“I’m a firm believer, and maybe I’m too honest at times and that is my downfall, that there is absolutely nothing I can do to change people’s mentality other than win games of football."
I think that sums it up fairly neatly. He's made a decision a long time ago that he doesn't want to behave in any way other than the way he wants and he's choosing to say it's all about the results and nothing else. That's a cowardly mentality I think. It means you never have to analyse your own behaviour, never have to adapt, never have to change a thing about your approach because it's just points that have an effect. When the points don't come you shrug and acknowledge that people aren't going to like that and carry on until it turns or you're paid off.
The thing is, a huge amount of management at any level is playing to a certain audience. Yes the results will always insulate you against a lot of behavioural problems but the connection you try and build and the image you try and project is a key part of what it takes to be successful in a job where you are required to influence people at any level. At its heart, management is manipulation. It's showing people what they need to do and keeping them onside long enough for them to do it. Chris Powell would never have been given the time he needed to get through that terrible 10/11 season if not for the work he'd done as a player to win over the fans, nor would he have got the crowd-assisted turnaround against Cardiff that shifted our season totally. Riga got an easier ride of it than Fraeye and Luzon because he worked hard on the connection as well as the results. Robinson got more time and support than Slade because Slade was a mardy old bell from the first transfer window and Robinson was more conciliatory. Bowyer had time until he turned on the fans and then suddenly all his growing aggression wasn't supported anymore and fans became concerned. Results are always the main decider in the time a manager is given but you do need to cultivate the fan side as well. You manage the players and you manage the fans as best you can. I honestly don't really care if he has his hands in his pockets and looks miserable during the game (me too!) - though I am concerned by the lack of direction when things aren't working - but his obvious disdain for building any bridges with the fans and his refusal to acknowledge what it's like watching some of the crap his team serves up is infuriating, and I consider myself one of the calmer fans. He's right; a lot of the antics from managers is acting, but that's part of managing. I'm a manager, and when people come up to me telling me they've messed something up again or they can't remember the thing I just told them how to do then I want to beat them into paste, but I don't because I need to get the work done, which I need them for, and I need to build a relationship so that I get buy in for what we're trying to get done. I act calm, I act understanding, I play the game so they fix their mistake and ideally don't make it again and everyone benefits from that. Maybe I complain about it later at home. I'm not asking him for Antonio Conte style antics but him refusing to accept that you can't just blow off an aspect of the role and hiding behind the 'honesty' shield is bottling a big part of the role and it's a major part of why he fails. All things considered he's not had a hugely successful management career, I'd suggest that at least a part of it is him being too arrogant to accept the validity of the parts of the role he chooses to ignore. Maybe he'll learn that for next time
If deep down Appleton is saying judge me on results, well there you have it Michael. Maybe he is saying 'The people who pay my wages are judging me on results, and they're quite content with them'.
He is determined, he's not going to jump up and down on the touchline to appease fans (I've never bought the "shows passion" nonsense that some fans want, I want wins, not a performance)
He didn't duck the fact that it's not been good enough and that his job has to be at risk if we don't start winning.
Do I want him to keep his job? No, I don't think he has done enough with the resources he's had and we're getting worse but I'll give him credit for coming out and doing the interview.
So has he been sacked and it just "going through the motions"? Doesn't read like that.
Maybe there was a bit of wishful thinking from fans, maybe the directors changed their minds, maybe it is true and he's just not been told.
You know when I'll believe he's been sacked? When it's on the official site!
Since today's press conference I find those of you with continued derogatory remarks to be rather distasteful, Ok the Appleton is not doing well but he is our head coach and has a job to do tomorrow night in putting out a team and tactics to win the match and as Charlton supporters we should support him in his endeavour not continue to vilify him.
I don’t blame him for not walking, who would walk away from probably a six month pay off? It’s up to the board to act competently and see that he’s run his course.
What I said let the legal people sort out the money side etc but till then sit tight
Tomorrow is about supporting the team and supporting the new owners who deserve a good support after the window so far .. what happens to the manager happens .. I hope we get a good win tomorrow that’s what it’s about ..
Seen a lot of posts blaming the club for the way it’s handled today … Fact is the club done nothing wrong today it’s been business as usual .. it’s social media that’s caused the problem …
Since today's press conference I find those of you with continued derogatory remarks to be rather distasteful, Ok the Appleton is not doing well but he is our head coach and has a job to do tomorrow night in putting out a team and tactics to win the match and as Charlton supporters we should support him in his endeavour not continue to vilify him.
Get the feeling he knows he’ll be off next few days.
Agree, the way he came across says a win is the only thing to prevent the gallows. He's lucky to have had all this time when others have had much less and gone.
Since today's press conference I find those of you with continued derogatory remarks to be rather distasteful, Ok the Appleton is not doing well but he is our head coach and has a job to do tomorrow night in putting out a team and tactics to win the match and as Charlton supporters we should support him in his endeavour not continue to vilify him.
Fuck that get him out.
Couldn't agree more. Nothing personal to MA but the guy will fucking relegate us.
Seen a lot of posts blaming the club for the way it’s handled today … Fact is the club done nothing wrong today it’s been business as usual .. it’s social media that’s caused the problem …
Got to say, I am rather confused.. Not just 1 person, 2 or 3 people who I get information from, have all been saying the same thing..
Maybe a ploy to even more pressure on, I don't know.
Be interested to hear his comments.. As I understand he didn't take training today either.
He was asked if he took training this morning, to which he replied 'I did'. He hasn't been sacked thus far then Dubai, perhaps you better go back to your sources and ask why. Or can I take it the 'in the knows' don't know, shock horror !
For all the outrage and disappointment I have to say it's mostly self inflicted by the fans. None of the SMT or the comms team or "official" press people have said anything other than he's not fired... which he is not.
Whether or not he should be, it's been entirely on "ITKs" saying he's fired and with absolutely no official backing or even little hints or cryptic comments.
A lot of people look a bit daft right now and almost all of them bought it on themselves.
Seen a lot of posts blaming the club for the way it’s handled today … Fact is the club done nothing wrong today it’s been business as usual .. it’s social media that’s caused the problem …
I am loath to agree but that is true. The club have not announced he has been sacked at any point. We have been the ones speculating on it.
Seen a lot of posts blaming the club for the way it’s handled today … Fact is the club done nothing wrong today it’s been business as usual .. it’s social media that’s caused the problem …
They made you look more stupid than normal by saying that he'd gone.
I think it is clear from Appleton's comments that he knows he has to start winning. My advice to him would be to replace T Watson with Asiimwe. Then decide who is going to play alongside Gillsesphey and Thomas in the three.
Comments
“I’m a firm believer, and maybe I’m too honest at times and that is my downfall, that there is absolutely nothing I can do to change people’s mentality other than win games of football."
I think that sums it up fairly neatly. He's made a decision a long time ago that he doesn't want to behave in any way other than the way he wants and he's choosing to say it's all about the results and nothing else. That's a cowardly mentality I think. It means you never have to analyse your own behaviour, never have to adapt, never have to change a thing about your approach because it's just points that have an effect. When the points don't come you shrug and acknowledge that people aren't going to like that and carry on until it turns or you're paid off.
The thing is, a huge amount of management at any level is playing to a certain audience. Yes the results will always insulate you against a lot of behavioural problems but the connection you try and build and the image you try and project is a key part of what it takes to be successful in a job where you are required to influence people at any level. At its heart, management is manipulation. It's showing people what they need to do and keeping them onside long enough for them to do it. Chris Powell would never have been given the time he needed to get through that terrible 10/11 season if not for the work he'd done as a player to win over the fans, nor would he have got the crowd-assisted turnaround against Cardiff that shifted our season totally. Riga got an easier ride of it than Fraeye and Luzon because he worked hard on the connection as well as the results. Robinson got more time and support than Slade because Slade was a mardy old bell from the first transfer window and Robinson was more conciliatory. Bowyer had time until he turned on the fans and then suddenly all his growing aggression wasn't supported anymore and fans became concerned. Results are always the main decider in the time a manager is given but you do need to cultivate the fan side as well. You manage the players and you manage the fans as best you can. I honestly don't really care if he has his hands in his pockets and looks miserable during the game (me too!) - though I am concerned by the lack of direction when things aren't working - but his obvious disdain for building any bridges with the fans and his refusal to acknowledge what it's like watching some of the crap his team serves up is infuriating, and I consider myself one of the calmer fans. He's right; a lot of the antics from managers is acting, but that's part of managing. I'm a manager, and when people come up to me telling me they've messed something up again or they can't remember the thing I just told them how to do then I want to beat them into paste, but I don't because I need to get the work done, which I need them for, and I need to build a relationship so that I get buy in for what we're trying to get done. I act calm, I act understanding, I play the game so they fix their mistake and ideally don't make it again and everyone benefits from that. Maybe I complain about it later at home. I'm not asking him for Antonio Conte style antics but him refusing to accept that you can't just blow off an aspect of the role and hiding behind the 'honesty' shield is bottling a big part of the role and it's a major part of why he fails. All things considered he's not had a hugely successful management career, I'd suggest that at least a part of it is him being too arrogant to accept the validity of the parts of the role he chooses to ignore. Maybe he'll learn that for next time
Or perhaps the Americans have told Scott they aren't prepared to pay off another manager and we are stuck with him.
Maybe he is saying 'The people who pay my wages are judging me on results, and they're quite content with them'.
He is determined, he's not going to jump up and down on the touchline to appease fans (I've never bought the "shows passion" nonsense that some fans want, I want wins, not a performance)
He didn't duck the fact that it's not been good enough and that his job has to be at risk if we don't start winning.
Do I want him to keep his job? No, I don't think he has done enough with the resources he's had and we're getting worse but I'll give him credit for coming out and doing the interview.
So has he been sacked and it just "going through the motions"? Doesn't read like that.
Maybe there was a bit of wishful thinking from fans, maybe the directors changed their minds, maybe it is true and he's just not been told.
You know when I'll believe he's been sacked? When it's on the official site!
Presumably, he'd kick the person in the shins. Punching someone would mean having to take his hands out of his pockets.
How the hell is Harry Potter supposed to do any better when we're under a transfer embargo?
Couldn't agree more. Nothing personal to MA but the guy will fucking relegate us.
Whether or not he should be, it's been entirely on "ITKs" saying he's fired and with absolutely no official backing or even little hints or cryptic comments.
A lot of people look a bit daft right now and almost all of them bought it on themselves.
We can form an orderly queue and all tell him face to face why we think that he is a C**T
And buy a round while he's at it