plea for patience

johnnyb said:
Of the 3600 there, even if half were chanting which I don't think were (I wasn't nor were most around me) that's around 20% of the average home support. Whilst a not insignificant number, that isn't the majority of our fan base.
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Did I say majority? I said a fair/decent amount. Do you think that all of those who missed the Wigan game are in favour of keeping Appleton? I would say 30% is probably a fair marker for the percentage of all fans who'd like to see him sacked.
 
basilrobbie3 said:
It may surprise you 20s, but generally speaking I've got far too much other stuff to do to spend time posting on here these days. And what you and others refer to as "condescending" is merely expressing an opinion.
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Keep it up Robbie, the only time I see the word condescending used on here is when you post!

I must admit to being a tad disappointed that the word pompous hasn't been used though. You're obviously losing your touch. 1668533862849.png

In my opinion what you have said in your original post though is spot on.
 
basilexile said:
If he gets the job done, does it really matter if some fans do not like him? Of course, that is a fair sized if at the moment. Life is not a popularity contest.
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I don't care if he is popular. I doubt he does, he'd go down in my estimation if he was bothered what anyone on here said.
 
NewburyOne said:
But you can make decisions based on results, have a nosey at the table and our form. That's before you look at performances, more than half of our games we've been garbage.
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Results come with context thoughā€¦. Thatā€™s the whole point.

As Iā€™ve said a few times already, this sort of utter stupidity from our fans was one of the main reasons I thought Appleton was the wrong choice in the first placeā€¦.

Iā€™m pretty confident we wouldnā€™t be witnessing the same crap if Evo had been appointed!!

Maybe weā€™d be best just banning the supporters and playing behind closed doors until the end of the seasonā€¦. A novel idea perhaps, but to be honest weā€™d do far better without the wet wipe brigade getting on everyoneā€™s backs.
 
This is what's been missing, and for way too long. So long in fact, I can't remember which period it happened in.

It should be printed in full, and anyone before the Birmingham game expressing impatience made to read all of it immediately.

If nothing else, it'll ensure the ground's still full at the final whistle.
 
Please can the original poster please answer the following questions:

1. Are you not concerned by the number of shambolic performances so far this season which outweigh the positive ones?

2. Are you not concerned the manager is adopting a stance of he knows best and the rest of us are idiots

3. Are you not concerned along with the fans that he has lost the dressing room and the players donā€™t believe in him?

4. Out of the injury players please do enlighten me who will make a major impact
 
PR3BFC said:
Please can the original poster please answer the following questions:

1. Are you not concerned by the number of shambolic performances so far this season which outweigh the positive ones?

2. Are you not concerned the manager is adopting a stance of he knows best and the rest of us are idiots

3. Are you not concerned along with the fans that he has lost the dressing room and the players donā€™t believe in him?

4. Out of the injury players please do enlighten me who will make a major impact
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5) Were you really a long standing mushroom until the 11th hour, but now you act as a patronising advisor to the thousands of supporters who gave up everything to support the cause ?(Note: Me having no knowledge at all of the poster before reading this thread). Thank you.
 
NewburyOne said:
I was referring to the Twitter poll but regardless, 33% is still a fair percentage. I'd say that will have increased after Wigan and being in the bottom 3. Many of those would quickly change their minds with a couple of wins. Personally I feel he has to go but also see why the board won't sack him yet. We have to see an upturn of results after the WC break, we also have to see more consistency.
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Twitter polls. Enough said šŸ˜‰
 
All fine points Robbie and then I read the managers comments about Maxwell and know damn well the man has lost the plot. There is backing a player, that is all well and good but Grimshaw was dropped for shag all, Maxwell is a goal headstart every bloody game. Mr Apples will not acknowledge he has blundered and ostracized our best goalie. I sit and wait for the next game hoping it clicks and we pull clear, I fully expect however, for us to be rooted to the bottom come the end of the season if the board do not act.
 
Great post Phil , your best ever , over the years i have tired of plea for patience nonsense . Especially from someone who has rewritten history . The simple facts are that given the circumstances MA has had no chance and it needs to end quickly
 
The original post here does make some good points and I would say that it is not quite right to classify the current negative comments in the same bracket. They are different and diverse.

I do not and have never been critical of Simon Sadler. His support of the club financially is outstanding and he has rescued us from the clutches of the egotistical and belligerent Oystons for which we are all grateful.

The move to build proper training facilities and build the fourth stand are a huge step forward and setting up a development squad to bridge the gap between the youth team and first team is also important.

All that said my criticism of Michael Appleton is not directed at Simon Sadler. Yes we had a shock when Critch left but we did not make a speedy appointment to replace him. Several names were in the frame and trusting in the interview process Appleton was appointed.

I along with others despite being underwhelmed was prepared to give him a chance. He was considered to be the best choice.

However there have been very few games this season when the team have performed well. In addition it has been clear that there were tactical shortcomings which have got worse and worse and culminated in the last four defeats.

There are plenty who seem to be prepared to give Appleton more time. I donā€™t agree. He has failed on numerous occasions to adjust basic failings in team play, stuck to systems which are flawed and failed to use subs at the right times. Couple this with addressing poor passing, tackling early, not covering the posts at corners, not leaving a player forward when defending etcā€¦.

Yes there have been injuries and suspension but the flaws have persisted irrespective of personnel.

We have four weeks to get a new man in and ready. This is the right time to act. A new coach can address failings in January.

Simon Sadler deserves our thanks and respect but everyone makes mistakes. Michael Appleton is one Iā€™m afraid and I hope he is big enough to acknowledge it and deal with it sooner rather than later when it will truly be too late.
 
basilrobbie3 said:
I often think that some of our noisier fans would benefit from a month working with the BFC Volunteers. They might get a better appreciation of the efforts that are being made to give us an infrastructure and facilities that stand comparison with the best. They might also appreciate a bit more how much managerial effort is going in from people who routinely get abuse that is both offensive and ignorant.
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Could be some mileage in this.

Picking up pigeon shit off the seats in the East for posting what the hell we doing triggering Cameron Brannaganā€™s release clause when the season has started.

Revolutionary šŸ™„
 
basilrobbie3 said:
I can't remember in recent times a tournament break that came at a better time. The Championship is a hard enough league to play in, without being decimated by injuries, illness and suspensions. We've had the lot, and on top of a less than ideal summer preparation it is having a big impact - at the moment.

My personal take on this is that the state of panic on here - and panic it is - is massively over the top. Nobody likes a string of defeats, but it can turn around equally quickly. If you doubt that, go and have a look where Coventry are in the League now. By the time we next play we should be illness-free, and hopefully several players will be back from injury. If you think that is clutching at straws, go ahead - but one of the main problems that most people agree that the manager has had in recent weeks is a lack of options, possibly coupled with a mismatch between square pegs and round holes.

I think people are failing to appreciate how disruptive Critchley's departure was, or at least, dismissing it far too gllbly. I daresay Mr. Sadler has learned a valuable lesson there - namely, that you can't count on loyalty from staff, and you always need a contingency plan for if and when they let you down. Football has a very different culture from that which I guess he is used to - and not necessarily in a good way.

I often wonder what it is that people thought we fought for during the boycott. I thought that most people accepted that for a club like ours, peaks and troughs on the field was all part of the experience. There have clearly been more of the former than the latter in the three years of so that SS has been in charge ; and given that the business needed gutting and rebuilding from top to bottom when he took over, the elevation in status we have had seems pretty impressive to me.

What you are also getting is levels of investment that are unprecedented in the club's history. No owner has EVER made the size of financial commitment that we have seen in the last three years - and continue to see. I often think that some of our noisier fans would benefit from a month working with the BFC Volunteers. They might get a better appreciation of the efforts that are being made to give us an infrastructure and facilities that stand comparison with the best. They might also appreciate a bit more how much managerial effort is going in from people who routinely get abuse that is both offensive and ignorant.

Geting a balance between off and on-field investment is always tricky. Our counterparts at Oldham are having that debate now, and given where they are in the pyramid it is a matter of some amazement to me that our fans seem to be more shrill and hysterical than they are. Clearly, we have a huge financial vested interest in staying in this Division - at least until a new financial deal comes along. But we also are benefitting from a one-off investment in the club that is there to benefit all of us for all our long term futures. I hope more people will bear that in mind, next time they are inclined to lash out in a fit of pique. And to be honest, in a lot of cases - pique is exactly what it is.
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Back to his pompous best with that sign off. Love it šŸ‘
Great post btw
 
Adams Kebab said:
Could be some mileage in this.

Picking up pigeon shit off the seats in the East for posting what the hell we doing triggering Cameron Brannaganā€™s release clause when the season has started.

Revolutionary šŸ™„
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In a North Korean way, AK.

If I can get the East Stand re-named "The Gulag" I may be in business.

I don't think there is anything unusual about AVFTT's mood swings, as it happens. As a group, too much is made of victories as well as losses. But there is a good deal to be positive about in the longer term, if you want the club to be a genuinely integral part of the local community.
 
Wilburrabbit said:
The original post here does make some good points and I would say that it is not quite right to classify the current negative comments in the same bracket. They are different and diverse.

I do not and have never been critical of Simon Sadler. His support of the club financially is outstanding and he has rescued us from the clutches of the egotistical and belligerent Oystons for which we are all grateful.

The move to build proper training facilities and build the fourth stand are a huge step forward and setting up a development squad to bridge the gap between the youth team and first team is also important.

All that said my criticism of Michael Appleton is not directed at Simon Sadler. Yes we had a shock when Critch left but we did not make a speedy appointment to replace him. Several names were in the frame and trusting in the interview process Appleton was appointed.

I along with others despite being underwhelmed was prepared to give him a chance. He was considered to be the best choice.

However there have been very few games this season when the team have performed well. In addition it has been clear that there were tactical shortcomings which have got worse and worse and culminated in the last four defeats.

There are plenty who seem to be prepared to give Appleton more time. I donā€™t agree. He has failed on numerous occasions to adjust basic failings in team play, stuck to systems which are flawed and failed to use subs at the right times. Couple this with addressing poor passing, tackling early, not covering the posts at corners, not leaving a player forward when defending etcā€¦.

Yes there have been injuries and suspension but the flaws have persisted irrespective of personnel.

We have four weeks to get a new man in and ready. This is the right time to act. A new coach can address failings in January.

Simon Sadler deserves our thanks and respect but everyone makes mistakes. Michael Appleton is one Iā€™m afraid and I hope he is big enough to acknowledge it and deal with it sooner rather than later when it will truly be too late.
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Do you not think that most of those criticisms you list about Appleton could apply to Critchley when he was here? I do. Poor passing, substitutions, not leaving a man up , no-one on posts I think all applied to Critchley.
 
PR3BFC said:
Please can the original poster please answer the following questions:

1. Are you not concerned by the number of shambolic performances so far this season which outweigh the positive ones?

2. Are you not concerned the manager is adopting a stance of he knows best and the rest of us are idiots

3. Are you not concerned along with the fans that he has lost the dressing room and the players donā€™t believe in him?

4. Out of the injury players please do enlighten me who will make a major impact
Click to expand...
Regarding point 2, do you really want a manager who thinks the fans know better than him?
 
20togo said:
Do you not think that most of those criticisms you list about Appleton could apply to Critchley when he was here? I do. Poor passing, substitutions, not leaving a man up , no-one on posts I think all applied to Critchley.
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Maybe so. Bad though some of those things were under Critchley there was more cohesion in the play than we are exhibiting under Appleton.
 
Wilburrabbit said:
Maybe so. Bad though some of those things were under Critchley there was more cohesion in the play than we are exhibiting under Appleton.
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and more fit players.

We lost Stewart, then we lost his deputy, Bridcutt, then his deputy Ward. And if Ward can come back he's a 60 min player at best.

I don't need to say anymore than that.
 
Wilburrabbit said:
Maybe so. Bad though some of those things were under Critchley there was more cohesion in the play than we are exhibiting under Appleton.
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don't fully agree but nevertheless Critchley got the results and organisation by playing some pretty dire football but it comfortably kept us up. And that is the most important factor. And Appleton certainly needs to sort that out.
 
20togo said:
A lot of truth in that even if as others say it's rather condescending and from some-one who has barely had a word to say anything football related on here about BFC for months on end now.
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I'd agree with that but not the last bit, surely Robbie has no duty to post about BFC/football on here and the validity of his posts shouldn't be determined by their regularity ?

His condescending skills have certainly not suffered during his absence.
 
20togo said:
don't fully agree but nevertheless Critchley got the results and organisation by playing some pretty dire football but it comfortably kept us up. And that is the most important factor. And Appleton certainly needs to sort that out.
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He had a fitter team and arguably a better squad.

The thing I want to know is is there money there for signings. Summer bids would suggest yes. Summer failings, no.
 
Wizaard said:
So 30% is enough to see someone lose their job, while 70% are presumably ignored?
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I've said I'd like him gone but also acknowledged that I doubt the board will get rid just yet. I don't know what else you want me to say? My mind is made up, he's dull, has a poor management style and tactically inept. Either way it will come to a head in December, our current form cannot continue.
 
basilrobbie3 said:
I can't remember in recent times a tournament break that came at a better time. The Championship is a hard enough league to play in, without being decimated by injuries, illness and suspensions. We've had the lot, and on top of a less than ideal summer preparation it is having a big impact - at the moment.

My personal take on this is that the state of panic on here - and panic it is - is massively over the top. Nobody likes a string of defeats, but it can turn around equally quickly. If you doubt that, go and have a look where Coventry are in the League now. By the time we next play we should be illness-free, and hopefully several players will be back from injury. If you think that is clutching at straws, go ahead - but one of the main problems that most people agree that the manager has had in recent weeks is a lack of options, possibly coupled with a mismatch between square pegs and round holes.

I think people are failing to appreciate how disruptive Critchley's departure was, or at least, dismissing it far too gllbly. I daresay Mr. Sadler has learned a valuable lesson there - namely, that you can't count on loyalty from staff, and you always need a contingency plan for if and when they let you down. Football has a very different culture from that which I guess he is used to - and not necessarily in a good way.

I often wonder what it is that people thought we fought for during the boycott. I thought that most people accepted that for a club like ours, peaks and troughs on the field was all part of the experience. There have clearly been more of the former than the latter in the three years of so that SS has been in charge ; and given that the business needed gutting and rebuilding from top to bottom when he took over, the elevation in status we have had seems pretty impressive to me.

What you are also getting is levels of investment that are unprecedented in the club's history. No owner has EVER made the size of financial commitment that we have seen in the last three years - and continue to see. I often think that some of our noisier fans would benefit from a month working with the BFC Volunteers. They might get a better appreciation of the efforts that are being made to give us an infrastructure and facilities that stand comparison with the best. They might also appreciate a bit more how much managerial effort is going in from people who routinely get abuse that is both offensive and ignorant.

Geting a balance between off and on-field investment is always tricky. Our counterparts at Oldham are having that debate now, and given where they are in the pyramid it is a matter of some amazement to me that our fans seem to be more shrill and hysterical than they are. Clearly, we have a huge financial vested interest in staying in this Division - at least until a new financial deal comes along. But we also are benefitting from a one-off investment in the club that is there to benefit all of us for all our long term futures. I hope more people will bear that in mind, next time they are inclined to lash out in a fit of pique. And to be honest, in a lot of cases - pique is exactly what it is.
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Great post!
 
Iā€™d suggest a better time for this tournament break would have been four games ago before everything turned to utter crap with us losing four games on the bounce with only one goal posted and seven goals conceded. Iā€™m not convinced that is all injuries and bad luck and am convinced that the manager has ballsed up a number of key decisions in selection tactics and game management.

Iā€™m also not convinced by the Sadler ā€œlook where we were, look where we are now, be grateful you plebsā€ approach adopted by the OP. A manager leaving for another job is something that isnā€™t unique to us and we were told it was something that was anticipated ie) what Mansford described as ā€œthe projectā€ / ā€œthe Blackpool Wayā€ with a new manager and/or players slotting in seamlessly to continue things with a set squad pattern of play and a most sage and wise transfer committee seamlessly continuing the project from their list of ā€œBlackpool wayā€signings. Whatā€™s actually happened is our budget was crap and no one wanted to touch us with a barge pole save Mansfords mate who happened to also be a universally unpopular former Blackpool manager (until he joined up when of course people like me were told we had to give him a chance and he was a better manager than he was when he walked out and it could be an inspired appointment). Instead strong minded Appleton has come in and ripped it all up with less press, insistence on formations that donā€™t work with the players, piss poor loans bar Patino, no number 9 to alleviate the strain on Madine, no attacking winger as backup for the inevitable departure of Bowler, no experienced replacement for Keogh, no right back, and seemingly unable to recognise the best goalkeeper from three available, and smiley positive methods and encouragement with little direct player criticism jettisoned and replaced with stern standoffish player relations and vocal criticisms of individual players.

Having an owner who isnt Owen Oyston is cause for joy but a dose of healthy scepticism here is required. Itā€™s beyond obvious that the owner and board have tried to get away with a shoestring budget for the division this season and been caught outā€¦after the Critchley splurge on the squad numbers they were wanting to get the balance sheet positive on the footballing side with some big salesā€¦..Bowler and the Critch compo and little expenditure on incomings makes it look nice financially until we get relegated.

Then we get to the Sadler statement that basically says what Robbie has said in his OP and tries to pass off the Appleton appointment as a super decision made unanimously after stringent consideration and deliberation of many managers akin to the Papal Conclave. Which is nonsense. Panic appointment as the club were in panic mode.

Current Board Rating. Aa (negative outlook)
 
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I have no doubt the board will stick by Appleton for now and I can understand why but two questions for those offering their undying support to him

1) Does our league position accurately reflect the ability within the squad or are we currently under performing?

2) How long do you give him in the bottom 3 before you say it's time for change?

I would say the fan base is pretty much split 50/50 back him or sack him and not the 10-30% quoted. He is a manager who nobody wanted and thus far has been pretty underwhelming for whatever reason. Injuries and bad luck are part and parcel of the game and all clubs have them. I agree that the recruitment team has been abject and should hang their heads in shame but Appleton knew what he walking into (after all he has been in football over 30 years as he loves to tell us) and has to live or die on results.

He doesnt help himself with his negativity and little old Blackpool syndrome and it will be interesting to hear his pre match analysis when we get back to the football for the Birmingham game. They are a big club with bigger resources and better players etc etc. If he rolls out that again and we fall behind or god forbid lose that game then there will be a toxic atmosphere and I will ask again...How long before we change it and give ourselves a chance to stay up?
 
TANGERINETOWERPOWER said:
I have no doubt the board will stick by Appleton for now and I can understand why but two questions for those offering their undying support to him

1) Does our league position accurately reflect the ability within the squad or are we currently under performing?

2) How long do you give him in the bottom 3 before you say it's time for change?

I would say the fan base is pretty much split 50/50 back him or sack him and not the 10-30% quoted. He is a manager who nobody wanted and thus far has been pretty underwhelming for whatever reason. Injuries and bad luck are part and parcel of the game and all clubs have them. I agree that the recruitment team has been abject and should hang their heads in shame but Appleton knew what he walking into (after all he has been in football over 30 years as he loves to tell us) and has to live or die on results.

He doesnt help himself with his negativity and little old Blackpool syndrome and it will be interesting to hear his pre match analysis when we get back to the football for the Birmingham game. They are a big club with bigger resources and better players etc etc. If he rolls out that again and we fall behind or god forbid lose that game then there will be a toxic atmosphere and I will ask again...How long before we change it and give ourselves a chance to stay up?
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I think he should be sacked but not because he's done a particularly bad job as I don't think he has considering what he's had to deal with

It's more a case of him losing the fans and the negative vibe around the place

Make no mistake a large section of our so called fanbase have to take some of the blame

Fans couldn't wait to pile into him at Wigan

The negativity is stinking the place out
 
Philbfctrois said:
It's more a case of him losing the fans and the negative vibe around the place
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Thatā€™s been the case since the day he was linked with the job. Completely ā€˜gassed the raveā€™ by appointing him.

Which, they knew, as Clappers points out when Sadler penned his letter with that belter of a lineā€¦ ā€œitā€™s not as bad as Forest awayā€ when Riga was in charge šŸ™„

Talk about reaching for the starsā€¦
 
clappers said:
Iā€™d suggest a better time for this tournament break would have been four games ago before everything turned to utter crap with us losing four games on the bounce with only one goal posted and seven goals conceded. Iā€™m not convinced that is all injuries and bad luck and am convinced that the manager has ballsed up a number of key decisions in selection tactics and game management.

Iā€™m also not convinced by the Sadler ā€œlook where we were, look where we are now, be grateful you plebsā€ approach adopted by the OP. A manager leaving for another job is something that isnā€™t unique to us and we were told it was something that was anticipated ie) what Mansford described as ā€œthe projectā€ / ā€œthe Blackpool Wayā€ with a new manager and/or players slotting in seamlessly to continue things with a set squad pattern of play and a most sage and wise transfer committee seamlessly continuing the project from their list of ā€œBlackpool wayā€signings. Whatā€™s actually happened is our budget was crap and no one wanted to touch us with a barge pole save Mansfords mate who happened to also be a universally unpopular former Blackpool manager (until he joined up when of course people like me were told we had to give him a chance and he was a better manager than he was when he walked out and it could be an inspired appointment). Instead strong minded Appleton has come in and ripped it all up with less press, insistence on formations that donā€™t work with the players, piss poor loans bar Patino, no number 9 to alleviate the strain on Madine, no attacking winger as backup for the inevitable departure of Bowler, no experienced replacement for Keogh, no right back, and seemingly unable to recognise the best goalkeeper from three available, and smiley positive methods and encouragement with little direct player criticism jettisoned and replaced with stern standoffish player relations and vocal criticisms of individual players.

Having an owner who isnt Owen Oyston is cause for joy but a dose of healthy scepticism here is required. Itā€™s beyond obvious that the owner and board have tried to get away with a shoestring budget for the division this season and been caught outā€¦after the Critchley splurge on the squad numbers they were wanting to get the balance sheet positive on the footballing side with some big salesā€¦..Bowler and the Critch compo and little expenditure on incomings makes it look nice financially until we get relegated.

Then we get to the Sadler statement that basically says what Robbie has said in his OP and tries to pass off the Appleton appointment as a super decision made unanimously after stringent consideration and deliberation of many managers akin to the Papal Conclave. Which is nonsense. Panic appointment as the club were in panic mode.

Current Board Rating. Aa (negative outlook)
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I think the real reason we have struggled in the matches since Coventry (when fans were reasonably optomistic) was not injuries but sickness, 14 of the squad were laid low with sickness but quite a few had to be named, play to field a team.
Even after they had recovered from the initial sickness I very much doubt they would be 100% for match fitness.
So WBA, Luton, and Boro think the sickness had a big impact.
Wigan was down to playing over 70 mins with 10 men.
 
Adams Kebab said:
Thatā€™s been the case since the day he was linked with the job. Completely ā€˜gassed the raveā€™ by appointing him.

Which, they knew, as Clappers points out when Sadler penned his letter with that belter of a lineā€¦ ā€œitā€™s not as bad as Forest awayā€ when Riga was in charge šŸ™„

Talk about reaching for the starsā€¦
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Yep some of the stuff from the board has been unbelievable to be honest mate

Its no wonder we have such a ** reaction from the fans
 
I still think this is the low point and he'll come good. I'm with the patience line of thinking, at least until January/Feb. We've seen some good performances and Jerry has been rejuvenated. Madine has been playing some of his best football with us even though he's carrying an injury. I don't see a team that isn't playing for the manager. We're a team that have had a lot of enforced injuries and as has been mentioned repeatedly, is short of Championship quality. The strongest first 11 available have had to play every game as there isn't the quality on the bench. The board need to have a strong look at their recruitment process - unfortunately fans at games blame the manager.
There are 9 teams or so all within 3 or points of each other, so it's not that we have been cut adrift at the bottom and therefore still have a decent chance of staying up with over half a season left. We need to look at our defense - goalkeepers tend to be steadier when the back line is too.

Whatever happens, we desperately need to get some points before Christmas and stay in the pack of teams in a mini-league in the bottom third.
 
Philbfctrois said:
I think he should be sacked but not because he's done a particularly bad job as I don't think he has considering what he's had to deal with

It's more a case of him losing the fans and the negative vibe around the place

Make no mistake a large section of our so called fanbase have to take some of the blame

Fans couldn't wait to pile into him at Wigan

The negativity is stinking the place out
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Appleton should stay. Quitchley's mess, lack of transfers, injuries. Give him a chance.

Bollocks to the fans.

They want him to run up and down the touchline ffs. Idiots.

You only need to spend 10 minutes reading this board to see most don't have a fecking clue.
 
clappers said:
Iā€™d suggest a better time for this tournament break would have been four games ago before everything turned to utter crap with us losing four games on the bounce with only one goal posted and seven goals conceded. Iā€™m not convinced that is all injuries and bad luck and am convinced that the manager has ballsed up a number of key decisions in selection tactics and game management.

Iā€™m also not convinced by the Sadler ā€œlook where we were, look where we are now, be grateful you plebsā€ approach adopted by the OP. A manager leaving for another job is something that isnā€™t unique to us and we were told it was something that was anticipated ie) what Mansford described as ā€œthe projectā€ / ā€œthe Blackpool Wayā€ with a new manager and/or players slotting in seamlessly to continue things with a set squad pattern of play and a most sage and wise transfer committee seamlessly continuing the project from their list of ā€œBlackpool wayā€signings. Whatā€™s actually happened is our budget was crap and no one wanted to touch us with a barge pole save Mansfords mate who happened to also be a universally unpopular former Blackpool manager (until he joined up when of course people like me were told we had to give him a chance and he was a better manager than he was when he walked out and it could be an inspired appointment). Instead strong minded Appleton has come in and ripped it all up with less press, insistence on formations that donā€™t work with the players, piss poor loans bar Patino, no number 9 to alleviate the strain on Madine, no attacking winger as backup for the inevitable departure of Bowler, no experienced replacement for Keogh, no right back, and seemingly unable to recognise the best goalkeeper from three available, and smiley positive methods and encouragement with little direct player criticism jettisoned and replaced with stern standoffish player relations and vocal criticisms of individual players.

Having an owner who isnt Owen Oyston is cause for joy but a dose of healthy scepticism here is required. Itā€™s beyond obvious that the owner and board have tried to get away with a shoestring budget for the division this season and been caught outā€¦after the Critchley splurge on the squad numbers they were wanting to get the balance sheet positive on the footballing side with some big salesā€¦..Bowler and the Critch compo and little expenditure on incomings makes it look nice financially until we get relegated.

Then we get to the Sadler statement that basically says what Robbie has said in his OP and tries to pass off the Appleton appointment as a super decision made unanimously after stringent consideration and deliberation of many managers akin to the Papal Conclave. Which is nonsense. Panic appointment as the club were in panic mode.

Current Board Rating. Aa (negative outlook)
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Strong post that Clappers. And I'd add that just because it's critical of the board/club, it doesn't have to stand that the poster wants universal change.

" Itā€™s beyond obvious that the owner and board have tried to get away with a shoestring budget for the division this season and been caught out." I think this is the reality here, although I'd change 'caught out' to 'the gamble hasn't paid off.' It was also really obvious from Critchley leaving to day 1 of Appleton's appointment that an extra dose of positivity re signings was vital in order to give the coach some breathing space. It was clear he wasn't a popular choice and those who understand football should also know that with unpopular coaching choices, comes a total lack of patience from the stands.

I don't think it's fair on Appleton to pot him now, given we are riddled with injuries - not all of which are recruitment issues - but i think it's the right thing to do as the club needs a big dose of positivity, spark and enthusiasm from the head coach that I'm simply not seeing from the current incumbent. We need a Nathan Jones, a Gareth Ainsworth or even a Ryan Lowe type right now. The sort of gaffer that pisses the opposition off but gets everyone in his camp buzzing and excited by the challenge.
 
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