Charlton 0-3 Preston: Guy Luzon and Simon Grayson reaction
Wednesday 21 October 2015 15:28, UK
Guy Luzon is adamant that he will remain in charge for Charlton's Championship clash with Brentford this weekend despite calls from the club's fans during and after Tuesday's 3-0 home defeat to Preston for him to be sacked.
Charlton's supporters booed their 22nd-placed team off at half-time and full-time, and demanded the Israeli's removal, after another listless performance left them without a victory in nine games, dating back to August 25.
Two goals from captain Paul Gallagher and a third from Daniel Johnson could easily have been added to had Preston, who had previously managed only seven goals in their previous 11 league games, been more ruthless in the final third.
Charlton owner Roland Duchatelet has already had four managers or head coaches since assuming control of the club in January 2014 but, for all of his ruthlessness, Luzon insists he has known greater pressure and that his squad's many injuries are to blame.
"Yes," the 40-year-old bluntly responded when asked if he expected to remain in charge on Saturday.
"The conversation and what happens between me and the owner will stay between us.
"I always think positive. When we have an 11 with balance, and our good players on the pitch, we'll get results.
"The solution: I hope that from next week some of them will come back. When we had our full squad in the first four or five games, we played well and got results.
"We started to suffer when we lost players. When the players come back we(will) have a good team and we will do it.
"No (it's not my toughest period as a manager). I've been managing for 15 years, and during those 15 years I've had a lot of obstacles.
"In our situation, to concede after one minute, it's not easy. To start the game without any wide player on the wing, any pure wingers, it's difficult because you can create chances when you have balance.
"Of course (I understand the fans' frustration). We are frustrated, we are not happy.
"Now's the time for the club to be together - the fans, the players, the staff - this is the only way to come back. We will do everything to do that on Saturday."
Victory took Preston out of the Championship's bottom three and ended a winless run that had also stretched back to August 25.
"Games like this boost your belief and confidence," said manager Simon Grayson.
"I told the players to this use a springboard. There will be highs and lows throughout the division. We feel we have put together a squad with quality. It will be nice when the strikers start scoring as well."
