Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers has always felt confident the players are with him.
After their FA Cup defeat to Nottingham Forest, Rodgers accused some of his squad of lacking hunger and admitted some of them "may have achieved everything they can".
There were concerns that Rodgers' decision to go public with his criticism could backfire among a group of players that he has already told he wants to overhaul in the summer.
"I never had a fear of that," said Rodgers ahead of his side's clash with West Ham.
"Only because the players know I give them everything. From the first day I walked in here, most of these players, or a lot of them, will have signed new contracts. Their games have improved, the conditions of their lives have improved and, without being arrogant, we think we have developed the players to improve.
"But we have to keep wanting to climb the mountains. To do that, you have to be hungry and have to be willing to prove a point. If that drops, then they know I will tell them. So I didn't have a fear of that.
"Maybe in the modern game where people will feel the need to always protect. You are accountable as a player. The manager is overall accountable: he picks the team, he picks the tactics so, whatever the result, the responsibility falls with the manager.
"But I have got an honest group of players that I can tell and they know I will always look out for them and try to develop them to their best. But I think you have to be harsh to be clear sometimes. I think we have seen a reaction [in 2-0 defeat against Liverpool]."
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