Appy: I share the Trust's vision

Michael Appleton remains cautiously optimistic that the Pompey Supporters' Trust will complete their club buy-out as he told them: We're on the same wavelength.

The Blues boss has, understandably, refused to make too many plans as the Trust continues its efforts to win control, having been named as preferred bidders by administrators PKF.

But positive discussions between the Trust and Appleton took place last week.

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And the Pompey manager has been reassured that the prospective new owners share his vision.

He feels they can match his ambition to restore the club to its former glory.

Appleton said: ‘The way the Trust said they want to set about it made sense and sounded professional.

‘I just keep my fingers crossed that it works out that way.

‘The way it’s gone over the past 12 months, I think it’s reasonable for me to be cautious about everything.

‘But it’s good we’re on the same page.

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‘When we spoke, there were no alarm bells ringing from my point of view.

‘I think everyone realises that the club just has to get a grip of what’s happened, start afresh and build.

‘So I think they are quite sensible in terms of thinking “this might not happen in one or two years’ time, so it might have to take three or four years to work our way through the divisions”.

‘It’s realistic but ambitious, which is what I signed up to in the first place.

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‘If you can keep everyone’s expectations realistic, I’m sure we will all be singing from the same hymn sheet.’

It’s new territory for Appleton, having seen so many previous promises broken as he approaches the one-year anniversary of his appointment to the job.

His measured response is a far cry to his fury back in August when he branded former owner Balram Chainrai ‘unprofessional’ over huge budget cuts to his playing squad.

It seems Appleton will now at least get the clarity and honesty he craves.

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He has been given some guidelines on how everything will work under the Trust’s leadership and is waiting for the process to move on.

Appleton added: ‘What they can’t guarantee is the timescale.

‘I would imagine there would have to be a court case.

‘It’s a case of watch this space and if it does happen, we will be ready to act on it.

‘My initial concern was walking into a boardroom with 100 fans – but they’ve assured me that there will be a board like any other club, even though people will have their chance to voice their opinions.

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‘You need to have a long-term goal, a medium-term goal and a short-term goal.

‘The short-term goal is to make sure we stay in this league, regardless of a points deduction.

‘The long-term goal, I suppose, would be playing Premier League football again.’