You must have hit your handicap ( again) to reach that level of positivity Golfie !
No, just a case that we can't go on not winning & we are at home. Sadly it will then give Appleton a stay of execution & he will limp on into February where we have a hard set of matches.
He will be sacked before the end of the season though.
Watched on a stream and we controlled the game but exactly the same defensive frailties that we’ve seen all season we’re still there for all to see. I personally think that Appleton chickened out. He could have put in Both REG and Gillesphey who havnt come to sit on the bench. Had those two been in the team instead of Ness and Thomas I think we might have seen a better result. Coventry is a very good player but we need a number 10 to pick locks.
Watching the highlights of the first half it's weird to see how many chances we had and how our passing and movement looked good.
We couldn't keep basic goals out, and we were awful in the second half.
It's been clear for a while that Apples isn't the one to take us forward. Until recently it felt like a question of when would a better option come along? It doesn't matter at this point, get rid of him and take your time finding the right replacement. The vibe around the team seems toxic. Pearce or Flemming might give them a little boost even though they're not the long term solution.
And replace him with who? Please don’t say, ‘anyone would be better’ or unrealistic names who would never come here.
I’m not advocating for Appleton, but who else is out there?
Out of Work Duff is probably the safest bet... He didnt last long enough in the Championship with Swansea to hold out for certain at that level, much of his reputation is built at this level.
Nathan Jones or Gary Rowett... Ex-Charlton connections allowing us to get promotion, but given recent tenures, they're probably going to be a bit too far out of reach in terms of possibilities
Nigel Pearson; will probably have legs because of Curtis Fleming coming in.
In work Jon Brady, however he's just signed a new Contract at Northampton, potentially rejected us when we sacked Holden but did play alongside Rodwell when they were at Rushden together
Dave Challinor; Already rejected us once, why go to a troubled League One team, when his Stockport side will be there next season, and could well have the promotion bounce and so challenge for promotion again next year
Lee Bell or Pete Wild... Young Managers doing well at Crewe and Barrow (both sides in the Play-Offs), who could well be tempted, as you wouldn't expect either side to really come up and challenge any further than a relegation battle.
Trying to be rational .. Burton are not a bad side and the fact that we have made a few potentially decent signings doesn't give us the automatic right to steamroller all and any opposition. We had more shots, corners and possession than Burton and should have made a lot more out of those bare statistics, BUT as we all know (all together now) it' goals that count
3 5 2 does not suit us, I am sick n tired of saying this. Appleton wants us to play like a premier team with L1 players, he should either get with reality or face the sack .. equally as said, we have a lot of newcomers and it will take a while for the clichéd bedding in. The thing is though we don't have the time, so need the new boys up and at it a s a p, preferably from tomorrow I am no more downcast than I was before this game, we are a badly managed side with decent players, Appleton seems to lack the ability to motivate and organise his players and his record down the years mostly supports my opinion
Two tough games coming up and IF we don't get points from both of those, then Appleton should be replaced. We don't know who 'selected' the new players, whoever it was has potentially done a good job. IF it was Appleton he deserves two those more games to get his choices sorted and to get results, else Michael get the fuck away elsewhere, a long way away.
I'll say again, forget wing backs, three at the back and all the fancy old bollocks. I don't care if every other team/manager in the universe (except Vincent Kompany) has ditched 4 4 2, we need to get real, play a 4 4 2 and start earning some points. I m o we now have a squad to do it, IF IF Appleton plays to its potential and ditches the fancy stuff, gets his players to get stuck in and not baffle them with fancy and unworkable tactics
Michael Appleton newly appointed and Andy Scott said:
This can't happen anymore, today's the last day that we are a losing club. We've lost 6 out of 8, that's not acceptable. The losing habit has gotta stop. We have to have a mentality that means we can win, Michael will bring that.
Who thinks Methven will be on the phone right now to Nigel Pearson or a n other? "Hi can you help with a rotten apple that needs replacing?"
Mind you Tennai Watson was partially at fault for the first getting caught upfield as he does every game, exposing the centre halves (and yes Jones then invited the player inside to score).
Then for the 2nd Ness's clearance managed to go about 5 yards, when it should have gone 20 yards. The ball came back to Tennai Watson who kindly chested it down for Burton to score the 2nd, instead of volleying it anywhere out of the penalty area.
Our defenders were absolute rank (apart from Thomas who was good) and I can't work out why they make the same mistakes in and out of possession every game.
Is it mainly down to the players or is the coach equally at fault? The defending was just as poor under Holden.
NB Scott brought in T Watson, Jones & Edun & none are good enough and Ness whilst starting deterioated.
The only chink was the new players looked ok, apart from Fiorini.
Am I the only who is driven crazy by the way that our throw ins almost always go backwards, even when we are in the opposition half? Throw back, the defence plays the ball around the back in an arc, playing safe. It's so predictable and ponderous and meanwhile the opposition get organised and put pressure on our players and mark us out of any possibility to make incisive moves towards goal. With the level of players we've got it's a lazy and gutless way of playing.
We looked a division above them in the first half. Appleton needs to sort out the defence. I think like me he might think Jones is better than Thomas but Thomas has been our best defender the last couple of games and you have to go with what you see. It is painful to watch Ness and Jones play slow, poor but safe balls to each over sideways and backwards. Watson is too soft and gives us little defensively or offensively. Asiimwe has to be a better bet there.
These things that Appleton doesn't see worry me but I think we should still give him a couple more games to sort it out. I would say to him, defensively, you must see what I am seeing so Watson, Ness and Jones need dropping. We seem to have replacements in Asiimwe, Gillesphey and Edmonds-Green. He should also tell the players that when they make nothing safe passes they will be fined.
This game showed again how poor we are. We desperately need a big change in management as this team is very capable of going down. The longer we put up with these ‘so many positives…’ type bullshit interviews from Appleton the more the danger increases.
Comments
But closing players down gives the player less.of the goal to shoot at... Theoretically it's a smaller goal.
Bowyer or a manager like him would kick those players up the arse and get them fighting for the badge.
Worse manager ever and he looks totally disinterested.
Much as i have little time for gobby Methven, Appleton is useless. As is Scott and the rest of the back room bunch.
But the great man knocked them back because I'm lead to believe he didn't think the new regimes plans for the club were sound.
Would their recent activity in the transfer market have changed his mind?
We couldn't keep basic goals out, and we were awful in the second half.
It's been clear for a while that Apples isn't the one to take us forward. Until recently it felt like a question of when would a better option come along? It doesn't matter at this point, get rid of him and take your time finding the right replacement. The vibe around the team seems toxic. Pearce or Flemming might give them a little boost even though they're not the long term solution.
You are the worst manager that I have seen in 55 years supporting this club.
Just do the honorable thing and go!
Dreadful
Analysis over
Enjoy your evening all
Duff is probably the safest bet... He didnt last long enough in the Championship with Swansea to hold out for certain at that level, much of his reputation is built at this level.
Nathan Jones or Gary Rowett... Ex-Charlton connections allowing us to get promotion, but given recent tenures, they're probably going to be a bit too far out of reach in terms of possibilities
Nigel Pearson; will probably have legs because of Curtis Fleming coming in.
In work
Jon Brady, however he's just signed a new Contract at Northampton, potentially rejected us when we sacked Holden but did play alongside Rodwell when they were at Rushden together
Dave Challinor; Already rejected us once, why go to a troubled League One team, when his Stockport side will be there next season, and could well have the promotion bounce and so challenge for promotion again next year
Lee Bell or Pete Wild... Young Managers doing well at Crewe and Barrow (both sides in the Play-Offs), who could well be tempted, as you wouldn't expect either side to really come up and challenge any further than a relegation battle.
Once Appleton gets his own players we will be fine.
What's that? He has got his own players now?
Oh s**t.
We had more shots, corners and possession than Burton and should have made a lot more out of those bare statistics, BUT as we all know (all together now) it' goals that count
3 5 2 does not suit us, I am sick n tired of saying this. Appleton wants us to play like a premier team with L1 players, he should either get with reality or face the sack .. equally as said, we have a lot of newcomers and it will take a while for the clichéd bedding in. The thing is though we don't have the time, so need the new boys up and at it a s a p, preferably from tomorrow
I am no more downcast than I was before this game, we are a badly managed side with decent players, Appleton seems to lack the ability to motivate and organise his players and his record down the years mostly supports my opinion
Two tough games coming up and IF we don't get points from both of those, then Appleton should be replaced. We don't know who 'selected' the new players, whoever it was has potentially done a good job. IF it was Appleton he deserves two those more games to get his choices sorted and to get results, else Michael get the fuck away elsewhere, a long way away.
I'll say again, forget wing backs, three at the back and all the fancy old bollocks. I don't care if every other team/manager in the universe (except Vincent Kompany) has ditched 4 4 2, we need to get real, play a 4 4 2 and start earning some points. I m o we now have a squad to do it, IF IF Appleton plays to its potential and ditches the fancy stuff, gets his players to get stuck in and not baffle them with fancy and unworkable tactics
Michael Appleton newly appointed and Andy Scott said:
This can't happen anymore, today's the last day that we are a losing club. We've lost 6 out of 8, that's not acceptable. The losing habit has gotta stop. We have to have a mentality that means we can win, Michael will bring that.
How can you expect anything else apart from defeat if you keep picking the same defenders who cannot defend
"Hi can you help with a rotten apple that needs replacing?"
Mind you Tennai Watson was partially at fault for the first getting caught upfield as he does every game, exposing the centre halves (and yes Jones then invited the player inside to score).
Then for the 2nd Ness's clearance managed to go about 5 yards, when it should have gone 20 yards. The ball came back to Tennai Watson who kindly chested it down for Burton to score the 2nd, instead of volleying it anywhere out of the penalty area.
Our defenders were absolute rank (apart from Thomas who was good) and I can't work out why they make the same mistakes in and out of possession every game.
Is it mainly down to the players or is the coach equally at fault?
The defending was just as poor under Holden.
NB Scott brought in T Watson, Jones & Edun & none are good enough and Ness whilst starting deterioated.
The only chink was the new players looked ok, apart from Fiorini.
Not sure.
Does anyone know why he was brought in? Friend of the Board or Apples manc buddy?
Whatever we think I don't think he can carry on... He's like the walking dead.
I think looking at Alfie's demeanor at the end of the game it looks bad.
Bottom line is this Manager cannot make the team win...period.
Appleton has played League football & managed teams in this league for years.
These things that Appleton doesn't see worry me but I think we should still give him a couple more games to sort it out. I would say to him, defensively, you must see what I am seeing so Watson, Ness and Jones need dropping. We seem to have replacements in Asiimwe, Gillesphey and Edmonds-Green. He should also tell the players that when they make nothing safe passes they will be fined.