Not sure you're on the mark here. The fans have always shown gratitude for the players, but like all fans, they expect the players to put in. I think too many leave the hard slog to too few, albeit the best paid ones. Lampard, Terry always give everything, not sure Drogba, Malouda or Anelka do. Maybe they do ,but they just don't show it.
Anyway, egotistical players trying to out do each other is fine, lifts everyone.
Right now we have several players who are not performing. Either they can't anymore ( which I think is mostly the case ) or they are not trying, which is not acceptable. Thing is , it's been this way for the best part of 2 seasons, so something HAS to be done.
The manager being changed is not the way to go. We also don't need to spend like we used to. This manager has a very good eye for players, i.e. Mata, Romeu, Meireles. More of the same will be fine. However we desperately need a striker of the top order. Look at Aguero as an example. We need a midfield controller of the top order, and a quick winger. 3 players who will not be cheap.
Mostly I think we need some off the field assessment. The old saying " when it's bad on the field, it's bad off the field " may well be right, which is your point I suppose about the situation. But these are professional, highly paid players, and if they are the problem, only one answer.