Michael Appleton: Right Man, Wrong Time

Paul Lambert is approaching the 15 games in charge mark which is the number that Michael Appleton reached before his tenure was ended. When you look at the records of both men they are not miles apart but the attitude towards the ex-footballers feels different both at board level and from the stands. Do board members and fans become fixed on playing careers, playing achievements and reputation, which means they are more lenient with a Champions League winner than a League One winner?

This is not meant to be a reflection on Paul Lambert though the comparison is there, this as the title suggests, is a tip of the cap to Michael Appleton and recognition from Rovers fans that the former Pompey and Blackpool boss had plenty more to offer, which is relevant as our paths cross in this weekends FA Cup clash.

Like during the first of his 67 days in charge at Ewood, Appleton faced criticism from fans as he tried to change a team that had only known the leadership of Chris Wilder for so long. However now with his feet firmly under the table Oxford play a very different type of football from your average League Two side, which is why they are in the mix for automatic promotion. Appleton wants to make the most of the terrific pitch the players have at their disposal and encourages them to get the ball down and pass whenever possible, a far cry from the style of football witnessed by Rovers fans in recent weeks. Appleton is progressive in his approach to football using his full time video analyst, a head of football logistics and a sports science department. The former WBA player himself is studying for a Masters in Sports Directorship which when you consider the level of professionalism in the 4th tier of English football is at the least encouraging and in reality very impressive.

There are a number of relevant questions surrounding his time in charge of Rovers, such as what can change in 67 days? And would it have mattered who had taken the job? Given the situation at the club behind the scenes were the managers doomed to fail from the beginning?

What can change in 67 days?

Results began to deteriorate and although his record was not terrible in the context Rovers had endured Henning Berg's attempt at management and could not afford another depressing spell if they were to survive relegation.

Would it have mattered who got the job, were they doomed to fail?

The atmosphere behind the scenes at the club had gotten to the stage that Derek Shaw and Shebby Singh watched the games from different boxes at Ewood such was fractured nature of the clubs hierarchy. Singh had been responsible for the appointment of Berg and there was a certain amount of wanting to even the score with Shaw who had been given more control in a bid to save the club. This impossible situation culminated in Singh, who had never spoken with Appleton, advising him he had been relieved of his duties without consulting Shaw prior to the announcement. No matter who was to come into such turmoil it would have been impossible to thrive and as such Appleton found himself a victim of circumstance, for the third time in his short career.

The situations at Pompey, Blackpool and Rovers were the beginning of a more common trend which is creeping into football most recently at Bolton. Appleton has been unfortunate enough to become associated with failure and this will have played a part in why it took almost 18 months out of the game before he was given another chance with Oxford. Even with all that has happened, Appleton is still a young manager at only 40 years old, so he can put what he has learnt so far into practice to ensure he does not make the same mistakes in the future. Appleton has admitted making mistakes in selecting jobs in the past and now knows the importance of being patient and choosing only positions which feel right for him.

When we look at Michael Appleton the man it is clear to see what Derek Shaw recognised and why he believed that Appleton was a good fit for Rovers. Born in the North West, a player for Manchester United and a successful player for Preston he knows how to act around the fans and what Rovers would expect. The attitude Appleton displayed at Pompey vowing to stay and fight on when they were hit with administration is an admirable quality, which Shaw perhaps understood would be required for what was to come in the future.

Keep Calm and Carry On

Paul Lambert is getting his feet nicely under the table, Rovers are unbeaten in six Championship games and the transfer embargo has finally been lifted. The fans have plenty to cheer about and the last four weeks have been the most positive for the club since Venky's became involved with the  club. Currently five points off the playoffs Rovers have plenty to look forward too heading into January, however the message should be one of caution.


We must remember that irresponsible spending was the reason the embargo was put enforced in the first place. The prudence shown by Gary Bowyer and the scout network has brought quality into the club, so just because we can pay for players does not necessarily mean we have too. The likes of Hope Akpan, Danny Guthrie, Tom Lawrence and Fode Koita have all played a part this season and were all brought in under the embargo. Akpan and Lawrence have been especially impressive and are part of Paul Lambert's current starting XI.


That being said there are certainly improvements which could be made to the squad. Nathan Delfouneso has not found the form we had hoped, so competition for Jordan Rhodes will be key in the push for promotion and another quality striker would certainly help. Throughout the squad in general there is a lack of experience, the average age of the starting XI against Bristol City was just 24.5 years old and some more experienced professionals may be worth the extra wages to help build a more balanced squad.

The question is who can the club realistically attract, that will add something to the squad but not jeopardize our finances in the same manner that led to the embargo.

The Bonnie Scots of Blackburn

On this St. Andrews Day we take a look at Five Scotsmen to play for Blackburn Rovers in the Premier League. The only criteria here is that the player has appeared for Rovers during their time in the Premier League and that they are Scottish. The list is made up of a Scotland football legend, an often forgotten yet crucial element to the team of the 90's, a youngster that perhaps was allowed to leave too soon, a charismatic striker who wasn't around for long and our current club Captain.

1. "A Scottish Football Legend"

Colin Hendry made over 330 appearances for Rovers during two spells at the club in the late 80's and through the 90's. Signed for £700,000 from Manchester City in his second spell Hendry was mainstay of the Dalglish Premier League winning side of the 1994-95 season with 40 league appearances during the season and contributing four goals, such was his aerial threat in the opposition box. Having been at the club for almost ten years in all he is a firm fans favourite and will always be remembered for commanding performances in defence when we lifted the Premier League trophy. The former Rangers, City and Coventry centre back played over 50 times for his country and the pinnacle was captaining the Scots at the 1998 World Cup in France, a true legend for both Scotland and Blackburn Rovers.

2. "An often forgotten yet crucial element to the team of the 90's"

Kevin Gallacher is synonymous with Blackburn Rovers both in his career on the pitch and now in his career off the pitch. A real fans favourite the hard working Scot is often overlooked when considering important players of the 90's but never by Rovers fans. Overcoming two leg breaks he showed tremendous courage in his fight back to full fitness with his most dominant spell coming between 1996 and 1998 when he scored 26 league goals in 67 appearances to first help Rovers avoid relegation and then propel them to a 6th place finish the following season. Throughout his seven years at the club Gallacher can never be accused of not giving his all and his continuing involvement around the club despite making his last appearance 15 years ago shows how much he enjoyed his spell at the club too. 

3. "A youngster that was allowed to leave too soon"

Paul Gallagher is a player many Rovers fans would loved to have seen back at the club following their relegation and perhaps he was allowed to leave before he fulfilled his true potential. Gallagher always looked highly talented and was well thought of my everyone at the club. The fact that he had four managers during his time at the club meant it was difficult for him to settle but three impressive seasons in the Premier League and always displaying talent when on loan Gallagher was a victim of instability behind the scenes which allowed him to slip through the net at Ewood Park. A product of the Blackburn Youth system and a Scotland cap in recognition of him impressive 2003-04 season with Rovers he will be remembered with fondness and thoughts of what could have been.

4. "A charismatic striker who wasn't around for long"

Paul Dickov was only at Blackburn for a short spell towards the end of his journeyman career. Approaching 32 years old when he signed for the club, Mark Hughes felt the guile and experience of the Scot would benefit the clubs young strike force with the likes of Matt Derbyshire, Jon Stead and Matt Jansen finding their feet. In his first season, 2004-05, Dickov made 29 appearances and was the top scorer for the season as Rovers finished 15th in the Premier League and reached the semi finals of the FA Cup where they ran into eventual winners Arsenal. Injury and the signings of Craig Bellamy and Shefki Kuqi meant that opportunities were limited for the small Scot with just four goals in 18 league appearances the following season. With over 50 appearances and 17 goals for Rovers he was an important Scotsman at a time of transition.

5. "Our current Club Captain"

Grant Hanley currently has 19 international caps for Scotland, at just 24 years old and currently playing outside of the top flight shows the pedigree he has and how highly thought of he is amongst the Scotland International set up. Now in his fifth season as a senior pro at Ewood the Skipper has racked up over 150 appearances and has been a integral in the seasons since our relegation providing important stability in defence. Hanley has had the opportunity to learn from the likes of Chris Samba and Ryan Nelson so even though he is not blessed with great pace he can read the game well, learning all the time and still in the early period of his career. With the January transfer window coming fast, fellow Scots Paul Lambert and Alan Irvine will hope they can keep hold of the rock at the back that is Grant Hanley. 

The Son v The Father

Jordan & Andy Rhodes

This weekend puts a family pride on the line in the Rhodes household as Son, Jordan, will hope to spoil his Father, Andy's, hard work this week. For those that don't know Andy Rhodes is the goalkeeping coach for Sheffield Wednesday and he will have spent the week preparing, first team keeper, Kieran Westwood for the strike force he will face at the weekend, the only difference is knows opposition strikers game probably better than anyone in football having trained him in their back garden!

Alan Irvine, Paul Lambert & Rob Kelly pose for the Lancashire Tele

Rovers fans will be hoping that the 25 year old Scotland International can frustrate his Dad and reach double figures fir the season, currently he has 9 goals from his 15 appearances looking back to his clinical best with the ankle injury behind him. New management team Paul Lambert and Alan Irvine will hopefully have told Rhodes that he is their main man which will fill  the striker full of confidence as he looks to reach a tally of 20+ for the FOURTH consecutive season at Ewood Park.

Following the equaliser at Hull

The link between Father and Son was mentioned in the Mirror only two weeks ago, ahead of the January transfer window, as the speculation has begun already over Rovers Talisman. Sheffield Wednesday now coached by Carlos Carvalhal are rumoured to be preparing a £12m bid as they look to make a push for promotion. The Yorkshire club are an attractive proposition with Carvalhal, a former Braga, Sporting Lisbon and Besiktas coach has plenty of experience and developed a solid squad who play attractive football, with the backing of a Thai Consortium who control the worlds tuna supply, a stadium which holds over 39,000 and finally with your Dad as Goalkeeping Coach, you can see the appeal for Rhodes.

Top Scorers in the Championship

Rovers fans will hope that Venky's keep their word and do not sell Rhodes to a rival, evidenced by the turning down of a reported £14m bid from Middlesbrough during the summer. Without Rhodes Blackburn and Bolton would be struggling at the foot of the table while Burnley push for promotion. The only focus this weekend however should be for Rhodes to get the better of his dad, Andy, by getting his name on the score sheet en route to securing three points as Rovers look to close the gap on their opponents Sheffield Wednesday.