If Carlton players really do support David Teague then it’s time they actually played for him, writes Mark Robinson

Carlton’s playing group has a perfect chance to show they support coach David Teague by beating Adelaide this weekend, writes Mark Robinson.

The pressure continues to build on David Teague. Picture: Getty Images

Talk is cheap, it always is in football

Carlton rolled out Patrick Cripps, Jacob Weitering and Liam Jones on Monday and they sang from the same boring handbook which is seemingly passed around by underperforming teams.

We support the coach, they said.

We’re in this together, they said.

The effort’s there, they said.

Boring.

And wrong.

How ‘bout a new play book, hey Carlton.

It’s called: Let’s stop talking and let’s start delivering actions.

That’s also a boring title, but the pages contain the fundamentals of being an honest football team.

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David Teague is under extreme pressure after yet another loss. Picture: Getty Images

Honest is the key word in that sentence.

An honest football team doesn’t need to trot out its captain and its two best defenders and try to put a bow on yet another demoralising performance.

It’s half fake, anyhow.

You want to support the coach, how ‘bout you play for the coach.

Forget the verbal bullsh** on a Monday morning. Where was the support for the coach in the first half against the Giants on Saturday?

Where was the energy and intensity and togetherness when the Giants played kick-to-kick among themselves?

Where was the coverage for each other, the leadership to impose direction, the sacrifice of bodies?

Do you really want to support the coach? How ‘bout you turn up to play against Adelaide on Sunday at Marvel Stadium with a voracious mindset, fuelled by a coach with a demanding mindset.

The game’s on at 4.40pm, the graveyard slot, and it might well be a graveyard for someone if the Blues don’t think it’s in their best interests to tackle, or be accountable or apply more than a whisper of decent pressure.

As much as the players support the coach, the reality is the coach is in trouble.

Why? Because the players aren’t performing as the coach wants them to.

There’s a breakdown somewhere.

If David Teague is not demanding defensive efforts, then he shouldn’t be the coach. Clearly he is, so that’s also on the players.

Maybe Teague is not demanding enough, and if that’s true, then he, too, can stop talking and start delivering actions.

It’s not difficult. North Melbourne has won one game this year, and they have limited talent compared to Carlton, but boy they play for the coach.

Patrick Cripps fronted the media on Monday. Picture: Getty Images

Look at Collingwood. The club is a rabble, but Bucks had the heart and soul of the players.

Where’s the heart and soul at Carlton?

The prevailing view is David Teague will likely coach next year. We say likely because with 10 games to play, this season could implode even further.

A loss to Adelaide on Sunday and all bets are off.

The Blues are currently 4-9 and are equal on the ladder with the Pies and Gold Coast.

The Pies effectively sacked their coach and voices are growing about the stability of Stuart Dew’s position.

Yet, everyone supports Teague at Carlton.

No more Monday press conferences rolling out the gang.

The time for talking is well and truly over.

Originally published as If Carlton players really do support David Teague then it’s time they actually played for him, writes Mark Robinson