Are players ever justified in going public when they have problems with their manager?

BERNIE SLAVEN

YOU are talking to the worst sinner. I told managers to their face and then I told the press as well!

I had ding dongs with Colin Todd, Bruce Rioch and Lennie Lawrence both publicly and behind closed doors. It caught up with me in the end because Lennie put me in the reserves. I referred to him as a ‘schoolteacher’ he didn’t like that one bit and I was binned. But I was telling the truth. I don’t regret saying those things.

The player will feel better for getting it off his chest but whether it’s any good for team morale is another matter.

I honestly think that players should be allowed to say what they want. As long as you aren’t abusive then you should have no worries expressing your honest opinion.

MALCOLM MACDONALD

COMPLAINING publicly about your manager is usually an excuse used by players who just aren’t good enough.

Liverpool have been going through a torrid time and a lot of stick is flying.

If Riera was good enough he would be in the side. So, to me he is bleating for bleating’s sake.

I was never left out of a team so I never had need to complain in that manner.

But when I was a manager I saw the other side of the situation.

A lot of players kid themselves that they are doing great when, as a manager, you look at them and think ‘what a waste of space they are’. You talk to them, cajole them and eventually you have to drop them from the team and they don’t like that.

What you are looking for is how they respond. Do they sulk or take the positive line and try to show you how wrong you are.

I had run-ins with players but it should be kept in house. Arguments can be positive and sometimes it’s better sending out an angry team than a happy team.

NICK PICKERING

YOU just can’t do that sort of thing and I wouldn’t be surprised if Riera is hit with a fine by the club.

Once you’ve left the club it’s fair enough to vent your feelings but while you are on the payroll you should keep your mouth shut even if you are disgruntled with the manager. It doesn’t do anyone good to read it and gives the impression that there are major problems in the camp.

That may well be the case at Anfield but Benitez deserves a chance to deal with these types of matters in private rather than having it splashed all over the media. Players have so much power they feel like they can say what they like and a fine doesn’t really hurt them.

In my day I had loads of arguments with managers.

But if you get a reputation for being a troublemaker then your days are numbered. Blabbing to the press is the easiest way of earning yourself a move.

I can imagine Riera’s days at Liverpool are numbered after these remarks.

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