Presser

Anyone else notice the growing articles on Roland Duchâtelet’s ownership of the club? I don’t know if our stop-start FA Cup run has brought it to the media’s attention or whether he has a press secretary pushing it to the forefront of journalist’s subconscious. Not forgetting that tomorrow Roland faces the British media, and if nothing else it will be interesting to see which national media outlets deign to show up.

In a Guardian article Duchâtelet says he regrets what happened between fans and himself at Standard because “I am the one who caused it.” (more)

This might explain his comments to Charlton fans about making the overall matchday experience better. Powell is quoted diplomatically as well and overall the article leaves a pleasing taste in the mouth

I found a really good article today on Duchâtelet written by an independent fan’s website called The Two Unfortunates. Written from a fan’s perspective (the author is a Reading supporter) again as the last paragraph states there are reasons for cautious optimism, and as I said before I think longer term Duchâtelet’s strategy could prove fruitful for the club and it’s supporters. Hopefully tomorrow we will hear more of Roland’s strategy, particularly for the crucial next couple of months.

Duchâtelet’s potential sale of Standard Liege does pose the question of how long his investment in our little corner of south-east London will be for. The Guardian mentions that clubs in Portugal and Italy are next on Roland’s shopping list.

Standard’s stock has without doubt risen, whereas relegation to League One will see our’s drop like a rock. Duchâtelet, though may not fear the drop as much as we do, but that’s because we have been there before and the pain is still very fresh in our minds.

There is the £4m gain for the Belgian if we go down but the maths still makes for a unhealthy read. The majority of Duchâtelet’s clubs are in lower leagues apart from Standard, and success cannot be the major motivation, it has to be the opportunity to build youth academies in strategic parts of Europe where his clubs can benefit from swapping players and ideals, whilst encouraging some of the best young players to join offering them a quick route into first teams. This is Duchatelet’s investment growth model, beating the transfer system. It is players of course not football clubs, a few aside, that have any value.

Duchâtelet’s vision is interesting and hopefully we hear more how it relates to Charlton tomorrow. In the meantime I’ll be packing my suitcase tonight as I head back to London and The Valley on Saturday to give Chris and the boys my unwavering support.