It does seem to me that Ricki supporters credit Ricki with good results, and blame the players for bad ones (it wasn't Ricki who missed that tackle! etc)
2010 WC I saw players playing out of their skin, especially Paston. That could be cos of Ricki's motivation of course. But that's why I asked about examples of Ricki's coaching - maybe I'm wrong and he's done stuff that I haven't picked up on.
Can't you say the opposite for Ricki haters. Blame Ricki for bad results, praise players for good. Any reasonable person would say most results are dependent on having a good strategy (coaching), and being able to implement it successfully (players). It's always going to be a combination of both, so blaming just the coach, or just the players, is far too simplistic.
In my view, Ricki has some weaknesses as a coach. All coaches do. But over the course of 8 years in charge, he's done a pretty good job. He probably could have done a better job at creating a succession plan in the event of Nelsen (likely) retirement before this World Cup, and shift to a more conventional back 4. In some ways that was made difficult by a complete dearth in right backs, and a lack of friendlies and time together to try blood replacements.
3 years ago I'm sure there are very few people here who said that his contract shouldn't have been extended.