Portsmouth’s forward-thinking

Thursday, 10/11/2011

by Martin Cooper, Shoot's Portsmouth blogger

The long process has finally ended, with Michael Appleton becoming Pompey's 16th manager in 14 years (by my calculations) as he signed a three-and-a-half year deal.

After so many were linked to the job since Steve Cotterill left for Forest on October 14, Appleton, 35, arrives from West Brom. Part of his remit is to work with current backroom staff and supporters have great reason to thank them all, especially Guy Whittingham and Stuart Gray who steered Pompey to three home wins during their tenure.

The greatest victory came on Saturday, as Cotterill returned to Fratton only to leave with a 3-0 thumping. Any pity for Cotterill – all three goals were scored by players he brought to the club – was tempered by a sour grapes post-match interview.

I still wish Cotterill all the best, while hoping Pompey finish above them, but it is time to welcome the new boy (managers get younger every year, or is I just old?).

Chief executive David Lampitt said the club were looking for "somebody young, forward-thinking and ambitious who wanted to be part of our longer-term plans for Portsmouth Football Club".

On Appleton, he said: “He… has great experience of developing players through from youth team level to the first team."

That hints to me there won't be a lot of money for Appleton come January. It will be interesting to see what funds he’ll have in the transfer window and whether the club will fight moves for players such as Cotterill's rumoured £1.5m interest in Liam Lawrence.

There is no doubt, though, that Pompey have been woeful at developing players and is something they will look for Appleton to improve massively alongside the good work Andy Awford is putting in.

In January, will the club resist the temptation to sell teenager Ryan Williams? It is essential we develop our own talent. It galls me that Brighton have been coaching at my old school for years, when it is 50 miles from Hove and only six from Southsea.

Appleton said: “Portsmouth have fantastic traditions and the supporters are renowned throughout the football world for being very loud and getting behind the team. We want to give them something to shout about.”

I wish Michael Appleton all the best. Owners CSI could have appointed an experienced manager, as surviving in the league this season is paramount. However, they have opted to take a long-term view, something a Pompey owner hasn't done for some time.

All we can do as fans is get behind the manager and hope the new era is a successful one. All together: "Michael Appleton's blue-and-white army."

*Martin Cooper is a member of the Portsmouth Football Supporters Club London. To join, visit www.pompeylondon.co.uk <http://www.pompeylondon.co.uk/> or email londonpompeymembership@hotmail.co.uk <mailto:londonpompeymembership@hotmail.co.uk> . The views expressed in this blog are purely the author’s and not those of the Supporters Club.

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