Mark Ricciuto says Adelaide Crows coach Don Pyke is safe despite talk he’s lost his players

Under-pressure Crows coach Don Pyke has not lost the confidence of his players and is safe as houses, says Mark Ricciuto. Do you agree? Vote in our poll.

Adelaide coach Don Pyke talks with his players during the Round 19 match against Carlton at the MCG. Picture: AAP Image/David Crosling

Crows champion and current board member Mark Ricciuto has quashed reports Don Pyke has lost the Adelaide players.

Rumours have been surfacing over the weekend that Pyke had lost the full support of the playing group following their fourth loss in the past five weeks to Carlton in Melbourne on Saturday.

“That’s not what I believe,’’ Ricciuto said on Triple M Breakfast.

“Don Pyke is absolutely safe at the moment, of course he’s under pressure but at the mid-season bye all the players were very happen with what’s going on.

“Unfortunately it’s gone backwards since the bye.

“They need to get on top of what’s causing it and change it really quickly. If it doesn’t change quickly then they have to change more personnel.

Adelaide coach Don Pyke talks with his players during the Round 19 match against Carlton at the MCG. Picture: AAP Image/David Crosling

“We’ve got an ageing list, but when you’re in the eight, surely you’re picking a side to win and try and keep winning and make finals, the problem they’ve got is the kids they want to pick aren’t in great form,’’ he said.

Ricciuto said the issue the Crows were facing was evident to everyone and a solution had to be found quickly.

“On the weekend again the midfield was badly beaten. Absolutely smashed in clearances and contested possession,’’ Ricciuto added.

Adelaide coach Don Pyke during the Round 19 AFL match against Carlton Blues. Picture: AAP Image/David Crosling

“Whenever any side gets that you’re going to be behind the Eight ball,’’ he said.

Ricciuto said Adelaide were clearly struggling to maintain the ball in their offensive half of the ground.

“Forward pressure once again, not good enough, this has been an issue for quite a while,’’ he said.

“This is a common theme that’s been happening over the last few weeks. It’s not getting any better.”

Ricciuto also said he spoke to senior players following their Showdown disappointment three weeks ago.

“After the Showdown I spoke to the captain and the vice-captain and one other senior player to see what was going on and what they’re doing out on the field, why they’re getting run over and what they’re doing about it, that was a few weeks ago,’’ he said.