There are times when the entourage of assorted coaches, fitness trainers, physios, agents, friends and relatives that comprises Team Murray requires two rows of the players’ box. Surely somebody is brave enough to inform Andy Murray that the drop shot is a tactic to employed only occasionally and then when the element of risk is minimal.

Make no mistake about it, Murray is fortunate to still be involved in the French Open after an initial display that highlighted his shortcomings rather than positive points. Anyone more experienced than 17 year-old Jonathan Eysseric – the youngest player in the 128 strong first round draw - would have capitalised on the indifference and uncertainty displayed by the troubled tenth seed.

Confusion is an understandable state of mind for Murray, given that so many people are attempting to give him advice and guidance. His play on clay in the past few weeks has been indicative of a man not truly sure what he is trying to do but long periods of the five sets against Eysseric, it seemed that was intent on employing one tactic and that was digging him further and further into a deep hole.

As long as Murray has been performing on clay, he has been guilty of over playing the drop shot. Predictability is a problem for somebody who is not totally confident on the surface and word gets around the locker room like wild fire. Although Eyserric is still a tenderfoot in such company, it did not take him long to pick up on the fact that every time Murray attempted a drop shot, his chances of winning the point were better than good.

The signs were ominous for Murray as early as second game when the Scot sacrificed an initial break of serve and allowed his young opponent to immediately get back on terms when two appallingly misplayed drop shots were swooped upon by the nimble Eyserric. Within little more than a set the numbers were making disturbing reading and although Murray loudly berated himself with each error, things did not seem to change.

“Rubbish,” he yelled as his eighth attempt at a drop shot resulted in a seventh point for Eysseric. “Play your own game,” added Murray soon after as the tactic misfired again but still the realisation did not strike him straight between the eyes that he should try something different.

In the past coaches Mark Petchey and Brad Gilbert have both implored Murray to be more circumspect with his drop shots, particularly when the player on the other side of the net is something of a speed merchant. Eysseric may be green but he is extremely quick and once initial nerves were overcome, he looked the more accomplished player.

Fortunately for Murray, fitness soon became an issue and the trainer was repeatedly called to the court side chairs to massage hot cream into Eysserric’s fatigued calf muscles. The reaction? Murray tried even more drop shots and even though his opponent’s mobility was by now distinctly impaired, the success rate did not improve appreciably.

The workings of Team Murray remain a mystery to many. Does anyone have either the authority or courage to stand up to the player who ultimately is paying all the wages and state the blindingly obvious?

Somebody desperately has to stand up and say that too many drop shots will be suicidal against prospective opponents who have far more clay court experience.

Otherwise the outcome is going to be equally predictable and Murray will be back in Britain making an early start to his grass court campaign.