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The Lancashire Telegraph
News, sport and entertainment from all over East Lancashire
Blackburn Rovers column: Venky’s have to give new manager time (From Lancashire Telegraph)
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Blackburn Rovers column: Venky’s have to give new manager time
8:02am Thursday 17th January 2013 in Sport
By Andy Cryer, Blackburn Rovers reporter
MICHAEL Appleton will be unveiled to the press today – finally – to mark the start of a regime that everyone hopes will finally turn the club’s fortunes around once and for all.
Enough has been said about the club’s owners over the past two years and it probably won’t be long before they hit the headlines again.
But, for now, let’s concentrate on what we all really care about – and that is the football.
You get the feeling the next few months are going to be a very important period in the club’s long-term future.
Supporters need to see real improvement on the field consistently – like they have for the past four games – to really start believing there is a way forward for their club.
Henning Berg knew promotion was the “minimum and maximum” – as Shebby Singh stated – this season and duly paid the price very quickly, when it became obvious he would not deliver.
You would not imagine Venky’s ambitions have changed and nor should they.
If Rovers are not promoted this season then there will surely have to be a dramatic change to the playing squad.
The big wages the players are currently on would not be sustainable, while many of the players will be looking for a move back to the big time.
Failure to get back into the Premier League at the first attempt – something that looks a tough task – should not automatically spell the end for the new man though.
As long as there are signs of potential and improvement then Appleton deserves a chance to get the project right.
The owners have backed him, they need to follow that through with real support – something Berg never got.
I have no doubt Appleton will get a good welcome from the fans at Ewood Park on Saturday.
The majority at least seem prepared to give him the chance he deserves – and they won’t let the minority drag them down.
Anything but 100 per cent backing for the new manager would be baffling and it is refreshing to see that most – not all admittedly – share that opinion.
Appleton has walked into the lion’s den.
Yes, he is being handsomely paid and yes, he knows exactly what he has let himself in for.
But we have to hope that this is third time lucky.
After the last two managers failed to work effectively under this chaotic regime, Rovers’ future lies with the hope that Appleton can.
He can only be judged on that.
Comments are closed on this article.

Comments (39)
8:09am Thu 17 Jan 13
A Darener says...
8:23am Thu 17 Jan 13
1952 rover says...
More empty talk. Has anyone seen or herd from Shebby the talk-mister. ?
8:23am Thu 17 Jan 13
brown cow warrior says...
8:25am Thu 17 Jan 13
kazluvsrovers says...
(providing the game isn't snowed off) ha ha!!
RTID
8:50am Thu 17 Jan 13
lusorover says...
Henning Berg was given a great welcome and I expect that Michael Appleton will as well.
Those of us who want to see the Club start the long process of regaining self-respect and pride in what they do on and off the pitch will do everything possible to get behind the players and create the right atmosphere in the stadium.
The fans and the players must also give Appleton the time to get it right. Only the most optimistic would anticipate a return to the Premier this season. The realists amongst us shudder at the thought of the current squad being exposed to Premier League football.
All we can do for now is do what good fans do - get behind our team.
8:59am Thu 17 Jan 13
Riverside 7 says...
However that should not stop fans from voicing ther displeasure at the Venkys BEFORE (but not during the game) on Saturday.
9:01am Thu 17 Jan 13
RoverTheHill says...
Hopefully Appleton can get a positive performance and solid result out the team and begin what is going to be a long and dangerous path to shutting up certain fans on their "end of rovers" predictions and getting Rovers back into the Premier League.
9:13am Thu 17 Jan 13
rovertoys says...
Where is Shebby?
9:19am Thu 17 Jan 13
madrover says...
9:43am Thu 17 Jan 13
BRFC0808 says...
You agreed with Berg's appointment, you agreed with his non-deliverence, you agreed with his sacking too then whats bothering you with "Support " eh...
Don't write crap to create readerships, publish something before you understand it..
Now what do you wanna say, don't sack Appleton even if we don't get promoted and blame the management for not sacking them!!!
9:47am Thu 17 Jan 13
bigste says...
9:48am Thu 17 Jan 13
tugay please !! says...
Forever Rovers
9:49am Thu 17 Jan 13
lancs1985 says...
rip brfc
9:50am Thu 17 Jan 13
Road Runner Road Runner says...
Arte et labore
9:52am Thu 17 Jan 13
lancs1985 says...
10:14am Thu 17 Jan 13
MatthewCA says...
10:15am Thu 17 Jan 13
A Darener says...
10:16am Thu 17 Jan 13
glp says...
10:18am Thu 17 Jan 13
arteetlabore says...
I've been to many matches at Ewood with gates of under 7,000, sometimes under 5,000.
I've stood at urinals in the rain, in full view of terraces above.
I've stood and sat in crumbling, probably dangerous stands.
I've paid £7.10 shillings for a junior season ticket.
I've paid £49 for one match.
I've served under twenty-four managers.
I've seen the Rovers at Wembley five times and at Cardiff twice.
I've seen them relegated five times.
I've seen them promoted five times.
I've seen us win at Anfield and Old Trafford.
I've seen us beaten at home by Bury.
I've revelled in the Jack Walker years.
I've watched the new Ewood rise.
I've sat in Anfield to see us win the Premiership.
I've seen my friends see Burnley won the First Division title.
I've seen us in the relegation places in the third division...
...then go fifteen matches with fourteen wins and one draw to win promotion.
I've heard much rubbish shouted by spectators.
I've shouted much rubbish.
BUT - despite all of the above I've never influenced by one jot any decisions about the running of the club. My opinions have not been required. I may be a fan, a loyal supporter, but at bottom I’m really just a customer. Any sensible business asks for and takes note of their customers’ opinions. But football’s best friends would never say it’s a sensible business.
ALL THINGS MUST PASS!
10:25am Thu 17 Jan 13
forever blue and white says...
10:32am Thu 17 Jan 13
A Rover 45 years and over says...
10:40am Thu 17 Jan 13
Dukes says...
11:24am Thu 17 Jan 13
upholland rover says...
11:24am Thu 17 Jan 13
upholland rover says...
12:07pm Thu 17 Jan 13
BlueSkies says...
12:43pm Thu 17 Jan 13
submin01 says...
1:00pm Thu 17 Jan 13
merlinrabbit says...
1:03pm Thu 17 Jan 13
AndyW says...
1:07pm Thu 17 Jan 13
tiojo says...
1:13pm Thu 17 Jan 13
MxMave says...
1:15pm Thu 17 Jan 13
moh says...
1:17pm Thu 17 Jan 13
MxMave says...
1:18pm Thu 17 Jan 13
silowe29 says...
There was me thinking the club had decided against a press conference to unveil Appleton - it has taken so long to arrange it seems!
Good luck to MA and whoever he brings in but I do feel Bowyer warranted more time at the helm, especially as he had the players motivated and they respected him and what he has done.
2:03pm Thu 17 Jan 13
French Rover says...
Bit unsure why being beat by Bury featured in your memories - I saw us beaten by Workington 5-1 at Ewood in the League Cup in 65 and that was the bottom point for me - plus a home defeat to Rochdale at Ewood with less than 4k on I think in 70 or 71..
4:46pm Thu 17 Jan 13
pbirty says...
5:15pm Thu 17 Jan 13
mcleodj says...
I can't match arteetlabore's record, but I do have a piece of the pale blue ribbon which adorned the F.A. Cup when we won it in 1928 - and my dad took me to the celebration reception at Blackburn Town Hall; was a season ticket holder for years; came over from Canada for that memorable climax at Anfield when we won the Premier League Championship, etc., etc.
jacmac
10:16pm Thu 17 Jan 13
noddy57 says...
10:16pm Thu 17 Jan 13
Old Alzheimer says...
It even makes me think that the Rovers future may be better in Venkys hands rather than those of media folk who just shine their breeches arses thinking about something to write before the next deadline !!
P.S. I am well aware that Venkys have made enormous mistakes in the past two years.
11:00pm Thu 17 Jan 13
arteetlabore says...
My excuse is that I was a student in London at the time, so it mustn't have registered so strongly on the trauma area of my brain - all those drugs and free love, tha knows...