Damien Duff was left fuming with the application of his Shelbourne players after they dropped yet more points at home against Drogheda United on Friday night.
Shels made a lightning start to the season, picking up 21 points from a possible 27 during the first round of fixtures - but their form has dipped over the past few weeks and their once-imperious position at the top of the table is now under threat.
Ninth-placed Drogheda United were the visitors to Tolka Park on Friday, and a slow start from the hosts saw Drogs take a 1-0 lead within the opening three minutes.
Seán Boyd would rescue a point for Shels with a second-half equaliser but it has been several weeks since Duff's side showed anything close to the form which saw them soar ahead at the beginning of this campaign.
Shelbourne have now drawn four of their last five games, with just one win in the league since March.
Derry's late winner against Bohs at the Brandywell on Friday means they are now just a point behind Shelbourne in the table, with Shamrock Rovers only two points further back.
Speaking after Friday night's action, Damien Duff slammed the desire of his Shelbourne players, and said that changes would have to be made if these performances continued.
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Damien Duff says Shelbourne don't deserve to be top of the table
10 May 2024; Shelbourne manager Damien Duff reacts during the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match between Shelbourne and Drogheda United at Tolka Park in Dublin. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
In his post-match media duties, Shels boss Duff was fuming, saying that the lack of desire from his players was visible within the opening 90 seconds of Friday's game.
Duff also seemed to suggest that the squad should reconsider the wisdom of a planned night out on Saturday night, with the ex-Ireland international clearly fuming after another frustrating night.
To not be highly motivated, especially when you are top of the league, I find incredible
You can even tell sometimes in the warm-up...you could see in the warm-up. Sometimes I come out, have a look and it's 'oof, worried about that'.
If we can't change it as coaches…do you change players? I don't know.
Our players are given motivational tools, coaching, love, they are given absolutely everything so I didn't need to speak to them again.
They have the weekend off, that was planned a while back - they have a night out planned Saturday night. It's their free time...if I was a player I probably wouldn't go. We are all wired differently.
Duff also said that Shelbourne "don't deserve to be top of the league" and shared his annoyance that performances have not been befitting of such a moniker of late.
Shels' next assignment is another home clash, this time against fourth-placed Waterford on Friday night.
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