Bottom line........accountability for results and performance lies squarely on the player. The coach does that play the game, the fitness of the player is the direct responsibility of a true PROFESSIONAL player.
Despite the system employed by a a coach, despite the substitutions, and despite anything out of the player's control, the one constant variable is the player's performance and decision making ability on that field. If the players are not up to that task, then "the blame dear Brutus lies not in the starts but within.....( Shakespeare's Julius Caesar).
Bottom line... our players have to take a degree of responsibility for results; look in the mirror and answer to the image as to if they felt they were honest in bringing their A game to the field on any given day.
I am not here to honour the coach nor to praise him but I do think that the evil that men do live after them the good is often interred with their bones...
We need to rise up when all hope appears to be lost. In Viktor's Frankl's book " Man's Search for Meaning" , he states, " Even the helpless victim of a hopeless situation, facing a fate he cannot change, may rise above himself, may grow beyond himself , and by so doing change himself. He may turn a personal tragedy into a triumph."
So as we turn our attention to hypothetical reasons for defeat, we ought to look at the current reality and take lessons so as to not perpetuate or attribute our defeats unto others. In setback like these all men have to look into that mirror and answer questions as to their role in the outcome!!!!
AB, I agree with a lot of what you said, but in essence I believe a lot of it falls on the coach as well. He has to examine himself and realize whether he is also a true professional...just as his players must show professionalism themselves. He plays the role of mentor and tutor to his charges and if he does not impart his knowledge and experience in the best way possible, then he is just as culpable. Note I didn't say to the best of his ability...but the best way possible. When a student of the game looking to the senior man to aid in his development and that senior lacks the competence to aid in the development then he has to shoulder some responsibility too. Children live what they learn.
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Yes the coach is there for a reason and given the circumstances, the players look up to the coach for direction. That is why all have to look in that mirror and answer some critical questions prior to the next game.
When you get what you want in the struggle for self
And the world makes you King for a day
Then go to the mirror and look at yourself
And see what this guy has to say.
For it isn't the man's father, or mother, or wife
Who's judgment upon him must pass
The feller who's verdict counts most in his life
Is the guy starring back from the glass.
He's the feller to please, never mind the rest,
FOR HE'S WITH YOU CLEAR UP TO THE END.
And you've passed your most dangerous, difficult test
If the guy in the glass is your friend.
You may be like Jack Horner and chisel a plum,
ANd think your a wonderful guy,
But that man in the glass says your a bum,
If you can't look him straight in the eye.
You can fool the whole world down the pathway of years
And get pats on the back as you pass,
But your final reward will be heartaches or tears,
If you've cheated the guy in the glass.
