What a mess

The fibs continued to tumble from the CEO's lips yesterday. At the press conference to introduce Guy Luzon, Katrien 'Dozy' Meire told us that the club had twenty applications for Bob Peeters' position within an hour of announcing his sacking on Sunday evening. Twenty, presumably credible approaches at 7pm on a Sunday evening? At that rate and, if they had waited until Tuesday, presumably we could have taken our pick from Pep Guardiola and Co? I'm not sure what this adds to the story but presumably it's to big-up Luzon's non-competitive appointment.

A journo asked if their were any English managers amongst the applicants and she tried to be clever by saying that none of those who applied would want her sharing any information, although I can't see why acknowledging that there was an Englishman amongst the twenty imaginary applicants would have betrayed anyone's confidence. When pressed again, she was forced to say "no." Twenty non-English applicants eh? Embarrassing, naive and highly transparent for a change.

Luzon himself has been questioned about his relationship with Tony Watt and Yoni Buyens. The question clearly hints at less-than-happy bunnies and, perhaps I am reading too much into it, but Luzon's answers gave the game away for me. On Watt he made the rather bold leap of imagination to say that Watt had improved "a lot" since he played under him a few months ago but added that "he has a lot of places to improve." Improving a lot when you haven't played is pushing it and suggests Guy is waffling (it's catching) or he is hoping Watt won't blank him tomorrow morning. Buyers '"played well, when he did play" but they had a "very strong team at Standard last year." An acknowledgement that Luzon recognises Buyens wasn't happy.

There is also a rumour that Tal Ben Haim may be heading to Israel. If that happens there will be a very obvious question asked.

After winning the majority of us around, Roland Duchatlet's plans have floundered inside a week and he and his CEO have somehow managed to alienate a large majority. Luzon will be given a chance by the fans but he has a very difficult job, especially if the Sub-Standard's report last night that a delegation of players had gone to the powers that be to complain about Luzon's appointment and express an opinion that we need an English or Championship-experienced manager. That might also suggest that TBH, BUyens, Watt and others who know the score from Standard Liege have been vocal on Luzon.

If I was Roland, I would be planning on splashing some cash to show intent. By cash, I mean investing in the side and not simply bringing in more warm bodies already on his payroll. I also think he needs to consider replacing the unfortunate Katrien Meire who has been cruelly exposed for a lack of experience in this whole process. It would only be fair to her and might allow him to come clean with the supporters who can see clearly what's happened here and won't be  mis-lead any further on the subject. Oh, and Roland, invest in a capable Communications Manager who can help build bridges with your disillusioned Customer base. They would appreciate the mere act of appointing one even if you are too arrogant to consider telling us what your plans for our football club are, assuming you are just making it up as we go along.

Rick Everitt has commented that the club are suffering from a lack of experience  in handling the relationship with the media and the supporters since clearing out all of those with history and tenure, largely under Slater and Jimenez it must be said. It looks like he has hit the nail on the head. Short of bringing some experienced operators back, they should, at least, invest in some PR professionals who would have helped them avoid the naive story-telling around Peeter's sacking which has insulted the fans intelligence and done more damage than I think they realise. Fans are fickle but ours are older, more discerning and more curmudgeonly than almost any others and are likely to vote with their feet come renewal time which is around the corner.

I hope Guy Luzon hasn't jumped out of the frying pan and into the fire because it will be our club that gets burnt. As Jennifer Lange says to Jack Nicholson in The Postman Always Rings Twice, "I'm tired of this...."