NEW Blackpool boss Michael Appleton deserves his chance to manage free of the debilitating financial constraints he had at Portsmouth, according to Dougie Freedman.

After serving a savage apprenticeship at the South Coast crisis club, the former Manchester United midfielder was installed as Blackpool boss late on Wednesday night, and will take charge of his first game against Wanderers.

Freedman also sampled the hard life when Crystal Palace slipped into administration, and reckons the experience should stand him in good stead as he inherits a decent squad from Ian Holloway – who completed the managerial merry-go-round by filling his shoes at Selhurst Park.

“That’s part of your education,” said the Scot. “I’m very proud of what I left at Crystal Palace, not just on the pitch. I was involved in the administration there and I have seen all aspects of it.

“From the scout department to the commercial department, I’d seen all aspects, and I think Michael has too.

“He had his hands, his feet and sometimes his mouth tied up but got his opportunity and you have to take your hat off to him.

“I know a lot about him. I went to watch Roy Hodgson’s coaching sessions at West Brom quite a few times and Michael had been doing bits and pieces.

“I played against his Portsmouth side in the Championship last year and he did a fantastic job, he was unlucky really. But now he’s got the opportunity to work with what I believe is a Premier League squad.”

Appleton has indicated that his assistant, former Wanderers midfielder Steve Thompson, could pick the side after a midweek victory over Sheffield Wednesday.

And Freedman does not expect the Seasiders to be a different proposition with the new man – now overtaking him as the Championship’s youngest manager – in charge.

“I don’t think he’ll change too much too soon, but I do think he’s got the players there to beat pretty much anyone in this division. We’ll be concentrating on picking the right team, because it’s certainly a winnable game for us.”