Gary Neville is scathing in his analysis on MNF, saying he thinks there's a "mafia" of players at the club who have turned against the manager. Calling the front 6 a joke for their lack of pressing.
They needn't be actively conspiring to down tools, it could just as easily be a case of losing faith in "the project" or perhaps feeling demoralized by the atmosphere around the club. Their belief and/or emotional state is bound to reflect on their perfomance no matter how professional they are. Not everything is a conspiracy.