Sadlers response on the official site

Hockaday’s Quiff said:
I have to say the riposte comes across as a tad precious. What did he expect the reaction to be? Does he really think we are that naive we have not put 2 and 2 together that Ben Mansford was his agent? Are we not allowed to remember he was here for a month, during which time he said about 3 words and played football that was turgid, boring and laborious? (With Ollie’s squad no less).

This is not fans just wanting the World and a bag to put it in, it is valid reticence. It is also valid to say it goes against what was preached as recently as last week in Mansford’s interview. This manger is not young and dynamic. He has a bang average record over lower division management and arguably less success than Simon Grayson, who people raised a similar eyebrow too.

Yes, he is the owner and therefore does what he wants, but the backlash has not been isolated ‘hot heads’ who are never pleased. It is the people who pay to come in who are entitled to a view also. I am therefore of the view I am entitled to say that I think this is a retrograde appointment tainted by pseudo-nepotism. If I am wrong, that’s fine, but I can’t see this ending well.
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Don’t think he begrudges anyone’s opinion.

It’s the grown men acting like babies threatening to rip up their season ticket because they haven’t got their own way that he’s clearly frustrated with, and rightly so.

Ironic to call him precious when that’s exactly what this board and social media has been for the last week
 
Goforgoal said:
I don’t think anyone is doubting his commitment or sincerity, I just don’t think he yet realises that retrograde steps rarely lead to progress eg. Grayson. A more forward thinking appointment would probably have led to universal approval.
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You mean like appointing a manager who has never managed before?
 
midfield general said:
You mean like appointing a manager who has never managed before?
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I mean like not appointing someone who has achieved very little, buggers off when things get rough, and has been sacked several times. A manager who has been tried before at this level and found wanting. In other words not Appleton.
 
TotallyTangerine said:
I’ll be eternally grateful to Simon Sadler for rescuing our club and for everything he continues to do. In return, I’ll do my bit by always buying a season ticket, for as long as I’m able. It doesn’t stop me from being disappointed in this appointment though…. 🧡
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As has been said before, it’s almost sacrilege to criticise anything the club do. Some on this board think we should slavishly agree with everything. I will continue to support the club, board and team. But that doesn’t mean I have to agree with their every decision, nor that I can’t have my say when I think they are wrong.
 
Goforgoal said:
As has been said before, it’s almost sacrilege to criticise anything the club do. Some on this board think we should slavishly agree with everything. I will continue to support the club, board and team. But that doesn’t mean I have to agree with their every decision, nor that I can’t have my say when I think they are wrong.
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I think most share your view.

It’s the hyperbolic nonsense and throwing toys out of the pram when they don’t get their way that drives people up the wall.

“We haven’t appointed the manager I wanted, so I’m not going to watch my team anymore”.

That’s not disagreement, it’s outright immaturity.
 
poolfc said:
That write up reminds me a little bit of when Brett Gerrity went on an 'if you're not a multi-millionaire yourself you've got no right to question anything'-type offensive at one of the early fans meetings when the question was raised about covid ticket refunds and not leaving money in the club.

Appreciate we're in the gratitude era but people are still allowed to think and say things that aren't always on message.

At least Appleton's bagged us two quid off a ticket.
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Yeah. And Sadler might have millions of pounds but he got that but betting in stocks and shares. These people are dependent on nurses and teachers and doctors and binmen etc that earn a microfraction of what he earns, but do something useful other than pay taxes. Our opinions as fans are as valid as his.
 
Lala said:
To be fair what he says is all factual as far as we are aware and we need to get behind the club, the manager and the team now.
Draw a line under it and appreciate what we have in SS and the sincerity he emanates when he does engage with us 👌
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Well said Lala and I'm gutted your bet fell, when it looked a dead cert. Sadly, you'll now have to raid your savings for your hols 🧡
 
PNENIL said:
A slap on the wrist for the fans and another history lesson on how long he's supported the club. Also wants us to believe Appleton was first choice and Rosenoir is a figment of imagination. Getting prickly about the transfer budget as well.
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You can start to see how he might be prone to sending the odd “you’re shit” email. Would have been better to just focus on the positives and rise above it. Especially given he’s recruited a former manager before and fallen on his arse with it.
 
585 = never give up said:
Well said Lala and I'm gutted your bet fell, when it looked a dead cert. Sadly, you'll now have to raid your savings for your hols 🧡
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Que sera, and thanks , but you live by the sword and all that. The holiday is still on as the flights are bought 🥹

If Appleton does a good job it will be worth the loss.

Sorry , have to run, just off to the foodbank before it closes 😏
 
I think it's a good statement, although I don't agree with him about Appleton. But he got the last one right so who knows. I'm delighted with how he's managed the club so far, and I guess should give him the benefit of doubt. I think the talk of not buying season tickets etc. is ridiculous btw, with him as owner investing £30m of his own money I'd still buy one if they appointed Bloomfield Bear.
 
Once again the great unwashed and the cry babies know better than the guys who are responsible for the hiring, firing and running of this great club.

Waaaa - Ticket prices are too high lower them;
Waaaa - Get your hand in your pocket and sign some decent players;
Waaaa - We want who we name as manager/coach not who you think is the best candidate;
Waaaa - Get the east built now not in a few years;
Waaaa - We don't want Appleton he's no good;
Waaaa - I'm going to stand outside the ground with a couple of others NAPM;
Waaaa - Why isn't the new training ground ready yet, you've had three years to sort it out.

and many others.

There are some rather fickle minded fans on this board, as soon as something they don't like occurs they are straight on this board complaining, and, yes, I know I am doing so now, Give your heads a wobble, think positive and trust the decisions of the board whether it is to your liking or not.

In the many years I've supported the Pool, I've seen good managers and bad managers come and go, have seen some awful decisions by our board of directors which in some cases have had a devastating effect upon the team and its league position. I've boycotted the club during the NAPM years but still wanted us to do well at all times. I have honestly never experienced a team like the current board and owner who, in my eyes are extremely professional in all they do and obviously have the best interests of the club at heart as well as keeping the fans up to date through regular meetings.

In SS I trust, and welcome Michael Appleton to the club, once again. This time with the boards backing I feel he will do well for us.
 
Curryman said:
Once again the great unwashed and the cry babies know better than the guys who are responsible for the hiring, firing and running of this great club.

Waaaa - Ticket prices are too high lower them;
Waaaa - Get your hand in your pocket and sign some decent players;
Waaaa - We want who we name as manager/coach not who you think is the best candidate;
Waaaa - Get the east built now not in a few years;
Waaaa - We don't want Appleton he's no good;
Waaaa - I'm going to stand outside the ground with a couple of others NAPM;
Waaaa - Why isn't the new training ground ready yet, you've had three years to sort it out.

and many others.

There are some rather fickle minded fans on this board, as soon as something they don't like occurs they are straight on this board complaining, and, yes, I know I am doing so now, Give your heads a wobble, think positive and trust the decisions of the board whether it is to your liking or not.

In the many years I've supported the Pool, I've seen good managers and bad managers come and go, have seen some awful decisions by our board of directors which in some cases have had a devastating effect upon the team and its league position. I've boycotted the club during the NAPM years but still wanted us to do well at all times. I have honestly never experienced a team like the current board and owner who, in my eyes are extremely professional in all they do and obviously have the best interests of the club at heart as well as keeping the fans up to date through regular meetings.

In SS I trust, and welcome Michael Appleton to the club, once again. This time with the boards backing I feel he will do well for us.
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Great unwashed and cry babies?

Blimey, says the guy who can't stop ** whinging about the French.
 
michellebutterflyhotel said:
Agree with Simon 100%. Some of the so called fans do t deserve a football club to support
I feel sorry for Simon Sadler he’s done amazing since he came and rescued the club from the scumbags
I will always support BFC and the squad and manager
I under stand why Appleton left. Must have been awful working under the scum and I’m sure he will do much better this time around with decent players and a budget to improve the squad
Please give the new manager a fair crack at the whip and see how he does
Don’t be too hasty
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Everyone understood why MA left and I for one was pleased he saw through the crap. However, ...no point in me restating the obvious suffice to say his appointment seems at odds with the perceived mentality of the club moving forward.

As for SS and the statement, it wasn't needed and shows an overdefensive reaction. He just have let the fans have a moan, get 2/3 results on the spin and it's Appy Days.

Yes we are lucky to have SS, but c'mon some of our fans thought we were lucky to have the Oi!Scums as well and so will defend to the Nth degree.
 
We are in very safe hands with SS, although if he invited another wealthy shareholder onto the board, perhaps we could invest even more in the playing side of things.
Without wanting to appear criticial of Simon's statement, the only thing that causes me to raise my eyebrows is - "He (Critchley) and I have spoken recently and have both agreed that his exit could’ve been handled more gracefully".
How is not speaking to the supporters - even now (as Appleton did to explain his exit 10 years ago) or the players at the time, in any way 'graceful'?
SS did well looking into Critchleys eyes on the touchline, from his seat in the exec box behind him 👀😵‍💫.
Critchley's history, now we give MA our full support.
UTMP
 
Lala said:
To be fair what he says is all factual as far as we are aware and we need to get behind the club, the manager and the team now.
Draw a line under it and appreciate what we have in SS and the sincerity he emanates when he does engage with us 👌
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Completely agree with this.

Simon Sadler deserves that we support the manager. And it's the best way to help the team.
One thing is for sure is that a negative atmosphere will be self-fulfilling.
 
Gotta expect some unrest. I mean, if you'd have told any of us a month ago that Critchley was going to leave and Michael Appleton would be our new manager we wouldn't have believed it. That being said now we get behind him, the support is vital for us, can be the difference between staying up and going down.
 
I am one of those fans that was against Appleton getting this job and I am still not happy about it , but saying that .Everyone on the board and Appleton himself have made all the right noises and I already have my ticket . So all we can do is give him a chance and wish him all the best for this new season.
 
I think we must all give the new manager a fair crack of the whip. I have just seen his interview on Radio Lancs Twitter and he comes across very well. He seems happy with the training ground, especially compared to how it was when he was last here and appreciates the budget he has to work with. Rosenior allegedly was not happy with either.
He also discusses use of the loan market, something he has had success with in the past.
 
Decent statement to be fair, I don't doubt that he is basically one of us in terms of his affection for the club, how many fans can say that about their owner?.

It's the biggest challenge of Appleton's career and really now or never in terms of proving himself outside of league one/two. As fans we get carried away and this managerial search has been a sobering reminder that we are currently punching above our weight. But I don't think we can doubt SS when he says his plan is to increase the budget/stature of the club over time, look where he's taken us in 3 years, I'm more than happy with that.
 
HodderSeasider said:
I think we must all give the new manager a fair crack of the whip. I have just seen his interview on Radio Lancs Twitter and he comes across very well. He seems happy with the training ground, especially compared to how it was when he was last here and appreciates the budget he has to work with. Rosenior allegedly was not happy with either.
He also discusses use of the loan market, something he has had success with in the past.
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Looks like he had 2 good loans at Lincoln last year, maybe they’ll step up to championship with him. Midfielder called Lewis Fiorini (Man City) and full back Brooke Norton-Cuffy (Arsenal) both appear to have done very well in L1.
 
There’s no question SS believes he has the right man, but were there doubts which we’re dispensed with by stubbornness. He said he reads these forums, did he react by thinking, I’m not being threatened with season tickets being ripped up, and ignored those doubts. He did seem angry about that and I know that had I been in his shoes I might just have said sod em.
 
I'm not sure Sadler's apparently narky tone is the best way to address a fanbase that is struggling with the club's decision. If a lot if fans react badly, then that is an issue in itself. The feeling towards Appleton was apparent before he was chosen as manager. The club decided to appoint anyway, and needs to deal with the reaction a bit better, I think. I guess he doesn't have to explain hedge fund decisions to a customer base. If he did, he wouldn't tell them off for deciding en masse to disapprove, I'm sure.

There's a reciprocal responsibility though. He's done a lot already to earn our respect, so fans should respect the decision a bit more than many have done. The more extreme responses are a bit out of order. I was pretty dismayed myself at first, and I still think it's a bit of an odd decision. But Sadler has to put his money where his mouth is, and Appleton has impressed him obviously. He's risking his money on Appleton, so he believes in him. And fans of Oxford and Lincoln believe in him. So I'm just going to see what happens and trust the process.

That was a joke though. What process? Let's not pretend there's a process! We just interviewed some applicants and picked one, surely?!

It's occured to me that Appleton seems like a sort of football mercenary. He'll sort of go and fight anywhere, for anyone, ask no questions, just hand over the money and I'll grab my gun! Looks like a mercenary. But there's a kind of honesty to it, perhaps. Working class lad looking for work. I'll do anything anywhere. Man with a van. It's a good thing. As long as drives carefully.
 
voyeur said:
I'm not sure Sadler's apparently narky tone is the best way to address a fanbase that is struggling with the club's decision. If a lot if fans react badly, then that is an issue in itself. The feeling towards Appleton was apparent before he was chosen as manager. The club decided to appoint anyway, and needs to deal with the reaction a bit better, I think. I guess he doesn't have to explain hedge fund decisions to a customer base. If he did, he wouldn't tell them off for deciding en masse to disapprove, I'm sure.

There's a reciprocal responsibility though. He's done a lot already to earn our respect, so fans should respect the decision a bit more than many have done. The more extreme responses are a bit out of order. I was pretty dismayed myself at first, and I still think it's a bit of an odd decision. But Sadler has to put his money where his mouth is, and Appleton has impressed him obviously. He's risking his money on Appleton, so he believes in him. And fans of Oxford and Lincoln believe in him. So I'm just going to see what happens and trust the process.

That was a joke though. What process? Let's not pretend there's a process! We just interviewed some applicants and picked one, surely?!

It's occured to me that Appleton seems like a sort of football mercenary. He'll sort of go and fight anywhere, for anyone, ask no questions, just hand over the money and I'll grab my gun! Looks like a mercenary. But there's a kind of honesty to it, perhaps. Working class lad looking for work. I'll do anything anywhere. Man with a van. It's a good thing. As long as drives carefully.
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Agree with a lot of that. I’ve said something similar on the ‘positive only’ thread. Its now over to MA and the board to deliver - this is a results based entertainment industry which needs continual investment and delivery.

As an aside I do think overly emphasising the ‘unanimous decision’ but is rather hollow as they were unlikely to say ‘well some of us weren’t convinced’ were they?🤣

As is said on the rifle range - ‘watch and shoot, watch and shoot!’.

Let’s see what happens.
 
AndrewDuncanSmith said:
I suppose his sidekick Ashley Westwood will appear as his assistant.
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I think Sadler is a pragmatist
If Appleton were to go down the route of requesting Westwood,Sadler would weigh up the coaching experience of Garrity against Westwood and hopefully refuse request.
All appointees are selected by comittee not just the view of 1 man
 
Stanah said:
Like Simon

My commitment to this Club and our town is not contingent, it is unwavering

Fickle fans, I can’t believe some of you, as far as I am aware none of you were involved in the selection process and are judging on very limited evidence and willing to abandon your club based on this!

Well I’d rather not have you, your a bunch of self entitled whingers who I for one can do without!

Come on the Pool!
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Well said.

you're, btw.
 
voyeur said:
I'm not sure Sadler's apparently narky tone is the best way to address a fanbase that is struggling with the club's decision. If a lot if fans react badly, then that is an issue in itself. The feeling towards Appleton was apparent before he was chosen as manager. The club decided to appoint anyway, and needs to deal with the reaction a bit better, I think. I guess he doesn't have to explain hedge fund decisions to a customer base. If he did, he wouldn't tell them off for deciding en masse to disapprove, I'm sure.

There's a reciprocal responsibility though. He's done a lot already to earn our respect, so fans should respect the decision a bit more than many have done. The more extreme responses are a bit out of order. I was pretty dismayed myself at first, and I still think it's a bit of an odd decision. But Sadler has to put his money where his mouth is, and Appleton has impressed him obviously. He's risking his money on Appleton, so he believes in him. And fans of Oxford and Lincoln believe in him. So I'm just going to see what happens and trust the process.

That was a joke though. What process? Let's not pretend there's a process! We just interviewed some applicants and picked one, surely?!

It's occured to me that Appleton seems like a sort of football mercenary. He'll sort of go and fight anywhere, for anyone, ask no questions, just hand over the money and I'll grab my gun! Looks like a mercenary. But there's a kind of honesty to it, perhaps. Working class lad looking for work. I'll do anything anywhere. Man with a van. It's a good thing. As long as drives carefully.
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I agree with most of what you're saying. You may be right about the mercenary thing, and maybe all managers are, and as you say, some try less hard to hide it. After some people seem very upset about the badge beating of Critchley (which doesn't bother me in the slightest as an aside), maybe you're right and a more honest assessment of manager as "just a job" is what we need right now!

For what its worth, and meandering a bit off topic (as I've not commented on Critchley so far), I was extremely disappointed Critchley left, but I'm not angry with him. Its up to us all at the end of the day where we work, and I think a football manager can really feel the fans and passion, but still take another job without that decimating the memories. Just my opinion though, and I don't expect others to agree.

Just on Sadlers tone in his note though - I wouldn't have appointed Appleton (based on the no-knowledge that I have, having never spoken to him let alone interviewed him!) and have said so on here, but I didn't feel like Sadler was speaking to me. He said, "I’m confounded that some fans go as far to claim that they would consider ripping up or not buying season tickets because they are unhappy with our choice of Head Coach" and I think that's fair enough. As always, just my opinion...UTMP!
 
Andrew_Preview said:
Agree with a lot of that. I’ve said something similar on the ‘positive only’ thread. Its now over to MA and the board to deliver - this is a results based entertainment industry which needs continual investment and delivery.

As an aside I do think overly emphasising the ‘unanimous decision’ but is rather hollow as they were unlikely to say ‘well some of us weren’t convinced’ were they?🤣

As is said on the rifle range - ‘watch and shoot, watch and shoot!’.

Let’s see what happens.
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"It was a split decision. Suck it up, suckers!"
 
voyeur said:
I'm not sure Sadler's apparently narky tone is the best way to address a fanbase that is struggling with the club's decision. If a lot if fans react badly, then that is an issue in itself. The feeling towards Appleton was apparent before he was chosen as manager. The club decided to appoint anyway, and needs to deal with the reaction a bit better, I think. I guess he doesn't have to explain hedge fund decisions to a customer base. If he did, he wouldn't tell them off for deciding en masse to disapprove, I'm sure.

There's a reciprocal responsibility though. He's done a lot already to earn our respect, so fans should respect the decision a bit more than many have done. The more extreme responses are a bit out of order. I was pretty dismayed myself at first, and I still think it's a bit of an odd decision. But Sadler has to put his money where his mouth is, and Appleton has impressed him obviously. He's risking his money on Appleton, so he believes in him. And fans of Oxford and Lincoln believe in him. So I'm just going to see what happens and trust the process.

That was a joke though. What process? Let's not pretend there's a process! We just interviewed some applicants and picked one, surely?!

It's occured to me that Appleton seems like a sort of football mercenary. He'll sort of go and fight anywhere, for anyone, ask no questions, just hand over the money and I'll grab my gun! Looks like a mercenary. But there's a kind of honesty to it, perhaps. Working class lad looking for work. I'll do anything anywhere. Man with a van. It's a good thing. As long as drives care
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Voy, in your last para there, you've basically described a professional sportsman. The good sort.

I guess we all get carried away on the notion the club means something to them. I'm sure it does sometimes, especially when their time there has gone well. Without raking back over the past couple of weeks, I believe Critch did and still does. But he's a professional, not a Pool fan, and I don't blame him for doing what he believed to be right, even if it could have been handled better.

All we can ask is that anyone paid by Blackpool gives their all to their role. Because the week after, they could be playing somewhere else.
 
hills98 said:
I agree with most of what you're saying. You may be right about the mercenary thing, and maybe all managers are, and as you say, some try less hard to hide it. After some people seem very upset about the badge beating of Critchley (which doesn't bother me in the slightest as an aside), maybe you're right and a more honest assessment of manager as "just a job" is what we need right now!

For what its worth, and meandering a bit off topic (as I've not commented on Critchley so far), I was extremely disappointed Critchley left, but I'm not angry with him. Its up to us all at the end of the day where we work, and I think a football manager can really feel the fans and passion, but still take another job without that decimating the memories. Just my opinion though, and I don't expect others to agree.

Just on Sadlers tone in his note though - I wouldn't have appointed Appleton (based on the no-knowledge that I have, having never spoken to him let alone interviewed him!) and have said so on here, but I didn't feel like Sadler was speaking to me. He said, "I’m confounded that some fans go as far to claim that they would consider ripping up or not buying season tickets because they are unhappy with our choice of Head Coach" and I think that's fair enough. As always, just my opinion...UTMP!
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Cheers for the considered response. I always accept managers leaving, they are just employees of a company. That's how I see it. I was shocked and upset when I heard about Quitch, but I don't take these things personally. And I didn't need to persuade anybody that he's taken a backwards step, that's for him to decide. And I don't believe he had tbh. The badge touching thing is just nonsense, I never take it seriously. We are supposed to be adults. It's not a tribe, it's a football club. And a business.

You're probably right about Sadler. He is right to question people saying they'll tear up tickets. And they won't, they're full of shit I reckon. He just doesn't quite manage the fan response right to me. He needs to manage the fans as well as the employees. And I think it needed an understanding of why even reasonable fans feel disappointed and addressing that. Just say we understand the concerns but we believe we chose the right person, we need fans to be patient, there's no perfect choice out there, we interviewed in depth and Appo came across the best. He needs to be given time to show what he can do. Getting in his back would be counter productive and I hope all the fans will give him a proper chance.
 
CGP1 said:
Voy, in your last para there, you've basically described a professional sportsman. The good sort.

I guess we all get carried away on the notion the club means something to them. I'm sure it does sometimes, especially when their time there has gone well. Without raking back over the past couple of weeks, I believe Critch did and still does. But he's a professional, not a Pool fan, and I don't blame him for doing what he believed to be right, even if it could have been handled better.

All we can ask is that anyone paid by Blackpool gives their all to their role. Because the week after, they could be playing somewhere else.
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Totally. 👍

Appleton lacks charisma but he also lacks pretence. What you see is what you get. Feels honest. Dull, but straight forward. And Lincoln fans say they played great football in that nearly season. I'd be very happy with that. Might be significant though that no fans attended the games that season though! He might perform better to an empty house?!
 
voyeur said:
Totally. 👍

Appleton lacks charisma but he also lacks pretence. What you see is what you get. Feels honest. Dull, but straight forward. And Lincoln fans say they played great football in that nearly season. I'd be very happy with that. Might be significant though that no fans attended the games that season though! He might perform better to an empty house?!
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Or he might thrive if we create another top atmosphere...
 
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