Ciarán Whelan believes "something is not right" in Kildare after the Lilywhites slipped to their third defeat in three games in the Allianz Football League on Sunday, a 14-point thumping by Armagh.
After the match, Glenn Ryan was involved in a debate with local journalists about comments attributed to Kildare chairperson Mick Gorman, in which he reportedly said that the county board were "fully aware that results are not good enough".
Speaking on RTÉ's Allianz League Sunday, former Dublin star Ciarán Whelan said: "It was a tough day for Kildare. They’re obviously regrouping before the match and trying to bring a bit of energy.
"They actually started the game okay. Darragh Kirwan probably has a point but it’s given as a wide. From a very quick kickout, there’s four points in it, Armagh come down the field and Rory Grugan steps inside with a brilliant finish low into the corner [of the net].
"After that, there was a distinct change in the body language. There was a flatness.
"When a team is fragile, you’re really looking at what they do when they don’t have the ball rather than when they have the ball.
"When Kildare didn’t have the ball, the effort was really poor. Their work-rate, their intent. All it takes in a scenario like that is for three, four or five lads to drop the tempo and it has a contagious effect.
"So there’s definitely a disconnect. There’s something not right within that setup.
"They have to regroup. It obviously doesn’t help that there’s infighting with the county board either. You want everybody to be on the same page. When you’re in a hole you want everybody to try and drag you out of it.
"But the body language of the Kildare players today after that goal went in was really poor.
"It was death by a thousand cuts for the rest of the match, it was a hard watch. Though credit Armagh, they played really well."
Kildare are rooted to the bottom of Division 2 along with Cork, and face having to reach the Leinster final to retain their Sam Maguire status if results do not improve quickly. Their remaining games are against Meath, Cork, Donegal and Louth.
Former Mayo forward Cora Staunton added: "They have a very tough run of it. One home game in the last four, and that’s against Donegal, who are flying.
"U-20 winners last year and in 2018. They have won a lot of schools All-Irelands and different things.
"The Tailteann Cup is not a place they want to be in.
"But they were so passive the whole day, they barely laid a hand on Armagh. They were just so poor and lacked leaders.
"I know they have a few big players to come back but it’s a huge worry for Glenn Ryan to get them up for the next few days. They have the near neighbours in Meath next week.
"Every game now for them is hugely important to try and retain their Division 2 status but also to stay in the Sam."
