So why does everyone hate Appleton

TheRealKingKenny said:
I have repeatedly said that we need to give him time and I have also said that he has been incredibly unlucky with injuries, I am not one of the critics who won't give him a chance. I have no agenda like you did when you got it wrong and Critchley won promotion.

I'm saying I haven't enjoyed the football this season because it's been crap apart from the odd half, including the fortuitous win at Huddersfield where the three points glossed over how shit we were.
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I didn't get anything wrong Critchley left part way through a 4 year contract when we were told he was part of a long term strategy
 
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SEASIDE2020 said:
Again, apologies for my pedanticity but he didn't stick it to the Oystons.

He just left because he got a better offer from Blackburn.

Yes, Koko could have done without the bother of having to appoint a new manager but the compensation received from Blackburn more than made up for that.
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Well, fair enough, his intent may be debatable, but the result that Karl and his dad didn’t like being made to look foolish (which is why I so often go back and read what the judge said about Karl being an unreliable witness but ultimately pretty insignificant cos daddy was in charge!) is the silver lining.

Either way, I don’t care about that weird part of BFC history, I just think circumstances more than deficiencies of management have held us back to date. With a fair wind(mostly fitness related!), I think we'll do ok again this year.
 
If you are a miserable introvert - you will like MA.

If you are a bright, fun loving extrovert - you will probably really not like MA.

He's definitely one for the Phil Mitchell fan.
 
OldTimer said:
442 teams normally are, it's what kids play at school???
Have you ever played football at any reasonable level? I'm guessing not.
Occasionally I comment on your continuing rants against Neil Critchley and ignore your 'expertise' on tactics & team selection but that remark is ridiculous. Football is a fluid game. You can sit down and lay out a basic formation in the dressing room beforehand but the opposition can destroy that plan once you step on the pitch. For example, City v United last weekend. Then there are the times when one or two players can dominate a game and you can't get near them. I remember Scott Parker playing for West Ham at Bloomfield Road and he was outstanding. David Silva had a decent 15 minute cameo that season as well.
When that happens, players have to manage the game on the pitch. There is nothing wrong with 442 as such. However a team sets up it is always with the aim of having a spare man at the back - one of the centre-backs - to cover the ball behind. Full backs tuck in, wingers drop back to cover overlaps and centre mid drop to deny attackers space. Going forward, it's a question of balance - the more the opposition drop, the further the team can push. The basic rule is to leave two (defenders) on one (attacker).
Football is a simple game. Personal battles; first touch; first to the second ball; movement & working hard off the ball to support and be in a position to help whether attacking or defending. Decision making is key - Callum Wright last night took an extra touch and options disappeared. The best ball in football has always been the one that is cut back from the byline (apart from that one De Bruyne sends across the six yard box). Wingers who can beat a player and put in a decent cross will always be in demand.
You use formations in your posts to disparage Neil Critchley and put them forward as if they are always the answer. They are a start but it's always down to players in the end.
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I agree about cutting back from the byline and that's why we didn't create as much until Corbeanu came on. We had decent wide players on the bench and played strikers where they aren't comfortable.
 
Be bop deluxe said:
The messiah's/elite coaches on here can fuck right off . Get behind the him and the club
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I am behind him, well and truly.

However, I’m not behind the persistent stopping of signings both he and previous manager, NC, wanted to sign. Which lies with the board of “messiahs.”
 
My biggest issue with Appleton isn’t the tactics it’s the negativity.

He gives opposition teams too much respect at times (first half yesterday) and stifles our own play as a result.

The fact is we don’t have the money other clubs do and we therefore don’t have the very best players (on paper) - as a result we’ve got to get the players we do have to operate as a unit and to play and believe they’re better than individually they maybe are.

You don’t get that added value to get individuals reaching new heights if you’re telling them they’re no better than they currently are and set them up accordingly. Give them freedom and belief. Let them express themselves.

Leicester winning the league, Blackpool under Holloway, Greece winning the Euros - these underdogs manage to do great things because they’re made to believe it’s possible. I don’t think Appleton will ever add that value we need. I think that value is all we can rely on to close the gap between us and our richer competitors and with Appleton that won’t happen.
 
BFC_BFC_BFC said:
I understand the bit where it is an imaginary future outcome, based upon a set of imaginary circumstances which serves to confirm a personal bias, yet has no actual basis in fact. In fact so imaginary is this future outcome, it requires the actual facts to be 'disappeared' in a Trump-like 'Fake News' kinda way and replaced by a distorted truth, that fits.

I call it Fantasy vs Reality


By your logic... Any future situation can be imagined and justified, whilst reality is simply erased from the record books....

Football is a results based business and you ain't judged on what might happen in the future... (largely because that's just pretend)... You are, however judged on what actually happens.
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Well, here's a reality.

Last 10 games we netted 9 points.

If you look at results pre and post McCall there is a striking difference. We were getting over 1.5 points a game with McCall (the main reason why we finished on 60 was the early haul) and less than 1 in those last games.

Critchely was only heading one way and he knew it which is why he quit.

I think the reaction Appleton gets is from those who are bitter at being taken in by Critchley's puppet hands and now are so defensive they can't give MA even the time to assemble a team he wants. Scared of being hurt again teenagers might say.
 
fcblackpool said:
Well, here's a reality.

Last 10 games we netted 9 points.

If you look at results pre and post McCall there is a striking difference. We were getting over 1.5 points a game with McCall (the main reason why we finished on 60 was the early haul) and less than 1 in those last games.

Critchely was only heading one way and he knew it which is why he quit.

I think the reaction Appleton gets is from those who are bitter at being taken in by Critchley's puppet hands and now are so defensive they can't give MA even the time to assemble a team he wants. Scared of being hurt again teenagers might say.
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You could easily attribute the points tally in our last 10 games down to apathy as much as anything else. We pretty much had nothing to play for at that stage in the proceedings, having assured our place in the Championship.

In the 19 league Games we played with McCall ... We got 27 Points

In the 19 League Games following McCalls departure ...We got 25 Points

So there's no real noticeable difference.

Like I said... you just make stuff up in your own head and then try and shoehorn stuff to fit your own narrative.

Critchley quit because he was offered a better job on miles more money with a manager who he's had a past association with... It was a no brainer.

If I have any issue with the situation at the Club at the moment, it's the lack of leadership...

We have a manager who doesn't take ownership or accountability for his own performance and has basically made excuses from the moment he arrived and that is translating to our on the pitch performances, where players don't want to take responsibility either. The team (currently) and the performances (currently) are a reflection of the leadership and personality (or lack thereof) of the manager.

When Critchley had a poor run of games, he didn't reach for the excuse book, he just got his head down and turned things around.... And he did that on more than one or two occasions.
 
Down to apathy??? I stopped reading after that.

Don't talk horsepoop. It's a professional football who had all sorts of things to play for. Not least the paying fans.
 
BFC_BFC_BFC said:
When Critchley had a poor run of games, he didn't reach for the excuse book, he just got his head down and turned things around.... And he did that on more than one or two occasions.
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Not sure on this last bit towards the end mate.

Especially Preston away 🤢🙈

My opinion so far, is that Critchley was better tactically than Appleton. However, i think
Appleton is a much stronger character & better at shipping out players, not scared of upsetting people. This might not be a good thing btw with the modern footballer.

There’s no way on gods earth Madine comes off at Stoke under NC. He would also rotate the team so much to keep everyone happy. Like an under 9’s manager keeping the parents sweet. It worked the majority of times but an inability to have the balls to change something early in a game was lacking despite him clearly drilling the team so well defensively.

You have to say though, take Bowler out last season and we would have struggled like fook.
 
fcblackpool said:
How can you say nearly 25% of the season is down to apathy. That's plain stupid.
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How can you say that it was some kind of proof or evidence that Critchley was going to take us down? Like I said... It's just complete make-believe to try and satisfy your own personal bias. Apathy, a poor run of form, a tough set of games, injuries.. There's a million and one reasons why our points haul / form might have suffered... Yet you create the only scenario that supports your Invented Reality.

We went on a 10 game run, where we only managed 6 points from the end of October to Christmas and then subsequently went on a blinding run... results / points in football aren't linear!! Critchley regularly suffered peaks and troughs in form as is the case for many teams in the Championship. A season exists over 46 games.
 
It appears to me that the biggest problem the club has is player wages. The Championship is probably the hardest division to operate in due to the parachute payments, it totally distorts the situation.
You have a club our size recently out of league 1 competing with clubs like Sheffield United on 3 times the crowd plus parachute payments.
I'm guessing the owner has decided not to go down the unsustainable Hemmings and Preston route and is hoping to hang on in there and build slowly.
Problem is most football fans are impatient and are very good at spending other peoples money!
Sadler probably needs to push the boat out a bit more when it comes to improving the spine of the time but I understand him not wanting to spend a huge amount on overpaid, fairly average footballers.
 
Adams Kebab said:
Not sure on this last bit towards the end mate.

Especially Preston away 🤢🙈

My opinion so far, is that Critchley was better tactically than Appleton. However, i think
Appleton is a much stronger character & better at shipping out players, not scared of upsetting people. This might not be a good thing btw with the modern footballer.

There’s no way on gods earth Madine comes off at Stoke under NC. He would also rotate the team so much to keep everyone happy. Like an under 9’s manager keeping the parents sweet. It worked the majority of times but an inability to have the balls to change something early in a game was lacking despite him clearly drilling the team so well defensively.

You have to say though, take Bowler out last season and we would have struggled like fook.
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To be honest, I've only ended up defending Critchley because of some of the absolute garbage that people tend to post about him. Fact is... He's no longer the Blackpool Manager... He obviously had his weaknesses, but ultimately he did the business and none of the ifs, buts and maybes mean anything.... he might have suffered last season without Bowler.... Fact is though we haven't just taken Bowler out of last seasons side...We've also brought in some additional players...

The point I'm really trying to make here is that ultimately I can't be arsed with hearing excuses and I don't have much faith in Managers who tend to churn out the same old bollocks...

Good Managers rarely make excuses and rarely knock their players.... They build players up and improve them and ultimately they find a way to get results...


It is of course to early to judge Appleton, but for me... If the results and performances aren't happening, then that is only ever down to one person.
 
BFC_BFC_BFC said:
To be honest, I've only ended up defending Critchley because of some of the absolute garbage that people tend to post about him. Fact is... He's no longer the Blackpool Manager... He obviously had his weaknesses, but ultimately he did the business and none of the ifs, buts and maybes mean anything.... he might have suffered last season without Bowler.... Fact is though we haven't just taken Bowler out of last seasons side...We've also brought in some additional players...

The point I'm really trying to make here is that ultimately I can't be arsed with hearing excuses and I don't have much faith in Managers who tend to churn out the same old bollocks...

Good Managers rarely make excuses and rarely knock their players.... They build players up and improve them and ultimately they find a way to get results...


It is of course to early to judge Appleton, but for me... If the results and performances aren't happening, then that is only ever down to one person.
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Ben Mansford yeh 🤣🤣
 
Adams Kebab said:
Not sure on this last bit towards the end mate.

Especially Preston away 🤢🙈

My opinion so far, is that Critchley was better tactically than Appleton. However, i think
Appleton is a much stronger character & better at shipping out players, not scared of upsetting people. This might not be a good thing btw with the modern footballer.

There’s no way on gods earth Madine comes off at Stoke under NC. He would also rotate the team so much to keep everyone happy. Like an under 9’s manager keeping the parents sweet. It worked the majority of times but an inability to have the balls to change something early in a game was lacking despite him clearly drilling the team so well defensively.

You have to say though, take Bowler out last season and we would have struggled like fook.
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Madine's sub at Stoke was a complete misunderstanding between MA and GM. You could see it unfold, GM was playacting and MA took it as real. I think GM told me him so as he left the pitch. He was fuming.
 
Adams Kebab said:
Ben Mansford yeh 🤣🤣
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😂

Seriously though... It's the same mentality you get from these Ex-United Managers...

Roy Keane & Paul Ince are another two that constantly bemoan the abilities of their players, instead of taking ownership themselves...

Players don't improve by sapping their confidence and constantly taking the opposition up and yourself down...
 
Philbfctrois said:
Is it because he once left us? Ffs you are like a bunch of jilted school girls

Give the man a chance and get behind the club

All this negativity is killing us ......
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I certainly don't hate Appleton it's just that he wasn't exactly the first choice of many including me. Now things are getting tough some of us our pointing out the obvious flaws in game plans. I support him and the team but I just can't get enthusiastic about his management. That's all.
 
fcblackpool said:
How can you say nearly 25% of the season is down to apathy. That's plain stupid.
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If there's nothing to play for the players are going to be less motivated, I think that's fairly uncontroversial. Either that, or we are saying players are in no way more motivated and putting in more effort if they are chasing promotion, and that clearly isn't true. Just remember what our legendary promotion sides were saying about their run ins for the playoffs. A team with a shot at 6th is going to be way more focused and intense than a team who knows they will finish 10th-16th no matter what.
 
bill40 said:
I certainly don't hate Appleton it's just that he wasn't exactly the first choice of many including me. Now things are getting tough some of us our pointing out the obvious flaws in game plans. I support him and the team but I just can't get enthusiastic about his management. That's all.
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Wasn't my first choice either, nor second, nor third...., but he's here, on a 4 year deal and yet to have a transfer window of his own. On that basis you have to cut him some slack.

Managers have to deal with the player pool they have. Will he find a 20 goal striker in there, I doubt it. A creative midder that can last 90 and contribute even when things are going badly, doubtful. A DM who can do the ugly stuff and set players away, no.
 
foggy said:
If there's nothing to play for the players are going to be less motivated, I think that's fairly uncontroversial. Either that, or we are saying players are in no way more motivated and putting in more effort if they are chasing promotion, and that clearly isn't true. Just remember what our legendary promotion sides were saying about their run ins for the playoffs. A team with a shot at 6th is going to be way more focused and intense than a team who knows they will finish 10th-16th no matter what.
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There's playing for contracts, playing to get away, playing for pride. A managers job is to not allow them to turn off. P'boro away was unacceptably acceptable in that apathy respect, but not the other 9.

I'd also look at those last games as a chance to build some momentum for the next season.
 
fcblackpool said:
There's playing for contracts, playing to get away, playing for pride. A managers job is to not allow them to turn off. P'boro away was unacceptably acceptable in that apathy respect, but not the other 9.

I'd also look at those last games as a chance to build some momentum for the next season.
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Right now the Russian Army is 'Playing for Pride'....

That seems to be going well
 
fcblackpool said:
There's playing for contracts, playing to get away, playing for pride. A managers job is to not allow them to turn off. P'boro away was unacceptably acceptable in that apathy respect, but not the other 9.

I'd also look at those last games as a chance to build some momentum for the next season.
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There are these things but there is also playing for the incredibly motivating achievement of promotion, massive bonuses and potentially doubling your money. That is obviously additive.
 
Here's a wild theory. I dunno if anyone has ever gone out with someone who projects the insecurities of their previous relationship upon you. It's all a bit mental.

Basically, we're determined not to fall for Appleton cos Critch made a mug out of us and all this hate is self protection.
 
foggy said:
There are these things but there is also playing for the incredibly motivating achievement of promotion, massive bonuses and potentially doubling your money. That is obviously additive.
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Of course, but the other motivational factors should ensure the manager and players are at it, at least up to the last game.
 
td53 said:
Here's a wild theory. I dunno if anyone has ever gone out with someone who projects the insecurities of their previous relationship upon you. It's all a bit mental.

Basically, we're determined not to fall for Appleton cos Critch made a mug out of us and all this hate is self protection.
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Said that above.
 
td53 said:
Here's a wild theory. I dunno if anyone has ever gone out with someone who projects the insecurities of their previous relationship upon you. It's all a bit mental.

Basically, we're determined not to fall for Appleton cos Critch made a mug out of us and all this hate is self protection.
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Not sure you know, people were saying similar about good 'ole Neil 2 years ago, I think it's just a natural reaction to sub optimal performances.

For instance, win the next 4 games including PNE and it'll be fist pumps and Gillets galore, we're all a bit fickle, he'll become the guy Neil should have in most people's eyes.

It's just pretty shite at the minute, we all feel it.
 
fcblackpool said:
There's playing for contracts, playing to get away, playing for pride. A managers job is to not allow them to turn off. P'boro away was unacceptably acceptable in that apathy respect, but not the other 9.

I'd also look at those last games as a chance to build some momentum for the next season.
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Rotherham away,that was unacceptable
 
I actually believe his problem is he’s not comfortable in any PR environment as his communication style is reserved. This then has a knock on effect to supporters who feed off positivity.

Does his communication style motivate the players? Based on the limited interviews we see he doesn’t inspire confidence.

The reality is he’s a qualified coach and responsible for team selection. We all know it’s positive results that will bring back unity.

Evidence tells you that we are a work I progress. Undoubtedly we have had a significant number of injuries that have hampered progress.

When we attempt to play through the lines the brand of football is enjoyable. The problem is we haven’t done it often enough and we lack that cutting edge.

Lack of goals will dictate we are going to have a difficult season. The requirement to improve the forward line is clear and based on the attempted signings pre season was also evident to the management. Not sorting this one was a major own goal.

Whilst we are struggling with results unfortunately Michael Appleton will inevitably be the held responsible.
 
poolfc said:
The timeline for me so far is

I was surprised the guy we beat to promotion and seemingly left behind in the rear view mirror got the job of head coach here

I was surprised that someone who traditionally works as a manager got the job of head coach as part of a football structure. I thought they'd have been all-in on finding another Critchley clone

But then I wasn't surprised he got the job as he was the only one compo-free, local and available for an immediate start as they were running out of hours before pre-season. No way they'd have paid to get him out of Lincoln

I also wasn't surprised when it then became clear there was a lack of clarity on signings being provided to him to coach, within how we're told this football structure and these well-paid execs behind it all is supposed to work as part of an ongoing progress that can survive change. And then the long delay before it looked like Appleton just went into business for himself using his loan contacts just to try to get players in he feels can do a job

There are some occasional flashes football-wise I've seen of being a bit more direct and with it in terms of attacking rather than the cautious approach of Critchley. But the injuries if anything have got worse and with the transfer window dithering, lack of clarity and cashing in on the best player and only real spark I'm now convinced it will catch us up this year. A constant patch up job and juggling formations and tactics that won't really see us being any more progressive or looking any more capable in this league. With the quality of player available. And in a season where the bottom three isn't being subsidised by heavy points deductions and where other clubs are making moves a lot quicker to change manager for a boost.

Appleton himself comes across as someone I could work and get along with during my contracted hours but also comes across like he wouldn't particularly motivate me to go that extra mile for him outside of that. I do think his honesty is refreshing and he clearly offers no hiding place when he's been let down by his board or his players. But there's also that bit of umph I think you need as a Blackpool manager (or head coach) where you've got to get a lot out of a little (which hasn't changed with the owner change), be the face of the club and have a bit of personality to drag everyone up and along with you.

If he gets through this year and then the club want as many of the current contracts off the books as possible to save money, and if that means starting again in league one, then there's every chance we can have a Lincoln year. If the operation is streamlined and he's given full control over recruitment next summer. I think that will be the first time where we get see the real identity of his team and his idea of a way of playing if he's going to do his four years.
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if Lincoln was his "brand of football" it was seemingly five minutes of being quite good and then a much longer period of not being very good at all. Hes wedded to a specific manner of playing, which im not sure you can play in the championship, or outside of a top three or four team in the PL or the champs league,
 
Costero Poderoso said:
if Lincoln was his "brand of football" it was seemingly five minutes of being quite good and then a much longer period of not being very good at all. Hes wedded to a specific manner of playing, which im not sure you can play in the championship, or outside of a top three or four team in the PL or the champs league,
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That's why I said it could be league one with a new squad acquired under his watch next year before he can start to show what he's about.
 
Adams Kebab said:
This small Blackpool thing is coming via them.

People are on Appleton about saying it…

Yet when Sadler or the Head steward at Southport make the same point, guess what people say?!

“We don’t want to do a Derby!!”

Work it out mate as it’s baffling me.
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Yeah its bollux and it all comes from the top

Does anyone in their right mind think Appleton says that stuff in the dressing room?
 
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