Blackburn Rovers blog: Appleton must get a fair crack of the whip (From Lancashire Telegraph)
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Blackburn Rovers blog: Appleton must get a fair crack of the whip
7:42am Tuesday 15th January 2013 in Blackburn Rovers blogs
By Dan Clough, Reporter
ANOTHER bizarre week in the topsy turvy world of Blackburn Rovers under Venky’s.
Just days after the announcement Gary Bowyer was to be allowed to continue as caretaker until at least January and we have a new manager.
And it would seem he is a manager, on paper, with no great record to scream about and without the experience you may have thought the next gaffer would have been expected to have.
That said, it is time for us to give Michael Appleton our full backing.
No matter how disappointed fans may be with the appointment, it isn’t his fault he has been given the job, and nobody knows how successful he will be.
I thought it was a bit unfair of the Action Group to threaten protest action over the appointment. Let’s at least give him a game eh?
In fairness he hasn’t really had a chance to shine in management if you look at his record.
A game as West Brom boss, then a year at Portsmouth who are one of a small cluster of clubs in a far worse position than Rovers.
Then two months at Blackpool who had just spent a number of years overachieveing under the excellent Ian Holloway – who wasn’t good enough for our Shebby.
Speaking of Shebby, the future does not look bright for our once outspoken ‘global adviser’. He has gone quiet recently, which is quite refreshing, and had no input in the appointment of our new manager.
I for one won’t be sad to see him go – if he does.
On the pitch we have gone four games unbeaten, a great run in the current climate, and huge thanks must go to Gary Bowyer for seemingly steadying the ship and making the players happy.
He has put himself in the shop window if any clubs out there are looking to gamble on a managerial appointment, having been touted to take the job here on a permanent basis.
I hope he stays at the club as, it would seem, he is a popular member of the backroom team who is clearly an asset on the training ground.
Meanwhile Appleton goes straight into the firing line with four consecutive must-win home league games against Charlton, Brighton, Ipswich and Bristol City.
Those matches will really make or break his Rovers career, and our season, so he needs to be given our support.
Meanwhile, there have been reports that David Bentley could be lined up for an Ewood return.
Bentley, as so often happens, never reached the same heights as he had at Rovers after leaving but he could be just what we need to provide Jordan Rhodes with ammunition.
I am hopeful this one is true.
Comments are closed on this article.

Comments (32)
8:54am Tue 15 Jan 13
lusorover says...
A BIT UNFAIR?
It was utterly moronic and shows that, for some people their time in the spotlight has become more important than the good of the Club.
You suggest that we should give the new manager a game at least. Any new manager needs at least a full season, if he has had the benefit of his own pre-season preparations.
We are still suffering from poor pre-season preparation under Kean.
We fans have a huge role to play in getting behind the manager and the team for the rest of this season and beyond.
9:01am Tue 15 Jan 13
rovertoys says...
On Bentley Would love to see him at the Club he is only 28. I remember him and Dunn Together were awsome. Give Dunn a Coaching role.
9:08am Tue 15 Jan 13
Nuttall Street says...
1. We should give Appleton our full backing. Is this the same as the full backing we were obligated to give to Kean and to Berg? Both were unqualified for the role as is Appleton and it is wearing thin that we should be expected to do so again when common sense and the fans wishes in these managerial appointments is consistently ignored three times on the trot.
2. It is not Appleton's fault he has been given the job. This is rubbish. Of course it is his fault. No one forced him to allow himself to be considered for the job and no one forced him to accept the appointment. When you accept an appointment you have an obligation to be confident that you have the credentials to be able to do the job properly. To act otherwise is dishonest and Appleton does not have the credentials for the job. No doubt the large increase in pay, which he reputedly accepted, was persuasive in his thinking. So Appleton will be under the spotlight from the word go and will get no allowance when he mucks it up as he is in the balance of probabilities most likely to do.
9:11am Tue 15 Jan 13
glen9mullan says...
If the newspaper cannot read press releases then its a poor do.
More importantly people should not be able to write things which are not true through a newspaper platform to suit an agenda.
9:11am Tue 15 Jan 13
glen9mullan says...
If the newspaper cannot read press releases then its a poor do.
More importantly people should not be able to write things which are not true through a newspaper platform to suit an agenda.
9:13am Tue 15 Jan 13
glen9mullan says...
Not at one point did the Action Group threaten protest. If you cannot be bothered reading press releases then you really should not be using the Platform of the local paper to spread lies into the supporter base.
9:55am Tue 15 Jan 13
TurkishDelight says...
Cryer vs. Kean
Agnew vs. Singh
Desai vs. Wild
Lancashire Telegraph vs. Action Group
BRFC Real Supporters vs. BRFC Action Group
Home wins all round
9:57am Tue 15 Jan 13
srvp28 says...
10:01am Tue 15 Jan 13
TurkishDelight says...
Another home win
10:04am Tue 15 Jan 13
1952 rover says...
10:05am Tue 15 Jan 13
1952 rover says...
10:10am Tue 15 Jan 13
srvp28 says...
11:18am Tue 15 Jan 13
ChrisDeBerg says...
RTID
11:48am Tue 15 Jan 13
glen9mullan says...
12:33pm Tue 15 Jan 13
bypass06 says...
In this blog Dan Clough states “I thought it was a bit unfair of the Action Group to threaten protest action over the appointment. Let’s at least give him a game eh?”
The group has today written to the Lancashire Telegraph and to Dan Clough asking for this statement to not only be removed but an apology made forthwith for the comments.
Never at one point over the last 8 months has the BRFC Action Group stated it intends to protest. The group last week issued a statement regarding the owner’s stance to continue to ignore the supporters of our proud club. The group made it clear that despite months of communication the owners still refuse to listen and attendances are now at a 20 year low.
The group pointed out its dismay of the continued Boardroom politics which is handicapping the clubs ability to achieve promotion this season.
The Lancashire Telegraph received this full press release, however despite this they have chosen to allow an employee to let a Blog go to print with a statement which is not only complete fabrication, but is a seed which could cause an even bigger divide in the clubs supporter base than the one which already existed.
12:34pm Tue 15 Jan 13
RoverTheHill says...
pro·test
/ˈprōˌtest/
Noun
A statement or action expressing disapproval of or objection to something.
By announcing you would sever communication if Appleton was appointed and "step up" your campaign you were in-fact showing your objection to his appointment and so are "protesting". Dan is completely right to say protest in his statement. Your request for an apology because of the use of 1 word is very child-like to say the least and i suggest you do Rovers fans a favour and stop trying to speak for all fans of the club on our behalf because believe it or not the majority of supporters aren't members of BRAG!
12:49pm Tue 15 Jan 13
fitz808 says...
2 - i assume the point being made by Dan is that, if presented with a similar opportunity, most managers would take it. therefore criticising him for joining the club is a little harsh.
on both your points, its a little premature to be treating Appleton as the enemy. what if he does well? at what point will you change from being a detractor to being a supporter?
1:30pm Tue 15 Jan 13
makaveli96 says...
1:32pm Tue 15 Jan 13
makaveli96 says...
1:35pm Tue 15 Jan 13
makaveli96 says...
1:57pm Tue 15 Jan 13
showbiz says...
2:20pm Tue 15 Jan 13
blueblooded says...
I'll add to that. that we are STILL waiting to see this dodgy dossier that Mr Mullen refers to "the information we passed to them last year and further information which has come to light since regarding the clubs administration", that they claim to have that even members of BRAG that I know, have yet to see.
If you have such damning evidence, why are you so loathe to put it into the public domain and gain the support of all your fellow fans, rather than the exclusive boys club you have created?
2:58pm Tue 15 Jan 13
TurkishDelight says...
7:14pm Tue 15 Jan 13
Angry From Accrington says...
7:49pm Tue 15 Jan 13
upholland rover says...
10:41pm Tue 15 Jan 13
Nuttall Street says...
10:20am Wed 16 Jan 13
AndyW says...
You don't represent us (the majority of the fans) and we don't want you to.
You do nothing but embarrass us with your constant illiterate dribble.
Seriously, just give it up now.
You've had your 5 minutes of being on the radio/tv but it's now at the stage where you are damaging the image of the club far more than Venky's ever could.
You will be the next Steve Keans if you don't pack it in soon.
11:06am Wed 16 Jan 13
upholland rover says...
12:27pm Wed 16 Jan 13
Oakdale blue says...
12:41pm Wed 16 Jan 13
Oakdale blue says...
now forgive me but isn't that what the so called Action Group have been doing throughout their existence, stirring up unrest between supporters by spouting on here, the internet, on twitter all sorts of comments that lack any sort of credibility. Your comments do not represent those of the majority of the supporters, your means of broadcasting your drivel is annoying and embarrassing to the loyal supporters. It's time you disbanded and crawled back under the stone from whence you came
3:56pm Wed 16 Jan 13
noddy57 says...
ten to the advice on who can get the best of the squad and the rest will take care of its self,,this week end is vital to the whole club,anything less than 3 points is failure,
3:56pm Wed 16 Jan 13
noddy57 says...
ten to the advice on who can get the best of the squad and the rest will take care of its self,,this week end is vital to the whole club,anything less than 3 points is failure,