I find it impossible to feel anything other than apathy with Charlton managers at this stage. They're there for a bit, they'll go, we just have to hope they achieve something useful in their brief time.
Aside from liking though, one thing that I do appreciate is that he seems to have been able to make our players play, if not brilliantly, at least well enough that they look like L1 level. That shouldn't be a high bar but it weirdly is for us. We've signed so many players who have come in, looked bad and then got worse. We sign players who aren't match fit, wait for them to improve and then they never do. Under Appleton so far though people have at least looked serviceable; Tennai looks like he's starting to get somewhere now he's played a bit, Jones looks settled, AMB seems calmer. It's early days but we've seen more out of McGrandles than we ever have before. The very least we should hope for is our players being at least L1 level and then pray they perform better so it's sort of progress.
On the other hand he does weird stuff. He loves repurposing a player - rush left back, Tyreece Campbell anywhere except on the wing, strikers all over the shop. I know a lot is dictated by our limited squad size but it feels like a thing he'd do anyway. I also am slightly concerned by his overall man management. We've heard that he freezes players out if he doesn't like them, and I can't help but feel bad for Chem Campbell. He was one of our better players under Holden and it must be frustrating for him watching May play at 10 and Tedic on the wing while he struggles to get into the squad ahead of Kirk considering he was providing goals and assists from those spots only weeks before. That can work if you don't do it too much but if we start to dip I can see him losing control of the dressing room quickly.
We also really struggle to play more than one good half which is annoying. You're not going to get a lot of 90 minute clinics at this level but it would be nice to consistently do the thing we're meant to do for most of a game rather than just after the players have been recently threatened by hench Voldemort. He's done ok, at this point we need to see what a good January would look like for him. I don't hold out a lot of hope for Tedic, Chem's, Camara's and Abankwah's loans so we might see some or all of them go back and new loans in. We need a better centre back, a second left back and ideally another striker option. Those can all be loans but I think a really big plus for us would be buying a central midfielder who can run a game. We actually did makes steps in that direction with Terry Taylor but through injury that's been a washout so planning for the inevitable Dobson-less future right now wouldn't hurt; a midfield two of someone hard-working but creative and Taylor next season would be helpful.
Good post, but I wouldn't necessarily bank on 'the inevitable Dobson-less future' - is it so obvious he's going to the Championship (and not with us)? He's very settled here, and he has small flaws in his game that might be accentuated at that level - it's possible he could do well at the level but he wouldn't be a massively obvious signing for a Championship club looking to strengthen.
I'd also argue that a lot of Appleton's repurposings have made sense in the circumstances
I don't have much opinion on Appleton the person (as opposed to club legends like Bowyer or Jackson, or Adkins and Holden who deliberately attempted to connect with fans "personally") but I see it as a feature not a flaw.
He's obviously been around the metaphorical block more than once and probably won't be here forever one way or the other - but again I do think really see that as a bad thing if it means that he gets the players into a semblance of order and organisation and then moves on (or is moved on) so that a proper long term solution can be put in place.
He's doing exactly what we need him to do and probably as well as anyone could do it with the squad he's got. I don't see him ever writing his name in the history books as a hero like Curbishley or Powell - but I don't see him ever being a Fraeye or a Dowie either.
If I based all my opinions of individuals on overused .jpgs and crass inane attempts at humour... Hold on!
Pleasantly surprised by Mickey Apples, he was dealt a hand that contained, journeyman wasters, raw youngsters, sicknotes, and a sparse sprinkling of solid professionals. Glad we are finally scoring but boy is our defence predictably shit still. Your mission MA if you should choose to take it...
Good post, but I wouldn't necessarily bank on 'the inevitable Dobson-less future' - is it so obvious he's going to the Championship (and not with us)? He's very settled here, and he has small flaws in his game that might be accentuated at that level - it's possible he could do well at the level but he wouldn't be a massively obvious signing for a Championship club looking to strengthen.
I'd also argue that a lot of Appleton's repurposings have made sense in the circumstances
I don't think he'll necessarily get a Championship club, though equally I would expect one of the shithouse teams who survive (could be Rotherham, QPR, Birmingham, Stoke etc) might see a lot of value in a free midfielder who can plug gaps. Even if he doesn't get a Championship gig though are we going to pay him enough to stay? One of them teams that come down or a nearby team might just decide he's worth the wage on a free and offer more than our owners are willing to. It's less that I think he's destined for greater things and more that he's got 6 months left on his deal and will want a payrise. I guess we'll see, but it does feel like if our captain wanted to stay he'd have signed something by now. If he does stay I expect it'll be because we go up (nope) or because nothing else comes up at the level he was hoping for, which isn't hugely inspiring for us or him.
I don't have a big issue with the repurposing given our squad size but I worry that it's going to be a thing with him. We'll probably never have a big enough squad to find out if it's needs must or if he's just mad though
Lee Bowyer was the ultimate tinker man. Sometimes he had no choice but to have an A-Z of different formations or players being tried in weird positions was different.
Gunter playing RB,LB, or CB didn't work under Adkins/Jackson, again they were short of players in certain positions and desperation kicked in.
It was great to see Charlton have RB, CB'S and a left footed LB against Pompey. It shouldn't be too much to ask but even for Michael Appleton because of injuries or younger players not ready to play every game, the line up and formations needs to be flexible.
I/we wanted May and Leaburn in a two up front but bizarrely Alfie can play as a 10 with Miles at 9 and still spend plenty of time in front of Leaburn. Mainly because of May athleticism he can be deeper when we are out of possession but still a fox in the box when we attack.
Appleton has started fine with the usual set backs with injuries to Terry Taylor and Camará. Tough gig for Apples at Cafc but I really hope it bears fruit as we have suffered for far too long in a football sense (not real life suffering).
Good post, but I wouldn't necessarily bank on 'the inevitable Dobson-less future' - is it so obvious he's going to the Championship (and not with us)? He's very settled here, and he has small flaws in his game that might be accentuated at that level - it's possible he could do well at the level but he wouldn't be a massively obvious signing for a Championship club looking to strengthen.
I'd also argue that a lot of Appleton's repurposings have made sense in the circumstances
I don't think he'll necessarily get a Championship club, though equally I would expect one of the shithouse teams who survive (could be Rotherham, QPR, Birmingham, Stoke etc) might see a lot of value in a free midfielder who can plug gaps. Even if he doesn't get a Championship gig though are we going to pay him enough to stay? One of them teams that come down or a nearby team might just decide he's worth the wage on a free and offer more than our owners are willing to. It's less that I think he's destined for greater things and more that he's got 6 months left on his deal and will want a payrise. I guess we'll see, but it does feel like if our captain wanted to stay he'd have signed something by now. If he does stay I expect it'll be because we go up (nope) or because nothing else comes up at the level he was hoping for, which isn't hugely inspiring for us or him.
I don't have a big issue with the repurposing given our squad size but I worry that it's going to be a thing with him. We'll probably never have a big enough squad to find out if it's needs must or if he's just mad though
Or perhaps he knows the longer he leaves it, the more leverage he'll have?
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.
If we are 11th now and were 20th on September 1st then surely we are closer to the top 6 now than we were. Obviously the top six aren't all going to drop points to allow as to catch up in just a few weeks. 6 points behind Barnsley in 6th is a big improvement on our shaky start to the season.
We are still someway off playing wise with the inability to play the full 100 minutes with out losing our shape or making an error at the back but some light at the end of the tunnel.
Good post, but I wouldn't necessarily bank on 'the inevitable Dobson-less future' - is it so obvious he's going to the Championship (and not with us)? He's very settled here, and he has small flaws in his game that might be accentuated at that level - it's possible he could do well at the level but he wouldn't be a massively obvious signing for a Championship club looking to strengthen.
I'd also argue that a lot of Appleton's repurposings have made sense in the circumstances
I don't think he'll necessarily get a Championship club, though equally I would expect one of the shithouse teams who survive (could be Rotherham, QPR, Birmingham, Stoke etc) might see a lot of value in a free midfielder who can plug gaps. Even if he doesn't get a Championship gig though are we going to pay him enough to stay? One of them teams that come down or a nearby team might just decide he's worth the wage on a free and offer more than our owners are willing to. It's less that I think he's destined for greater things and more that he's got 6 months left on his deal and will want a payrise. I guess we'll see, but it does feel like if our captain wanted to stay he'd have signed something by now. If he does stay I expect it'll be because we go up (nope) or because nothing else comes up at the level he was hoping for, which isn't hugely inspiring for us or him.
I don't have a big issue with the repurposing given our squad size but I worry that it's going to be a thing with him. We'll probably never have a big enough squad to find out if it's needs must or if he's just mad though
Or perhaps he knows the longer he leaves it, the more leverage he'll have?
I think it suits him not to sign yet. If we do manage to go up he'll be asking for a promoted player's wage. If we don't go up he can bail. It doesn't give him much leverage to leave it if he plans on staying regardless though. If we don't get anywhere this season we aren't going to offer him much of a payrise and the owners will be able to point out that Dobson was as much a part of the squad that didn't go up as anyone else if they don't want to spend the money. I reckon they'd look at the way we play, see Fraser, Taylor, McGrandles, Anderson, May and Campbell as permanent players under contract who can fill those three midfield roles between them without us even bringing anyone else in and ask why they'd bother matching what he can get elsewhere. That's based on what we've seen of their investment so far, they may change their ways.
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 it
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.
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.
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 hole
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.
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 hole
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.
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 it
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.
To 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.
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.
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 hole
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.
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 10
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 it
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.
To 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.
Hey I'm not criticising the formation, I'm just saying it's not the formation the squad was built for.
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 concept
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 it
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.
To 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.
Hey I'm not criticising the formation, I'm just saying it's not the formation the squad was built for.
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 concept
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.
That’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 there
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Comments
I'd also argue that a lot of Appleton's repurposings have made sense in the circumstances
He's obviously been around the metaphorical block more than once and probably won't be here forever one way or the other - but again I do think really see that as a bad thing if it means that he gets the players into a semblance of order and organisation and then moves on (or is moved on) so that a proper long term solution can be put in place.
He's doing exactly what we need him to do and probably as well as anyone could do it with the squad he's got. I don't see him ever writing his name in the history books as a hero like Curbishley or Powell - but I don't see him ever being a Fraeye or a Dowie either.
Pleasantly surprised by Mickey Apples, he was dealt a hand that contained, journeyman wasters, raw youngsters, sicknotes, and a sparse sprinkling of solid professionals. Glad we are finally scoring but boy is our defence predictably shit still. Your mission MA if you should choose to take it...
Sometimes he had no choice but to have an A-Z of different formations or players being tried in weird positions was different.
Gunter playing RB,LB, or CB didn't work under Adkins/Jackson, again they were short of players in certain positions and desperation kicked in.
It was great to see Charlton have RB, CB'S and a left footed LB against Pompey.
It shouldn't be too much to ask but even for Michael Appleton because of injuries or younger players not ready to play every game, the line up and formations needs to be flexible.
I/we wanted May and Leaburn in a two up front but bizarrely Alfie can play as a 10 with Miles at 9 and still spend plenty of time in front of Leaburn. Mainly because of May athleticism he can be deeper when we are out of possession but still a fox in the box when we attack.
Appleton has started fine with the usual set backs with injuries to Terry Taylor and Camará.
Tough gig for Apples at Cafc but I really hope it bears fruit as we have suffered for far too long in a football sense (not real life suffering).
For me he is doing what we could reasonably have hoped for, other than beating Cray Valley.
If we are 11th now and were 20th on September 1st then surely we are closer to the top 6 now than we were. Obviously the top six aren't all going to drop points to allow as to catch up in just a few weeks.
6 points behind Barnsley in 6th is a big improvement on our shaky start to the season.
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 it
Frankly we'd need to be doing extraordinarily well to be overhauling them yet no matter how good our own form is.
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.
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 concept
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Appleton: 1.0 ppg (5 games: Lincoln, Bolton, Wigan, Portsmouth, Carlisle) (1 home game)