals are his players. He’s been backed. In the Oyston era bringing in 10+ players every window on a cheap 12 month deal was normal and I feel like some of our fans think that’s how other clubs act - but the reality is it’s not. He should 100% be doing much better than he is. I’ve no confidence in him being given time and funds to reshape this team anymore. His coaching appears to have quality players getting worse. Don’t let him sign a load of deadwood and then get sacked 4 weeks into 2023.
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Bowler
 
LA1 Seasider said:
Whilst I agree the transfer window was far from ideal I’m not so sure Appleton deserves the free ride some are giving him. At the end of the day he applied for the job and knew full well the squad he’d have at his disposal. He had a team that stayed up in the Championship with 60 points and unless he was a blithering idiot (and as far as I’m concerned the jury’s still out on that one) he’ll have been aware the budget was small by the divisions standards. I don’t for a second believe he was promised a mass overhaul of the squad and I don’t for a second believe the board would have brought him in if he hadn’t been able to convince them he could work largely with what was already in place. Since coming in he’s brought 10+ players into the club. All the loans and at least 3 (soon to be 4) of the permanent deals are his players. He’s been backed. In the Oyston era bringing in 10+ players every window on a cheap 12 month deal was normal and I feel like some of our fans think that’s how other clubs act - but the reality is it’s not. He should 100% be doing much better than he is. I’ve no confidence in him being given time and funds to reshape this team anymore. His coaching appears to have quality players getting worse. Don’t let him sign a load of deadwood and then get sacked 4 weeks into 2023.
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Appleton is head coach(not manager) so what happened to the club strategy of adding to the squad with a few each transfer window?
No way Critch would have signed ten players if he'd stayed so either the strategy or the coach is the problem.

I suspect it could be a mixture of both and we just appointed the wrong guy and that not all average players will work for certain coaches.
 
Here’s the way I see it.

Critchley’s new job at QPR buries any notion that he left because he preferred to stay out of the limelight. He obviously decided it was worth jumping in the summer - a select number of people know why, but budget and ‘going as far as we can’ seem to be as strong a reasons as any.

The budget has obviously been set with a wider business consideration in mind. There are plans to build the East, which has to be done - and a new TG, which we all know will be a positive for the long term strength of the club. As much as I’d like us to have our cake and eat it, reality says we can’t.

The budget was also likely responsible for MA being appointed over other mooted candidates. He needed a job more than the others so took it on and accepted the constraints.

All these elements fall at the door of the board. Some are acceptable to me (the budget is what it is), some are poor decisions.

MA is also to blame. Because of who we are in this league, we need the head coach to be a dynamic force; a man who leads and others follow. Hate to say it, but Ryan Lowe has that about him. MA comes across as aloof, arrogant and uninspiring. That’s the exact opposite of what’s needed and I don’t see how he can change that. He’s Paul Ince without the international caps.
 
The o/p states Appleton was never really stood a chance and in a lot of respects that's true, he wasn't wanted by the majority of fans and needed support from the board (I know it's an old drum, but you've still got to bang it) by landing decent transfer targets.

We, as a club, have to take a long hard look at if or not we want to stay a Championship side, our recruitment suggests not, our decision to stick with Appleton (at this moment in time) suggests not. Yes, he's been badly let down in the transfer market and his best player was sold from under him, but, he decides the tactics, formation and the way the team sets up, so he has to shoulder some responsibility.

If we are going to sack him, we should have done it straight after the Wigan game, why waste the WC break letting things stay as they are, because if this continues, he will have to go, make no mistake about it we are pretty deep in the shit at the moment, can anyone, hand on heart, see Appleton changing that?
 
Yarmouth Seasider said:
The o/p states Appleton was never really stood a chance and in a lot of respects that's true, he wasn't wanted by the majority of fans and needed support from the board (I know it's an old drum, but you've still got to bang it) by landing decent transfer targets.

We, as a club, have to take a long hard look at if or not we want to stay a Championship side, our recruitment suggests not, our decision to stick with Appleton (at this moment in time) suggests not. Yes, he's been badly let down in the transfer market and his best player was sold from under him, but, he decides the tactics, formation and the way the team sets up, so he has to shoulder some responsibility.

If we are going to sack him, we should have done it straight after the Wigan game, why waste the WC break letting things stay as they are, because if this continues, he will have to go, make no mistake about it we are pretty deep in the shit at the moment, can anyone, hand on heart, see Appleton changing that?
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I'm not sure he can change things with the current crop of players

We need STILL

A Keogh replacement
A Bowler replacement
A Madine alternative
A Stewart type of midfield anchor

All the above could and should have been sorted in the summer and that isn't down to Appleton

He's been badly let down by the board
 
straightatthewall said:
Here’s the way I see it.

Critchley’s new job at QPR buries any notion that he left because he preferred to stay out of the limelight. He obviously decided it was worth jumping in the summer - a select number of people know why, but budget and ‘going as far as we can’ seem to be as strong a reasons as any.

The budget has obviously been set with a wider business consideration in mind. There are plans to build the East, which has to be done - and a new TG, which we all know will be a positive for the long term strength of the club. As much as I’d like us to have our cake and eat it, reality says we can’t.

The budget was also likely responsible for MA being appointed over other mooted candidates. He needed a job more than the others so took it on and accepted the constraints.

All these elements fall at the door of the board. Some are acceptable to me (the budget is what it is), some are poor decisions.

MA is also to blame. Because of who we are in this league, we need the head coach to be a dynamic force; a man who leads and others follow. Hate to say it, but Ryan Lowe has that about him. MA comes across as aloof, arrogant and uninspiring. That’s the exact opposite of what’s needed and I don’t see how he can change that. He’s Paul Ince without the international caps.
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Think that’s spot on.

I didn’t want MA, but he got the job so it’s get behind him & judge him on what you see with your eyes and what he says. He’s been dealt a bad hand with recruitment, injuries and losing Bowler (take him out last season and I don’t think it would be great).

However, these past couple of months, he’s been draining. We’d lost the Middlesbrough game before we started. Friday, he killed any positivity fans had returning and looking at the starting line-up and bench I don’t get why. Might be honest but it’s not what we need the position we are in.

Grimshaw situation is a red flag, as is 1 goal in 5 games. It’s not just that though, the performances aren’t great. After a 4 week break and an all inclusive in Spain, to not have a shot on target in the 1st game back at home says to me that this isn’t going to resolve like we need it to.

The board appointed him, failed to land targets and thought we could get away with selling Bowler. They need to accept they’ve ballsed it up. Head of Recruitment changing tells its own story.
 
Adams Kebab said:
Think that’s spot on.

I didn’t want MA, but he got the job so it’s get behind him & judge him on what you see with your eyes and what he says. He’s been dealt a bad hand with recruitment, injuries and losing Bowler (take him out last season and I don’t think it would be great).

However, these past couple of months, he’s been draining. We’d lost the Middlesbrough game before we started. Friday, he killed any positivity fans had returning and looking at the starting line-up and bench I don’t get why. Might be honest but it’s not what we need the position we are in.

Grimshaw situation is a red flag, as is 1 goal in 5 games. It’s not just that though, the performances aren’t great. After a 4 week break and an all inclusive in Spain, to not have a shot on target in the 1st game back at home says to me that this isn’t going to resolve like we need it to.

The board appointed him, failed to land targets and thought we could get away with selling Bowler. They need to accept they’ve ballsed it up. Head of Recruitment changing tells its own story.
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Yep agreed

I actually think he probably should have gone after the Wigan game when the club would have had some time to bring in a replacement

However planning doesn't seem high on the agenda with this board

I will however qualify the above by saying Appleton just hasn't had the backing that he should have had, so it really isn't his fault
 
Philbfctrois said:
Yep agreed

I actually think he probably should have gone after the Wigan game when the club would have had some time to bring in a replacement

However planning doesn't seem high on the agenda with this board

I will however qualify the above by saying Appleton just hasn't had the backing that he should have had, so it really isn't his fault
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There will be power-plays going on in the background I’m sure. Our friend Ben has managed to change the Recruitment team, we’ve got a new head of Strength and Conditioning in- neither mentioned Appleton in any of their welcome interviews, even taking time to praise Ben 🤢

So that’s changed. If they then change the Head Coach then the search is another mess or he doesn’t work out the fingers will be pointed at BM. He’s not daft, he’ll know this so it’s being put off on the hope of it turning round. Saturday said a lot for me on that front. I’m thinking about new Manager’s to get and one who’ll definitely want it would be Charlie Adam. Fully badged up, just started at Burnley, would unite the fanbase, but he won’t get it as Ben’s ego won’t have someone coming in that’s a threat to his role, which is why Evatt got pied before Critchley. If it goes wrong at moment it’s the Managers fault, if you bring in a fan favourite then people look elsewhere.

I agree mate that it’s not Appletons fault 💯

However, he should have counted himself lucky that he managed to land a Championship Club and maximised everything he’s left with or got. He’s not, he’s been a mood hoover these past couple of months and that’s reflected in our last 5 performances. I don’t get it though in a way, because before that it was Coventry and Preston and we were really good. How’s it gone so flat?
 
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Adams Kebab said:
There will be power-plays going on in the background I’m sure. Our friend Ben has managed to change the Recruitment team, we’ve got a new head of Strength and Conditioning in- neither mentioned Appleton in any of their welcome interviews, even taking time to praise Ben 🤢

So that’s changed. If they then change the Head Coach then the search is another mess or he doesn’t work out the fingers will be pointed at BM. He’s not daft, he’ll know this so it’s being put off on the hope of it turning round. Saturday said a lot for me on that front.

I agree mate that it’s not Appletons fault 💯

However, he should have counted himself lucky that he managed to land a Championship Club and maximised everything he’s left with or got. He’s not, he’s been a mood hoover these past couple of months and that’s reflected in our last 5 performances. I don’t get it though in a way, because before that it was Coventry and Preston and we were really good. How’s it gone so flat?
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I honestly don't get this touchline or interview thing that he's always getting grief for to me it's about what goes on on the training pitch or in the dressing room and none of us see that

If people want someone to jump around a bit, waving their arms in the air whilst telling jokes in their interviews then I suggest we go for someone like Bradley Walsh or Joe Pasquale 😀
 
Philbfctrois said:
I honestly don't get this touchline or interview thing that he's always getting grief for to me it's about what goes on on the training pitch or in the dressing room and none of us see that

If people want someone to jump around a bit, waving their arms in the air whilst telling jokes in their interviews then I suggest we go for someone like Bradley Walsh or Joe Pasquale 😀
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I’m not arsed about the touchline, results are the main driver.

I think his interview Friday was a mistake. Changed the mindset of people attending and put some off going. Not great as that comes from him and him alone.
 
Adams Kebab said:
There will be power-plays going on in the background I’m sure. Our friend Ben has managed to change the Recruitment team, we’ve got a new head of Strength and Conditioning in- neither mentioned Appleton in any of their welcome interviews, even taking time to praise Ben 🤢

So that’s changed. If they then change the Head Coach then the search is another mess or he doesn’t work out the fingers will be pointed at BM. He’s not daft, he’ll know this so it’s being put off on the hope of it turning round. Saturday said a lot for me on that front. I’m thinking about new Manager’s to get and one who’ll definitely want it would be Charlie Adam. Fully badged up, just started at Burnley, would unite the fanbase, but he won’t get it as Ben’s ego won’t have someone coming in that’s a threat to his role, which is why Evatt got pied before Critchley. If it goes wrong at moment it’s the Managers fault, if you bring in a fan favourite then people look elsewhere.

I agree mate that it’s not Appletons fault 💯

However, he should have counted himself lucky that he managed to land a Championship Club and maximised everything he’s left with or got. He’s not, he’s been a mood hoover these past couple of months and that’s reflected in our last 5 performances. I don’t get it though in a way, because before that it was Coventry and Preston and we were really good. How’s it gone so flat?
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Two games a week was what happened and flogging Madine to death because of it.
That game again Coventry where he was arguably out best player proves that when he plays well we play well.

We lost out on Bishop and Simms it was criminal that the club didn't try and get third or fourth choice as back up to Gaz he's the only one who can play up top in MA preferred 4-3-3 same goes for the RB farce which has happened two seasons in a row.
 
poolseasider said:
Two games a week was what happened and flogging Madine to death because of it.
That game again Coventry where he was arguably out best player proves that when he plays well we play well.

We lost out on Bishop and Simms it was criminal that the club didn't try and get third or fourth choice as back up to Gaz he's the only one who can play up top in MA preferred 4-3-3 same goes for the RB farce which has happened two seasons in a row.
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Yep agreed

Yet people think it's on the manager
 
poolseasider said:
Two games a week was what happened and flogging Madine to death because of it.
That game again Coventry where he was arguably out best player proves that when he plays well we play well.

We lost out on Bishop and Simms it was criminal that the club didn't try and get third or fourth choice as back up to Gaz he's the only one who can play up top in MA preferred 4-3-3 same goes for the RB farce which has happened two seasons in a row.
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Yeah it was a good performance at cov, although it was them with that sickness bug, so there is that, but a win playing well is all we could do.

He was always going to be up against it but was just starting to win fans over after the nobbers game.

Then injuries plus suspensions, with Sat Tues and a threadbare squad. Sme suspensions were ridiculous and should have been overturned, but marv has had a few and gone backwards under him.

He was always a bit shaky on the ball but has looked a shadow of the player of the season.

We do seem to have a lack of discipline.

He was always going to be up against it, had to be backed and wasn't that well, although the loans won't be cheap and Wright at a rumoured 750k ish and Thompson unknown could push the cost for those 2 upto near a million.

We have the squad largely that stayed up comfortably, plus some other good talent, minus Bowler and Keogh. So not massively weaker on the whole, stronger in some areas

He had to do well and hasn't, there's been very little atmosphere since the board knew he was unpopular and appointed him anyway, then the bad situation were in, keeping him now is just depressing people, unless we suddenly win a few.

The touchline stillness etc is always over analysed when losing but he's not inspiring, he doesn't fit bfc fans who are passionate and like a manager like us to get us going, show that passion etc.

Just a predictable situation really if it went bad with what would happen and he also wasn't given the best chance. Given we had the Critchley cash and Bowler cash.

He hasn't helped himself either and the grimmy situation, rumors of fall outs etc, doesn't seem an inspiring leader... we don't seem a team that knows how to play effectively still and he has to do better with whatever we have.

Poor do all round.
 
JJpool said:
Yeah it was a good performance at cov, although it was them with that sickness bug, so there is that, but a win playing well is all we could do.

He was always going to be up against it but was just starting to win fans over after the nobbers game.

Then injuries plus suspensions, with Sat Tues and a threadbare squad. Sme suspensions were ridiculous and should have been overturned, but marv has had a few and gone backwards under him.

He was always a bit shaky on the ball but has looked a shadow of the player of the season.

We do seem to have a lack of discipline.

He was always going to be up against it, had to be backed and wasn't that well, although the loans won't be cheap and Wright at a rumoured 750k ish and Thompson unknown could push the cost for those 2 upto near a million.

We have the squad largely that stayed up comfortably, plus some other good talent, minus Bowler and Keogh. So not massively weaker on the whole, stronger in some areas

He had to do well and hasn't, there's been very little atmosphere since the board knew he was unpopular and appointed him anyway, then the bad situation were in, keeping him now is just depressing people, unless we suddenly win a few.

The touchline stillness etc is always over analysed when losing but he's not inspiring, he doesn't fit bfc fans who are passionate and like a manager like us to get us going, show that passion etc.

Just a predictable situation really if it went bad with what would happen and he also wasn't given the best chance. Given we had the Critchley cash and Bowler cash.

He hasn't helped himself either and the grimmy situation, rumors of fall outs etc, doesn't seem an inspiring leader... we don't seem a team that knows how to play effectively still and he has to do better with whatever we have.

Poor do all round.
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Losing Bowler is massive given how many goal involvements and chances he was involved it

Not replacing Bowler has been catastrophic
 
I would like to see Beesley given a run in the starting lineup with Madine on the bench to come on for the last 15 mins or so.Give Poveda a start against Cardiff on Sat also.
 
poolseasider said:
Two games a week was what happened and flogging Madine to death because of it.
That game again Coventry where he was arguably out best player proves that when he plays well we play well.

We lost out on Bishop and Simms it was criminal that the club didn't try and get third or fourth choice as back up to Gaz he's the only one who can play up top in MA preferred 4-3-3 same goes for the RB farce which has happened two seasons in a row.
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Yep great point. Not getting another striker in the window and having to rely on Madine has been a poor doo.
 
It wasn't Appleton's fault, we all know that, he wasn't supported and the recruitment team that have now been replaced had basically not delivered at all apart for some panic signings, such as Wright, Bridcutt and Ward and some really poor loan players. Patino has potential but he's a fair way off Atsenal's first team, I hope they allow him to stay in January. Corbeanu is a player who will end up plying his trade in league 1, Williams has stood up and we need to keep him, Fiorini is just unlucky with injuries, but it's no good to us if he is always out, he needs to go back to City and Poveda is an enigma, either play him in a front 3 and see how he gets on or send him back.

As Tim said yesterday, he's concerned we could lose some players in January, Yates could go and we could lose Grimmy at a knockdown price, what happened to playing the talented younger players when Grimmy is probably our best young player? If it's because of a spat between him and Appleton then MA has mad a big error.

So, it wasn't MA's fault, but as far as I can see his position is untenable now. He has lost any support he had in the crowd, he seems to have lost the dressing room so surely Sadler has to let him go and let him go quickly, we can't be ** about waiting until after the Christmas games, we need someone in who will revitalise the squad and lift everyone. The alternative is MA stays, we get relegated and we end up with Straighter's scenario of the funds are for the East Stand and the Training ground and there is no money for players, or certainly not a Championship wage budget. Yes we have a new recruitment team but if we are rooted at the bottom by January what players will want to come here? Last season we were sitting pretty at January and we still had a terrible transfer window.

I wouldn't be surprised if Quitchley left because he knew the score and knew he wasn't going to be able to achieve what he wanted with the budgetary restraints, something wasn't right before the end of last season.

I worry about the offsetting of the training Ground & East Stand against player recruitment. The TG is some time off and I will believe it when I see it, the East Stand is more imminent but when? When will it start? Surely we are better establishing ourselves as a Championship team and enjoy the extra funding that brings in, if we get relegated we could be in league 1 or worse for years, is that what we want just so we can have a new East Stand & TG? I don't, I want both and surely the vision of an owner should be that but you can't do one without the other.

The silence from the club is deafening and to be honest if they are going to come out with an arrogant and condescending diatribe as they did at the start of the season then I'd rather they didn't bother. Mansford's on a huge wage, has he earned it? I wonder what Sadler thinks? Does he still want to be the owner? Is it what he thought it would be? Has he got the finances to waste to drive the club forward or is he looking at it purely from a business pov and wants to make money?

I worry fiercely about the club because of what has gone on before. Cartmell and then the Stains, that's over 50 years of desperate times and it is amazing we are where we are, but forgive me for not going all gooey eyed over Sadler taking over and thinking he is our saviour, he has to earn that and he is a long way off that so far. If it hadn't been for Belokon, the supporters and the arrogance and greed of the stains then we would still be fucked. The NAPM and the court case is what saved the club, not SS. He came in and got a great club at a knockdown price and I reckon if he sold it now he would make plenty of money. He has made 2 errors in regard managers and Quitchley was a great idea that worked for 2 seasons, but what happened? Why would he leave a job where he was allegedly promised it all to be a long term manager and to build his team to get to the PL? Why would he leave? Money? If he had been offered the Villa manager's job yes, but not 3rd in command, he must have known it was a risk and surely if everything was as it should be at BR then why would he leave? I have the questions, I just don't have the answers.

MA needs to be gone this week, which is very sad for him, I really wanted him to be successful and he has been hamstrung from the start. Who they go for I have no idea. TD53 said the Canada manager, it's a right royal fuck up at the moment but we can't have supporters hating the football, not bothering or wanting to turn up, players unhappy and unmotivated, these were all things that were avoidable but we are there now and something seismic needs to be done to turn it round.
 
TangerineandWhitePod said:
You have to ask yourself why virtually none of the squad get on with him though. You’ll struggle to find any of the senior players who want him here. They hate the training, they don’t like his approach and you have to ask yourself why he’s not playing our best goalkeeper. The answer is that it’s because he dared to ask why and he’s been completely ostracised ever since.
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And the winner of the 'I made it completely up' award 2022 is here. Utter bollocks.
 
FY5_Seasider said:
I was out in PLF last night. Madine was in Marvin's. I went for a piss and he was in the toilet telling a lad that he's leaving at the end of the season. When the lad asked why, his response was 'just bored'. When asked if it was down to the manager, he replied 'yes'.

I'm not convinced that the players are on board with MA. This incident last night being a pretty strong indicator of that.
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Aye ok, I'll put that as another episode of 'Things That never Happened'.
 
SirHarryThomson said:
The Bowler transfer farce has cost us massively. That wasn't Appletons fault. It also seems that Critchley wasn't happy with transfer budget and was a reason to jump ship.
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Yep and bringing in a new recruitment team is all well and good…but they will only be able to work within the confines of the existing budget….
 
Philbfctrois said:
Losing Bowler is massive given how many goal involvements and chances he was involved it

Not replacing Bowler has been catastrophic
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He was a massive outlet no doubt and quality creative player for us.

Poveda was meant to be the temp replacement, showed signs of promise but hasn't played much.

I can understand Bowler going as it's part of the strategy, as long as it was reinvested, which it wasn't.

We probably couldn't replace him like for like, so to use that cash and the Critchley cash to fund maybe 3 or 4 good players was the way to go for me.

The aim to have winger replacement. But also then improve the quality of the whole team in areas like the spine.

The excuse of him going last minute. Well we should have known that will likely happen and invested earlier.
 
Remember when Gaz definitely chinned Bez and that's why they were definitely both out cos that definitely happened...
 
Insider said:
There's plenty to agree with in what you say but there are plenty of counter arguments.
I never wanted Appy but once he was appointed I could see why. I never wanted Grayson but I could see why the algorithms selected him at the time.
I do think Critch was a good appointment so for me the Board have only made 1 out of three good choices.
However we have Appy in charge and he has been really unlucky even before you look at his ability as a Manager.
So I think we need to stick with him until the end of the season. We have the 2 new guys from Coventry who may have a couple of irons in the fire on the recruitment front that we can afford.
I do believe there will be some money available this window.
I'd get rid of the at least 2 of the loans, Corbeanu and Fiorini, and give Poveda a few more minutes to prove himself. Obviously keep Charlie and Williams seems to have upped his game so I'd keep him on.
Not ideal but I can't see the Board making a change before an end of season relegation if that is the worst case scenario.
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I agree with some of the things you say ,but Fiorini hasn't had the chance to really prove himself as he only got a handful of games with a brand new team . City would not hang on to shite . I also would like to say Charlie was the worst player on the pitch against Birmingham ,but you don't get rid of a player for 1 bad game. Ecpateta had a sack full of bad games ,but no one would want to get rid of him either.
 
Imo the Board will stick with MA until end of Feb at the earliest.

There will be an acceptance that we need better players and the next transfer window is crucial.

SS will be desperate to avoid relegation. The financial consequences are severe.

Zero point in getting on the managers back now he needs backing from both us and the Board as I suspect a replacement at the minute is not on the cards

If there is no improvement come March then the writing is on the wall and he can have no complaints.
 
Philbfctrois said:
Yep agreed

I actually think he probably should have gone after the Wigan game when the club would have had some time to bring in a replacement

However planning doesn't seem high on the agenda with this board

I will however qualify the above by saying Appleton just hasn't had the backing that he should have had, so it really isn't his fault
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I was with you up until you said it wasn’t his fault. Injuries are of course a major factor but team selection has been poor as well as tactics (4-3-3 without the players to operate that system) and substitutions either not made at key times or too late.

He cannot be said to be absolved with saying it isn’t his fault I’m afraid.
 
Wilburrabbit said:
I was with you up until you said it wasn’t his fault. Injuries are of course a major factor but team selection has been poor as well as tactics (4-3-3 without the players to operate that system) and substitutions either not made at key times or too late.

He cannot be said to be absolved with saying it isn’t his fault I’m afraid.
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I said it really isn't his fault and it isn't

Team selection has been forced due to the injuries and lack of options in key positions

Do you really think he wanted to play a back 3 against Rotherham or Millwall?

Do you really think he wanted to sign Grant Ward?

Do you really think he wanted to sell our best player Josh Bowler?

Do you really think he wants to flog Madine week in week out?
 
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Philbfctrois said:
Yep agreed

Yet people think it's on the manager
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He was dealt a bad hand however the performances are dire, not one shot on target in the last game at home. You keep sticking up for him, its worse than the last grayson episode. he is toxic and we are going down.
 
Markobfc said:
He was dealt a bad hand however the performances are dire, not one shot on target in the last game at home. You keep sticking up for him, its worse than the last grayson episode. he is toxic and we are going down.
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Should have kept Grayson to be honest he's another one who didn't get a fair crack at it

What's the appeal to keep changing managers all the time?
 
Philbfctrois said:
Should have kept Grayson to be honest he's another one who didn't get a fair crack at it

What's the appeal to keep changing managers all the time?
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He was heavily backed in the January transfer window Phil.

Grayson failed to deliver and then subsequently failed at Fleetwood.
 
Philbfctrois said:
I said it really isn't his fault and it isn't

Team selection has been forced due to the injuries and lack of options in key positions

Do you really think he wanted to play a back 3 against Rotherham or Millwall?

Do you really think he wanted to sign Grant Ward?

Do you really think he wanted to sell our best player Josh Bowler?
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Do you really think fresh legs at Wigan earlier couldn’t have seen out a point?

Do you think the persistence with playing three lightweight players in midfield despite having others available had no effect on how we played?

Do you honestly believe that instructing players to always play the safety ball even when on the attack has helped team morale and lifted confidence?

Despite injury etc. Appleton is responsible for the position we are in at least in part.
 
Wilburrabbit said:
Do you really think fresh legs at Wigan earlier couldn’t have seen out a point?

Do you think the persistence with playing three lightweight players in midfield despite having others available had no effect on how we played?

Do you honestly believe that instructing players to always play the safety ball even when on the attack has helped team morale and lifted confidence?

Despite injury etc. Appleton is responsible for the position we are in at least in part.
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No,
No, no other options
How do you know he instructs that?
No
 
Phil’s absolutely clueless. You can ask him to justify his bizarre views but you’ll never get any sort of rationale. I think he’s a troll or a very very brilliant parody account ran by a nobber.
 
BFC_BFC_BFC said:
He’s a complete dinosaur Phil…. He’s got a good eye for a player, but football has long since passed him by, when it comes to coaching / management.
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We had a poor run over Christmas, I seem to remember Kaikai being Injured along with a couple more and we had 2 poor home games against Shrewsbury and Accrington, then the fans got on his back

All sounds very familiar

However you dress things up 6 months just isn't long enough for a manager at any level

Swapping and changing managers is completely counter productive as any new manager comes in and wants to change things and put their own stamp on stuff etc

All the best most successful clubs stick with managers not knee jerked reactions every time a club loses a few games

Look at Man Utd with Fergie or Liverpool with Klopp or closer to our level Dyche at Burnley or Frank at Brentford or Ainsworth at Wycombe or Robins at Coventry or Coleman at Accrington

Clubs need to build not react every time a lilley livered fan gets his knickers in a twist
 
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