The 49ers dropped 2 – 8 after their recent loss to the New York Giants. The loss to the New York Giants infuriated the head coach Kyle Shanahan who afterwards issued an ultimatum to the whole squad.…

Kyle Shanahan stated that in the remaining six matches of 2018, players have to contribute or they will be shipped out at the end of the season. In his rant, head coach Kyle Shanahan more or less conceded that the remaining six matches are just auditions for the players to show him that they still want to have a future at the club. While the head coach did not explicitly say out players’ names whom he wants to improve, there are some rumours coming from the team that three players, in particular, have disappointed the coach in recent times and if they fail to improve in the remaining six matches, then they are likely to be shipped out.

Before we jump into the players’, let’s just take this moment to remind you that you can place your bets for the 49ers for the remaining six matches of 2018 at NetBet.

Ahkello Witherspoon (Cornerback)
If there is one player who has regressed alarmingly this year for the 49ers is Ahkello Witherspoon. Witherspoon broke into the first team last season and cemented his place as the first choice cornerback. With many expecting him to build up on his first-year performances, Witherspoon has actually done the opposite. He started the year as the first choice cornerback but after a few matches, he had become a rotational player. In fact, earlier on, many teams used his side to attack the 49ers as they saw him as the weakest link in the defence. Though Witherspoon managed to wrestle his way back as a first team starter (mainly owing to the injury of the other cornerback), he still has not impressed. With the head coach promising that heads will roll if performances do not improve in the last six matches, it means Witherspoon has six matches to save his 49ers career.

Jimmie Ward (Defensive Back)
Defensive back Jimmie Ward started the year operating as a cornerback. After a few matches, he was changed and he started operating as a free safety as a cover-up as first choice free safety Adrien Colbert suffered a long-term injury. Regardless of the position he operated in, Jimmie Ward has failed to replicate the good performances he put in, in previous years. Many attribute his poor performances to constant position changes but even if that’s the case, a person who is highly versatile such as Ward has to perform better regardless of the position he is operating in. Jimmie Ward is another player who has a big six matches coming.

Arik Armstead (Defensive Tackle)
Completing our list is another defensive minded player in Arik Armstead. The University of Oregon product is way down the pecking order when it comes to defensive choices right now at the 49ers. However, in the brief moments that he has been on the pitch, Armstead hasn’t made a case for himself. Already, rumours are circling around that San Francisco (where Armstead once played) are plotting to draft him at the year-end.