Poll - Appleton to go, Yes or No ?

Is it time for Appleton to go now ?

  • Yes

    Votes: 140 33.4%

  • No

    Votes: 279 66.6%
  • Total voters
    419
No.

1. New manager bounce is not actually a thing. There's no evidence that it particularly pays off to change a manager. For every club where it gets better, there's another where it gets worse. That's a fact.

2. We've seen some of the best football since the boycott in spells. Yes, we've also seen some of the worse but if you're blaming him for the bad, then you must also credit him for the good and whilst the scales are tipped towards poor performances, the good performances were very good. Not smash and grab stuff, but terrific, fun and engaging football.

3. There are no excuses for the last game but we've had a horrendous run of luck. I make it 10 players capable of playing CM competently - Keshi, Carey, Fiorini, Wright, Patino, Dougall, Stewart, Connolly, Virtue and Bridcutt.

The fact we've played a different midfield combination every other game is crucifying us and that's not by design

Has he got it all right? No. Has he had any luck. No. Where our performances have dropped from one game to the next, there has almost always been a decision forced on him as opposed to a decision he's actively made.

We've also remodeled to squad (in part at least) to play a certain way. Getting a Sean Dyche type in would be weird because we don't have that type of player. You can quote January till you're blue in the face but January is not the time to remodel a playing style when you're a pauper. You can do it if you have loads of spare cash but we sold Bowler for shit money and there's no one at the end of a contract so you remodel in summer.

To quote the legendary phrase.

'We're stuck with him '
 
And yes, I know Virtue is on loan. The point is, we might not have loaned him if we'd know everyone but Kenny would be so breakable
 
Philbfctrois said:
All of it to be honest pal
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I am not saying he should go or indeed Critch should come back, but if another performance like last night on Saturday not unthinkable the board would be getting jittery after 4 defeats on the bounce and in the bottom 3, if we were to change manager then would be the time to do it with a window to come. Hopefully we smash PLW 4-0, get some players fit over the break, Lyons and another couple of quality additions and all will be right with the world.

I like 433 but at this moment in time we should be playing 442 or at least switching to it when our midfield is getting slaughtered,
 
td53 said:
No.

1. New manager bounce is not actually a thing. There's no evidence that it particularly pays off to change a manager. For every club where it gets better, there's another where it gets worse. That's a fact.

2. We've seen some of the best football since the boycott in spells. Yes, we've also seen some of the worse but if you're blaming him for the bad, then you must also credit him for the good and whilst the scales are tipped towards poor performances, the good performances were very good. Not smash and grab stuff, but terrific, fun and engaging football.

3. There are no excuses for the last game but we've had a horrendous run of luck. I make it 10 players capable of playing CM competently - Keshi, Carey, Fiorini, Wright, Patino, Dougall, Stewart, Connolly, Virtue and Bridcutt.

The fact we've played a different midfield combination every other game is crucifying us and that's not by design

Has he got it all right? No. Has he had any luck. No. Where our performances have dropped from one game to the next, there has almost always been a decision forced on him as opposed to a decision he's actively made.

We've also remodeled to squad (in part at least) to play a certain way. Getting a Sean Dyche type in would be weird because we don't have that type of player. You can quote January till you're blue in the face but January is not the time to remodel a playing style when you're a pauper. You can do it if you have loads of spare cash but we sold Bowler for shit money and there's no one at the end of a contract so you remodel in summer.

To quote the legendary phrase.

'We're stuck with him '
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So to summarise:

1. There’s a 50% chance we will improve if we pot the manager

2. The performances are bang average if you take the good and the bad results together

3. Blackpool are unlucky (tell me something I don’t know after nearly five decades of support)

4. Trying to improve things in January is a waste of money and we’re better off crossing all fingers and toes and hoping Poveda and Theo turn into reliable players. We’re absolutely phooked aren’t we?
 
clappers said:
So to summarise:

1. There’s a 50% chance we will improve if we pot the manager

2. The performances are bang average if you take the good and the bad results together

3. Blackpool are unlucky (tell me something I don’t know after nearly five decades of support)

4. Trying to improve things in January is a waste of money and we’re better off crossing all fingers and toes and hoping Poveda and Theo turn into reliable players. We’re absolutely phooked aren’t we?
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1. 33% improvement 33% stay the same 33% get worse 1% left over because I couldn't be arsed putting the decimal point.

2. Yes, perhaps

3. We're aren't always. We finished lg 1 season with Yates as the only striker for literally months and months. We very realistically could have ended up with Brad Holmes playing that run in, but we didn't.

4. We can improve, but we can't afford to remodel the entire squad. This, it's logical to continue in a direction you can improve incrementally as you are never going to get more than a few players in of the type we need because, essentially, there's no bargains to be had.
 
And of those 11 central midfielders:

Ward - Desperation short term signing
Bridcutt - Desperation short term injury prone signin
Anderson - injury prone, not really a central midfielder
Stewart - Best central midfielder but always injured
Fiorini - Loan, injured
Connolly - Our only right back and a bang average central midfielder
Patino - Quality but young
Carey - Quality but inconsistent and young
Dougall - plodder
Wright - Too lightweight maybe one for the future
Virtue - Out on loan and league 1 standard.

So looking at that list we would be better getting rid of Ward, Bridcutt, Anderson, Stewart, Fiorini and Virtue and use the combined wages for 2 championship quality central midfielders who aren’t crocks and if it can’t happen until next season use rhe money we are paying Arsenal for Patino.11 central midfielders of that quality sho exactly how bad the recruitment team have got it.
 
Yes, not up to the job. Appears to have little or no passion, and Wednesday night was the worst performance I’ve seen from a BFC team for many years. Outthought, out run, out classed. Yes, we have injuries ( as has every club ) but the least we can expect is effort by manager and players alike- completely absent on Wednesday. Our budget probably bigger than Luton, but you wouldn’t think so. People are going to hold on to Appleton until it’s too bloody late… face it, we are in a relegation battle RIGHT NOW, and I don’t think MA is the man to lead us out of the trenches.
 
I’ve voted No, M.A. has been dealt a bad hand and to make matters worse he’s had injuries and illness to cope with in the last few games as most of us realise. Hopefully a win against Wigan will steady the ship going into the ludicrous WC domestic shut down, having said that if we lose to Wigan Simon Sadler could well dwell on his view that he’d always welcome Critchley back, or words to that effect. So who knows.
 
Tbh in last 5 or so games before the last 3 defeats we were performing well.

There's no doubt injuries, illness and having to play the same lads time after time left us knackered and devoid of any normal confidence and energy.

However some mistakes were made, we could have changed it a bit rather than flog mostly exactly the same people, for me Maxwell isn't the keeper we need, but tbf Grimmy wasn't smashing it at the time, but he's better than Maxwell. Maxwell had probably made more mistakes.

Given he wasn't backed well he definitely deserves a bit more time and some players back.

However, things I don't really like....

His demeanour, on the touch line, he's completely passive, thats not what a passionate fanabse want to see or players really need at times.

He also motivates the players and injuries or bugs or not, even when we've not been that affected, we've still seen some stinking performances even in half a game. The minimum requirement is to motivate them, as with our lack of quality if we're not at it we lose, we have to make up the gap with effort.

Tough time but he's ultimately responsible for results and good managers find ways to pick up points or at least be organised.

So needs to improve.
 
A new manager now would be a mistake.
Is it MAs fault that so many are injured? NO.
A new manager would be starting from scratch in getting to know his players. The ones that are fit, that is. 😏
I was ante MA when he signed on, but he has proved what he might do with a fit squad.
The whole blame for all the teams with a fitness problem lies at the door of The IFA.
All they could see when thinking about Qatar for the World Cup were £ signs.
We aren't the only team with fitness problems through playing too many games in such a short time.
However, we do seem to be one of the worst.
Is that MAs fault?
 
Davepick said:
A new manager now would be a mistake.
Is it MAs fault that so many are injured? NO.
A new manager would be starting from scratch in getting to know his players. The ones that are fit, that is. 😏
I was ante MA when he signed on, but he has proved what he might do with a fit squad.
The whole blame for all the teams with a fitness problem lies at the door of The IFA.
All they could see when thinking about Qatar for the World Cup were £ signs.
WE aren't the only team with fitness problems through playing too many games in such a short time.
However, we do seem to be one of the worst.
Is that MAs fault?
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Injuries aren't his fault exclusively for the overall reasons you mention, and the recruitment policy we've seen this year. But his methods might be becoming a factor the more work he puts into them. Players won't come out and openly criticise it if so, but they will usually get their point across in other ways if they're struggling.

Think it was mentioned last week that there's a further attempt to patch up the Squires Gate Lame Academy and improve facilities there, so we'll see what that is and if it works going into these winter months that will be a bit of an eye opener for the new lads.
 
At the moment I would be calling Appleton in and stating that over the nxt 6 games the results have to improve as the Hull Boro WBA Roth were as poor and abject as I've seen. Something that can't continue
 
He wouldn’t have been my choice but I wouldn’t chuck him now. He’s inherited a bloody awful squad, lacking in both quality and depth. He lost his best player at one hour to deadline and only pretty poor loan replacements. He needs to be financially supported in January or we’re back to playing at Fleetwood, Gillingham etc etc again.

I know he’s got the comfort of a (crazy) 4 year contract but I could see him walking before he’s sacked, to protect whatever credibility he has got.
 
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Davepick said:
A new manager now would be a mistake.
Is it MAs fault that so many are injured? NO.
A new manager would be starting from scratch in getting to know his players. The ones that are fit, that is. 😏
I was ante MA when he signed on, but he has proved what he might do with a fit squad.
The whole blame for all the teams with a fitness problem lies at the door of The IFA.
All they could see when thinking about Qatar for the World Cup were £ signs.
We aren't the only team with fitness problems through playing too many games in such a short time.
However, we do seem to be one of the worst.
Is that MAs fault?
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A new manager is a must and before the restart if we want a chance of survival.

Injuries aren’t his fault but, as I keep saying, playing a crap keeper when you have a good one available is his fault.

I would also expect the team to be motivated to have a good go. Yes we have injuries but make the most of what we have and give it a good go and if we lose at least we’ve done our best in the circumstances.

Have we done our best in the circumstances in the last three games? Absolutely not, not by any stretch of the imagination.

That I’m afraid is entirely down to the manager and why he must be sacked immediately to give us a chance of survival.
 
poolfc said:
Injuries aren't his fault exclusively for the overall reasons you mention, and the recruitment policy we've seen this year. But his methods might be becoming a factor the more work he puts into them. Players won't come out and openly criticise it if so, but they will usually get their point across in other ways if they're struggling.

Think it was mentioned last week that there's a further attempt to patch up the Squires Gate Lame Academy and improve facilities there, so we'll see what that is and if it works going into these winter months that will be a bit of an eye opener for the new lads.
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It will be an eye opener for the PL newbies in winter. As Ollie once said (sic) "it's that windy and cold at SG, when the sand hits your face, you don't need to have a shave" 🤣
Welcome to Blackpool in the winter 🧡
 
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TommyHutch said:
He wouldn’t have been my choice but I wouldn’t chuck him now. He’s inherited a bloody awful squad, lacking in both quality and depth. He lost his best player at one hour to deadline and only pretty poor loan replacements. He needs to be financially supported in January or we’re back to playing at Fleetwood, Gillingham etc etc again.

I know he’s got the comfort of a (crazy 4 year contract) but I could see him walking before he’s sacked, to protect whatever credibility he has got.
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Good points - it's not MA's fault, it's the boards & gven support he'll come good.
MA's job is far from safe though, as his contract will no doubt contain clauses linked to performance / league position etc. which means a sacking wouldn't cost BFC his 4 years of salary.
Richardson only signed a new 3 year contract a few weeks ago and he's been potted today by Wigan.
MA's fought and beaten cancer, so this is a breeze for him 🍊
 
St_Annes_FY8 said:
We're renowned for looking for the "cheap" option and/or giving coaches their first taste of management. Rob Edwards would be the obvious choice but not necessarily cheap as a replacement. Why not approach Big Dunc who hopefully could motivate the current group; then again what do we currently pay first team coaches, is it competitive, probably not, hence why we end up stuck with the likes of Appleton.
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You mean Appleton who has got more experience then any body mentioned . Appleton who everyone was saying was playing more entertaining football that we have seen for a long time . Appleton who has had more injuries and suspensions then any other manager we have had recently. I don't see us being stuck with a manager that should be able to get us out of this rut.
 
tbh, there's not enough pressure being put on the board to back MA with BFC's money- not SS's, but BFC's earned through JB and QB.

They need to sort the squad out and strike agreements to get players off the books who are lame and will never play. Get it looking like a football squad fit for purpose. There's too many 'ones for the future' kicking around who are now near enough forced ones for the present and should never start atm.

In my view the idea of progression should mean that some of the now first teamers are the back up players and useful subs alongside the couple of oftf.
 
gordy29 said:
If you don’t look motivated and passionate on the touch line how do you expect the players to be?
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Players should be motivated before they go out on the pitch and if they aren't should get a rocket at half-time. This is how Brian Clough operated and it worked for him. Jumping up and down in the Technical area may look impressive but how much does it actually work? These are not Sunday League players and I didn't see Michael Carrick leaping about like a baboon as they played us off the park. Tuesday night was an accumulation of an injury/illness crisis, lack of confidence and having to play players out of position. Having said all that mistakes have been made particularly playing Maxwell and Madine.

Diego Simeone, Klopp, Guardiola and his disciple Arteta are the leading exponents of this style of high visibility coaching and some of that is to try and influence the officials as much as their own players. Appleton is a dour Mancunian but that doesn't mean he doesn't feel it and doesn't care.
 
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But why are there so many injured players? Is it the training, poor physios/back up or old training ground problems, am sure Fleetwood would hire out theirs for much needed income. In 50 years of watching I can’t remember so many injured players, did we take on injury prone ones ? I have no criticism of Simon who rescued us but his team from CEO down has let him down and I know what Elon Musk would do 🪓
 
These 130 arse holes should form a consortium and write a letter to Simon Sadler & the board I'm sure they would listen, there are some impressive opinions. 😂
 
fcblackpool said:
tbh, there's not enough pressure being put on the board to back MA with BFC's money- not SS's, but BFC's earned through JB and QB.

They need to sort the squad out and strike agreements to get players off the books who are lame and will never play. Get it looking like a football squad fit for purpose. There's too many 'ones for the future' kicking around who are now near enough forced ones for the present and should never start atm.

In my view the idea of progression should mean that some of the now first teamers are the back up players and useful subs alongside the couple of oftf.
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I can't see many being paid up early, more likely to just let it play out if it all mounts up to a write off anyway. There's a lot of contracts up come the end of May. A lot with options too but if it is a restart from league one then you'd think the ones for the future will be able to find a level there and start to bring value. It might be what they've got half an eye on now too.
 
poolfc said:
I can't see many being paid up early, more likely to just let it play out if it all mounts up to a write off anyway. There's a lot of contracts up come the end of May. A lot with options too but if it is a restart from league one then you'd think the ones for the future will be able to find a level there and start to bring value. It might be what they've got half an eye on now too.
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I'm working on the premise that L1 isn't an option and if some of the players can get a contract where they are on loan by being paid up in part and therefore accepting a lower wage, then get it done.

There has to be a major prune even if it's only for clarity and not cost.
 
poolfc said:
I can't see many being paid up early, more likely to just let it play out if it all mounts up to a write off anyway. There's a lot of contracts up come the end of May. A lot with options too but if it is a restart from league one then you'd think the ones for the future will be able to find a level there and start to bring value. It might be what they've got half an eye on now too.
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If they’re injured and not going to feature in the future ( bet there’s a few) and we can get them off the books, pay their contracts off and free up space for new incomings January! We can’t afford to fuck about anymore - the board has to learn from this and it’s going to be an expensive lesson
 
fcblackpool said:
I'm working on the premise that L1 isn't an option and if some of the players can get a contract where they are on loan by being paid up in part and therefore accepting a lower wage, then get it done.

There has to be a major prune even if it's only for clarity and not cost.
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I think L1 must be an option that they're aware of as a potential outcome as they've been recruiting for it with the likes of Thompson, Wright coming in, and the development squad being padded out with the kind of signings who end up in your first team when it gets gutted out after a relegation.

Not sure there's too many they can move on in January, at least those who aren't already out on loan anyway (Dale, Virtue). Maybe Garbutt if someone needs a left back. But most of the rest are always injured. Critchley rejected the Beesley signing last year until he had enough points so maybe Appleton will too when he has a look at him and he'll go back out to lge1/2, if he ever gets that built up shoe off. But I don't think there's a knight in shining armour who'll be helping us out with Anderson or Stewart any time soon. It was a tough enough job trying to get rid of that lad with the teeth who McPhillips brought in who wouldn't budge for ages.

911_Kirky said:
If they’re injured and not going to feature in the future ( bet there’s a few) and we can get them off the books, pay their contracts off and free up space for new incomings January! We can’t afford to fuck about anymore - the board has to learn from this and it’s going to be an expensive lesson
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Easier said than having to sit there and watch someone not do it for a month though. Probably just sign more left backs.
 
poolfc said:
I think L1 must be an option that they're aware of as a potential outcome as they've been recruiting for it with the likes of Thompson, Wright coming in, and the development squad being padded out with the kind of signings who end up in your first team when it gets gutted out after a relegation.

Not sure there's too many they can move on in January, at least those who aren't already out on loan anyway (Dale, Virtue). Maybe Garbutt if someone needs a left back. But most of the rest are always injured. Critchley rejected the Beesley signing last year until he had enough points so maybe Appleton will too when he has a look at him and he'll go back out to lge1/2, if he ever gets that built up shoe off. But I don't think there's a knight in shining armour who'll be helping us out with Anderson or Stewart any time soon. It was a tough enough job trying to get rid of that lad with the teeth who McPhillips brought in who wouldn't budge for ages.
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poolfc said:
I think L1 must be an option that they're aware of as a potential outcome as they've been recruiting for it with the likes of Thompson, Wright coming in, and the development squad being padded out with the kind of signings who end up in your first team when it gets gutted out after a relegation.

Not sure there's too many they can move on in January, at least those who aren't already out on loan anyway (Dale, Virtue). Maybe Garbutt if someone needs a left back. But most of the rest are always injured. Critchley rejected the Beesley signing last year until he had enough points so maybe Appleton will too when he has a look at him and he'll go back out to lge1/2, if he ever gets that built up shoe off. But I don't think there's a knight in shining armour who'll be helping us out with Anderson or Stewart any time soon. It was a tough enough job trying to get rid of that lad with the teeth who McPhillips brought in who wouldn't budge for ages.


Easier said than having to sit there and watch someone not do it for a month though. Probably just sign more left backs.
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Ending up in L1 would be a financial nightmare given the off field (potential) spending.

The contracted squad has ended up looking like a dog's dinner after the dog has thrown up. I think you have to try to do deals to offload, otherwise take the hit, get rid and get some clarity into what you are dealing with and start again, ish, but properly. For example having Stewart around only has fans saying (on here) if we can get 20 games out of him. Another, when fit. We're missing KS spouts a further fan. It's bullpoop, just get rid. Same with other who aren't good enough.
 
fcblackpool said:
Ending up in L1 would be a financial nightmare given the off field (potential) spending.

The contracted squad has ended up looking like a dog's dinner after the dog has thrown up. I think you have to try to do deals to offload, otherwise take the hit, get rid and get some clarity into what you are dealing with and start again, ish, but properly. For example having Stewart around only has fans saying (on here) if we can get 20 games out of him. Another, when fit. We're missing KS spouts a further fan. It's bullpoop, just get rid. Same with other who aren't good enough.
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Well you would think so but that's where they've got to back Appleton for the four years they've signed him up to. And presumably they've looked at what if scenarios with him and he's agreed that if it comes to it he could help them do a full rebuild on the cheap in league one like he did at Lincoln and in league two with Oxford.
 
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poolfc said:
Well you would think so but that's where they've got to back Appleton for the four years they've signed him up to. And presumably they've looked at what if scenarios with him and he's agreed that if it comes to it he could help them do a full rebuild on the cheap in league one like he did at Lincoln and in league two with Oxford.
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I think you give them too much credit with the looked into bit. There doesn't seem to be an onfield forward plan tbh.

I remember the last time we dropped to L1 and it's honestly somewhere we don't want to go. Not even an option open for discussion. And if it happened then you know what fans will say? There are a lot of big clubs in this league, and we can't expect to compete.

It's essential that MA is backed in January. Vital in fact.
 
Jonnyseasider said:
Lose Saturday and I'm in the Appleton out brigade
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It is not all about the results. It is about the performance and the effort. If we batter them and lose narrowly then it is tough to take but you can see what they were trying to do and know the luck will change.

However, in the last three matches I’ve no idea what he was trying to do. The effort is not there and that is unacceptable and the manager is to blame.

He has to deal with the hand he’s been dealt and get them playing for him with maximum effort and if we lose despite that then I can accept that.

The last three matches and others earlier in the season have been totally unacceptable, that lies with the manager.

There is no long term prospect with Appleton as manager and he must go now.
 
TangerineTed said:
It is not all about the results. It is about the performance and the effort. If we batter them and lose narrowly then it is tough to take but you can see what they were trying to do and know the luck will change.

However, in the last three matches I’ve no idea what he was trying to do. The effort is not there and that is unacceptable and the manager is to blame.

He has to deal with the hand he’s been dealt and get them playing for him with maximum effort and if we lose despite that then I can accept that.

The last three matches and others earlier in the season have been totally unacceptable, that lies with the manager.

There is no long term prospect with Appleton as manager and he must go now.
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If its another low-effort performance then questions need to be asked about the motivation given to the squad.
 
TangerineTed said:
Why does that make one a troll or a nobber if they can see that a managerial change is needed?

Genuine question as I am perplexed by that comment.

I want the manager out and I hate nobbers and am not a troll 🧌 🤔
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A managerial change isn't needed though

I don't think anybody could have done better with all the problems Appleton has had to deal with

He needs more time than 3 months considering he hasn't been able to put his best side out even once this season
 
JJpool said:
I imagine the people who want him gone won't accept the result and try and overturn it over the next years?
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38% of people wanting the manager out is a big number and something needs to be done to stop this getting higher?
 
Cuthbert said:
38% of people wanting the manager out is a big number and something needs to be done to stop this getting higher?
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It was a brexit themed joke, also double the amount want him to stay.

It's also being asked following the worst performance for ages when emotions are running high.

So it's a clear vote that he shouldn't go.
 
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