Twitter world is alive with suggestions that Appy will be off to Blackpool before the day is out. Although the other name being bandied around is Phil Brown. IF this is true, who do you think will be brought in to replace him - in the hardest job in football for the lowest wage in the league?
I hope we dont loose Appleton. He's done a good job in very trying circumstances and held himself with dignity throughout, and it'd be a shame to loose him. I know some people - from the News site and comments sent to Express FM - have had a go at him for some tactics or substitue decision but I feel that's harsh since he is still a relatively new manager so he's got to have a chance to learn his trade. Anyway hope it doesn't happen. If it does happen then I feel we can only turn to Guy Whittingham as a replacement. I doubt the club would have the money to attract any one from outside, and Guy did a good job when he was caretaker last time round.
He's on a shortlist of TWO apparently! http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20205238 I HOPE THE OTHER GUY TAKES THE JOB!
He has the very real opportunity to become a Portsmouth legend. For that reason alone, he shouldn't leave.
Hmm, according ot the Echo the latest odds still have Appleton as favourite but Adkins is now second favourite and racing up on the inside. Probably means that Brown will get it!
But the Mail says that Pompey and Blackpool are 'locked in talks' with Pompey holding out for £200k compensation.
Appy might be jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire going to Blackpool - it's been well recorded that Holloway wasn't happy with his playing budget. At least with us he would have the chance to shape a club and academy to his own ideas.
Michael Appleton would be a tremendous loss to Portsmouth but I can't see why he would want to join a team like Blackpool as he has the potential to manage at a far higher level than that. This is someone who has played the game at a high level and has Premiership coaching experience with WBA. I would have to say that Saints would probably be in a far better position this season if Appleton was in charge. He has really galvanised yout team in a situation where, by rights, you should be struggling in the relegation zone even before any points deduction. Few managers would be able to achive a mid-table position with such a team of cast-offs irrespective of the fact that the League One this season if probably the weakest that it has been for a number of seasons. Adkins has done wonders for Saints achieving back-to-back promotion but this season has shown how difficult it is to make the step up to the top flight. Appleton needs to learn his craft where he will be a big fish in a (currently) small pond. I think he is destined for great things and whilst Portsmouth will certainly not retain his services over the course of the next 18 months as he outgrows what you are presently able to offer, I think he would be foolish to opt for Blackpool whose facilities are considered a joke by their lower placed neighbours Blackpool. He would be a shoe in for a club like Southampton which has the facilities to match his expectations but I can't see reasoning to swap the South coast for the NW (despite hailing from those parts) as I think with a play-off place possible, it is likely that Portsmouth might be in the same league as Blackpool next season.
Getting a bit sick of this now, if he's going he needs to get on and go and if he's staying he needs to come out and show his intentions to the fans the players and the rest of the country. I Would like to think he's bright enough to see that he would have a lot more respect in the game for seeing the job through and getting us into the championship next season.
He has just said, on BBC Solent - he has had no conversations with Blackpool or the administrators and the only links are what is being reported in the media. However, although they say he categorically denied a link with Blackpool he didn't say "I'm not leaving" - which would have been unambiguous. Also Oyston said "I've got my man" and Blackpool will be making an announcement in the morning. Solent also just said he was interviewed for the Burnley job. An indication was also - Appy didn't applaud the supporters any more than usual.
That is strange, as he was seen in Marriotts Hotel, just off the M27 at Cosham, today, talking to Blackpool officials by someone I trust, who is a manager there.
I listened to his comments on Express FM after posting that, and he was much less categorical. From what he said then I could only surmise is that he was referring to "now" as in ............. he hasn't heard (back) from Blackpool or from Trevor Birch, apart from what the media has been saying. His answers were somewhat evasive actually. To quote Appy "The only link with me and Blackpool at the minute is what you are seeing and reading in the media and the papers". If a detective questioned him they would ask a) have you held any interviews or meetings with Blackpool representatives? b) have you agreed terms with Blackpool? c) are Blackpool holding talks with the administrators to discuss compensation? Maybe I should question him then?
It would be a miracle if it hadn't. Anyway he is apparently on his way to talk to them now according to someone at the News.
I just found out that Avram Grant is currently out of management, so if Appy goes would anyone object to a return of "Uncle Avram" if it was possible?
Knowing our luck we'd end up with cotterill. In my opinion if he is off of course, mr whitingham should get the first offer. Would be nice to have someone with some sort of bond to the club that kept them here if they started to find success and interest elsewhere. I was pleased when we took a gamble with appy thinking we might finally have some long term stability and a manager that could grow with the club Looks like that's not going to be the case.
I'd love him back- a Jew like me .. and I always loved how he moved his eyebrow up and down when making an interview after matches. Although that's nothing compared to how Carlo Ancelotti used to move his brow when giving an interview! As for Cotterill, nooo thank you!
