Appleton: Rovers stars can be heroes (From Lancashire Telegraph)
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Appleton: Rovers stars can be heroes
8:23am Friday 8th March 2013 in Sport
By Andy Cryer, Blackburn Rovers reporter
MICHAEL Appleton will tell his Blackburn Rovers squad ‘make yourself a hero’ as they look to secure a place at Wembley for the first time since their Charity Shield appearance in 1995.
Rovers travel to Millwall on Sunday in an FA Cup quarter final, knowing they could be 90 minutes away from Wembley, and boss Appleton admits it is a “fantastic opportunity” for the club.
Appleton said: “There is no shying away from the fact this is a great opportunity and I’m sure Kenny (Jackett) and Millwall will be saying exactly the same.
“It is a quarter final tie with two Championship teams going head to head and knowing the likelihood is the winners will play one of the big boys at a magnificent stadium.
“It is all to play for, they will go in as favourites but you just don’t know. Maybe it is someone’s opportunity to be a hero, that is what I will be telling them.”
Rovers and Millwall are both struggling for form in the Championship with Appleton’s men winless in six in the league and the Londoners having lost six in their last seven matches.
But ahead of Sunday’s trip Appleton believes both can forget about their Championship struggles as they look for a place in history.
“It is an opportunity,” he said. “It has been a poor couple of weeks for us, we have had a lot of gamesand they haven’t gone our way for one reason or another.
“We can put that to bed for 10 days. We have a great opportunity to re-write history, and an opportunity to play at Wembley – I can’t remember the last time the football club did that.
“So I am sure the players will grasp that they have the opportunity to do something special.
“There are so many good things that could come out of the game on Sunday. I am sure the players will be delighted to be part of it.”
Rovers suffered their second successive defeat at Bolton on Tuesday night, going down to an injury time winner from Chris Eagles, but Appleton was delighted with his side’s display and is calling for more this weekend.
He said: “I think everyone here witnessed an end-to-end blood and thunder derby, as you would expect. Even the goal came late, it was certainly one that kept you on the edge of your seat.
“I said to the players ‘tonight I enjoyed the game’, I enjoyed watching them because I got people working for the cause and they were backing each other up and proud to wear the shirt.
“Their goalkeeper made more saves and that is a positive. I have been saying to the players we have made their keeper work hard and Bolton’s biggest threat was their throw in. I’m sure I will see that work rate and desire again on Sunday.”
Comments are closed on this article.

Comments (87)
8:32am Fri 8 Mar 13
claret777 says...
8:37am Fri 8 Mar 13
claret777 says...
8:42am Fri 8 Mar 13
Iiii1111 says...
8:59am Fri 8 Mar 13
claret777 says...
9:11am Fri 8 Mar 13
Harwoodstblue says...
9:15am Fri 8 Mar 13
Harwoodstblue says...
Thanks for your interest by the way, a Burnley supporter first on a Rovers article?
9:53am Fri 8 Mar 13
A Rover 45 years and over says...
10:05am Fri 8 Mar 13
Riverside 7 says...
If you log onto the Rovers web site / stats / appearances - David Dunn does not appear.
I then tried again on the Rovers web site / first team / player profiles and guess what - again no David Dunn.
Does this mean he is no longer at the club?
Perhaps someone could enlighten us?
Is David Dunn still a player at Blackburn Rovers Football Club?
10:07am Fri 8 Mar 13
A Darener says...
Do the LT have a proofreader? If not they could surely do with one.
Then again it does give us laugh in these cheerless times.
10:27am Fri 8 Mar 13
French Rover says...
10:27am Fri 8 Mar 13
claret777 says...
11:16am Fri 8 Mar 13
guiderover says...
11:18am Fri 8 Mar 13
A Darener says...
11:22am Fri 8 Mar 13
fitz808 says...
11:26am Fri 8 Mar 13
guiderover says...
11:29am Fri 8 Mar 13
guiderover says...
11:31am Fri 8 Mar 13
A Darener says...
11:35am Fri 8 Mar 13
guiderover says...
11:56am Fri 8 Mar 13
arms1 says...
11:59am Fri 8 Mar 13
A Darener says...
12:15pm Fri 8 Mar 13
benal13 says...
!!!!!!!
1:11pm Fri 8 Mar 13
vicn1956 says...
venkys with him+ K*** ruined our club!
1:27pm Fri 8 Mar 13
peely says...
Oh and he,s bald !
Doomed I tell ya doomed !
1:37pm Fri 8 Mar 13
fitz808 says...
1:41pm Fri 8 Mar 13
blazerafe says...
1:47pm Fri 8 Mar 13
rovertillidie says...
The league season has long gone, subject to another couple of wins so we don't need to look over our shoulder, so lets celebrate the cup run. We are in the quarter final of the FA cup and have done it the hard way ....away wins against Derby and Arsenal it has not been put on a plate.
If we get through this tie and I think we will maybe with a replay, we can all go down to Wembley for a great day out. Who gave us a hope of beating Arsenal...well I did and a fiver on at 9-1 was quite a nice return. Ok we will probably then face one of the favorites with nothing to lose.
So come on you lot of doom and gloom merchants lighten up, look forward and support your team its the FA Cup Quarter final.
By the way I don't agree with semis being at Wembley and will never change my mind on this point even if we were to be fortunate enough to go there for one.
1:49pm Fri 8 Mar 13
benal13 says...
!!
1:51pm Fri 8 Mar 13
juanbbien says...
2:22pm Fri 8 Mar 13
claret777 says...
2:31pm Fri 8 Mar 13
Wild Rover says...
Obviously you two miss Steve Kean as you are trying to recreate the same atmospere round Appy, even down to the bald comments etc, lack of charisma blah blah
Bit obvious innit
Rovers supporters? Nahh think not
Dingles most likely, and you need some new angles..
2:36pm Fri 8 Mar 13
bburnrover says...
2:42pm Fri 8 Mar 13
Wild Rover says...
Though no doubt they would favour a shade of maroon better ( cant bring myself to use the C word )
2:54pm Fri 8 Mar 13
Riverside 7 says...
Yesterday and earlier today there was no number 8 David Dunn showing on player profiles and he was missing from the players stats page as well.
I honestly thought he had left the club and perhaps joined his mate at Accy Stanley.
Perhaps this is the start of his comeback!
2:57pm Fri 8 Mar 13
Harwoodstblue says...
After three years spiraling forever downwards (fact), there are still posters on here who see 'Positivity'
Are they Steve Kean in disguise ?
3:25pm Fri 8 Mar 13
MxMave says...
Nevermind taking 20k to Wembley, with the Burnley supports at our backs we will have 22k!
3:39pm Fri 8 Mar 13
morleyclaret says...
NE Lancashire football FIRST , old rivalry and good natured banter SECOND!
Make sure you win and fly the flag up north!!!!!
3:45pm Fri 8 Mar 13
Wild Rover says...
5:00pm Fri 8 Mar 13
blueblooded says...
Really looking forward to it, Best playing should bring some much needed boost to the team.
FOR THE NORTH!
:-)
5:13pm Fri 8 Mar 13
Clitheroe kid says...
5:18pm Fri 8 Mar 13
Harwoodstblue says...
able.
Are they really interested in Football / success?
5:18pm Fri 8 Mar 13
Bazzer says...
Things are poor, but Up Rovers!
5:22pm Fri 8 Mar 13
Stone Island: says...
5:40pm Fri 8 Mar 13
Harwoodstblue says...
5:46pm Fri 8 Mar 13
French Rover says...
6:17pm Fri 8 Mar 13
Captain Dreckley says...
6:22pm Fri 8 Mar 13
merlinrabbit says...
6:24pm Fri 8 Mar 13
doggydog says...
6:26pm Fri 8 Mar 13
blazerafe says...
balltickets.com/fa-c
up-semi-finals-match
-1-tickets/london-13
644.html) Also will anybody seriously consider paying that much ?
6:26pm Fri 8 Mar 13
CARover says...
I will be watching via long distance so for this game get around the team and in the FA cup you never know what will happen
6:41pm Fri 8 Mar 13
willhelmrover98 says...
thats 40k a week back in the system. and as we seem to be dieing for another quality central midfield player.... Well,
The wigan centre mids are both quality, and if they get relegated they would surely be looking for a way out?
I mean really, how much would Wigans star players be on? 30k max?
just saying
6:45pm Fri 8 Mar 13
Bazzer says...
7:22pm Fri 8 Mar 13
icannotrace says...
.
So the solution to avoid this is to lose at Millwall?
7:37pm Fri 8 Mar 13
fragileworld says...
7:41pm Fri 8 Mar 13
moh says...
7:47pm Fri 8 Mar 13
greenscreener says...
A football scarf is not just for christmas.
7:53pm Fri 8 Mar 13
icannotrace says...
7:55pm Fri 8 Mar 13
kazluvsrovers says...
7:59pm Fri 8 Mar 13
icannotrace says...
8:25pm Fri 8 Mar 13
noddymcleod says...
Perhaps his silence on the touchline is because he doesn't know the players names.
Leon Best to collapse in first half hour.
Millwall to win 1-0, followed by Apple press release saying how proud he is of his team.
Dunnie player manager for Stanley next season, promotion, and 2015-6 reunion with relegated Rovers.
Of course, I dream of beating Millwall, scraping a win in the Semis against United, City or Everton, qualifying for Europe because other finalists have already qualified.
Next season double of Promotion and first Champioship side to win Euro-trophy...
But I think my first scenario is more likely.
9:11pm Fri 8 Mar 13
Wild Rover says...
He was a football manager there, Administration is in the hands of legally qualified Administrators , no one else.
Also, Portsmouth still exist albeit in League One, and today their supporters trust has bought the club from the Administrators
So your bizzare nonsense is just that, and your double identity as both Noddy McLeod and Noddy57 or whatever posting the same nonsense bears out my beliefs about multi poster identities on these threads
Oh yeah, you are a Dingle as well
9:14pm Fri 8 Mar 13
modan says...
The 1426 are worth a staggering $5.2 Trillion.
Go an win the FA Cup for Venkys and Appleton and all Rovers players wll be rewarded with flight to India live like kings in many Venky's palaces and a trip to Delhi, Taj Mahal,Mumbai,Goa,Kol
kata to see the world's largest football stadia Salt Lake Stadia capacity 120,000 where Byern Munich and Messi played.
"India a rising superpower " Dave Cameron Prime Minister UK
www india skyscrapercity.com
9:22pm Fri 8 Mar 13
Harwoodstblue says...
9:24pm Fri 8 Mar 13
Harwoodstblue says...
You boring B******
9:34pm Fri 8 Mar 13
modan says...
No respect for people of higher class that is bailing out bankrupt Blackburn Rovers FC which is in debt of around £25 Million.
9:42pm Fri 8 Mar 13
Harwoodstblue says...
9:43pm Fri 8 Mar 13
icannotrace says...
.
PS. i am also rupee billionaire
9:51pm Fri 8 Mar 13
Harwoodstblue says...
10:01pm Fri 8 Mar 13
modan says...
Pound stering convert to
A Japanese YEN is 140.80
Indian Rupees 82.53
JAPAN is a economic superpower with the third largest economy in the world after USA and China
You are fool and a joker .
10:56pm Fri 8 Mar 13
noddy57 says...
12:10am Sat 9 Mar 13
hornbypeggy says...
1:24am Sat 9 Mar 13
icannotrace says...
8:29am Sat 9 Mar 13
Harwoodstblue says...
8:32am Sat 9 Mar 13
Harwoodstblue says...
8:32am Sat 9 Mar 13
Elysiumfire says...
Blackburn have the better assembled team, but as yet, have to gel and work and play as a team to fulfill its potential quality...there's no doubt that its there, but Appleton has to find a way to bring it out and keep it consistent. He's got to get the players believing in themselves as a team, but at the moment, it looks as though players are simply playing for themselves.
The game is a hard one to call, and a Blackburn loss would play havoc with their belief for the rest of the season. A win, giving a much-needed morale boost trip to Wembley, might just be what is needed to rejuvenate the club's belief. The question is, are the players going to turn up and give of their best against Millwall...do they actually care whatever the result may be? Millwall will certainly be up for it!
Tough match, tough call, but I'm going for Blackburn to nick it.
9:42am Sat 9 Mar 13
noddymcleod says...
We all use aliases on here and who Noddy 57 is, I have no clue.
Also, try answering points without abuse - I am not a dingle - a silly childish name for Burnley fans. As a true East Lancs footie fan I wish Burnley well, I come from an era when I went with my Burnley and Rovers fans to watch Rovers one week and Rovers the others.
As to Apple, the manager of any club, Pompey or Rovers - even the mighty Sir Alex - does what the owners say - be it selling Ronaldo, or closing a blind eye to the shenanighans of a corrupt ownership as with Pompey. Pompey's problems didn't start with the Administrator; going into administration was the result of Pompey's misrule, of which Apple was part.
Try answering that without childish abuse.
10:17am Sat 9 Mar 13
merlinrabbit says...
10:36am Sat 9 Mar 13
Harwoodstblue says...
" Jealousy is an emotion and typically refers to the negative thoughts and feelings of insecurity, fear, and anxiety over an anticipated loss of something "........Wikipedia
Poor dingles
11:41am Sat 9 Mar 13
uber blue and white says...
1:07pm Sat 9 Mar 13
PersianRover says...
1:49pm Sat 9 Mar 13
A Darener says...
3:15pm Sat 9 Mar 13
doggydog says...
Sums up the moronic,childish attitude on these posts.
True fans get behind there teams through good and bad. You change like the wind. 1 minute its all glory, the next its all doom. I minute, its lets boycott games but yet the real fans still went to the games.2 faced fans will buy their ticket for wembley and act like they are true fans when only they are the sort of stuff you would not want to stand in. Grow up you silly little boy!
4:42pm Sat 9 Mar 13
Harwoodstblue says...
4:47pm Sat 9 Mar 13
A Darener says...
4:49pm Sat 9 Mar 13
Harwoodstblue says...
Yes, jealousy......That's your problem dingle.
10:49pm Sat 9 Mar 13
handyamBRFC says...
That was the offer...simple.
about 23 M debts paid off.
But obviously Walkers were not accepting of that as they wanted money for themselves in their hands.
They got that from Venkys - 20 Million.
9:15am Sun 10 Mar 13
A Darener says...
12:25pm Sun 10 Mar 13
doggydog says...
I AINT A DINGLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!
seen some of your posts over the last few months and you are as 2 faced as they come.I dont support either team but i wish rovers the best for today. I aint bothered wot goes on behind the scenes nor care. its about getting behind your team no matter wot! NOW CHEXK AND SEE IF NAPPY NEEDS CHANGING