MICHAEL Appleton says his post-match demeanour is down to massaging player egos to get the best out of them, rather than any lack of passion for the job.

Some supporters have been critical of the Oxford United head coach’s tone, particularly following defeats to Shrewsbury Town and Cheltenham Town in the past two home games.

In a contrast to many in his trade, Appleton has sought to remain measured whatever the result and has swerved away from criticising individuals.

But the U’s boss stressed suggestions it meant he took results lightly could not be wider of the mark.

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“Let me make this very clear,” he said.

“I can guarantee you nobody goes away from that stadium after a loss more down, more devastated, more distraught than me.

“I don’t choose to show it after the game. At the end of the day I’ve got to keep a level of professionalism and I’ve got to do the right thing by the players, staff and everyone associated with the football club.

“But I go home and it beats the hell out of me, so let me get that point across very quickly, because that is important.”

Appleton admitted it has been difficult to hold back at times, but feels there is little to be gained from slamming players in public.

He said: “As a manager, sometimes all you want to do is come and say ‘he didn’t do this, he didn’t do that’ but it’s just not the way to do it, football has moved on from that.

“Players are precious people, they have egos, whether they’re playing in League Two or the Premier League.

“Sometimes you have to massage those egos to try and get the best out of them.

“If you fail in that then it’s very simple – you try to move those players on if you don’t think they’re right for you.

“But it’s not like in a normal business where if you don’t like someone you can get rid of them, there’s a period of time where you might have to use those players and you need them as much as they need you.”

It would be wrong to think the riot act does not get an airing, though.

If necessary, United’s players are on the receiving end at the start of the following week, when Appleton believes it carries more impact.

He said: “Come Monday if I need to lift the roof off I will do, because I will have watched the game back and I will know if I’m right or wrong.

“You can have a pop at a player after a game and make a mistake, which I did once and the player threw a DVD on the desk and said ‘I suggest you watch that again’.”

He added: “Regardless of how the team has played, after a game they might hear two or three words, usually the wrong ones.

“(You have to wait) until a more controlled manner on a Monday morning and you look them in the eye and tell them exactly what you thought of the game.”

While the post-mortem examination is normally reserved for Mondays, tomorrow’s opponents offer a reminder Appleton can let rip during games.

United were run ragged in the first half at Roots Hall, as Southend United took the lead.

But the visitors found a response, drawing level through Danny Hylton’s penalty.

The United boss said: “I was angry at half-time that we didn’t go at them and weren’t brave on the ball.

“There were some very good performances in the second half at Roots Hall and we got back into the game.

“To be fair they were the team that were hanging on in the end.”

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