I think there’s something in that yeah.
But I also think they’ve had half a season of Bruce who didn’t give a shit about even really turning up for training and that lack of drive and keeping things ‘ticking over’ is insidious and rubs off on a team.
Why even try when your manager is just phoning it in with a half-arsed effort. I think there’s a bit of a hangover from that, plus their fitness will be shite.