Michael Appleton - March 2025 appointed Shrewsbury manager (p124)

Scoham

Danny Addick said:

Talal said:

CAFCsayer said:

Talal said:

I don't like him, I mean I really don't like him, but not sure what he could've done differently realistically? Feel this one is on the players. 

His tactics are shit, his subs are shit, the whole teams mental fragility is shit. What have you been watching?

I think he's an awful manager if that helps you, but what did you want him to do differently today, say after we'd gone 3-2 up? 

Back to basics after a terrible run of late goals conceded: working in training on 4-5-1 to close the game out. Concentrating on stopping play through the lines - dobbo to sweep up balls through the bank of 4 midfielders in front of him. 

Worth a try - doing nothing isn’t working after all. 

The problem with that is it’s what 4-3-3 is supposed to look like when you’re defending - our wingers are weak defensively. It should happen naturally but CBT and Campbell aren’t the best at tracking back, pressing and tackling. I doubt Chem when available would be much better either.

AndyG

The turning point for me was when he said that we need to lower our expectations !! No Mr Appleton you need to raise yours !!

the bloke is a journeyman mid/bottom half league one manager who does not have the nous or the ambition to be anything else

Croydon

swordfish said:

Croydon said:

Callumcafc said:

Jayajosh said:

Was sacked by Blackpool for winning 1 game in 11. Sound familiar?

Then he got replaced by another bloke who won 2 in 14 and then also got sacked. Turns out the players might not have been very good.

Sound familiar?

So they did sack the next guy then, and didn't just stick with him for the sake of it. Interesting 

Ditching Appleton for a no mark manager like Mick McCarthy, who took over during the January transfer window, didn't exactly transform their season for the better

Far more likely to improve our form  are the incoming players and ones returning from injury. You won't win anything with kids, and Apples has no option but to play too many of them at present. 

Edit - I'm not just blaming the kids though. The senior pros aren't good enough and pulling their weight, and Apples is hardly impressing. 

That isn't my point. They sacked Appleton, McCarthy came in and was crap so they sacked him too.

My point is it's possible for clubs to admit they got it wrong and sack two managers in quick succession. For some reason a decent chunk of our fanbase don't seem to think that's possible.

MuttleyCAFC

Croydon said:

swordfish said:

Croydon said:

Callumcafc said:

Jayajosh said:

Was sacked by Blackpool for winning 1 game in 11. Sound familiar?

Then he got replaced by another bloke who won 2 in 14 and then also got sacked. Turns out the players might not have been very good.

Sound familiar?

So they did sack the next guy then, and didn't just stick with him for the sake of it. Interesting 

Ditching Appleton for a no mark manager like Mick McCarthy, who took over during the January transfer window, didn't exactly transform their season for the better

Far more likely to improve our form  are the incoming players and ones returning from injury. You won't win anything with kids, and Apples has no option but to play too many of them at present. 

Edit - I'm not just blaming the kids though. The senior pros aren't good enough and pulling their weight, and Apples is hardly impressing. 

That isn't my point. They sacked Appleton, McCarthy came in and was crap so they sacked him too.

My point is it's possible for clubs to admit they got it wrong and sack two managers in quick succession. For some reason a decent chunk of our fanbase don't seem to think that's possible.

Of course it is possible. Look how many managers we have had in recent years. Does it help? Look how many managers we have had in recent years. I would say, my gut tells me, that any manager with the injuries and players Appleton has at his disposal is going to find it hard. Seeing he played zero part in any of them being here, it seems reasonable to give him the window. Not saying he has been great but we will only replace him with another manager who is swimming in the same pond, unless something special becomes available.

carly burn

MuttleyCAFC said:

Croydon said:

swordfish said:

Croydon said:

Callumcafc said:

Jayajosh said:

Was sacked by Blackpool for winning 1 game in 11. Sound familiar?

Then he got replaced by another bloke who won 2 in 14 and then also got sacked. Turns out the players might not have been very good.

Sound familiar?

So they did sack the next guy then, and didn't just stick with him for the sake of it. Interesting 

Ditching Appleton for a no mark manager like Mick McCarthy, who took over during the January transfer window, didn't exactly transform their season for the better

Far more likely to improve our form  are the incoming players and ones returning from injury. You won't win anything with kids, and Apples has no option but to play too many of them at present. 

Edit - I'm not just blaming the kids though. The senior pros aren't good enough and pulling their weight, and Apples is hardly impressing. 

That isn't my point. They sacked Appleton, McCarthy came in and was crap so they sacked him too.

My point is it's possible for clubs to admit they got it wrong and sack two managers in quick succession. For some reason a decent chunk of our fanbase don't seem to think that's possible.

Of course it is possible. Look how many managers we have had in recent years. Does it help? Look how many managers we have had in recent years. I would say, my gut tells me, that any manager with the injuries and players Appleton has at his disposal is going to find it hard. Seeing he played zero part in any of them being here, it seems reasonable to give him the window. Not saying he has been great but we will only replace him with another manager who is swimming in the same pond, unless something special becomes available.

 Anyone becomes available at the right price.
This lot are not willing to spend it which is why we will continue to end up with no marks like Appleton.

seth plum

Lower our expectations?
The reality can hardly be much lower, let alone expectations.
Appleton we’re driven by hope, why should we hope for more depressing dross from you and this bullshit regime.
To hear our signings are players you worked with previously only serves to realise we’re locked in to your particular brand of dreary failure.

Croydon

MuttleyCAFC said:

Croydon said:

swordfish said:

Croydon said:

Callumcafc said:

Jayajosh said:

Was sacked by Blackpool for winning 1 game in 11. Sound familiar?

Then he got replaced by another bloke who won 2 in 14 and then also got sacked. Turns out the players might not have been very good.

Sound familiar?

So they did sack the next guy then, and didn't just stick with him for the sake of it. Interesting 

Ditching Appleton for a no mark manager like Mick McCarthy, who took over during the January transfer window, didn't exactly transform their season for the better

Far more likely to improve our form  are the incoming players and ones returning from injury. You won't win anything with kids, and Apples has no option but to play too many of them at present. 

Edit - I'm not just blaming the kids though. The senior pros aren't good enough and pulling their weight, and Apples is hardly impressing. 

That isn't my point. They sacked Appleton, McCarthy came in and was crap so they sacked him too.

My point is it's possible for clubs to admit they got it wrong and sack two managers in quick succession. For some reason a decent chunk of our fanbase don't seem to think that's possible.

Of course it is possible. Look how many managers we have had in recent years. Does it help? Look how many managers we have had in recent years. I would say, my gut tells me, that any manager with the injuries and players Appleton has at his disposal is going to find it hard. Seeing he played zero part in any of them being here, it seems reasonable to give him the window. Not saying he has been great but we will only replace him with another manager who is swimming in the same pond, unless something special becomes available.

We've had a succession of managers that were cheap. Bowyer was bargain bucket but achieved well above what was expected. Jackson, Holden, Garner, Adkins were all choices that were made with cost reduction in mind, hence why none of them have worked out. Same with every manager under Roland, all cheap options.

If the owners are serious we should be able to attract a decent manager. The fact that the best they could get in was an out of work Appleton should have rung alarm bells.

CL_Phantom

 I'll say the same thing I said towards the end of Jackson's time which was the same thing at the end of Adkins'. 

No, he's not totally to blame as the players aren't perfect, but, he's not offering up much of a solution either with game management and player management. 

SELR_addicks

MuttleyCAFC said:

I have flipped from wanting him out to giving him the window. These are not his players and we can't keep changing managers. Along with the CB, CM and ST, you have to replace both full backs. Asiimwe is not far off so maybe one new one. It is noticeable how weak they both are and how few crosses they block.

'His players' are serial losers if you look at his managerial history. 

MuttleyCAFC

Quite simply, there are some glaring weaknesses in the side. I think, and I don't know for sure, but I think he knows where they are. I'd like to see if he does. If we had a top manager lined up I would say sack him but the truth is, if we do sack him we will probably bring in Pearton or Bananaton. I wouldn't have sacked Holden because I could see why we were failing and Appleton is in the same sort of position he was.

In terms of his interviews when he tries to big up the side. I get frustrated but I would do the same if I was manager of such a young group. What is he supposed to do? Hang them out to dry? 

lolwray

That post match interview was cringeworthy.I can only presume he interviews better when applying for jobs or only assume he has an album of compromising pictures of all the lower leagues ownership teams. The club is completely losing its identity with him around..marginally more inspiring than fraeye .Just a time server waiting for a pay off 

Pavoren007

Has no plan B, nor C. This rigidity only works when you have THE BEST players man for man in the league, as bar occasional upsets, you can undo most opposition with what you have at your disposal. In our mediocre squad position, you need plans A through E dependent on the players available to you to counter and then overcome what’s opposing you. Our players are made to look worse through persisting with the rigid structure and game plan they are led to deliver. That said, one or two need to not drop off at points throughout the game, whichever the formation and structure/tactics they are playing. 

cabbles

Croydon said:

MuttleyCAFC said:

Croydon said:

swordfish said:

Croydon said:

Callumcafc said:

Jayajosh said:

Was sacked by Blackpool for winning 1 game in 11. Sound familiar?

Then he got replaced by another bloke who won 2 in 14 and then also got sacked. Turns out the players might not have been very good.

Sound familiar?

So they did sack the next guy then, and didn't just stick with him for the sake of it. Interesting 

Ditching Appleton for a no mark manager like Mick McCarthy, who took over during the January transfer window, didn't exactly transform their season for the better

Far more likely to improve our form  are the incoming players and ones returning from injury. You won't win anything with kids, and Apples has no option but to play too many of them at present. 

Edit - I'm not just blaming the kids though. The senior pros aren't good enough and pulling their weight, and Apples is hardly impressing. 

That isn't my point. They sacked Appleton, McCarthy came in and was crap so they sacked him too.

My point is it's possible for clubs to admit they got it wrong and sack two managers in quick succession. For some reason a decent chunk of our fanbase don't seem to think that's possible.

Of course it is possible. Look how many managers we have had in recent years. Does it help? Look how many managers we have had in recent years. I would say, my gut tells me, that any manager with the injuries and players Appleton has at his disposal is going to find it hard. Seeing he played zero part in any of them being here, it seems reasonable to give him the window. Not saying he has been great but we will only replace him with another manager who is swimming in the same pond, unless something special becomes available.

We've had a succession of managers that were cheap. Bowyer was bargain bucket but achieved well above what was expected. Jackson, Holden, Garner, Adkins were all choices that were made with cost reduction in mind, hence why none of them have worked out. Same with every manager under Roland, all cheap options.

If the owners are serious we should be able to attract a decent manager. The fact that the best they could get in was an out of work Appleton should have rung alarm bells.

And it is of course the right decision to keep sacking them if they prove to be poor.  Appleton hasn’t had a window granted, but everything so far is pointing to a disaster of an appointment.  He could turn it round, but looking at his record, and how it’s played out, could you say hand on heart, this is going to work?

absolutely it’s on the owners if the appointment doesn’t work out, and this current mob are 0 for 2 on Appleton and Holden, and TS was 0 for 3 on Adkins, Jackson and Garner.  Some people might point to Jackson doing at okay at AFC and say we should’ve stuck with him, but at the time, the size of the task and his inexperience as manager also meant the job was beyond him.  All this points to the fact that as bad as it is for the club and building for the future, if we’ve got the wrong man, or men in our case (since Bowyer imo), then you have to sack them.  Why keep them here, just to give them a couple of windows.  Can you imagine how bad it would’ve got had we still had Garner?  

As mentioned this is all on the bad running of the club in appointing all of these, but for me, Garner and Holden shouldn’t have got anywhere near this job, Jackson got it on familiarity, connection and by default, Adkins just didn’t work out and it looks like Appleton will tread a similar path. 

It’s poor to keep getting rid of them, but I dread to think how bad it may have been had any of them stayed 

mart77

I just don’t see anything about Appleton that makes me think he’ll turn things around or more importantly make us a top 6 team. 

This Charlton squad look like they have very little about them but I still believe Appleton isn’t getting enough out of them. I hope the likes of Rodwell are speaking to Dobson to see what the feeling is in the dressing room. 

Gravesend_Addick

Even if we were winning every game I don't think many would take to him. Just seems a really unlikable character. 

Can't see him being around long 

ross1

Well he has a full week of training this week, so if he can't improve defense this week, there is no hope 

Silverdreammachine

Appleton seems to me a bit of an Albatross around the club. No personality, no enthusiam, in my opinion offers nothing. Let's see what his two loan signings bring to the club. Biggest regret at the moment just purchased a half season ticket. Presume both the recent loan signings have played for him before as has MacGrandles.

Valley11

Probably not the right place to put this but a brilliant new ep of the Peter Crouch pod with Neil Warnock is here:
https://youtu.be/Ov6dZBPKjfo?si=pfNwfKnaZDzIj5fs

So many great stories and a fascinating insight into management.
One thing that particularly resonates with our current situation, Appleton and this idea that he can’t do much more with the squad he’s got, which I think is bollocks. 

Warnock: ‘Forget the coaching manuals, the nutritionalists and sports scientists, 95% of being successful is man management. Getting the best out of what you’ve got.’


I don’t want to keep banging on but I don’t believe Appleton does this and don’t thing he ever will. 

CH4RLTON

MuttleyCAFC said:

I have flipped from wanting him out to giving him the window. These are not his players and we can't keep changing managers. Along with the CB, CM and ST, you have to replace both full backs. Asiimwe is not far off so maybe one new one. It is noticeable how weak they both are and how few crosses they block.

I think the fact he has been allowed to sign players he has worked with before and have both have said he was part of the reason they came ( I know they all say that) but I would seem strange if they sack him now, however there will come a point where if the bad results and late goals continue especially once he has his own players in then we will have to pull the trigger. I have absolute no idea how or why, but I have strange feeling he will pull things right around lol 

Chris_from_Sidcup

ross1 said:

Well he has a full week of training this week, so if he can't improve defense this week, there is no hope 

Well we are playing the divisions leading scorers so i'm not exactly hopeful.

killerandflash

Appleton only has one assistant/coach. I thought the plan was for him to have an additional person?

billysboots

killerandflash said:

Appleton only has one assistant/coach. I thought the plan was for him to have an additional person?

There has been a guy warming up the defenders home and away  recently not sure who he is.

Mendonca In Asdas

Everyone’s feeling the  pressure , the SMT, the players, and yes even some of the fans.

I know we’ve got an injury crisis going on, but I’ve been really disappointed with the regression of our younger players, there is a case they should be in other people’s first teams, making mistakes rather than in ours, and maybe they will be loaned out at the end of the window, but we do need to sign first team signings, who are ready to, and not injury prone, the juries still out for me on Mr Appleton, I’m yet to be convinced, give him until the end of the season, unless there’s money to burn, and a much better manager available.

We do need to up our game in this transfer window significantly.

clive

billysboots said:

killerandflash said:

Appleton only has one assistant/coach. I thought the plan was for him to have an additional person?

There has been a guy warming up the defenders home and away  recently not sure who he is.

Chris Lock u21 lead coach.

billysboots

clive said:

billysboots said:

killerandflash said:

Appleton only has one assistant/coach. I thought the plan was for him to have an additional person?

There has been a guy warming up the defenders home and away  recently not sure who he is.

Chris Lock u21 lead coach.

Thanks 

MuttleyCAFC

Mendonca In Asdas said:

Everyone’s feeling the  pressure , the SMT, the players, and yes even some of the fans.

I know we’ve got an injury crisis going on, but I’ve been really disappointed with the regression of our younger players, there is a case they should be in other people’s first teams, making mistakes rather than in ours, and maybe they will be loaned out at the end of the window, but we do need to sign first team signings, who are ready to, and not injury prone, the juries still out for me on Mr Appleton, I’m yet to be convinced, give him until the end of the season, unless there’s money to burn, and a much better manager available.

We do need to up our game in this transfer window significantly.

We have some great prospects but you can only get away with blooding one or two of them at a time and the loan system should be doing the rest. The players they are coming up against may not be as good but they know the tricks that experience gives you. Young players also need the experienced players to help them through. We don't have enough experienced players who can.

cabbles

I thought @Swisdom’s insight was very useful, but I can’t reconcile how Appleton has got this reputation as a fantastic coach.  If you look at his record as a coach/manager, it’s not great.  Surely the results override any players that have played under him talking up his credentials

I’m sure we’ve all worked with great managers in the past that we think are good at bringing the best out of their direct reports, but they don’t deliver the results.  It has to go both ways.  If Appleton is as Swisdom’s comments say, one of the best coaches in the game, then a) I think his career record would look a bit better and b) why hasn’t he pursued coaching roles as opposed to taking the hot seat

carly burn

I'm trying to put a positive slant on things. The two loans were Appleton picks. He's worked with them before. He trusts them But they are only loans and will probably disappear when Appleton does, which I don't think will be long in all honestly.
The permanent targets will hopefully have the quality that any coach will be able to work with. So when we finally get a manager with a bit of clout then they will have players at their disposal that can actually perform in most circumstances.

There's me wishful thinking again. Will it ever end?!!

StrikerFirmani

billysboots said:

killerandflash said:

Appleton only has one assistant/coach. I thought the plan was for him to have an additional person?

There has been a guy warming up the defenders home and away  recently not sure who he is.

He is a Scandinavian top defensive coach, Sift Colander. 

oohaahmortimer

killerandflash said:

Appleton only has one assistant/coach. I thought the plan was for him to have an additional person?

David Kerslake, Appletons preferred assistant was interviewed but considered too expensive by the purse string holders