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Michael Appleton - March 2025 appointed Shrewsbury manager (p124)
Comments
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If he lasts that long, I can't fully judge him until after January.
Our overall form has improved, but he's playing a formation that doesn't suit the squad we have, and the defence assembled so far isn't good enough and needs some serious work.
If he gets the backing and brings in players he wants in January, then despite the slow start the playoffs are still the aim. If we don't make them, but are close, it's a season of what ifs and you try and build upon that.
If we finish where we are currently, it's a failure and he'll be on the block I'm sure of it0 -
Well that's because they were the top 6 for a reason - we started poorly and picked up form, they started well and maintained it.Exiled_Addick said:
While this shows our form has been good, this stat also means that, despite that good form, we have not got any closer to the top 6.Callumcafc said:
Frankly we'd need to be doing extraordinarily well to be overhauling them yet no matter how good our own form is.0 -
I think he has done as well as could be expected in his short time here.. too early to declare him a success or failure yet though.3
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Des Buckingham (who we were supposedly refused permission to speak to) set to be announced Oxford United manager2
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Even though I don't agree with the formation having May where he is, I think Appleton has at least generally got us playing in a somewhat organized fashion. And he does seem to have the understanding of how to influence a game or improve a performance.
I would classify a new manager bounce as what we had with JJ - the team absolutely playing out of their skin in terms of effort, but ultimately unsustainable both physically and mentally. This seems different.0 -
Thing with May is it's working, he's the leagues top scorer, 9 goals in his last 8 games and he's spent a lot of that playing wider or in the holebalham red said:Even though I don't agree with the formation having May where he is, I think Appleton has at least generally got us playing in a somewhat organized fashion. And he does seem to have the understanding of how to influence a game or improve a performance.
I would classify a new manager bounce as what we had with JJ - the team absolutely playing out of their skin in terms of effort, but ultimately unsustainable both physically and mentally. This seems different.1 -
Certainly working in an attacking sense. But I'd rather have 3 midfielders to give more solidity and protection to the defence. So I'd have Fraser in the advanced position, and 2 from Dobson, McGrandles, Watson or Anderson, in the 2 slots behind.sam3110 said:
Thing with May is it's working, he's the leagues top scorer, 9 goals in his last 8 games and he's spent a lot of that playing wider or in the holebalham red said:Even though I don't agree with the formation having May where he is, I think Appleton has at least generally got us playing in a somewhat organized fashion. And he does seem to have the understanding of how to influence a game or improve a performance.
I would classify a new manager bounce as what we had with JJ - the team absolutely playing out of their skin in terms of effort, but ultimately unsustainable both physically and mentally. This seems different.0 -
What formation suits the squad? I don’t think there is one. The issue with 3-5-2 or similar is CBT needs to focus on attacking rather than playing wing back. All our strikers are better in a pair so 4-2-3-1/4-3-3 doesn’t suit any of them.sam3110 said:If he lasts that long, I can't fully judge him until after January.
Our overall form has improved, but he's playing a formation that doesn't suit the squad we have, and the defence assembled so far isn't good enough and needs some serious work.
If he gets the backing and brings in players he wants in January, then despite the slow start the playoffs are still the aim. If we don't make them, but are close, it's a season of what ifs and you try and build upon that.
If we finish where we are currently, it's a failure and he'll be on the block I'm sure of itTo get around it we’re playing May deeper to support both the midfield two and the lone striker. You could call it 4-2-3-1, 4-4-1-1 or 4-4-2 and for now I think it’s the most balanced formation we can use.
I don’t understand how he can be criticised for the formation when there isn’t an ideal system for the squad.
On our defending he can only work with what he’s got. Hector isn’t the experienced consistent CB we need him to be. Watson and Edun haven’t had a decent run of games yet. Asiimwe is still very young. For me Thomas isn’t the standard we need. We can improve but we’ll surely be looking to bring in a defender or two in January as we can only go so far with the defenders we have.2 -
I’m pretty sure we are going to be seeing that a lot more now. May will play wide-right like he did from 60mins onwards against Pompey and we will be more of a 4-3-3. Against the weaker sides we might still use May in the 10balham red said:
Certainly working in an attacking sense. But I'd rather have 3 midfielders to give more solidity and protection to the defence. So I'd have Fraser in the advanced position, and 2 from Dobson, McGrandles, Watson or Anderson, in the 2 slots behind.sam3110 said:
Thing with May is it's working, he's the leagues top scorer, 9 goals in his last 8 games and he's spent a lot of that playing wider or in the holebalham red said:Even though I don't agree with the formation having May where he is, I think Appleton has at least generally got us playing in a somewhat organized fashion. And he does seem to have the understanding of how to influence a game or improve a performance.
I would classify a new manager bounce as what we had with JJ - the team absolutely playing out of their skin in terms of effort, but ultimately unsustainable both physically and mentally. This seems different.0 -
Hey I'm not criticising the formation, I'm just saying it's not the formation the squad was built for.Scoham said:
What formation suits the squad? I don’t think there is one. The issue with 3-5-2 or similar is CBT needs to focus on attacking rather than playing wing back. All our strikers are better in a pair so 4-2-3-1/4-3-3 doesn’t suit any of them.sam3110 said:If he lasts that long, I can't fully judge him until after January.
Our overall form has improved, but he's playing a formation that doesn't suit the squad we have, and the defence assembled so far isn't good enough and needs some serious work.
If he gets the backing and brings in players he wants in January, then despite the slow start the playoffs are still the aim. If we don't make them, but are close, it's a season of what ifs and you try and build upon that.
If we finish where we are currently, it's a failure and he'll be on the block I'm sure of itTo get around it we’re playing May deeper to support both the midfield two and the lone striker. You could call it 4-2-3-1, 4-4-1-1 or 4-4-2 and for now I think it’s the most balanced formation we can use.
I don’t understand how he can be criticised for the formation when there isn’t an ideal system for the squad.
On our defending he can only work with what he’s got. Hector isn’t the experienced consistent CB we need him to be. Watson and Edun haven’t had a decent run of games yet. Asiimwe is still very young. For me Thomas isn’t the standard we need. We can improve but we’ll surely be looking to bring in a defender or two in January as we can only go so far with the defenders we have.
Although tbh I don't think Holden knew what formation he wanted either so we've ended up with a weird mish mash of players for 433, 4231 and 352 but no a cohesive squad built on one concept0 - Sponsored links:
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Holden was 100% planning to play 3-5-2 with May and Leaburn up top. Unfortunately he never got the chance to do it as he never had a game where May had a proper partner.sam3110 said:
Hey I'm not criticising the formation, I'm just saying it's not the formation the squad was built for.Scoham said:
What formation suits the squad? I don’t think there is one. The issue with 3-5-2 or similar is CBT needs to focus on attacking rather than playing wing back. All our strikers are better in a pair so 4-2-3-1/4-3-3 doesn’t suit any of them.sam3110 said:If he lasts that long, I can't fully judge him until after January.
Our overall form has improved, but he's playing a formation that doesn't suit the squad we have, and the defence assembled so far isn't good enough and needs some serious work.
If he gets the backing and brings in players he wants in January, then despite the slow start the playoffs are still the aim. If we don't make them, but are close, it's a season of what ifs and you try and build upon that.
If we finish where we are currently, it's a failure and he'll be on the block I'm sure of itTo get around it we’re playing May deeper to support both the midfield two and the lone striker. You could call it 4-2-3-1, 4-4-1-1 or 4-4-2 and for now I think it’s the most balanced formation we can use.
I don’t understand how he can be criticised for the formation when there isn’t an ideal system for the squad.
On our defending he can only work with what he’s got. Hector isn’t the experienced consistent CB we need him to be. Watson and Edun haven’t had a decent run of games yet. Asiimwe is still very young. For me Thomas isn’t the standard we need. We can improve but we’ll surely be looking to bring in a defender or two in January as we can only go so far with the defenders we have.
Although tbh I don't think Holden knew what formation he wanted either so we've ended up with a weird mish mash of players for 433, 4231 and 352 but no a cohesive squad built on one conceptThat’s what this squad was built for but even then we don’t have a left footed centre back so would have to rely on Thomas playing there0 -
If you actually played to a formation to suit this squad it is doubtful you would secure the consistency of results you seek. Just who in the front 6 (7 in 3-5-2) however structured, do you see breaking the opposing defensive lines on a sustained basis. Even Mbick & Kedwell spoke to different skills than those evident in the senior squad.
The squad is unbalanced. Appleton has been creative exploring player flexibility, using sundry mixes, matches & compromises. What you don’t think he knows the risks? Will it always work? No, but there was & remains a need to get the team to consistently play on the front foot.
You are entitled not to like his game plans but a) there is nothing to say you are right and he is wrong while b) we have sat through an awful lot of stagnant football and sterile thinking in recent years.Is Appleton the Messiah? I suspect not but he has to this point represented every inch a highly competent, solid and entirely professional football coach/ manager. He has displayed logic and reasoning behind his core approach instilling a clarity of discipline, structure and approach.
You can but work with the talent in the building. Has the effectiveness of that talent improved? I think it has.
Despite the continued noise about youth he has largely pursued the template of most new management executives. He has put those on the senior contracts in the firing line to prove they can indeed deliver to their contracts. Some have - some haven’t. While evaluating senior players he has set a benchmark for core team values & results.There is a reason T.Watson, Hector, Jones, Dobson, May, Blackett-Taylor, Thomas regularly feature. With Edun, Camara, McGrandles, Aneke, and to a degree Taylor and Tedic all have all had front line experience. It is a 15 man senior outfield squad which has endured a revolving injury list and is current deprived of 3 long term injuries.
Such senior resource is not enough.
It is entirely valid to reference Asiimwe, Ness, Anderson, L.Watson, C.Campbell, T.Campbell and Leaburn who have all shown real ability to contribute at a League 1 level but it is rare for such multiples of emerging talent to be a bedrock of a sustainable promotion campaign. The consistency of performance is simply not there…..yet.All of the above have some growing to do.Any squad infrastructure is dependent on balance and options. Recruitment assumptions, injuries old & new have impacted both. The faltering Ness, the erratic Hector and the yet to be seen Edun credentials are yet to build a defensive strength.
The squad overload in midfield, with Appleton’s variations on a theme, presents as many as 13 names for 3,4 or 5 slots. No matter the ability in the group I am not sure any individually present as a compelling component of a promotion midfield unit. The clarity on playing format needs to evolve with a corresponding adjustment to resources.
In terms of strike force the wrinkle in the ointment remains Aneke. We can endlessly debate his re-signing but when fit he represents a notable League 1 powerhouse. In any prolonged absence however, those holding the purse strings need to address the needed quality on the pitch.
Appleton has recently referenced the January Window for the potential to bring about change. I suggest such messaging is intended for more than one audience and would argue his performance to date has earned the right for him to be heard in the clubhouse, at a SMT and an Executive level.12 -
Appleton is doing a decent job. It massively helps though having a striker on fire. May is the sort of player who'll be effective whatever system or tactics you use, a manager's dream as even when he's not scoring, he'll still give 110%, being a pest to defenders and tracking back.5
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Not too bad a start for Mr Appleton all things considered. A few too many draws perhaps.
One point behind fifth in this longer 12 game form table.
Also encouraging is the opponent PPG number which is the second highest of any team in the top half during this 12 game period. It’s been a tricky spell of fixtures and we’ve got a respectable haul of points from them.
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I would say he’s performing as expected really, especially given one of those wins was Pearce managing. The quality of our squad is around the top 6 so that’s the level we should be performing at. He also benefitted from having Chuks fit for half of those games which definitely helped.Callumcafc said:Not too bad a start for Mr Appleton all things considered. A few too many draws perhaps.
One point behind fifth in this longer 12 game form table.
Also encouraging is the opponent PPG number which is the second highest of any team in the top half during this 12 game period. It’s been a tricky spell of fixtures and we’ve got a respectable haul of points from them.
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I think he is doing ok but wonder how his ppg would look compared to Holden if you removed the games in which Aneke played.0
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Holden: 0.6 ppg (5 games: Orient, Peterborough, Bristol Rovers, Port Vale, Oxford) (3 home games)Athletico Charlton said:I think he is doing ok but wonder how his ppg would look compared to Holden if you removed the games in which Aneke played.
Appleton: 1.0 ppg (5 games: Lincoln, Bolton, Wigan, Portsmouth, Carlisle) (1 home game)1 -
No wins for Appleton without Aneke at present.Callumcafc said:
Holden: 0.6 ppg (5 games: Orient, Peterborough, Bristol Rovers, Port Vale, Oxford) (3 home games)Athletico Charlton said:I think he is doing ok but wonder how his ppg would look compared to Holden if you removed the games in which Aneke played.
Appleton: 1.0 ppg (5 games: Lincoln, Bolton, Wigan, Portsmouth, Carlisle) (1 home game)0 -
Wigan was a 2-3 win without AnekeJohnnyH2 said:
No wins for Appleton without Aneke at present.Callumcafc said:
Holden: 0.6 ppg (5 games: Orient, Peterborough, Bristol Rovers, Port Vale, Oxford) (3 home games)Athletico Charlton said:I think he is doing ok but wonder how his ppg would look compared to Holden if you removed the games in which Aneke played.
Appleton: 1.0 ppg (5 games: Lincoln, Bolton, Wigan, Portsmouth, Carlisle) (1 home game)7 -
JohnnyH2 said:
No wins for Appleton without Aneke at present.Callumcafc said:
Holden: 0.6 ppg (5 games: Orient, Peterborough, Bristol Rovers, Port Vale, Oxford) (3 home games)Athletico Charlton said:I think he is doing ok but wonder how his ppg would look compared to Holden if you removed the games in which Aneke played.
Appleton: 1.0 ppg (5 games: Lincoln, Bolton, Wigan, Portsmouth, Carlisle) (1 home game)
Won at Wigan without Aneke0 - Sponsored links:
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To add to what others have said, excluding the cup games. Since Aneke has been injured.Athletico Charlton said:I think he is doing ok but wonder how his ppg would look compared to Holden if you removed the games in which Aneke played.
1 win, 2 draws, 2 losses.
7 goals scored and 10 conceded. 5 points out of a possible 15. Woeful form.
If we don't win tonight, it is very concerning imo. The cup wins have broken up the bad form a bit imo0 -
Apologies @Callumcafc missed that one!Callumcafc said:
Wigan was a 2-3 win without AnekeJohnnyH2 said:
No wins for Appleton without Aneke at present.Callumcafc said:
Holden: 0.6 ppg (5 games: Orient, Peterborough, Bristol Rovers, Port Vale, Oxford) (3 home games)Athletico Charlton said:I think he is doing ok but wonder how his ppg would look compared to Holden if you removed the games in which Aneke played.
Appleton: 1.0 ppg (5 games: Lincoln, Bolton, Wigan, Portsmouth, Carlisle) (1 home game)0 -
In the two draws we played pretty well. I'd say there's room for encouragement. We'll see tonightBraziliance said:
To add to what others have said, excluding the cup games. Since Aneke has been injured.Athletico Charlton said:I think he is doing ok but wonder how his ppg would look compared to Holden if you removed the games in which Aneke played.
1 win, 2 draws, 2 losses.
7 goals scored and 10 conceded. 5 points out of a possible 15. Woeful form.
If we don't win tonight, it is very concerning imo. The cup wins have broken up the bad form a bit imo0 -
I can't lie, I thought we showed more fight than previous Charlton sides I've watched in recent years, but I thought we were lacking in a game plan and skill in both games though. Looking to see what Apples can do tonight to rectify thisLeuth said:
In the two draws we played pretty well. I'd say there's room for encouragement. We'll see tonightBraziliance said:
To add to what others have said, excluding the cup games. Since Aneke has been injured.Athletico Charlton said:I think he is doing ok but wonder how his ppg would look compared to Holden if you removed the games in which Aneke played.
1 win, 2 draws, 2 losses.
7 goals scored and 10 conceded. 5 points out of a possible 15. Woeful form.
If we don't win tonight, it is very concerning imo. The cup wins have broken up the bad form a bit imo0 -
Haven't looked at numbers to back this up but it feels as if we're keeping pace with the play offs but from a starting basis of about 6 points behind. With the squad we have it will be hard to do much better. Feel like if the squad was built for a manager like him and he'd had preseason then we'd be up there3
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Just read the first page of this when he was announced.
Was always going to be a disaster. Who made the decision? They need to go.4 -
Who would have thought picking an internet meme as a manager wouldn’t fucking work.Jesus the twats running this club….1
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Feels like he’ll be on his way out soon but not sure he’s the root of the problem, he’s more of a symptom of it2
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Keeps rewarding failure by picking the same eleven. Why would you do that?
clueless and uninspiring, he just needs to go!3 -
I’ve seen enough now. Appleton out. We are useless but we have better players in every position than Orient. Guy has the charisma of a tin of magnolia plant. He’s not even a good f….g meme!13
