The shīt sandwich worked very well, it's been accepted and, especially, assessed as my best mate, who is also a manager, is aware of all these inherent problems in the band.
And what I said was pure honesty, so the compliments were real and sincere, which certainly explained why it worked.
That said, I've been a medical advisor for years and know how to manage people's susceptibility, but only up to a point where it becomes useless, so sometimes (most of the time for me as I'm a bit fed up by the stupid politically correct period we're living) it's good to say the plain truth even if it hurts.