Appleton's press conference (Accrington) | Vital Football

Appleton's press conference (Accrington)

The Imposter

Vital 1st Team Regular
Not wishing to steal Hull's thunder, but noted down some salient points from Appleton's chat with the media this morning... Interesting to see he was mildly 'grilled' on Pett and Freck's situation by both the local reporters and I think it was made pretty clear there is no chance either of them will be playing again for City will MA is in charge. Would have been intriguing if they pushed him a bit harder on the subject, although MA seemed to be getting slightly annoyed at the questioning.

Injuries – Couple of knocks and bruises from Tuesday night. Will reassess the squad today.

Morrell suspension – it is part and parcel of the game. Will be a while before he plays again, due to missing the next two matches and then having a free week, due to the Bury fiasco. He will manage him well across the next few weeks, but good for him to have a breather as he has played a lot of games. He has options, players are chomping at the bit.

Out-of-favour players – There is plenty of variety in training and there will be some friendlies in midweek given there is a run of midweeks without fixtures. Between now and the end of the season, there will be regular games for those not playing to keep them ‘topped up’.

Pett and Freck – The ‘ball is their court’, they will continue to train and stay as fit as they can, but we have plenty of options in midfield, some of whom it is hoped will be at the club for a ‘long, long time’. ‘It is important to stay true to what we are about and what we are going to do and be as honest and respectful as we can.’ Appleton likes to think he has been ‘as open and transparent with them as he could have been from day one'. (He seemed to get a little perturbed at Makepearce’s questioning at this point). 'There is absolutely no chance at any time will they be training with the youth team, 'it is not my style. They will be training as part of a big group.’ There were a group of 25 training the other day and they were split up as it is ‘impossible to work with such a big group’. He said having conversations with Pett and Freck is ‘easy’ if you are honest with them, straight with them. He hopes they appreciate his honesty.

Edun – Appleton hopes to see him more as a central midfielder player, but he is more than capable of playing in more positions than just one. Having two or three players of this ilk helps to utilise the budget better.

Accrington – Tough game, they got a good win in midweek. They make it difficult for teams at home. Choosing his words carefully, he said ‘it’s not a great place to visit and they make it as difficult an environment as they can.’ City go into it having to think it will be the most difficult game of the season. Mentally you have to to be in the right frame of mind. On City at Sincil Bank, he added ‘you need to create the best squad possible and then the fans help to make home venues as intimidating as possible, which they have done numerous times this year’. It could come down to who makes the least mistakes on the day.

Loan players – A juggling act at the moment. Eyoma arrived late in the day, but wasn’t too sure how long Bostwick would be out for. With Morrell out, Eyoma could be involved, although Bozzie could be back as he has trained this week.
 
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Makepeace is lightweight, a bit of a Boston aficionado, and also a bit of a tosser
A lot of people seem to bash BBC Lincs' coverage but I think it's decent and quite like all the trio. As for being a Boston aficionado, it doesn't bother me, they cover all the teams in their area and I personally like all the non-league Lincs teams to do well.
 
A lot of people seem to bash BBC Lincs' coverage but I think it's decent and quite like all the trio. As for being a Boston aficionado, it doesn't bother me, they cover all the teams in their area and I personally like all the non-league Lincs teams to do well.

I agree, Radio Lincs' sports coverage is decent on the whole. Rob Makepeace is a Lincoln fan through and through, although he often gets the Boston commentating gigs. It's tough for local reporters to sometimes ask the difficult, probing questions as they have to deal with the managers (and players) on a regular basis, and if you get their backs up, it could put you in an awkward position the next time you speak to them. But managers should realise, though, that sometimes they are there to be shot at and not everything they say and do is met with widespread approval. At least Makepeace does attempt to broach the tougher subjects, something you cannot always say about Hortin.
 
Makepeace is lightweight, a bit of a Boston aficionado, and also a bit of a tosser

I don't often respond to stuff like this but in this particular case I feel I must. One of my good friends knows Rob pretty well and I know him to talk to on casual basis. I also know several people who sit near him in the CO-OP. Because believe it or not he is a Lincoln City supporter through and through and also a season ticket holder who when he is not working either commentating on our matches or someone else's can be seen supporting the Mighty Imps paying his hard earned money to do so just like the rest of us.

So in calling him the things you have you clearly have absolutely no idea what you are talking about and you are personally insulting another City fan!
 
It fashionable on here to slate Makepeace And bbc lincs.

They would slate Horton for asking easy questions, then in the same breath slate Makepeace for asking tougher questions.

As for the other local teams.. it’s bbc radio Lincolnshire not just bbc radio imps.

Prime example was the Cowley Huddersfield interviews. Makepeace got criticised for not asking the difficult questions and then again for actually asking them.

I really like the BBC coverage. Passionate people that obviously like what they do on a regional budget.

Hortin’s Commentary in particular has been over the top of some of our most iconic goals in recent years.
 
I don't often respond to stuff like this but in this particular case I feel I must. One of my good friends knows Rob pretty well and I know him to talk to on casual basis. I also know several people who sit near him in the CO-OP. Because believe it or not he is a Lincoln City supporter through and through and also a season ticket holder who when he is not working either commentating on our matches or someone else's can be seen supporting the Mighty Imps paying his hard earned money to do so just like the rest of us.

So in calling him the things you have you clearly have absolutely no idea what you are talking about and you are personally insulting another City fan!

Yes, yes.
But was he at Haig Avenue?
Not being born yet was no excuse.
 
As a reporter you have to strike a balance. If you are too heavy handed or persistent in a question you are not going to get an answer to you will spoil any chance of building up a rapport with a manager which just might in the future mean you get that decent exclusive. I think the balance done by local reporters is about right
 
I prefer Hortin as a commentator but Makepeace is a much better journalist. He's not afraid to press managers on difficult questions.
 
Interesting comments re Pett and Freck. Personally I think that both could contribute this season but obviously long term decisions have been made now. It is also interesting when MA states that we have central midfielders who will hopefully be here for a long time. Currently we have Edun signed permanently. Chapman is out of contract in the summer but you'd have thought a fresh deal was being planned. He may be counting Grant in that answer also if he is moved next season more centrally ( which I think is his better position). Payne who knows
So that leaves the 4 loan midfielders. Morrell we have no chance of signing permanently. Coventry might be a further season long loan but again not permanent.
It might suggest to me though that we could be looking to sign Bridcutt and Hesketh once their contracts at Forest and Saints expire in the summer
 
Presumably the 'ball in their court' is that there's an offer of early termination (not sure it'd make much difference to the finances now? I'm not 100% what type of savings mutual termination bring).
 
My my we are getting tetchy - our comments about Makepeace being lightweight etc made no reference to BBC Lincolnshire - we like Hortin and Thommo - but not very keen on 'Sporty Rob' - just an opinion of course, which we are allowed to hold without fear or favour - there are dangers in conflation!