West Bromwich Albion legend Brendon Batson believes Michael Appleton might become yet another caretaker manager to come good this season. The 35-year-old has worked his way up the coaching ranks at The Hawthorns after a knee injury forced him into premature retirement in 2003.
This season has seen caretaker managers Kenny Dalglish at Liverpool's and Steve Kean at Blackburn Rovers both turning their respective club's around.
Batson told Press Association Sport: "He's done fantastically well to get to the position he has done.
"I know he's very well thought of at the club and an extremely good coach. Sometimes an opportunity presents itself in unexpected circumstances.
"I don't know what's in the mind of the board but look at what Kenny Dalglish has achieved at Liverpool."
Roberto Di Matteo's sacking came as a shock to most in the game and Batson thinks the Italian may have peaked too early.
He said: "We all know it's a results business and results haven't been good. Probably one of the things against him was they started off so well this season and expectations rose.
"The club has been on a poor run but, as a manager, that's when you're looking for some support from the board.
"The timing does seem a bit odd as well given the window has closed and there are some huge games coming up."
