What was Appleton’s response during the job interview when he surely was asked how do you, like all managers have to at some point, get through an injury crisis? What’s your plan that makes you different from all the other candidates?
He was interviewed? I assumed his old mate Charlie invited him round to his Oxfordshire country pad, plugged in the Nespresso machine, and offered him the job.
All this match did was to expose our lack of strength in depth. Four strikers out, leaving poor Kanu to plough a lone furrow. All in all I thought the team put in a spirited performance worthy of at least a point. Based on this performance this is most definitely NOT a relegation side. I've seen plenty of those over the past 60 years and they all had the kiss of death about them. Not so with this team. In fact with three quality additions (one up front, one in midfield and one at the back), they could be transformed.
On the one hand, it's ridiculous that we're without May, Leaburn, Aneke and Tedic all at once - what team that plays one up front needs to plan to have 5 first team strikers? - and given the overall selection options today a narrow loss against a good team would be understandable, but on the other hand we've now won 2 games in our last 12. One of those was a bit of a burglary with 2 pens in a 2-1 win and the other we were 3-0 up and still nearly didn't win. We've not won in 6 league games, lost two cup games amongst that and lost our last three. We've failed to pick up wins against Burton, Carlisle, Orient and Cambridge who are all in the conversation for relegation. We've now conceded in the last 10 minutes in 4 of our last 5 games. We're 6 points off the relegation places, two of the teams just below us have had points deductions and most worryingly our results are getting progressively worse. I don't see a patchwork team decimated by injury fighting gamely and clinging on for dear life until reinforcements come in like the pre-Roland Powell team or pre-ESI Bowyer's team, I see a team filled with decent L1 players who are contriving to make the same mistakes over and over and over with apparently no ability to fix it.
Yeah, Appleton will say we played well in his interview and will point at the youth of the team he put out as an excuse but we've played the same settled senior back four (25, 26, 29 and 31) with our 'best' player shielding them (26) for the past 4 games and we've still looked like we couldn't defend a lead even if literally every other person on earth was dead. What are we going to do now? Bring in a 5th senior striker, bring in some hardman to play in midfield and a few other ineffectual loans and hope we have a bit of an upturn in form so we can squeak midtable and talk about building for next season?
No thanks. I honestly just don't want to do it. I don't want to have another few weeks where Appleton talks about the need for experience and Scott does an interview about identifying the right players and in the end it doesn't matter who we bring in because we'll make them rubbish regardless of how good they are. I don't want another half season where we're hoping there's a 3 or 4 week run of form so we can get the thought of relegation to go away and pretend next season will be better. I don't want to watch Appleton cling on through another mediocre 8-12 months before being given the boot for some other disappointment of a hire. I just can't be arsed with it. At least when Roland was employing Belgian PE teachers and ESI were arguing about sexy bread it was funny, now it's just depressing.
Appleton out please, do something, anything to clear the inertia and provide a sense of upward possibility. If he can't manage wins against relegation teams with the best goalscorer in the league in his team then he's not going to take us up to the Championship regardless of who you sign for him so send him back to the clone farm we bought him from and get in a manager who at least has a style. Or don't, whatever, burn it all down.
Welcome back to the pit of misery and the dark side - you’ve always been a pragmatic and positive poster, but Golfie, I and others who hate this team and everyone in it are glad to have you back. There’s a signed picture of Mansfield playing for St Johnstone on its way in the post to you
The thing is I don't massively hate the team. I think we've got some decent players, which just annoys me even more. How are we making Tayo Edun look worse than Fry, Borrowdale, Basey and Bessone? How is a midfield of Dobson, Fraser and anyone else able to control a game less well than a midfield two of Therry Racon and Matt Spring? I know the league overall is better than it was back then but I refuse to be talked down to by Michael fucking Appleton because he doesn't like people pointing out that being unable to win against rubbish teams every single match might be a bit annoying for the people who pay to watch it.
Give it till full time at Vale Park. We’ll get you
'To lose to a goal like that, it's not something you plan for every single week'. Michael, we literally concede a goal in the last ten minutes every single week. Maybe start planning for it.
I mean, I know this is an outrageous idea, but we could also try scoring one ourselves!
'To lose to a goal like that, it's not something you plan for every single week'. Michael, we literally concede a goal in the last ten minutes every single week. Maybe start planning for it.
Who's the dickhead interviewing him? No tough questions and gives Appleton an out with everything he says
Very difficult to take again did not deserve to lose , what a strike for the goal 25 yard out and right in the corner , this was just after we should have had pen when a clear foul on Hector especially as the ref had spoke to the defender seconds before about holding … but this was a young side with very little on the bench to change things in fact two 16 year olds came on .. not sure what people think MA can do without 9 players….. again not much wrong with performance if Oxford are 5th best team in today showing not much between these sides and when they start pretending to be injured to time waste against our kids that tells you all you need to know… but again it was all about the wingers , CBT allowed his man to attack our box Edun had two men , perfect cross something CBT and T Campbell wasted time and time again
MOM T Watson was suberb
Why am I not surprised that you are the first and only person to mention a possible penalty? Why is that di you think?
And defend Apples all you like, those were abysmal substitutions and that's on him.
@Bedsaddick, watching the game live, the benefit of playing Anderson in the centre of the midfield was that he was pressing about 20 yards higher than anyone else. When crater came on, he didn't press at all, expects the ball to come to him and when it did, he made even worse decisions than Anderson.
If I didn't have Louie Watson available I would play Anderson ahead of Fraser every game. Fraser to my mind was directly responsible for their winning goal. He ghosts off players about 10-20 yard off them and never closes them down or makes a challenge. Pretty sure the scorer was his man and if he's 15 yards closer, like he should have been that never goes in.
Despite all that, it was pissing down with rain, getting cold and we had been playing a press. Oxford make their first sub on 65 mins when we are all shouting for a freshen up. Apples makes his on 75/80 and then 85. And he makes bad choices.
We had the chance to go back to having the ball in their half, and to press for a winner. L Watson for Anderson who was gassed. Casey for Chem Campbell.
I thought that they did put a shift in but simply weren’t good enough. Tried their best but weren’t good enough. It’s as simple as that. Players need to come back from injury quickly or we need to buy some new players, especially a left back (I think Edun is a great player but in the wrong position)
'To lose to a goal like that, it's not something you plan for every single week'. Michael, we literally concede a goal in the last ten minutes every single week. Maybe start planning for it.
Surely he should plan to prevent it if anything...🙄🤔
Oxford were the stronger side but we matched them for long periods. In Appleton's defence there were lots of young players who shouldn't really be involved right now but have to be due to injury . And then when introducing a senior player like Fraser who can't cross a ball properly we haven't got a chance
Very difficult to take again did not deserve to lose , what a strike for the goal 25 yard out and right in the corner , this was just after we should have had pen when a clear foul on Hector especially as the ref had spoke to the defender seconds before about holding … but this was a young side with very little on the bench to change things in fact two 16 year olds came on .. not sure what people think MA can do without 9 players….. again not much wrong with performance if Oxford are 5th best team in today showing not much between these sides and when they start pretending to be injured to time waste against our kids that tells you all you need to know… but again it was all about the wingers , CBT allowed his man to attack our box Edun had two men , perfect cross something CBT and T Campbell wasted time and time again
MOM T Watson was suberb
Where do I start with this post...God knows! In fact I'll just point out 1 thing you decided not to mention, Oxford had at least 10 first team regulars out, had to change formation and had 1 day to learn it! Yet you defend MA because we've got 9 out...yet play the same formation game in and game out!! FFS get real for once! Oh and secondly it appears we handled the ball b4 we scored....lucky the ref didn't se that as well huh!
Modern day football is a squad game and when you have don’t have any senior attacking options on the bench you are always going to struggle. For 60 mins we played really well. Final 30 mins was attack v defence.
Most baffling subs I have seen at Charlton for a while. Fraser/Thomas in and Watson/CBT off.
Can’t criticise any of the players as they all put a shift in.
Did they put a shift in? Personally thought majority looked like they couldn’t give a toss.
CBT may as well have stayed in the dressing room at HT. All the subs basically walked onto the pitch and looked as tired as the rest within 5 minutes.
I’m all for players being young, inexperienced etc, but bare min should be 100% and certain players get no where near that most weeks.
Don't agree, with all due respect. They clearly were trying but were out gunned in terms of age & experience, and quality, in many cases. Anderson worked very hard, but at this stage of his career can’t really hold his own in a game like that. (Louie Watson not coming on to replace him was a shocker).
And Oxford defended much better than we did. On one of the rare occasions CBT got through on the left in the second half he crossed the ball, but Oxford had about nine players back in the box, whereas we only had about three trying to get on the end of it. Cory had more success in the first half, and his early strike lead to our goal.
But it’s an issue of squad depth and quality. If this ownership and management don’t combine to pull the proverbial rabbit out of the hat we’re really in trouble. I don’t have much faith that they will, unfortunately.
Had backed the draw at 5/2, so was double gutted about their late winner (and predicted 1-1 in the match preview). But even after our bright start and Chem’s excellent goal, I was never very confident we’d hang on for the win. I think we just about deserved a point though. Michael Appleton’s bizarre substitutions did us no favours though.
When referring to injuries let’s remember who it was that decided to play a half fit Alfie May for nearly 80 minutes on Friday in the middle of a hectic schedule. it came as no surprise that May didn’t feature today. This is just another in a long line of mistakes and awful decisions from Appleton. Playing inexperienced and lesser players ahead of Louie Watson especially when on such an awful run is ridiculous. It just serves to highlight how clueless the manager is. What more does this geezer have to do to get sacked?
Isn’t it the case that the style of play is dictated by Andy Scott and the management team? You play the same style across all the teams and then if you need to bring youngsters in, they already know the formation/tactics.
Not sure that Appleton has any say in this which is why he is persisting with the formation regardless of the personnel. It’s what he’s been told to do. This is why a decent manager won’t come to us, the only ones who will are desperate out of work coaches who are willing to agree to play the system determined by the management team.
We seem to be trying to attract players by paying good wages but that strategy backfires when said players spend most of the time out injured.
How come we end up with players who have been voted player of the year at their previous clubs (eg Gilbey, McKeeper) yet are shit with us?
Appleton's treatment of Louie Watson is inexcusable. If you have no intention of using the lad, and want him recalled, at least have the decency to leave him out of the squad. Humiliating him by starting Anderson, then subbing on Fraser, Rylah and Casey in front of him does nobody any good.
The issues with the club are not down to the manager. With a horrendous injury list, having to play too many young players, and a thin squad all around. The previous transfer windows before Appleton were poor. Holden struggled with the same situation and failed. So do we continue to sack managers every six months, because of the failings of the management structure above them? You could down the route of get rid of the youth teams, and save a load of money that could be spent on more experienced players, but to my mind that's not the Charlton way. I put my money into Valley Gold, just because I want to see local talent come through to the first team We are proud of our academy, but they are young players, trying to find their way in the game, and are liable to make mistakes. So my gut feeling is not to sack Appleton, he has been brave enough to play them in the first team, yes because of injuries, yet as fans, wanting immediate success we are now criticising them as not good enough. Back to todays game, I thought Tennai Watson was great, he continued to play through an ankle injury blocking a goal bound shot. I would get rid of Edun, not good enough defensively. Anderson struggled defensively in midfield, he appeared to be playing too far forward and the game passed him by. With so many forwards out injured, it was difficult for Kanu to impact the game. Tyreece, along with other players were affected by confidence. I don't think I'm an Appleton appeaser, I guess if there was someone out there better, then I would be OK with that. However he was dealt a poor hand, several poor transfer windows and a cataclysmic injury crisis, having to play too many kids. I'm gutted by the result, and Oxford weren't great, and playoffs are out of the question, more a relegation battle, but I'm not sure sacking another manager is the right way to go.
Not all down to Apples, we have now got 4 centre forwards out FOUR, as highlighted by Curbs, the team is too young, and we are playing kids everywhere, because we have no choice, the team is knackered and dejected because of lack of experience, so not all down to him. We desperately need some new faces and quickly or yes things will continue on the downward spiral...
Not all down to Apples, we have now got 4 centre forwards out FOUR, as highlighted by Curbs, the team is too young, and we are playing kids everywhere, because we have no choice, the team is knackered and dejected because of lack of experience, so not all down to him. We desperately need some new faces and quickly or yes things will continue on the downward spiral...
MA is incapable of turning this around.
No-one is, don't matter who you could get in NOW, this squad is virtually picking itself, it's whos fit today, your in, it ain't as easy as sack Apples...
Get the point, but a little enthusiasm might help? How about tactical awareness? What about a teeny bit of game management, so we do not leak goals at the end of games? I can’t answer who those clowns might get, but i do know that our current trajectory is decline. I doubt Apples could manage any type of squad - he has zero passion or interest, it seems.
Brown and Curbs saying they feel sympathy for Appleton - nothing going his way.
Yes but look what they said about not using Louie Watson. Strongest response so far to that question from people who need to be careful what they say on air.
I can’t remember the last time a player was cold-shouldered in this way when both the vast majority of fans and the pro commentators were all baffled by it.
Today it was obvious that Anderson was tiring, and keeping him on will not have helped his development. It was completely irrational.
mainly because I've be waiting for a for a bus for an hour. Finally discovered it was on a route diversion so didnt come down Charlton Church Lane instead just carried on merrily past Charlton Village onto the Royal Standard.
And that folks is why I hate public transport & will always drive a car.
.......
Onto the football.
Wasn't anything less than I expected but very sanguine about it all as I'm reassured by Scott that we will be bringing in a load of new players & Appleton has reassured us that he is a good manager given the tools.
I have no sympathy for Appleton here. The side he started with put in a better performance than i think any of us expected. But if you are going to play a fairly high press in the pissing down rain on a soggy pitch, expect that younger players (or most senior players tbf) are going to run out of gas.
The first 11 wasn't full of first team players so put on some fresh legs starting on 60 mins replacing some triers with more triers.
Dont wait forever and then put on Fraser who is not a trier at this moment in time.
Brown and Curbs saying they feel sympathy for Appleton - nothing going his way.
Yes but look what they said about not using Louie Watson. Strongest response so far to that question from people who need to be careful what they say on air.
I can’t remember the last time a player was cold-shouldered in this way when both the vast majority of fans and the pro commentators were all baffled by it.
Today it was obvious that Anderson was tiring, and keeping him on will not have helped his development. It was completely irrational.
This also feeds in to the extended cold shouldering of Chem Campbell that nobody seems to know what for. When Campbell has played he has certainly looked better than Fraser for a start.
Worst manager in our history. Absolutely fucking shocking today. They better sack that Cnut today
Agreed - he subbed off any threat we had and hands them the game - a joke manager
Threat.. CBT might as well have stayed in the dressing room at half time.
another masterclass of apples management - our whole team is set up around a player who is showcasing his talents for about 20 minutes a game for his future suitors
mainly because I've be waiting for a for a bus for an hour. Finally discovered it was on a route diversion so didnt come down Charlton Church Lane instead just carried on merrily past Charlton Village onto the Royal Standard.
And that folks is why I hate public transport & will always drive a car.
.......
Onto the football.
Wasn't anything less than I expected but very sanguine about it all as I'm reassured by Scott that we will be bringing in a load of new players & Appleton has reassured us that he is a good manager given the tools.
So.....all aboard the Apple train.
By the sounds of it, you may be driving your car after 15 January but God knows where you are going to park it!
mainly because I've be waiting for a for a bus for an hour. Finally discovered it was on a route diversion so didnt come down Charlton Church Lane instead just carried on merrily past Charlton Village onto the Royal Standard.
And that folks is why I hate public transport & will always drive a car.
.......
Onto the football.
Wasn't anything less than I expected but very sanguine about it all as I'm reassured by Scott that we will be bringing in a load of new players & Appleton has reassured us that he is a good manager given the tools.
So.....all aboard the Apple train.
You should move to closer to a train station. Problem solved. Hear Abbey Wood is quite nice 😂
Appleton seems to have a very low bar in terms of expectations. Imo he played for a draw 20 mins from full time. We all knew how that was going to end !
'To lose to a goal like that, it's not something you plan for every single week'. Michael, we literally concede a goal in the last ten minutes every single week. Maybe start planning for it.
Who's the dickhead interviewing him? No tough questions and gives Appleton an out with everything he says
Everyone who interviews our managers/players/board, never ask searching questions, just pussyfooting around.
Why didn’t he ask about Watson not being used?
May as well not bother, shame we can’t get Kevin Nolan to do the interviews.
Comments
And defend Apples all you like, those were abysmal substitutions and that's on him.
Despite all that, it was pissing down with rain, getting cold and we had been playing a press. Oxford make their first sub on 65 mins when we are all shouting for a freshen up. Apples makes his on 75/80 and then 85. And he makes bad choices.
Surely he should plan to prevent it if anything...🙄🤔
Yet you defend MA because we've got 9 out...yet play the same formation game in and game out!! FFS get real for once! Oh and secondly it appears we handled the ball b4 we scored....lucky the ref didn't se that as well huh!
Had backed the draw at 5/2, so was double gutted about their late winner (and predicted 1-1 in the match preview). But even after our bright start and Chem’s excellent goal, I was never very confident we’d hang on for the win. I think we just about deserved a point though.
Michael Appleton’s bizarre substitutions did us no favours though.
it came as no surprise that May didn’t feature today.
This is just another in a long line of mistakes and awful decisions from Appleton.
Playing inexperienced and lesser players ahead of Louie Watson especially when on such an awful run is ridiculous.
It just serves to highlight how clueless the manager is.
What more does this geezer have to do to get sacked?
all the teams and then if you need to bring youngsters in, they already know the formation/tactics.
Not sure that Appleton has any say in this which is why he is persisting with the formation regardless of the personnel. It’s what he’s been told to do. This is why a decent manager won’t come to us, the only ones who will are desperate out of work coaches who are willing to agree to play the system determined by the management team.
We seem to be trying to attract players by paying good wages but that strategy backfires when said players spend most of the time out injured.
You could down the route of get rid of the youth teams, and save a load of money that could be spent on more experienced players, but to my mind that's not the Charlton way. I put my money into Valley Gold, just because I want to see local talent come through to the first team We are proud of our academy, but they are young players, trying to find their way in the game, and are liable to make mistakes. So my gut feeling is not to sack Appleton, he has been brave enough to play them in the first team, yes because of injuries, yet as fans, wanting immediate success we are now criticising them as not good enough.
Back to todays game, I thought Tennai Watson was great, he continued to play through an ankle injury blocking a goal bound shot. I would get rid of Edun, not good enough defensively. Anderson struggled defensively in midfield, he appeared to be playing too far forward and the game passed him by. With so many forwards out injured, it was difficult for Kanu to impact the game. Tyreece, along with other players were affected by confidence.
I don't think I'm an Appleton appeaser, I guess if there was someone out there better, then I would be OK with that. However he was dealt a poor hand, several poor transfer windows and a cataclysmic injury crisis, having to play too many kids. I'm gutted by the result, and Oxford weren't great, and playoffs are out of the question, more a relegation battle, but I'm not sure sacking another manager is the right way to go.
Today it was obvious that Anderson was tiring, and keeping him on will not have helped his development. It was completely irrational.
An Oxford Utd fan interjected to say he was very good friends with Methven and they’re in it for the long haul.
I think he meant it to sound reassuring…
mainly because I've be waiting for a for a bus for an hour. Finally discovered it was on a route diversion so didnt come down Charlton Church Lane instead just carried on merrily past Charlton Village onto the Royal Standard.
And that folks is why I hate public transport & will always drive a car.
.......
Onto the football.
Wasn't anything less than I expected but very sanguine about it all as I'm reassured by Scott that we will be bringing in a load of new players & Appleton has reassured us that he is a good manager given the tools.
So.....all aboard the Apple train.
The first 11 wasn't full of first team players so put on some fresh legs starting on 60 mins replacing some triers with more triers.
Why didn’t he ask about Watson not being used?
May as well not bother, shame we can’t get Kevin Nolan to do the interviews.