Appleton hopes Albion can make up for their sluggish start in the previous Black Country derby.
The Baggies were beaten 3-1 by Wanderers at Molineux towards the end of last season, having put in a first-half display that Appleton rates as one of the most disappointing since Roy Hodgson took over in February.
On Sunday, Albion have a chance to make amends when their local rivals visit the Hawthorns and Appleton is calling for concentration from the first whistle.
"Since the gaffer came in, the first halves against Swansea and Wolves were probably the only two 45 minutes where, as a group of people - players, head coach and staff - we've been disappointed about how we've played or let the opposition get the better of us," Appleton told West Brom's official website.
"That includes playing the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea in that time. The key thing on Sunday is to start the game right.
"It's a bit of a cliche but we want to start the game properly. I'm sure if we do start properly and get a foothold in the game then we'll have a good chance of collecting the three points."
Source: Team Talk
Source: Team Talk