Appleton fears squad burn out
Pompey boss Michael Appleton
Michael Appleton fears player burn-out as Pompey’s fixture list hots up.
The anticipated January transfer deadline day exodus failed to emerge as Ipswich targets Joel Ward, Stephen Henderson and Jason Pearce all remained at Fratton Park.
But Ryan Williams’ departure to Fulham and former loanee Joe Mattock moving to Brighton until the end of the season leaves the Blues boss with a squad of just 18.
What’s more, he’s unsure whether he will be able to recruit players when the emergency loan window opens on February 8.
With six games in 22 days approaching, it is a massive ask from players who have lifted the club into 16th spot in the Championship table.
At least some of Pompey’s prized assets remain. However, on Tuesday only 11 first-team players could train.
And Appleton believes the smallest squad in the Football League face plenty more testing times ahead.
He said: ‘There are a lot of games coming up and it is going to be tough for the players.
‘We’ve got a small squad and, on top of that, will have to cope with injuries, suspensions or whatever else is thrown at us.
‘If I am given the opportunity, there are going to be a lot of changes over the summer.
‘I want to make sure the squad is much bigger than what is it now.
‘Working with 17-18 players is not ideal and I wouldn’t advise it to anyone – coach or manager.
‘You have got to be working along the lines of 25-26 if you want to be serious contenders and be successful and get out of this league.
‘The risk with a small squad is it is okay having the spirit but at the end of the day there is going to be an opportunity where sometimes you might not be able to put 11 players on the field.
‘That is where you have got to get the balancing act right because we don’t want to continue to have to ask youth-team players or very young players to constantly come in or be on the bench.
‘That will happen naturally because that is the type of person I am and that’s the way I want to take the club forward.
‘But, at the minute, we are in a situation where it is a little bit difficult to start asking 16-17 year-olds to come into the first-team squad and if they have to come on to the field of play do it to the best of their abilities.
‘I hope one day I get the opportunity where I have to tell four or five players they are not playing because they haven’t played well enough rather than one.’
In theory, Pompey could do business during the emergency loan window.
Then again, finances will inevitably come into it.
Appleton added: ‘We will have to weigh up the situation with the Football League, but I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t have an idea of players I could bring in on loan.
‘At the end of the day, you have got to have targets whether you are in financial trouble or not.’
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Comments
There are 188 comments to this article
Page 1 of 13
Trueblue78
Friday, February 3, 2012 at 06:15 AM@ 173: I am a die hard Pompey fan, but i'm also a football fan. I have been to loads of games to watch teams i do not support. Even St Mary's, most of my mates are Saints fans. Rivalry aside, i think most just enjoy watching football, so yes i wouldn't have any objection to you guys turning up, not too sure about the Red and White, but who knows, we could be the next Liverpool and Everton, they all hug and kiss now. hahaha
Trueblue78
Friday, February 3, 2012 at 06:10 AM@ 182: Yes, and the club have ditched any additional charges. £25 tickets, or a family of 4 is £44.
rfwBlue
Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 09:09 PMHow about supporter burn out. How much more bad news is `The News` going to have to publish? How much more bad news can supporters take? If there is ever any good news they wont know where to start!
gunggardin
Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 09:02 PMDopey@184, say it without spitting.
Devon Pfc
Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 08:33 PMComment removed by moderator
cornishpastit
Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 08:01 PMPost 168 - yes the timewarp is indeed working - along with Albert McCann, Johnny Gordon and Norman Uprichard. Not forgetting Harry Harris -- and before you lovely latter day supporters complain about us old foggies getting nostalgic - the players in those days really lit up fratton park or FP as you call it. Sixty years a supporter since 1950
blue and true
Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 07:41 PMcan you buy hull tickets on the day?
gunggardin
Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 07:09 PMGents @170 and 174. Lets be honest and put all the cards on the table. You lot are in serious trouble, be under no illusions about that. I state the obvious and am not trying to insult you. The merry go round of owners and financiers that have held the reins of Pompey was, from up the road, always alarming. Always has been and the people you still attract, ie Mr Atlantis, are out of the same mould: Chancer, egotistical and quite frankly not worthy of even a mention in my Beano. Why do people want to take over a club, they can afford that bit, but have no money to take the club forward. Where do you go from here: Well options are a tad limited, but the only pressing debt is money owed to HMCR. You don't need telling this lot are party animals and will rip a new one for you to get their money. They won't back down and will take you to the wall , to get the flesh. Ask Newport County (Wales) about that one. If there was big money out there, you would of heard about it by now, and speculation especially on forums like this only promise false dawns. And you know what they deliver. I have said before, the outcome is bleak, but not hopeless. I hope your administrator pulls his finger out soon. Finally, I saw talk of sending some boys down in stripes to pay the gate fee, cheer you on and leave after the game. I think that could happen in La La land, but not in the real world. I would come and help out. But would I get my face re-arranged for the goodwill effort by some Neanderthal that doesn't understand? I think so, sad, but true. Like I said I would chip in and every little helps, because nobody wants the seemingly inevitable, lets hope that day doesn't arrive. Regards, gunggardin
gunggardin
Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 06:38 PMUnderpant Stains,You are bottom of the class. Your last informative post for me was contradictory. We drop two points (Lucky Cardiff) and you helpfully point this out for me, Thank you. You then say "On a serious note, anyone now if administration looms, or do we wait until the 20th to learn our fate at the courts?" What is more serious than us dropping two points. Are you able to understand what I am saying. You type too fast and an obvious error creeps in, and you miss it. For this and other poor comments, you are top of the clots. Pompeymad is off that step. Congratulations. Strewth, you are beyond me.
gunggardin
Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 06:17 PMHullo from up the road, Stupid @173, I worry about you, you kissing strange things I guess is normal, but with open arms, come on. I'll pay some money into the kitty if you say thank you, and mean it. Anyway, tragedy, dropped glass of red wine over the PC. Had to wash it in the shower (Yes, switched off) and it spent 24 hours in the Airing cupboard. I heard you were missing me, sorry I couldn't speak on Wednesday, but I'm back now. Before I forget, have to put Underpant Stains on Stupid step. Talk later. I will be back.
CharlieDickensNephew
Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 06:06 PM...and now it's back
CharlieDickensNephew
Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 06:05 PM@ The News... You have just removed my comment To SHS, but you allow a person to use the handle 'sister humpin skate'? And apparently he's been abusive all afternoon. Please explain...
CharlieDickensNephew
Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 05:59 PM@ SHS, poke it then...
CharlieDickensNephew
Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 05:57 PM@173 sorry, i don't have the time to follow forum's all day, i do have more pressing issues. But thankyou for the heads up...
southseasteve
Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 05:49 PM@170Charlie - "I'm sure you have them in your home stands" - you are addressing a man whose sign on is sister humping skate and has been abusive and pathetic all afternoon. SHS - If it was organised and well intentioned and communicated before hand them i believe it would applauded and would be an amazing gesture - but it won't happen - because of people like you. Because of the minority like you it would become a p*ss take and violence would take over.
Page 1 of 13
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