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Appleton: No regrets over Pompey move
Pompey manager Michael Appleton is braced for a few tough months at the club
Michael Appleton surv-eyed the storm clouds on Pompey’s horizon and insisted: I’ve no regrets.
The embattled Blues boss vowed he doesn’t have any reservations about his move to Fratton Park as the club fights for its life once again.
Appleton has told his players it is going to take all of their resolve to survive another bleak period in Pompey’s history.
The challenge to stand up to that fight comes with Ipswich upping their bid for Joel Ward and Jason Pearce, which the Blues are reported to have turned down.
Appleton is now two months into a role which looks a very different proposition to the one he took on in November.
Pompey are preparing to be hit with a winding-up petition after failing to pay a £1.6m tax bill. And they are still desperately searching for a credible owner after Convers Sports Initiatives fell into administration.
It’s been a familiar tale of woe for the Blues – but Appleton promised he has no desire to walk away from the battle.
Appleton said: ‘There are no regrets for me. Not at all.
‘From my view, this was an opportunity I wanted to take.
‘It’s where I am at the minute and it will take a strong personality and a strong group of people, in terms of staff we have at the club, to get through it.
‘It looked like the club was in a decent position, with wealthy owners who wanted to take the club to the top end of the Championship and the Premier League.
‘Within a week, one had been arrested and is now bailed, so the goalposts moved straight away.
‘You can’t disguise the reality we have a tough couple of months coming up.
‘What we have is a real shortage of players, the smallest squad in the league.
‘There’s going to be good days and bad days, but we have to somehow, somehow, get some points.
‘It’s going to be difficult but, when I look the players in the eyes, I can see they have that belief and steeliness you need in the latter part of the season.
‘They’ll get all the encouragement from us to do that.’
Appleton is resigned to having to sell players before the close of the transfer window next Tuesday.
Ipswich made their second move for Pearce and Ward and upped their original £1m bid for the pair.
The likely reduction of size for the smallest squad in the Football League is another blow for the 36-year-old.
But Appleton, who was unaware of reported interest from Swindon in striker Benjani, isn’t standing for excuses from his team, and has underlined a desire to rise to the testing times ahead.
He said: ‘The stuff off the field probably feels tougher to take at the moment.
‘I don’t want to make excuses and I won’t accept excuses, but I’m asking the players to do things now I shouldn’t.
‘We have 13 fit outfield players and it isn’t going to get any better. We have to crack on. We have to keep the belief we have because they are a good bunch.
‘They work hard but are having to work too hard at the minute. I’m asking them to put shifts in they shouldn’t have to.
‘But I have to because of the lack of numbers we’ve got.’
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Comments
There are 44 comments to this article
Page 1 of 3
noplacelikefratton
Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 09:20 PMNothing more to add really. Just lovely to see so much positivity on here for a change. This man is pure class and we are VERY lucky to have him. God bless you MA and thank you.
graynic1752
Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 07:19 PMi think the FL should give pompey the money what they are owed from the premier league and then they can pay the tax man and appy wouldn't have to sell anyone but we all know that FL won't do that ... So when pompey owe other clubs they have to pay up not the over way around and i think appy is a gr8 manager and if he had the money and backing from a good owner who would take the club forward he would shine and the club would be back to it's good old days PUP
chunky39 was 37
Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 06:30 PMIts such a shame that it looks like Appy wont be able to fulfill his potential here and Im gutted for everyone about that. I have my Euro millions ticket, it wont do everything but it will pay the taxman!
emeraldsnake
Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 05:11 PMBy far our biggest asset. What a quality bloke. I would love to see what he could do with proper backing. Lets all hope and wish we get to see this. Appy is the man!
phill2935
Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 05:03 PMAppy, You are the man.
Peterbxl
Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 04:58 PMReally great to read the support for MA here, I was one of those who wasn't sure when he was appointed, but boy is he winning my respect! It may have been the last thing CSI did for us, but for that at least we owe them our thanks! PUP!
Bazzateer
Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 04:02 PMI'm that impressed with MA that if the unthinkable does happen and Pompey cease to exist I'll probably switch my alliegance to whichever team he goes to next. PUP PPU - PUMA MAPU!
Tomlakes
Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 03:46 PMJust came across this on the BBC sports website Portsmouth issued winding-up petition by HMRC Sad news
Clanfield Blue
Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 03:35 PMhmmm swindon want benjani - how about offer a swap for ritchie? he has 9 goals this season and i know thats league 2 but i think he deserves a chance?
tobermory
Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 03:10 PMMr.Appleton for what its worth you have my full support. If we do get relegated you will not be to blame,its these clown that somehow believe you dont have to pay the tax man. Pompey powers that be make your life very difficult,its just not fair.
Plymouth Graham
Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 02:55 PMI WAS WRONG-i thought some idiots would get on and slate MA..but THEY haven't...HOORAY..keep up the good work Ciderman
pompeylil
Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 02:53 PMMA you are doing a great job & you are like a breath of fresh air to our club. I sincerely hope that we get a new owner soon who will give you the tools to do your job to the best of you ability. We, the fans are going through a really tough time, but I know that most of us are extremely grateful that your are our manager & hope that you'll stay with us. I actually feel just as bad for you as I do for us!
pirate pete
Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 02:28 PMFor all his success at Pompey, Redknapp divided the supporters here. MA has been here but a brief time and it feels all the fans are 100 % behind this fella. If only we could get this club on an even keel.
BlueArmy11
Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 01:54 PMPoor old Michael... And whats happened to AA's big claims? All gone quiet hasn't it? Our football club is a disaster movie, honestly I think we are nearing the final chapter. What would be nice is for the fans to be exactly that,.. FANS!!! lets have a sell out for the Hull game, show the world we really are the best fans! PUP!!
bluelagoon
Tuesday, January 24, 2012 at 01:52 PMIt's win-win for Appy. If Pompey survive and stay up, it will be a great achievement. If they disappear or are relegated with a tiny squad of remnants, no-one will blame him. He can then move on to a more stable club. Which, unfortunately, would be his obvious choice.
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