What you're missing, I think, is that just because players (and managers) are paid gazzillions of pounds, that is no reason to expect them to deliver what they are being paid for. Likewise with appearances. In no way should a player be expected to fight for a place in the team by playing well. He should be guaranteed first team football in his contract.
When the team consistently plays well and is successful, it is usually the best players who get the most plaudits. Often, these are the guys who get the best deals on and off the pitch. When the team consistently plays poorly, it should be these players that the manager should be asking questions of. This is my very humble view.
"Scoring a goal is better than sex" - Whoever said that was sticking it to the wrong woman