Rovers host npower Championship counterparts Millwall in a sixth-round replay tomorrow night after the sides pulverised each other to a goalless standstill at The Den on Sunday - where Appleton bemoaned "cheap shots" taken by the opposition at his post-match press conference.
The game failed to provide an arresting spectacle for the live television audience and Appleton predicts further heavy weather against Kenny Jackett's men before his players are allowed to implement a passing style that was conspicuous by its absence two days ago.
"The first 20 minutes or so will probably be very similar," he said. "Both teams probably earning the right to play.
"Once we get that out of the way we can make sure that we compose ourselves.
"Hopefully some of the players and footballers we've got in the team can do that."
