The Great Debate

A fellow Mets fan has recently started debating my stance on who's to blame, management or players.

This fan wrote:

"...the manager is ultimately responsible for his teams efforts on the field...the lack of "fight" in this team has been brought on by managers like Howe, Randolph, Manuel. The management change is greatly needed to address the inability for the players to act like they even care now."
My reply: That's nonsense.

I don't accept the excuse that it's the manager that inspires "fight" in a team. Sure, they should always encourage it, but, as a player, if you don't automatically have that feeling every time you step out on the field and can't muster enough "fight" to continue to play the game properly, then that's on you as a player.

The manager shouldn't be held responsible for the players inability to care. If the players pick and choose when to care now, you can change the manager, but that doesn't mean you'll change the attitude of the players.