Rovers boss ready to shake-up side ahead of transfer deadline day (From Lancashire Telegraph)
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Rovers boss ready to shake-up side ahead of transfer deadline day
7:54am Friday 25th January 2013 in Sport
By Andy Cryer, Blackburn Rovers reporter
MICHAEL Appleton is bidding to bring at least three new players to Ewood Park this month after admitting a “completely unbalanced” Rovers squad needs a big rebuild.
The Rovers boss allowed Mauro Formica to complete a loan move to Italian club Palermo yesterday and admitted there could be more departures as he looks to bring some balance to the ranks.
Former Portsmouth head of recruitment Luke Dowling is expected to be confirmed in a similar position at Rovers today – ahead of tomorrow’s FA Cup fourth round trip to Derby County – and will be tasked with a key role in achieving Appleton’s vision.
Appleton admits it will take a summer of recruitment before he can assemble the squad strength he believes is essential, but insisted at least three signings were needed ahead of Thursday’s close of the transfer window.
He said: “I would like to bring in a minimum of three. I am reasonably confident we can do that before next Thursday. It (the squad) is totally unbalanced. We have probably got 10 or 12 number 10s.
“Yet we find ourselves with an injury to one of our young players Adam Henley and we had to go out on loan to get a young right back because we have an experienced right back playing for another Championship club on loan.
“At left back we have Martin Olsson and, with the interest from West Ham as it is, the only other option we would have is young Josh Morris, who is not particularly a left back anyway.
“The balance of the squad has to be addressed, you are not going to be able to do that after coming into the building for a few weeks.”
Appleton insists it would still take a ‘significant bid’ to lure Martin Olsson away from Ewood Park, a lot larger than the £4million West Ham are understood to have offered, and has said it would take similar to land centre half Scott Dann – who was yesterday linked with interest from QPR.
But, while not ruling out the departure of Paul Robinson and Gael Givet this month, Appleton believes there could be exits for others he feels are surplus to requirements.
Having worked with Dowling at Fratton Park, Appleton insists he has been brought in to play a big part in the club’s future.
He said: “Luke is fantastic at what he does. He is clever enough to set up a structure to make sure all of what we have talked about never happens again.
“When we get to the summer and recruit the right staff, there will be a conveyor belt that continues for years and years so we will never fall short again.
“He will also help to get certain players out whose time at the club has come to an end. He is almost like my right arm. I call him my mobile phone because he is taking and answering all the calls that I can’t.
“We have a lot of players at the moment but a lot of players who are very, very similar. So as much as the squad is quite big, it is not big at all in terms of strength in depth.
“Sometimes when I look at other sides and the balance of their squad I am quite jealous. That shows good recruitment.
“We are finding it very difficult, if we get an injury or suspension to a key player, we might have to make two or three changes to the team to fit one who is coming in.
“That is a longer term plan that has to be put in place and it will be.”
Appleton confirmed he had made an enquiry about West Brom defender Craig Dawson, who has opted to join Bolton on loan, while it is understood Manchester City left sided defender Karim Rekik is on his radar.
No signings are expected to be made before the weekend.
Former Portsmouth fitness coach Chris Neville is also expected to join the Rovers staff, while Appleton is hopeful of appointing a first team coach by the end of the weekend.
Comments are closed on this article.

Comments (150)
8:17am Fri 25 Jan 13
Only1Garner says...
Good luck Michael
8:21am Fri 25 Jan 13
A Darener says...
8:30am Fri 25 Jan 13
greenscreener says...
8:32am Fri 25 Jan 13
hotpot8200 says...
8:33am Fri 25 Jan 13
BRFC75 says...
8:33am Fri 25 Jan 13
greenscreener says...
8:42am Fri 25 Jan 13
fanny_tickler. says...
8:46am Fri 25 Jan 13
greenscreener says...
8:53am Fri 25 Jan 13
bring back the good old days says...
So that does not make him an immediate messiah.
The proof of the pudding ....., as they say, is when he has done his wheeling and dealing and therefore corrected this imbalance and in turn produced the standard of squad that would be good enough to put in decent performances.
The hard work has yet to be done, so lets wait and see what we end up with.
Hopefully this is the 'start' of the resurrection of BRFC.
8:57am Fri 25 Jan 13
BRFC75 says...
The Venky`s rely on the advice of the so called employees that consider themselves experts when bringing in players , the main people at the club encouraged the club to bring in such alot of dross is number 1. Shebby Singh and number 2. Colin Hendry both Kean`s gophers , these two are what is left of the Kean era , these two scavangers are the leftovers of the KEAN era the bunch of morons that has nearly destroyed Blackburn Rovers , GET RID OF THESE TWO AND WE ARE FREE FROM THE STENCH OF THE PREVIOUS ERA.
8:58am Fri 25 Jan 13
Is Eckersley playing? says...
9:01am Fri 25 Jan 13
Hovis1945 says...
9:08am Fri 25 Jan 13
Pooloflife says...
9:10am Fri 25 Jan 13
Road Runner Road Runner says...
All this pragmatic speak from Mr Appleton is most certainly refreshing after all the guff we've had to endure these last years. Now, let us hope that his words turn into actions resulting in stability that I most certainly yearn for ?
Aye.
Arte et labore
9:19am Fri 25 Jan 13
lusorover says...
It sounds to me as if Appleton is not frightened to confront those players who are not performing and that Venkys have given him a free rein to change things.
We should have been here two years ago. Better late than never.
9:19am Fri 25 Jan 13
Jarrod Schulz Bearded Wonder says...
Formica was steady but we already have another 8 steady players in that position. The two fullbacks at Burnleys dingledome look like decent players, you would probably get them both for the price of a cheese and onion pie. Then you can let overrated Olsson leave.
Givet left about 6 months ago so another centre back would do nicely although weve just let one go out on loan somewhere else.
9:22am Fri 25 Jan 13
Riverside 7 says...
For far too long Rovers fans have pointed out on this forum that the squad was unbalanced, not fit enough and despite what Steve Kean used to tell us, just not good enough.
Appleton has already brought in a new fitness coach, appointed a Head of Recruitment and identified our many weaknesses.
Whether he can bring in the right players will be the key to any future success.
However, I was astonished to hear him say on Radio Lancashire last night - that he has not yet met or even spoken to Shebby Singh.
n fact he said that Shebby Singh has his telephone number if he needs to speak to me!
In other words, our Global Advisor / CEO has not spoken to our new manager since he was appointed 14 days ago!
In this LT article, Appleton is said to want 3 new faces before the January window closes. Who will he speak to about finances / contracts etc?
Does that mean that Shebby's role has changed or is he about to depart?
Vey strange ineed.
9:23am Fri 25 Jan 13
Hovis1945 says...
9:25am Fri 25 Jan 13
BlueSkies says...
It does need a complete rebuild, and the job won't be finished this season, so please, no more talk of promotion this time around from the fans.
Venkys destroyed the club, time will tell how sincere they are trying to rectify their mistakes.
Sounds like MA has plans and a strategy. The quality of the incoming players will say a lot and the need to off-load the ridiculous signings of Kean and Singh is paramount.
As the old saying went, 'if you don't know where you're going, you'll end up somewhere you don't really want to be'.
I hope it's a chink of light in the dark tunnel.
9:27am Fri 25 Jan 13
owd nick says...
OK it's going to take a little time and I suspect we are going to have to write this season off, again I am not too unhappy about that because we simply don't have the squad to cope.
Looking at the defence for the Derby game this weekend, if Givet doesn't want to play we don't have one. Thats how bad it is.
Looking at it realistically, if by some miracle we made the play offs and actually went up the squad would need major surgery just to have a chance of staying out of the bottom 3.
£50M to £100M ? , Venky's may appear to have learned a very painful lesson but would they be willing to invest that much after what has happened previously?
Put yourself in their position.
And just as pertinent would they be allowed to invest that much under the Fair Play rules being brought in?
9:30am Fri 25 Jan 13
Jarrod Schulz Bearded Wonder says...
Getting desperate now Mr Celtic supporter, Shebby and Kean/Anderson are to blame for a cupboard full of dross.
Hendry is ace., you'll see when appy buys the right players and King Col moulds the defence into a real unit. You don't give a bricklayer mud to work with do you.
Its obvious that those in charge recognise Hendry as being able to do a job so thats why he's still here.
9:31am Fri 25 Jan 13
Blackburn fans love horses says...
Keep up the good work Agent Appleton, you have taken up the baton provided by the previous agents and no wins in your three games in charge is a good return.
9:35am Fri 25 Jan 13
BRFC75 says...
There were comments when M.A got appointed from some ex Rovers coaching staff /ex players that the players we had would not play for him , they regarded him as a person without the experience, I think he sorted that out quick, YOU don`t play for him ,you don`t play for Rovers.
He still has 1,000 times more experience than Singh.
Singh is nearly 53 ,he has not played for 20 years and when he did play it was in a amateur league ,how the hell has he got himself a job at Rovers in football ?
It`s like taking a Boeing 747 ,a Jumbo airliner , back 100 years in time and saying to the people living then ,that thing "flies" around the world, what would they say ?
That is same difference in knowledge as the background of Shebby Singh Jahor Bahru, Malaysia league to the English premiership /championship , the difference to Singhs past experience in football and where he is now making decisions and running a football club that in his wildest imagination he would never have been able to play for.
9:42am Fri 25 Jan 13
Jarrod Schulz Bearded Wonder says...
Now all your directors have left and you have that polish immigrant, with the name no-one can spell, running the show he will have to raise funds to purchase dingledome somehow. So Trippier would do for a start and we may throw in a sausage roll for the other fullback to save your vest and tracky wearing chav women, sisters, a trip to greggs for breakfast with their trogg inbred offspring.
9:42am Fri 25 Jan 13
leitchy says...
We need to supply Rhodes alot better than we are!! 2 good wingers are needed. Can you bring in quality players? Or do we have to settle for inexperienced, young players?
Budget?? Venks supply the man with cash as promised!
Good Luck - COYB
9:43am Fri 25 Jan 13
brown cow warrior says...
9:47am Fri 25 Jan 13
BRFC75 says...
Hendry is he not the assistant to the reserves now , his job is putting out the cones for the reserve team manager G.B.
Jarrod Schulz Bearded Wonder ,the regular people who comment on here all know who you are or were ,all your previous user names.
Your mate Hendry has been a dismal failure at coaching/management everywhere he has been , the Blackpool supporters hated the man ,he nearly took them down to the conference , most people think Hendry should stick with robbing pensioners ,beating up women and spending his days in the pub and the bookies.
9:52am Fri 25 Jan 13
Blackburn fans love horses says...
9:52am Fri 25 Jan 13
Long time Rover says...
Cant make promotion this season
Squad very ill balanced
Squad not fit enough
We Rovers fans need to get behind this guy and view every game from here on in against this test,
Are we moving forward towards a real go at promotion in season 13/14?.
That way we will judge MA more fairly and realistically and start to help to build our club again.
9:59am Fri 25 Jan 13
fanny_tickler. says...
10:02am Fri 25 Jan 13
forever blue and white says...
10:02am Fri 25 Jan 13
Jarrod Schulz Bearded Wonder says...
You can't accuse someone of something they haven't done in writing its against the law and you will get sued.
Hendry has never been charged with beating women so you can't type it., It leaves you open for the Telegraph to hand over your identity to the authorities and for you to be prosecuted.
You will have to wind your bitter an twisted neck in a bit and state facts only. Hendry is only doing a job, he must be rated at the club because so far three managers and a global advisor have kept him on. Maybe he can tell a good story round the bar, we will never know but one thing is for sure, he is still an employee..
10:06am Fri 25 Jan 13
owd nick says...
10:09am Fri 25 Jan 13
Jarrod Schulz Bearded Wonder says...
Anyway what you must realise is, Rovers are a massive club and if we went in sniffing around any one of your players, they would get turned, sad but true. I mean Eddie Howe went to bournemouth, Chris Eagles to Bolton, all your players and staff are looking for a way out.
10:09am Fri 25 Jan 13
givet82 says...
10:13am Fri 25 Jan 13
Blackburn fans love horses says...
Givet?
Robinson?
Olsson?
Dann?
Seems that your players are the ones looking to escape the footballing car-crash that is Blackburn Roverrrrs.
10:17am Fri 25 Jan 13
unclejacklegend says...
10:22am Fri 25 Jan 13
unclejacklegend says...
10:27am Fri 25 Jan 13
dangerous dave says...
At the moment Appleton 'talking the talk'
and only repeating what we have all be saying about the previous regime obviously he's not saying much about the part the incompetent Owners and Directors played in this fiasco after all they are his employers but its early days so will have to see who he brings in but have a feeling they will be cheapies and free transfers but ones things for certain we need shut of a lot of dead wood which includes the Murphy's Hendry's &Co and sooner the better - we need all of Keans cronies out of the door!!!!!
So as I say early days for Appleton but good luck to him - he's got a job on his hands with Messrs Shaw Agnew Singh and the Venkys - OUT WITH THE LOT OF THEM.
10:27am Fri 25 Jan 13
Blackburn fans love horses says...
And we have the chance to go a mighty eight points ahead of you on Saturday and consolidate our position in the upper echelons of the table - meanwhile at SixFinger Park Agent Appleton's boys are having a relegation scrap to avoid successive demotions.
You are a million miles away from us and you know it.
10:27am Fri 25 Jan 13
BRFC75 says...
As far as Hendry and the domestic violence issue , google Scottish sun ,about it ,it says the police were called to Hendry`s house,the police handcuffed him put him in the wagon and locked him up for the night ,you think the police do that to innocent people ? a barrister got him out next day , Hendry`s comments when asked by the press were "it wisnae me , it wis a double of me " that is what he said ! hilarious but he said that and seriously expected people to believe it ,a clone of Hendry hahaha, anyway the girlfriend changed her mind and never went through with the charge ,so again a waste of police time ,but that is the facts.
10:35am Fri 25 Jan 13
kfc yummy says...
10:36am Fri 25 Jan 13
A Darener says...
Most posters seem to getting behind the manager. So thatis a good omen for the future. Let us see who he brings in next week and what affect that will have on us all. Get rid of the deadwood at Ewood and we can progress.
Good luck to the team tomorrow
GET INTO 'EM!!!
10:37am Fri 25 Jan 13
BRFC75 says...
com has been on the internet for around a year now ,even with the attempts to get it off legally and illegally by hacking , the law states , google state ,we will take anything off , but it has to be proven to be false statements /not true and of course it is all proven and true so that is why it is still on line.
10:37am Fri 25 Jan 13
BRFC75 says...
com has been on the internet for around a year now ,even with the attempts to get it off legally and illegally by hacking , the law states , google state ,we will take anything off , but it has to be proven to be false statements /not true and of course it is all proven and true so that is why it is still on line.
10:39am Fri 25 Jan 13
roverinmanchstr says...
10:39am Fri 25 Jan 13
Jarrod Schulz Bearded Wonder says...
10:58am Fri 25 Jan 13
Old Alzheimer says...
11:04am Fri 25 Jan 13
pwl says...
11:08am Fri 25 Jan 13
Ronaldpetercooper says...
You never know Mr. Darraner we may see you back at Ewood sooner than you think.
11:12am Fri 25 Jan 13
A Rover 45 years and over says...
11:15am Fri 25 Jan 13
BRFC75 says...
11:27am Fri 25 Jan 13
true_fan_1979 says...
11:29am Fri 25 Jan 13
sean_brfc says...
11:30am Fri 25 Jan 13
French Rover says...
11:32am Fri 25 Jan 13
French Rover says...
nvenue!
11:35am Fri 25 Jan 13
ChrisDeBerg says...
11:49am Fri 25 Jan 13
Lancs - pensioner says...
Hendry did rip off pensioners
Hendry has an awful managment/coaching record
These are facts,and if they arent true he would have sued someone by now!!
Is he related to you or do you go drinking with him in the "Taps" in Lytham?
Get shut AS.A.P.
11:49am Fri 25 Jan 13
leitchy says...
11:57am Fri 25 Jan 13
fanny_tickler. says...
11:58am Fri 25 Jan 13
Jarrod Schulz Bearded Wonder says...
Thanks for clearing that up.
12:04pm Fri 25 Jan 13
juanbbien says...
12:05pm Fri 25 Jan 13
Is Eckersley playing? says...
12:08pm Fri 25 Jan 13
Jarrod Schulz Bearded Wonder says...
Banned users should have their IP's noted to stop them coming back like a bad penny like you do.
Once banned always banned is my motto. So maybe we should get the Telegraph moderator invilved?
12:10pm Fri 25 Jan 13
dangerous dave says...
Head in the sand where it needs to be permanently!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!
OUT WITH THE LOT OF THEM
12:15pm Fri 25 Jan 13
Jarrod Schulz Bearded Wonder says...
12:20pm Fri 25 Jan 13
Jarrod Schulz Bearded Wonder says...
12:30pm Fri 25 Jan 13
Blackburn fans love horses says...
Asset-stripping Burnley fan owners
Shebby Singh
Colin wife-beater, old people swindler Hendry
Agent Kean
Agent Berg
Protesting fans (Who in reality don't want to watch Championship football)
Players who all want to leave
Untested manager who has won two games in his last 15 Championship fixtures
THE laughing stock of football
financial meltdown approaching when you try and divide your £50 million wage bill into your £16 million parachute payments
Financial Fair Play rules arriving will cripple Blackburn
Etc etc - it is a joy to see you falling so far from grace
12:33pm Fri 25 Jan 13
A Darener says...
12:33pm Fri 25 Jan 13
forever blue and white says...
12:38pm Fri 25 Jan 13
moh says...
12:48pm Fri 25 Jan 13
French Rover says...
Don't get too dizzy where you are now - a whole 5 points ahead wow - as it wont be for long FT before we whizz past you once again and your neck-ache from looking up at us returns with a vengence. Plus we know we have 3 points to take off you still this season.....all gonna end in tears again at the Turf. As usual. 35 Years... :-)
12:50pm Fri 25 Jan 13
bburnrover says...
1:02pm Fri 25 Jan 13
rovertillidie says...
Appleton just maybe the man to turn this mess around....but I think it will have to be next season....he can use the rest of this season to formulate his ideas. Moving Formica on shows he has the right approach....now do the same with the Portuguese contingent...or most of them....Dann, Robinson, Vuckevic, Goodwillie, etc etc. Replace that lot with three decent strong players and you will have the basis from which to build.
I could not agree more with the inbalance statement too many players of the same ilk.
Appleton has my vote.
1:12pm Fri 25 Jan 13
BRFC75 says...
1:16pm Fri 25 Jan 13
Stone Island: says...
http://www.lancashir
etelegraph.co.uk/new
s/9956847.Burnley_ma
n_caught_with_pornog
raphic_images_of_hor
ses/
1:17pm Fri 25 Jan 13
bluerob says...
1:26pm Fri 25 Jan 13
French Rover says...
1:33pm Fri 25 Jan 13
BRFC75 says...
And by the way I was never Ronnie Clayton ,even though I did agree with most of his comments.
1:37pm Fri 25 Jan 13
Sherwoodforest says...
1:41pm Fri 25 Jan 13
AshokRover999 says...
1:48pm Fri 25 Jan 13
Blackburn fans love horses says...
Is that a fair assumption?
1:55pm Fri 25 Jan 13
Ronaldpetercooper says...
1:57pm Fri 25 Jan 13
ossyrover1 says...
2:14pm Fri 25 Jan 13
leitchy says...
I think he will have to sell all remaining assets..then we will have no chance of getting promoted next season...Im afraid it could be this season or never!!!
2:16pm Fri 25 Jan 13
Tatts says...
Its results on the pitch that matter!
That said, I have personally written this season off and, presuming that the clowns don't sack him when we don't get promoted, I will judge Michael Appleton on how we get on at the start of next season.
2:25pm Fri 25 Jan 13
Harwoodstblue says...
If they WANT to go up this season they will have to back Appleton financially in this window. If they don't where's the ambition ?
If they do back him, what's the point if they will sell off all the assets next year.
2:28pm Fri 25 Jan 13
Phoenix From The Ashes says...
Too many hrs, days n nights under the Venky jackboot makes it feel like there is no light at the end of this dark, smoggy tunnel.
I actually want to hope that this guy may have a clue about football so let's see what his recruitment policy is - if it's not interfered with by "the powers that be"
2:31pm Fri 25 Jan 13
forever_rovers says...
Maybe we do have a real stand up guy again who will properly run the football side of the club.
Here is hoping. Keep going MA and don't take any prisoners!
2:34pm Fri 25 Jan 13
1952 rover says...
2:36pm Fri 25 Jan 13
Sherwoodforest says...
Here's hoping though.
2:40pm Fri 25 Jan 13
kenbro says...
I too became quickly disenchanted with Venkys. They are the owners and take the major blame for all that has happened in the last two years. Is it possible that those two years have been a painful, expensive learning experience for them, and they have finally realised what a mess they have created ? Their recent visit has left them in no doubt as to the situation.
Kean was their choice. Berg was probably Shebbys choice. It seems that Appleton was possibly the choice of Shaw. If this is so, Venkys may finally have realised that they have been badly advised by people who either had an ulterior motive, were more interested in personal gain, or were clueless. Or perhaps all three.
We are stuck with Venkys. No one else will buy the Rovers now, so let us hope that they have learned their lesson, and will allow Appleton, Shaw, etc, to remake the team and club. It will take two years to correct what has happened in the last two, but all we can do now is to support Appleton and the team, and trust that we will start to see a steady improvement.
We have a long, long way to go before we will see a team ready for the Premiership. Very few of the present squad would be good enough, but Appleton is at last talking some sense at Ewood.
2:46pm Fri 25 Jan 13
blueblooded says...
That made me chuckle!
:-)
2:47pm Fri 25 Jan 13
greenscreener says...
Rovers avant le mort.
2:48pm Fri 25 Jan 13
Jarrod Schulz Bearded Wonder says...
Be gone MORON. and take yout two short plank mind with you
2:51pm Fri 25 Jan 13
Harwoodstblue says...
Will Venkys deliver ?
3:01pm Fri 25 Jan 13
greenscreener says...
No need for any announcement, He was a venky employee, not an officer of BRFC.
3:08pm Fri 25 Jan 13
MxMave says...
3:08pm Fri 25 Jan 13
Jarrod Schulz Bearded Wonder says...
3:11pm Fri 25 Jan 13
French Rover says...
3:24pm Fri 25 Jan 13
Is Eckersley playing? says...
3:29pm Fri 25 Jan 13
Is Eckersley playing? says...
3:43pm Fri 25 Jan 13
owd nick says...
3:48pm Fri 25 Jan 13
steve18gls says...
3:51pm Fri 25 Jan 13
givet82 says...
4:05pm Fri 25 Jan 13
greenscreener says...
Biggest ? possibly
Most expensive ? possibly
Highest paid ? probably
Getting results ? ...errr No.
4:12pm Fri 25 Jan 13
To.guy says...
4:15pm Fri 25 Jan 13
noddymcleod says...
Where is Shabby ? Is it true that his photo is on the "Missing Persons" page in the "Big Issue" ?
There are only two possibilties for the future. After the disastrous PR Rolls Royce trip, Venkys have said "right, let's be serious and sensible, plan to get back into the Premieship next season, establish ourselves there and put the club back where it was when we bought it" This option will take five years and patience and lot of loot.
Or, the snowball proved just what a disaster their reign is and that there's no way back for venkys. So they are planning a withdrawal to salvage as much cash and face as possible.
Apple is either the agent for option 1 or option 2. My money is on option 1.
Either way he has to chance to prove he can turn out a decent team each weekend and so good luck to him.
But Rovers are stuck at best with mid Championship table mediocracy as long as Venkys are here.
4:15pm Fri 25 Jan 13
merlinrabbit says...
4:34pm Fri 25 Jan 13
Is Eckersley playing? says...
4:54pm Fri 25 Jan 13
dangerous dave says...
!!!!!!
5:14pm Fri 25 Jan 13
greenscreener says...
As for the chief Media Whore, he must have gone.
Perhaps the Blackburn End should ask the famous question....
"Can you hear the Shebby Singh ?"
"No, No".............
5:56pm Fri 25 Jan 13
blueblooded says...
If the "Scottish Sun" is your source of info, may I suggest its you who needs to get a grip on reality.
Hendry hasn't sued anyone on here doesn't mean anything. It just means like most professional people, he ignores baseless rumours and rants. You suppose a lot from how managers act with Hendry - any proof to back any of it up? All you say could be true, it could also be true that your unhealthy infatuation with Hendry, a rovers legend, might have more personal reasons.
Let it go. He's not at the forefront of Rovers as a squad and has little influence on the first team. Its time to get rid of the rot and for MA to bring back the spirit and results to our game. If you're still boycotting, I suggest either finding something else to do with your time until Venky's either leave or we go up and like all doomies, you can come back and pretend you never left.
Positivity is flowing back in the camp and the fans and I expect in the next fortnight, a huge transformation in our team's fortunes.
My predictions? Ollson to stay, Givet, Dann to go. Not sure about Robbo, we'd let him go but does anyone really want him?
We'll bring three players in by end of January.
6:07pm Fri 25 Jan 13
blueblooded says...
What WILL have changed is the team dynamics.
As MA hints, by summer we should have a tight squad with many of the dross on their way out.
Nunes I'd keep. The rest of the Porto invasion I'd get rid.
Etuhu and many of the average Keanies must have only a year left of their two year deals, if they don't show promise, I can see them being benched for most of next season then dropped.
We need a few wins MA way right now though and to give us the edge Ewood must once again become a fortress.
RTID.
6:15pm Fri 25 Jan 13
Dukes says...
6:18pm Fri 25 Jan 13
stick to football says...
To perform a miracle with the present set up would be amazing - lets just enjoy the football and the let Rovers rise from the ashes
6:20pm Fri 25 Jan 13
dansker says...
6:27pm Fri 25 Jan 13
Captain Dreckley says...
7:07pm Fri 25 Jan 13
MatthewCA says...
No BIG NAMES and keep in the bench like Nuno Gomes and Dunn.
7:08pm Fri 25 Jan 13
owd nick says...
Hatred and anger can only go on so long before everything is poisoned beyond recovery.
The majority of Rovers posters are saying the same thing, write this season off and give the guy a chance.
We wanted a manager who was straight with us, well we have got that, that to me is a pretty good start.
7:22pm Fri 25 Jan 13
Xander_ says...
7:30pm Fri 25 Jan 13
dansker says...
7:40pm Fri 25 Jan 13
juanbbien says...
7:55pm Fri 25 Jan 13
RoversMCMLXXV says...
7:59pm Fri 25 Jan 13
BeardwoodB says...
7:59pm Fri 25 Jan 13
bring back the good old days says...
Then you need to consider, yes he will have his 'wish list'- in and out.
This is fine, and we all hope for the best.
But as in all things/clubs there are/will be 'financial constraints', this for both outgoings and incomings.
This club is not only unbalanced from the playing squad perspective, but also seriously from the financial side.
This is not of MA's doing, but he is now the man to tackle this 'burden' .
Unless Venkys have turned over a completely new leaf, there will be some very hard bargaining to be done.
You obviously misinterpret my views as anti MA, but nothing of the sort is intended as I fervently hope he does well.
My point is, let us see what transpires this window and then the summer. That is the time we will have an indicator upon where we stand as a club.
8:38pm Fri 25 Jan 13
hasslem hasslem says...
regrettably - i think your posting is full of too many "ifs" "buts" and "maybes", i hope you are right and the venkys have had some sort of damascene conversion - frankly, i doubt it and see no evidence whatsoever of it. the fact that appleton is saying all the right stuff (GOOD ON HIM - BTW) is no proof that the clowns have any more idea now than in november 2011.
i have had dealings with shaw when he was at preston and IMHO he is as ill-suited to run rovers as our owners are. i don't see him or his record at PNE as any glowing testament to his understanding of the machinations of running our beloved club.
however, you are correct - nobody in their right mind will buy rovers at this stage and i suspect that will be the case for a while yet. many of the misinformed on here think venkys paid circa £50m for rovers - nonsense it was either side of £25m and an agreement to take on the debt - that is like TUPEing staff across when a company is sold off - that debt stays firmly on the balance sheet of liabilities in the club accounts.
in the meantime rovers valuation has probably more than halved as rovers have lost their invaluable prem revenue stream for the now and for the yellow brick road of future revenue growth of the tv gravy train as more international markets come onstream.
my guess (and i accept it is a guess) is that venkys bought a scalextric for the boys as a christmas present and then when the lads undid the wrapping they quickly realised after a couple of plays that they didn't want a scalextric and it was a hornby train set they wanted after all.
trouble is - they want to put the scalextric on e-bay but will only accept what their big sister paid for it. what they don't realise is that when you have played with it a couple of times and blown the transformer - it quickly loses it value.
i know there are those that will say i am a doom-monger and i guess i am - but as those who know me - i only want what is best for rovers.
appleton is making all the right moves at the moment and the team is starting to make shape - but the proof of the pudding (etc). he needs and deserves more than two games before we judge the pros and cons of the new manager - i hope he continues to back up his sensible words with actions. i just pray he has joined rovers with his eyes wide open and not been taken in with the "the owners are extremely ambitious" tosh.
8:39pm Fri 25 Jan 13
It's Moops says...
1. Shebby is nowhere to be seen or heard so the PR firm or whoever has told him to shut up have done their job well.
2. Therefore BRAG and their puppet master Shebby are gone (along with the office at Ewood)
3. Michael Appleton is saying the right things (so did Kean, Berg, Shebby all at sometime in their tenures)
4. Before everyone on here starts wetting themselves, Michael Appleton has to win a game yet. Actions speak louder than words so the saying goes.
8:42pm Fri 25 Jan 13
inflightmagazine says...
8:42pm Fri 25 Jan 13
MattNewcastle says...
Can we have a bit of reality here.
It just goes to prove how dreadful Kean's dealings and spell was that everything Appleton is saying and proposing is being greeted with such jubilation so far.
The points he has made some of you you are making out to be revolutionary,
1 - Some iguy monitoring / having a system in place for transfers in and out - Wow.
2 - Having a balanced squad. - Wow
3 - Having a half decent fitness specialist. - Wow
Bringing in Luke Dowling
Portsmouth July 2012 - present
Crystal Palace Chief Scout Feb 2012 - July 2012 - Probably recommended Goodwillie!
**** Chief Scout Crystal Palace Jan 2011 - Feb 2012
AFC Wimbledon Aug 2009 - Jan 2011
Please don't insult our intelligence as most supporters know what the key elements of any successful club are.
In addition it's wining football matches that counts and as yet Appleton has not got an average record to date - let alone a good one.
Oh and he needs a first team coach in by the end of the weekend!!!!
Can I ask the question as to what his side kick is doing then for I am sure they both secured lucrative deals when signing for the club.
Yet to be convinced - Prepared to be a doomsayer or could that just be a realist because one thing is for certain every other club worth their salt will have the same system in place.
Look at Newcastle touted as having the best scouting system in the business but why are they at the bottom of the league starring relegation in the face.
Could it just be the quality of the manager? Fans questioning substitutions timing of them or lack of them.
8:48pm Fri 25 Jan 13
hasslem hasslem says...
come out, come out!!!! wherever you are!!
are you down canal street with BRAG?
8:53pm Fri 25 Jan 13
Angry From Accrington says...
9:49pm Fri 25 Jan 13
MattNewcastle says...
I totally beg to differ.
Two of our worst ever signings for the money paid out - Murphy Keans buddy / confidant in the changing room etc & Etuhu spring to mind.
10:02pm Fri 25 Jan 13
French Rover says...
Allez les Bleus!
10:23pm Fri 25 Jan 13
GameRoverMan says...
10:30pm Fri 25 Jan 13
It's Moops says...
As hasslem says he's with his mates BRAG somewhere plotting their next announcements along the lines of not being consulted about appointments etc.
I think LET should promote some sort of reward if anyone gets a picture of him at the game tomorrow. But if I were a betting man I'd reckon I could get better odds on seeing him Wednesday at Norwich.
10:30pm Fri 25 Jan 13
whappen says...
You should know any statement which includes "apparently" is to be taken with a huge pinch of salt, Monsieur Roveur Francais.
Interesting scenario though; prospective employee suggesting to their prospective employers their image is shot to the extent of them having to hire a PR company to polish their proverbial t@rd.
I wonder what they said to the owners on day one? Something like;
1) get your f'ckin' a$$es over here pronto
2) lock that idiot Singh in a dark room and throw away the key
3) give the fans a rousing "Blackburn expects every Rao to do their duty" speech about supporting the club to the bitter end
Right, done, done and done, now what?
11:30pm Fri 25 Jan 13
It's Moops says...
7:54am Sat 26 Jan 13
BRFC75 says...
/INDEPENDENT AND THE BLACKPOOL GAZETTE , are they all muck raking papers ?. or are they simply printing a true story regarding and incident in the life of a ex footballer.
Why do you make it your life`s work to continually try and talk up Hendry , the man is dishonourable/dishon
est swindled a old couple out of their life savings, and he is an abject failure as a coach .
Are you being paid to put your stupid comments in ,most people who comment on here note how much you were behind KEAN /HENDRY TEAM , ANYONE who said anything negative about them you went vitriolic nasty defensively rude , why ?
Then when KEAN got sacked you joined the other side , you keep doing that , obviously to try and ingratiate yourself with the next person coming in.
You write and make comments like a bitchy little schoolgirl, are you a young girl getting paid for this ?
I am sure you are a little girl who gets told things and then puts your slant in them to suit your paymaster.
GROW UP SWEETIE !
8:11am Sat 26 Jan 13
jonjonweatherman says...
because he has had plenty time time to bring in players since the start of the transfer window. he know the rovers weakness from the Blackpool game before he came to us.
9:31am Sat 26 Jan 13
blueblooded says...
secondly, accusing people who are getting tired of your banal anti hendry rants wont mask the fact you have an unhealthy obsession with this man and and an ulterior motive behind it.
He might be the most vile creature on the planet, but he's still entitled to a fair jury of his peers and since he isn't on trial here, trying to continuously besmirch his name on LT articles which have nothing to do with him apart from his place of employment, makes your obsessive behaviour all the more suspicious.
Grow up? pot calling Kettle. "sweetie"
Now smelly, go sit in the corner and have a word with yourself before you get banned again.
9:33am Sat 26 Jan 13
philmoulden says...
come on you blues .
9:50am Sat 26 Jan 13
Jarrod Schulz Bearded Wonder says...
I suspect you have spent all night bonged out on crack rocks and skunk weed, topped up with meths. I suggest you visit the doctors on Monday as all that sea air has reacted and sent you spiralling into the K hole.
WTF are you going on about? This insanity of yours is taking over your life and I think you need help fast.
Bless you for being so ill and still wanting to communicate though, at least if you are on here, you are not alone and the MOTHERSHIP will not come for you when you are online.
10:03am Sat 26 Jan 13
Jarrod Schulz Bearded Wonder says...
As I said before, please go and see a doctor, you are not well.
10:04am Sat 26 Jan 13
whappen says...
What do you expect from a manager who had a completely different squad every fortnight and had only been at Blackpool a matter of a few weeks before we pinched him?
There are lies, d@mn lies and statistics. No matter what anyone says Opta doesn't win football matches, football teams do. The only statistics that matter are those in the top left of your TV screen or in the papers the following day.
Lets see if he can put a team together, on and off the field, despite having a different set of problems (Venkys et al) to hinder his progress. Whatever the circumstances, that will take time; even Fergie took several years to reshape Man U and he was on the verge of being sacked at one point (no matter what Gill and his cronies have said since).
Appleton's win percentage to date doesn't mean a d@mn thing.
10:37am Sat 26 Jan 13
French Rover says...
Appleton brought the PR agency in. Fact.
He has worked with them before. Fact.
For reference read the excerpt below which is taken directly from the Rovers offical website 'Fans Forum'. It is in the minutes from their 14th January Meeting:
AN asked what was behind the recently announced decision to employ a
new PR company. DS responded that the company had worked with
Michael Appleton before and he had requested their involvement. They
were planning a press conference for Thursday 17th. There had been no
contract between the club and PAPR for 6 months and currently press
releases were dealt with in house.
I have my facts right, sorry but your cynicism is misplaced this time mate.
10:40am Sat 26 Jan 13
French Rover says...
Also quite interestingly also is the following excerpt about the Venkys coming to Rovers games:
SB asked whether the owners would be coming to a home game in the
near future.
DS stated that they had attended 5 games already in the current season and they tried to co-ordinate visits with their European business trips.
GC also stated that 1 satellite TV station in India with a reach to 75 million households was now showing a weekly 3 hour programme on Rovers.
Did anyone realise that the V's had been to 5 games this season? And did anyone know that the Rovers were getting such potentially massive coverage on Indian TV? I certainly didn't and I guess most people didn't either....
2:26pm Sat 26 Jan 13
BRFC75 says...
You admit you WERE a big fan of Kean`s to the extent you were commenting that it was only scum Rovers supporters that were against him, you are just a nasty little piece of work, anyone who voiced any negative comments about Kean ,you defended Kean and slagged off the genuine Rover`s person making the negative comments about Kean.
ANYWAY enough said , from your last comment ,we can see what you really are .
NORMAL football fans,DO NOT, I REPEAT do not SUPPORT a manager blindly , but I can see by your comments that you really are NOT A ROVERS FAN,in fact reading your last comment , we can come to the conclusion YOU ARE NOT A FOOTBALL FAN AT ALL, just a little schoolgirl coming on this forum to make comments blindly supporting the heirarchy at Rovers , but as it is obvious thay you know nothing about football , then who is paying for you to spend all day writing this drivel ,and who is telling you what to say ,is it the new P.R. COMPANY ?
6:22am Tue 29 Jan 13
Roverthere says...
6:28am Tue 29 Jan 13
Roverthere says...