This is another problem.
Why do players feel the need to bypass the manager?
More to the point, why do they go to Rudkin? What pull does he have, or how has he exploited his position to give off the impression that he's trustworthy to the players, or that he's in the right place to make such calls?
He's out of his depth in every way. Literally no evidence to show otherwise. Too many wrong things and a downward trajectory have happened under him.
If Top wants to credit (some of) the PL win to him, he has to realise the downfall is because of him, too. Not in spite of him.