This conspiracy stuff is hard to buy. The players raved about the man last season, the likes of Barry, Lukaku, Baines, Howard, Naismith, Coleman, Osman etc have all been happy to commit/recommit to the club having worked with him for a year plus.
The only difference between this season and last season is that last year his methods were working, and this year they plainly are not (domestically, at least). An article by Paul Joyce a couple of days ago did hint at Martinez having a tendency to not accept or seek any outside help - that he is so confident in his methods that he won't listen to others. We know that Moyes was not such a closed box - and had his little council of senior pros who he would regularly go to to float ideas and get updates from.
If - and it is a massive if - some senior pros have turned against Roberto, could it be because they feel things aren't working, and Martinez is refusing to consult then or listen to their suggestions as to what may help?
Jagielka'a latest comments would possibly support that theory. Asked if clear the air talks were needed between players and manager, he said he doesn't think Martinez 'is that sort of manager'.
I'm speculating, but it's the only thing I can imagine could have caused any sort of supposed rift.
Personally I doubt the rift stuff, and am not in a position of wanting Martinez out yet. Ask me again after our little run of three home games though. We have to show something in that run because we can't afford to go much longer with current results as we hit the business end of the season.
