Entertaining game , defence much better, Jones the standout , CBT some player for us and generally a good win. Shame we didn’t move up the table much with these 3 points Appleton didn’t acknowledge the crowd at the end , perhaps it’s not his style , walked off with his arm round the Wycombe goalie. Did well with the substitution’s and set up though
Must have had your eyes closed, mate
I saw him clapping as he looked towards us in the Curbs Stand but just checked & Mr F confirmed it .
Experienced league one manager demonstrates experience in management of a league one team shock.
I mean I know you're being sarky but to listen to some people it really WOULD be a shock given their reaction when he was appointed.
Its certainly not job done and there's areas for improvement still. It would also be worth acknowledgement that between Holden leaving and Appleton getting started a fair few injured/unfit players have since become available, and new players too.
However for all that I do like that his reaction when we were under the cosh was to bring on attacking players and try regain impetus instead of doubling down on defence trying to hold onto the one point. It won't work every time but it feels ages since we've had a manager who is actually proactive with subs and not conservative.
Yup. After the breast beating "not my manager" hysteria turns out he has some ability after all.
Entertaining game , defence much better, Jones the standout , CBT some player for us and generally a good win. Shame we didn’t move up the table much with these 3 points Appleton didn’t acknowledge the crowd at the end , perhaps it’s not his style , walked off with his arm round the Wycombe goalie. Did well with the substitution’s and set up though
Must have had your eyes closed, mate
I saw him clapping as he looked towards us in the Curbs Stand but just checked & Mr F confirmed it .
Entertaining game , defence much better, Jones the standout , CBT some player for us and generally a good win. Shame we didn’t move up the table much with these 3 points Appleton didn’t acknowledge the crowd at the end , perhaps it’s not his style , walked off with his arm round the Wycombe goalie. Did well with the substitution’s and set up though
Must have had your eyes closed, mate
I saw him clapping as he looked towards us in the Curbs Stand but just checked & Mr F confirmed it .
3-1 totally flattered us . Wycombe looked like a decent side . When they equalised there looked like only one team was going to win and it wasn’t us but thanks to a scuffed shot and a brilliant individual goal from CBT, I can go home happy .
Still lots of work to do. The right back Abankwah was pony again and when Watson came on to replace him , we looked far more assured .
COYR!
Don't know why this got two lol's, was exactly how I saw it.
Bring the lols on ! Those who gave me them know I’m right they just didn’t have the intelligence to see it ! 😂
Why can't you make allowances. 'Abankwah was pony again' could read 'yet to see the best of him in his natural position in a Charlton shirt' but no, abuse it is. Crack on!
Beds is right. He was pony last week & pony today. He may be playing right back instead of right sided centre half, but you wouldn't want him in your Welling/Bromley etc team playing like that. He's a complete liability & it's not his fault but hopefully he doesn't feature again for some time.
I seem to recall a fair few on here calling JRS pony after his first game for us last season!
He doesn’t get signed by Udinese and given the plaudits he gets by being pony.
I actually think he did ok in the first half, it was the second half where he struggled. Pony though? Come on, he’s a 19 year old professional, get a grip!
Totally agree. The kid is trying to settle in. He's been developed as a centre back and now doing his best playing out of position because of our injury/fitness issues.
And there is a marked difference.
Easier to read the game as a centre back and with hopefully your flanks protected and pretty much everyrhing in front of you ( Or it should be). The move from there to full back feels a much more isolated position, with balls over the top, down the wing, dealing with speedy wingers, or two on one overlaps, etc.
Expecting him to adapt in a couple of weeks at his age is ludicrous. So, let's cut him some slack.
Besides, despite the spite, was he responsible for the only goal against us today?
Out of interest, did you see the game?
I hope he comes good, but there have been sloppy lapses and poor passes in his 2 games so far.
Delighted with the win and really happy about how much influence the last set of substitutions made. Appleton got a lot of credit with me for that.
But for me, he didn't set the team up in the way that suited that team he put out. I feel that it would have had far more threat and balance with Campbell out wide and Leaburn down the middle where they are both more comfortable. The goal even came from those players being in their more natural positions. Both players put in a decent shift, but I just felt we would have been better.
We won so it's all great. Just thought we'd have looked stronger against this Wycombe team with that set up.
Have to disagree with that, I think Leaburn is actually much more suited to playing on the right. He’s a big guy but he’s so good with the ball at his feet it sometimes feels like a waste of his talent having his back to the defenders. Give him the ball running towards the opposition and he’s more effective in my opinion.
The problem I see is you play wider, you make different runs. The naturalness of the position and the space behind and touch line will see him at various points stretching more to get outside, get behind etc. And I see a massive risk of hamstrings and other strains. It’s not a natural position for someone’s his size and stature. @Sage will know more than me on this and I may well be talking rubbish.
It’s not a negative, Miles is a proper class act with the ball and will be going to a higher level than us very soon.
You certainly make different runs and the in to out and out to in is different than what he’d be used to. He is also not the natural stature and size as you say. However, Leaburn’s never had issues with strains or hamstring injuries so far, it’s always been his ankle pretty much. Playing out wide and coming in towards the back post or to support May that way could be beneficial as he’s very good with the ball at his feet, I don’t think he’s that good with his back to goal and holding it up, not yet. Playing where he did yesterday allowed us to see Leaburn pin their full back and have the ability to run at them, he wouldn’t do that playing through the middle.
It’s a different job that is more back and forward due to defensive responsibilities, and he’s still growing and growing into his body, but I wouldn’t be worried about him or the pressures on different parts of his body playing that role, not right now.
He’s a very different player to TC where he doesn’t have the pace or dribbling ability. I prefer Leaburn closer to the middle but until he’s able to get a hold of the ball effectively with having to play with his back to goal more, he’ll need a better first touch too, but putting him as almost like a inside right position on the half turn or with his back to the touch line, we are going to see a better version of Leaburn for now.
He will almost certainly tire more though playing in this role. Which is where we would have to be careful as that’s where he would get injured. Currently, having Leaburn, TC, Tedic, Aneke, Chem all available, we are able to take him off before it gets a problem. I think Appleton is probably more switched on and proactive with these finer details than previous managers who would have left Leaburn on those 10-15 mins longer each time and that’s where we get the issue.
But it’s certainly interesting to think about these things already and you have a fair point AFKA. Just right now, I see no reason to believe that it’s going to be an issue.
I'd like to see Corey and Dobbo sign new deals soon, think that would show real intent that we're working on something long term here
I think we’d all like that but I can’t see it happening. More likely they leave in January or we lose them next summer for nothing. From their point of view I’m sure they will wait to see what league we will be in next season before committing themselves.
Completely agree and see what you’re saying. But to me, this is where Scott earns his money. If we are serious and the ownership are genuine and want promotion. You at least protect your assets first and show intent.
We have 3 months to sort out contracts before the window opens and who knows what then. We should be doing all we can to make sure they know how important they are to us.
I'd like to see Corey and Dobbo sign new deals soon, think that would show real intent that we're working on something long term here
I think we’d all like that but I can’t see it happening. More likely they leave in January or we lose them next summer for nothing. From their point of view I’m sure they will wait to see what league we will be in next season before committing themselves.
Completely agree and see what you’re saying. But to me, this is where Scott earns his money. If we are serious and the ownership are genuine and want promotion. You at least protect your assets first and show intent.
We have 3 months to sort out contracts before the window opens and who knows what then. We should be doing all we can to make sure they know how important they are to us.
I don't disagree I the slightest but...
We have a handful of outfield adult players contracted to next season it's a very fine balance between building and being in the championship with a load of contracted players that aren't fit for purpose.
I appreciate that this is mainly for Dobson and CBT but if it's "shit or bust", which some are suggesting it might be a case of signing 1 or 2 players in January, rather than signing existing players to long contracts. If it gives us a better chance at promotion.
Not saying its right, just that it might be more likely. We should be doing both if they are serious.
Dobson and Corey are both very good L1 players but they’re not irreplaceable for a club of our stature.
Players move on all the time. If we don’t get promoted, which is looking more likely than we’d like atm, and they have Championship offers then it’ll be very hard to hold onto them.
Where Scott will earn his money is either getting them signed up to new deals OR in finding replacements that are as good as, if not better than, them.
I don’t think you’ll find two players better than Dobbo and CBT in League One for what they do and bring to the team specifically. Replacements will mean the make up of the team changes and currently, we know what they bring and how good they are at it when playing well, which both have done so far this season.
There are a number of players contracted beyond this season, but there’s also a number of key players that aren’t. We need to shift some of the ones in contract, sign up ones like Dobbo and CBT and add similar quality across the pitch.
On a side note… one signing I can see happening in January, depending on how Ipswich are doing, is signing Camara on a permanent deal and getting in another loan player. Appleton has said about his record of signing great loans, and this one makes sense to me.
I don’t think you’ll find two players better than Dobbo and CBT in League One for what they do and bring to the team specifically. Replacements will mean the make up of the team changes and currently, we know what they bring and how good they are at it when playing well, which both have done so far this season.
There are a number of players contracted beyond this season, but there’s also a number of key players that aren’t. We need to shift some of the ones in contract, sign up ones like Dobbo and CBT and add similar quality across the pitch.
On a side note… one signing I can see happening in January, depending on how Ipswich are doing, is signing Camara on a permanent deal and getting in another loan player. Appleton has said about his record of signing great loans, and this one makes sense to me.
Not sure I'd want to sign Camara on a permanent if I'm honest. Not questioning his ability as he's very good at this level. But I've had enough of injury prone players and he seems another one.
Over 100+ minutes Wycombe had two shots on target: The wonder strike and Thomas block( Isted was in a good position and would've saved).
So Charlton critics don't you think that out of possession, we did well in achieving that ? The answer is yes if you're still hangover.
Potential 16 man game over the marathon game time now and the 11 that plays the last 30 minutes ( including Added time) is as important as the starting 11.
Maybe just new manager bounce, but having CBT, Leaburn, and the workaholic May available to try to blend as well as Chuks, Tedic, Campbells, means we have options on the bench plus young Kanu when Aneke isn't fit ! Fraser could've a mega role to play in linking up our attacking play 🤞
Other than Nobby ice hockey coach *Vinegar or Karel basket man Fraeye, I can't think of a poorer reaction to a new head coach than Michael Appleton. I continue to hope he has luck to go with coaching ability because he will need it.
* Nobby Vinegar didn't get the job because even Katrien Meire said there will be a riot if he does. I believe this was the truth !
Very well said, I am still convinced a lot of people who were very anti Apples don't know why they were, just that they thought they should be.
Appleton became a meme here because of the way he jumped jobs, and was always linked with vacancies. NOT because of his coaching abilities, so I never got the "anyone but Appleton" vibes, as if he was a sign of failure.
I assumed it was because he looked so scarey / scared in that picture - so far he’s looking like the perfect appointment 👏
I like Leaburn playing wider. He has the skill to beat a man and to turn in on goal. He is more of a Lyle Taylor, mobile striker than a back to goal hold up striker.
I don’t think you’ll find two players better than Dobbo and CBT in League One for what they do and bring to the team specifically. Replacements will mean the make up of the team changes and currently, we know what they bring and how good they are at it when playing well, which both have done so far this season.
There are a number of players contracted beyond this season, but there’s also a number of key players that aren’t. We need to shift some of the ones in contract, sign up ones like Dobbo and CBT and add similar quality across the pitch.
On a side note… one signing I can see happening in January, depending on how Ipswich are doing, is signing Camara on a permanent deal and getting in another loan player. Appleton has said about his record of signing great loans, and this one makes sense to me.
In all honesty, I think we need to get promoted to keep them. I don't buy the argument that there are better players we can bring in to replace them, of course there are better players, but getting those players is another matter.
Regarding Chucks it's not a surprise he's only lasting twenty, it's his second minutes in around 10 months.
Love AM passion.
People saying about MA playing players out of position or system. MA seems a different level to DH tactically. Maybe he has us set up a certain way to nullify the opposition. He can adjust the system accordingly too. Not going to criticise anyone after a 3-1 win against a in form Wycombe side
Presumably Leaburn on the right was seen as a better support/shield to Awankwah than Tyreece.
Interesting, I did notice from East stand 2nd half Abankwah looked inside to Dobbo to pass to. Must have happened a few times for me to notice. Can't remember one down the line
I don’t think you’ll find two players better than Dobbo and CBT in League One for what they do and bring to the team specifically. Replacements will mean the make up of the team changes and currently, we know what they bring and how good they are at it when playing well, which both have done so far this season.
There are a number of players contracted beyond this season, but there’s also a number of key players that aren’t. We need to shift some of the ones in contract, sign up ones like Dobbo and CBT and add similar quality across the pitch.
On a side note… one signing I can see happening in January, depending on how Ipswich are doing, is signing Camara on a permanent deal and getting in another loan player. Appleton has said about his record of signing great loans, and this one makes sense to me.
If we win at Shrewsbury that will equate to four points from four away games. On target in terms of away games if your target is to win every home game and draw every away game.
94 points.
The win at Shrewsbury hasn’t happened, but in my view it must.
The problem that would remain after a win at Shrewsbury if it happens is the six points dropped at home to Bristol Rovers and Port Vale.
Those six points would require winning three away games in addition to a win at Shrewsbury.
That means winning at Derby, Lincoln and Wigan and being back on track by 31st October. All whilst winning each home game.
The billionaires who sacked Holden presumably did it because they share the same aspirations as me, and like me now expect Appleton to deliver those wins, otherwise why lose money by sacking Holden?
I suppose those Billionaires might not give a damn about results but hope to recoup money by selling off any assets we might have. If that’s the case they can eff off as far as I’m concerned.
For Appleton to be judged a success in my eyes he has to build on his solitary win so far and win the next eight matches (yes eight) and then we can go away to Portsmouth in good heart.
I don’t want the lottery of play offs, I want the certainty of automatic promotion under these wise billionaires expertly wrangled by Methven.
We're not going anywhere until we sort our defence out. We look vulnerable at corners, crosses and set pieces - with better forwards Wycombe should have buried some of the headers on Ssturday.
If we win at Shrewsbury that will equate to four points from four away games. On target in terms of away games if your target is to win every home game and draw every away game.
94 points.
The win at Shrewsbury hasn’t happened, but in my view it must.
The problem that would remain after a win at Shrewsbury if it happens is the six points dropped at home to Bristol Rovers and Port Vale.
Those six points would require winning three away games in addition to a win at Shrewsbury.
That means winning at Derby, Lincoln and Wigan and being back on track by 31st October. All whilst winning each home game.
The billionaires who sacked Holden presumably did it because they share the same aspirations as me, and like me now expect Appleton to deliver those wins, otherwise why lose money by sacking Holden?
I suppose those Billionaires might not give a damn about results but hope to recoup money by selling off any assets we might have. If that’s the case they can eff off as far as I’m concerned.
For Appleton to be judged a success in my eyes he has to build on his solitary win so far and win the next eight matches (yes eight) and then we can go away to Portsmouth in good heart.
I wonder if we could club together and buy you a different drum to bang on. 🤔
I would simplify it. For us it is about runs. If we put a run of three or four wins together, where would that leave us? If we win the game we have in hand on most of the top clubs we are three points behind 6th place and six points behind top. We can see from the table that this is a league where teams will take points from each other, Pompey who are unbeaten have drawn four. Stevenage are the only side who have been beaten less than two times. I don't think they will be up there at the end. It is early days and still all to play for. What we need to see is continuous improvement from us and with the squad we have, and the league we are in, this has to be a possibility with a fair wind.
If we win at Shrewsbury that will equate to four points from four away games. On target in terms of away games if your target is to win every home game and draw every away game.
94 points.
The win at Shrewsbury hasn’t happened, but in my view it must.
The problem that would remain after a win at Shrewsbury if it happens is the six points dropped at home to Bristol Rovers and Port Vale.
Those six points would require winning three away games in addition to a win at Shrewsbury.
That means winning at Derby, Lincoln and Wigan and being back on track by 31st October. All whilst winning each home game.
The billionaires who sacked Holden presumably did it because they share the same aspirations as me, and like me now expect Appleton to deliver those wins, otherwise why lose money by sacking Holden?
I suppose those Billionaires might not give a damn about results but hope to recoup money by selling off any assets we might have. If that’s the case they can eff off as far as I’m concerned.
For Appleton to be judged a success in my eyes he has to build on his solitary win so far and win the next eight matches (yes eight) and then we can go away to Portsmouth in good heart.
I wonder if we could club together and buy you a different drum to bang on. 🤔
I am open to suggestions as to how to get the 94 points some other way.
Good points about Camara, but the bad injury last season did see him have 3 operations. His body will only change from such invasive surgery, especially aiming to return to the tough and physical rigors of being a professional footballer. I hope he can be eased in when fit, as we have some good options/cover in midfield.
There are lots of ways to get them, especially at this early stage. But ultimately it would involve winning games, home or away.
There probably are lots of ways to get those points. I have suggested a way in specific terms. I get mocked for doing so because I link it to what I believe should be the only focus of the manager, and for suggesting that the manager would be a failure for not achieving the points for automatic promotion however good he is supposed to be ‘working with young players’. I find that aspect of his appointment sinister, as if automatic promotion isn’t the overriding priority because we can farm youngsters. Not everybody shares my view, but how many wouldn’t want automatic promotion this season?
I realise it is inconvenient but there are 11 professional football players on the other team trying to earn a living. Before Saturday Wycombe were undefeated in 5 winning 4. What you expected them just to roll over at the sound of The Red Robin?
An ever rotating defence (Asiimwe & Edun injured, T.Watson with no pre season) for the 3rd league game* in a row limited the opposition to 1 goal which was a good strike past a probably unsighted keeper**. Opposing players are allowed to have skills. What you expected Isted to dive somewhere on the off chance?
*The Cup defeat arose from 3 individual errors from Chin, Ness & Roddy ** At Stevenage Isted misread the danger, got his positioning & his feet horribly wrong]
Just as at Stevenage and against Fleetwood the League Match day squad got the job done.
That is where we are.
Despite several good moments in the 1st half and an effective closing 10 minutes was it compelling football? Not especially. There is a reason League 1 football rarely makes the main TV media channels. It is robust, competitive, largely attritional and more often than not relies on opposition mistakes or moments of individual skill to win games.
The player scores awarded on the other thread used to identify if the contributor was at the match or not. If you think you a get a full picture of how any player performs via a screen you are mistaken.
Over & above the usual early season issues, 6 weeks in, with 4 players in the building 3 weeks, Mr Appleton has made it clear he viewed the squad as not being fit enough to meet the performance standards he expects.
He acknowledges the remedial training intensity, he views necessary, will impact match days for a few weeks. He has made it clear there are players learning on the job. You know this. A key challenge for any emerging talent is consistency. Every opposition will present new challenges. There is no substitute for the experience.
Several players need to show to him and themselves what they can deliver at this level. The profile of players like Abankwah, Asiimwe, Anderson, Ness, Elewere, L Watson, Kanu even Taylor, Leaburn, C. Campbell, T Campbell all fit into that category.
You are perfectly entitled to your match day views. It is part of the shared match day experience for fans and players alike but any career projections negative or positive based on the limited data available to date could hardly be more misplaced.
One key aspect to senior football is the physical & mental need to earn the right to play, each & every week. I would argue the last 3 weeks has seen the team start to deliver to that basic principle. I perceive in these early days Appleton is specifically challenging the squad to add a more robust and competitive edge to their game.
At the same time every new manager in searching for balance is going to throw the players a challenge or two. I quite liked the positioning of Leaburn and Campbell. It is nothing more than creating mismatches. It is not rocket science.
Playing wide gives Leaburn a chance to compete with less physically challenging defenders while giving him more options & space in which to operate. He has the mobility and pace to carry the position regularly offering a controlled “out” ball.
Campbell, while needing to mature physically and facing a real learning curve, has the real ability to work in tight spaces while providing genuine pace to move beyond opposing midfielders and attack the invariably slower central defenders.
I thought both, with barely 12 months of senior football, were solid and made key contributions to the victory.
Comments
I saw him clapping as he looked towards us in the Curbs Stand but just checked & Mr F confirmed it .
He’s a very different player to TC where he doesn’t have the pace or dribbling ability. I prefer Leaburn closer to the middle but until he’s able to get a hold of the ball effectively with having to play with his back to goal more, he’ll need a better first touch too, but putting him as almost like a inside right position on the half turn or with his back to the touch line, we are going to see a better version of Leaburn for now.
He will almost certainly tire more though playing in this role. Which is where we would have to be careful as that’s where he would get injured. Currently, having Leaburn, TC, Tedic, Aneke, Chem all available, we are able to take him off before it gets a problem. I think Appleton is probably more switched on and proactive with these finer details than previous managers who would have left Leaburn on those 10-15 mins longer each time and that’s where we get the issue.
But it’s certainly interesting to think about these things already and you have a fair point AFKA. Just right now, I see no reason to believe that it’s going to be an issue.
We have 3 months to sort out contracts before the window opens and who knows what then. We should be doing all we can to make sure they know how important they are to us.
We have a handful of outfield adult players contracted to next season it's a very fine balance between building and being in the championship with a load of contracted players that aren't fit for purpose.
I appreciate that this is mainly for Dobson and CBT but if it's "shit or bust", which some are suggesting it might be a case of signing 1 or 2 players in January, rather than signing existing players to long contracts. If it gives us a better chance at promotion.
Not saying its right, just that it might be more likely. We should be doing both if they are serious.
Where Scott will earn his money is either getting them signed up to new deals OR in finding replacements that are as good as, if not better than, them.
There are a number of players contracted beyond this season, but there’s also a number of key players that aren’t. We need to shift some of the ones in contract, sign up ones like Dobbo and CBT and add similar quality across the pitch.
On a side note… one signing I can see happening in January, depending on how Ipswich are doing, is signing Camara on a permanent deal and getting in another loan player. Appleton has said about his record of signing great loans, and this one makes sense to me.
Not questioning his ability as he's very good at this level.
But I've had enough of injury prone players and he seems another one.
94 points.
The win at Shrewsbury hasn’t happened, but in my view it must.
The problem that would remain after a win at Shrewsbury if it happens is the six points dropped at home to Bristol Rovers and Port Vale.
Those six points would require winning three away games in addition to a win at Shrewsbury.
That means winning at Derby, Lincoln and Wigan and being back on track by 31st October. All whilst winning each home game.
The billionaires who sacked Holden presumably did it because they share the same aspirations as me, and like me now expect Appleton to deliver those wins, otherwise why lose money by sacking Holden?
I suppose those Billionaires might not give a damn about results but hope to recoup money by selling off any assets we might have. If that’s the case they can eff off as far as I’m concerned.
For Appleton to be judged a success in my eyes he has to build on his solitary win so far and win the next eight matches (yes eight) and then we can go away to Portsmouth in good heart.
I don’t want the lottery of play offs, I want the certainty of automatic promotion under these wise billionaires expertly wrangled by Methven.
Need to get a few clean sheets.
It would be nice to see us dominate a game.
He had a bad injury last season which kept him out for nearly all of it.
He didn’t have a full pre-season with us or at Ipswich, he is now injured but hopefully will be back within the next weeks.
81 league games for Plymouth (40 and 41).
But last season and the start of this one has been difficult for him.
Let’s put things into perspective…
He’s only 26 and has played nearly 200 league games.
He’s the same age as Tennai Watson, who has only played 90 league games.
He’s the same age as CBT who has only played 120 or so league games.
Dobson is 26 in November and has played around 40 league games more than Camara, but Camara missed practically the whole of the season last year.
I thought we played 4-2-3-1 all game.
I have suggested a way in specific terms.
I get mocked for doing so because I link it to what I believe should be the only focus of the manager, and for suggesting that the manager would be a failure for not achieving the points for automatic promotion however good he is supposed to be ‘working with young players’.
I find that aspect of his appointment sinister, as if automatic promotion isn’t the overriding priority because we can farm youngsters.
Not everybody shares my view, but how many wouldn’t want automatic promotion this season?
An ever rotating defence (Asiimwe & Edun injured, T.Watson with no pre season) for the 3rd league game* in a row limited the opposition to 1 goal which was a good strike past a probably unsighted keeper**. Opposing players are allowed to have skills. What you expected Isted to dive somewhere on the off chance?
*The Cup defeat arose from 3 individual errors from Chin, Ness & Roddy
** At Stevenage Isted misread the danger, got his positioning & his feet horribly wrong]
Just as at Stevenage and against Fleetwood the League Match day squad got the job done.
Despite several good moments in the 1st half and an effective closing 10 minutes was it compelling football? Not especially. There is a reason League 1 football rarely makes the main TV media channels. It is robust, competitive, largely attritional and more often than not relies on opposition mistakes or moments of individual skill to win games.
The player scores awarded on the other thread used to identify if the contributor was at the match or not. If you think you a get a full picture of how any player performs via a screen you are mistaken.
Over & above the usual early season issues, 6 weeks in, with 4 players in the building 3 weeks, Mr Appleton has made it clear he viewed the squad as not being fit enough to meet the performance standards he expects.
He acknowledges the remedial training intensity, he views necessary, will impact match days for a few weeks. He has made it clear there are players learning on the job. You know this. A key challenge for any emerging talent is consistency. Every opposition will present new challenges. There is no substitute for the experience.
Several players need to show to him and themselves what they can deliver at this level. The profile of players like Abankwah, Asiimwe, Anderson, Ness, Elewere, L Watson, Kanu even Taylor, Leaburn, C. Campbell, T Campbell all fit into that category.
You are perfectly entitled to your match day views. It is part of the shared match day experience for fans and players alike but any career projections negative or positive based on the limited data available to date could hardly be more misplaced.
One key aspect to senior football is the physical & mental need to earn the right to play, each & every week. I would argue the last 3 weeks has seen the team start to deliver to that basic principle. I perceive in these early days Appleton is specifically challenging the squad to add a more robust and competitive edge to their game.
At the same time every new manager in searching for balance is going to throw the players a challenge or two. I quite liked the positioning of Leaburn and Campbell. It is nothing more than creating mismatches. It is not rocket science.
Playing wide gives Leaburn a chance to compete with less physically challenging defenders while giving him more options & space in which to operate. He has the mobility and pace to carry the position regularly offering a controlled “out” ball.
Campbell, while needing to mature physically and facing a real learning curve, has the real ability to work in tight spaces while providing genuine pace to move beyond opposing midfielders and attack the invariably slower central defenders.
I thought both, with barely 12 months of senior football, were solid and made key contributions to the victory.
It worked. They DID get the job done.