Appleton wants top job at West Brom

West Brom caretaker manager Michael Appleton has played under some of Britain’s very best bosses and now hopes to transfer some of their skills into his own style.

Appleton has been appointed on a temporary basis at The Hawthorns following last week’s sacking of Roberto Di Matteo and looks set to take charge of the side’s crucial match with West Ham on Saturday.

And the former Manchester United and Preston midfielder cannot wait to put everything he has learned in his career into practice.

“Obviously starting out as a young kid at Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson, there’s no better tutor out there,” he said.

“Then I played under David Moyes at Preston and then Gary Megson at West Brom. Then we’ve had the likes of Tony Mowbray, Bryan Robson and obviously Di Matteo as well.”

“They’ve all got their own attributes and strengths – I’m not going to try and copy them but just try and take the good bits and become my own man.”

It has been a rollercoaster week at the club following the side’s 3-0 defeat against Manchester City last Saturday.

Di Matteo was relieved of his duties the next day, with his assistant Eddie Newton also leaving, which meant Appleton was placed in temporary charge.

The 35-year-old is on the list of possible candidates to take over full-time, along with Chris Hughton – who has been strongly tipped to get the job.

But Appleton said: “It’s a huge game and that’s all I’ve been trying to focus the players. After losing the manager and everything else that goes with that, it’s important to try and refocus the players.”

“We’ve gone down to the basic stuff and made sure there’s nothing distracting.”

“I’ve never hidden from the fact that I want to be a manager. I’ve gone out and taken all the badges necessary. I think with my personality and the strength I can bring to football clubs, this was always going to be the step.”

Appleton has been well received by the player so far, with midfielder Steven Reid declaring: “He’s been great. He’s not new to all the lads in the squad because he’s been a major part of the club for a number of years now.”

“He has filled the role well and we’ve had a good weekend. The lads will be fully behind Appleton for however long he’s in charge.”

Midfielder Graeme Dorrans (ankle) and defender Marek Cech (groin) are both major doubts for the match.