Quote redeverready="redeverready"They might not play better but they would by left under no illusion that the coach wasn't happy that's the point being made.'"
I understand the point, I just think it's too simplistic, that's all. But I'm not looking for an argument, it's just that I think the sort of things which drive players on to "give 110%", in that abominable cliche of a phrase, are more down the positive road of inspiration by example, a fierce loyalty to team-mates and a willingness to die for the cause. I think those sort of passions have much more influence than a hair-dryer for a coach.
What I believe I am seeing with the Bulls - whatever they say -is a team divided, where a lot of the players don't always put it all in, and where several are not that bonded to the team unit, and so consequently won't bust their balls. If I had to pick one phrase myself to sum up this team's problem then it would be "SOFT UNDERBELLY". And it seems to me we know it, and every opposition team and coach knows it.
And that's why I'm pointing the finger at the players, although I am not (cannot be) exempting the coach. It's just that I don't know why they're like that. Maybe it is something coaches can fix, but equally maybe it's not, maybe the problem we have is on similar lines to the GB problem, something like factions within the team, or whatever.
But we have heard several comments from players themselves this year pointing the finger and saying almost in as many words that not all the team was giving it all in certain games (which is something fans can accuse teams of but you very rarely read players admitting candidly in the press).
Whatever happens now and regardless of his abilities as a coach or not, I am convinced more than ever after HKR that Mac is dead man walking (as the alternative of sacking 60% of the players can't be done) but I doubt that anyone has a big enough stick or magic wand to make those we have persisted with as our main players ALL be prepared to die for their mates all of the time. Too many games now many play as if they couldn't really give too much of a fsck; whatever brave words we read to the contrary, if it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck and limps like a duck then I'm afraid it's a lame duck.