I think we can agree that both players and manager need to show an awful lot more and actually play (and manage) like they actually want us to get out of this situation.
My only issue with these players is there’s a real thing forming where it’s all (not your quote) “the players need an arm round them and to be told they’re good and be allowed to play and it will all come good for them” and to be honest, I certainly think there’s a lot to be said for taking Franks shackles off, and getting them to go out and play more open and expansive, but in some quarters (mostly online) it’s gone a bit far.
These players also need to realise they are paid millions of pounds a week, and that the fans watching them pay thousands every season to be there, if these players can’t motivate themselves to a high level without having to constantly be told the situation they’re in, then they aren’t good enough for this league anyway.
The crowd, the manager and other sources can do a lot, but these players actually need to show some backbone and meet all of those sources half way as well. Currently we’re headed to the championship with an absolute whimper.