Michael Appleton - March 2025 appointed Shrewsbury manager (p124)

I’m confused about the last 24 hours. A couple of posters who I trust wouldn’t post stuff unless they were certain about it basically stated he’d been sacked. And then we get today’s press ‘conference’.

Now, is it possible they wanted to sack him but didn’t want the cost, or the owners refused to sanction the cost, so they told him that and either asked him to resign or hoped he would and he refused or didn’t do so. Hence the comments about never walking away from a situation. And nor should he, he’s under contract and if they want him out then sack him.

Either way he’s lost all credibility and practically all the supporters. It’s just a question of time now. The situation is irretrievable.

If we win tomorrow it’s just a stay of execution and prolongs the agony. 

AberystwythAddick said:

So (And I don’t think this will happen BTW) if he wins tomorrow and wins again and then again and so on. What would peoples reactions be? Football is a fickle business would it be the next loss it just goes back to this or would he build a bit of credit if we go on a bit of a run? 

Needs 4 points minimum this week and a minimum of 9 from the 6 games in February

Otherwise how long do the board give him then. 

LargeAddick said:

I’m confused about the last 24 hours. A couple of posters who I trust wouldn’t post stuff unless they were certain about it basically stated he’d been sacked. And then we get today’s press ‘conference’.

Now, is it possible they wanted to sack him but didn’t want the cost, or the owners refused to sanction the cost, so they told him that and either asked him to resign or hoped he would and he refused or didn’t do so. Hence the comments about never walking away from a situation. And nor should he, he’s under contract and if they want him out then sack him.

Either way he’s lost all credibility and practically all the supporters. It’s just a question of time now. The situation is irretrievable.

If we win tomorrow it’s just a stay of execution and prolongs the agony. 

Large, I think certain posters have lost credibility. You can only deal with facts, Appleton took training, Appleton attended the press conference. With both of those facts established, both events do not sound like he was packing his bags in a hurry. I didn't think he was the right appointment but I have no faith that the owners will replace him with anyone better. For me his selection of the team on Saturday worried me to the point of my not being convinced he is able sort the defensive side of the team out, even with the forwards missing he should have been able to stem the tide of goals conceded. He's not my choice but some posters do their argument to get rid a disservice by a series of falsehoods. 

DamoNorthStand said:

Its a good questions. From my side - if we win 5 in a row and reflect the players he has now got at his disposal? Well I would hold my hands up and say fair play.

Fact is i don't think we will. I don't even think we will win tomorrow (as I said about Burton).

I think they will eventually let him go, but it will be too late, and we will go down. And everyone will be saying they should have acted sooner.

I agree with a lot of that, but if we change by mid Feb we’ll be ok, too many goals in the team that if properly managed will be fine 

KiwiValley said:

So just catching up… am I reading it right that Appleton has entered the quantum realm where he is both  sacked and not sacked, and training and not training. I’m confused because I have just pulled up into the Makros car park and I could swear that is him pacing about with his shirt off? 

I’ve just seen Harry Potter swooping into the Valley on a broom. This shit is going down! 

Is it possible that they spoke with him about him leaving by mutual consent and he’s refused and said I don’t walk away. Sack me. 

PWADDICK said:

I hope tomorrow there’s heat towards Scott as well as Appleton, we are ultimately where we are because of him.

This!!! Scott is very much to blame in my opinion. But as with many fans I would love to tell MA what I think of the job he is doing at our club to his face. I would like to let him know how lucky he has been to have this job and tell him how much this club means to so many people. Perfomances like the second half on Saturday are just not acceptable. It is humiliating following Charlton at the moment. 

drawnablank said:

PWADDICK said:

I hope tomorrow there’s heat towards Scott as well as Appleton, we are ultimately where we are because of him.

Cheers for Coventry, Bakinson, Ladapo, Rarmani, Gillesphy, Fiorini. Actually showing actions that spoke louder than words. Showing tangible signs of progress in our recruitment. But let’s give him a load of grief as well.
Right! 

Let this managerial situation play out. There is obviously something going on behind the scenes. If there is an improvement managerially, like there has been recruitment wise, happy days, if not then you’ve something to give heat about!

But has recruited a piss poor manager and signed a load of rubbish in the summer that meant half of them went back to their parent clubs in January.

charltonman2016 said:

drawnablank said:

PWADDICK said:

I hope tomorrow there’s heat towards Scott as well as Appleton, we are ultimately where we are because of him.

Cheers for Coventry, Bakinson, Ladapo, Rarmani, Gillesphy, Fiorini. Actually showing actions that spoke louder than words. Showing tangible signs of progress in our recruitment. But let’s give him a load of grief as well.
Right! 

Let this managerial situation play out. There is obviously something going on behind the scenes. If there is an improvement managerially, like there has been recruitment wise, happy days, if not then you’ve something to give heat about!

But has recruited a piss poor manager and signed a load of rubbish in the summer that meant half of them went back to their parent clubs in January.

You looking for perfection or progress?
Are there not signs of progress in recruitment?

I was extremely confident he had been sacked having had the information passed on from separate individuals who are nearly always correct. 

It reminds me of a Bromley Addicks meeting some years ago when we had 2 parties in charge of Charlton , Richard Murray & another chap whose name escapes me.

Murray told the meeting Parkinson would be sacked the next day & it didn't happen.

Perhaps today is similar in that the person with the original leak, isn't as "powerful" as they thought they were. 

So, the SMT agreed to get rid of MA, went to the owners for their thumbs up but before they got the nod they told ITK people what was happening........ no way, I don't believe that for a moment.

The dressing room may have been 'lost' to some extent......... some of the squad over the last few months were wondering if they had a future at the club, some knew they didn't and a couple had an unsure contract situation........ can't have been a tight and happy dressing room with all that going on I wouldn't have thought. Not easy to manage a group like that.......... not MA's doing but more the situation he inherited.

Then there's been whatever going on in the background to somewhat dismantle and rebuild the support infrastructure. Who knows how many noses were put out of joint by that.

A big turnaround going on at our club accompanied I'm sure by some folks who welcome it, some who are made unhappy by it and some who fight it.

I don't think it's unreasonable to suggest all this (plus other stuff I guess) will drag an organisation and it's people down. On the playing side this would help cause all the disappointing performances and results we've seen too much of. 

A turnaround business needs strong leaders with good personalities to both fight the fight and to stroke the folk whenever necessary. That's not just down to MA to do but for obvious reasons he's a big focal point for dissatisfaction.

I think the club have done a poor job of managing this situation, including what's sometimes called stakeholder communications......... including managing fan expectations.

MA's personality and demeanour probably aren't best suited to some of what he's found since he arrived and it sounds like he's also been on the receiving end of inexcusable personal and family abuse. He could and should help himself more though.

drawnablank said:

PWADDICK said:

I hope tomorrow there’s heat towards Scott as well as Appleton, we are ultimately where we are because of him.

Cheers for Coventry, Bakinson, Ladapo, Rarmani, Gillesphy, Fiorini. Actually showing actions that spoke louder than words. Showing tangible signs of progress in our recruitment. But let’s give him a load of grief as well.
Right! 

Let this managerial situation play out. There is obviously something going on behind the scenes. If there is an improvement managerially, like there has been recruitment wise, happy days, if not then you’ve something to give heat about!

Thanks Andy for the new players then!

Not sure if you’ve been living under a rock, but 2 wins in 15 isn’t exactly a good time to “let this managerial situation play out”.

AFKABartram said:

ShootersHillGuru said:

Is it possible that they spoke with him about him leaving by mutual consent and he’s refused and said I don’t walk away. Sack me. 

It’s about as possible as them deciding it by a game of paper, scissor, stone.

(Which Appleton would have lost what with his hands in his pockets)

World champion at pocket billiards.

Covered End said:

I was extremely confident he had been sacked having had the information passed on from separate individuals who are nearly always correct. 

It reminds me of a Bromley Addicks meeting some years ago when we had 2 parties in charge of Charlton , Richard Murray & another chap whose name escapes me.

Murray told the meeting Parkinson would be sacked the next day & it didn't happen.

Perhaps today is similar in that the person with the original leak, isn't as "powerful" as they thought they were. 

Murray also said that Parkinson would be given the job based upon results. 1 win in 8 and the job was his.

Just watched Appleton’s press conference, tomorrow will be his last match if we lose. He repeated he’d face the consequences and we all know what will happen if we don’t get a result, several times. He is living on borrowed time, that’s pretty obvious. I do feel sorry for him but football is a results business, he knows that more than anyone.