I would love to see what Michael Appleton has wrote on his CV. Or better still, who his agent is. The guy went from the incapable caretaker-manager of West Brom to perennial managerial link.
Today's version of Alan Curbishley, Appleton is included almost by default, on any shortlist, for any managerial job. So I would just like to know, WHY?
What the hell has Michael Appleton ever done? As a player, he was o.k., decent, 'Meh'. Injury forced him into early retirement, and he began coaching the youth teams at West Brom. So far, nothing that stands out.
He worked his way up at West Brom to become Woy Hodgson's Assistant. Still, nothing of note.
He then got offered, and accepted the Portsmouth job. A club in freefall, needed a cheap option, and in turn, Appleton was a cheap gamble. That cheap gamble got Portsmouth relegated from the Championship, yet Appleton's stock seemed to rise. (A poor 13 wins in 51 games seemingly not taken into account.)
It rose so much so in fact, that in November, 2012, Appleton disregarded his own comments of 'not walking away from Pompey', and took on the Blackpool job (totally ignoring, or not caring about his Preston past.) After a less than stellar job at Blackpool, winning only 2 of 12 games in charge, Appleton was headhunted by Blackburn Rovers, and again walked out on his current club to take the job.
After just 67 days and a 27% win record with one of the pre-season promotion favourites, Appleton lost his job.
Hopefully the football family have finally seen sense. The bookies still have him earmarked for every job, and that doesn't look like changing anytime soon.
But for any chairman out there looking to recruit a new manager, just remember, 'Men lie, women lie, numbers don't.'
