We’re not going to sack Ranieri. It would be wrong and it doesn’t make any sense. So Ranieri has to turn this around. We are heading straight for the iceberg and if we don’t change something, we will go down.
The same nucleus of players were there two years ago when, we were told, they maintained a positive spirit and attitude despite long periods of poor results. Eventually, we got to the point of no return and they collectively found the extra impetus required to get us out of trouble.
The same manager and nucleus of players were extraordinary last season. If we choose to, we can field a team of title winners whenever we want to get us out of this mess. So, the ingredients are there. It just needs sorting out.
Recently, Ranieri’s reaction, quite understandably, was to change systems to adapt to the opposition (Chelsea / Southampton). The players not only failed to perform, several of them clearly downed tools on the pitch. So Ranieri held his hands up and said sorry. They had a team meeting and agreed to go back to basics in terms of formation and personnel (Derby / Burnley). This was not quite as bad but only because the players actually seemed to support this way of playing. We still performed miles short of the capability that was on the pitch. Our predicament is much less about formations/personnel as it is about character/attitude.
I’ve read a number of books about the players and their achievements. They are a strong bunch who are quite obviously extraordinary. When their confidence is low, and they don’t really have to deliver, they are often garbage. When it gets really, really serious, they can be remarkable.
I would much rather we turn things around soon than last minute or not at all. Something is rotten right now and it needs addressing. The players may even believe that their current situation isn’t serious at all because they’ve overcome far greater challenges.
I reckon it is for time for Ranieri to call the owners in. Ranieri’s authority has to have been undermined by recent events so someone else is needed to lead the conversation.
It feels like it needs the owners to stand in front of the players and point out what they have done for them and what they will continue to do. To point out that they believe fully in these players and the management team and that Ranieri has their unqualified support. To point out that these performances are unacceptable and must improve now. They must offer to do anything within their power to help, support and encourage them, including whatever financial incentives that stir millionaire players. They must encourage a frank and open exchange of views to ensure that anyone that isn’t happy either gets it off their chest and moves on or moves out of the first team squad.
This team may well be extraordinary but they are in danger of seriously undermining the single most exceptional achievement of their professional lives. That bond between them and between them and us is already badly damaged. I think that it is only the owners now that can pull this mess back together.
