Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale Still Under Fire in Latest Real Madrid Fan Vote

Yet another AS Real Madrid fan vote has proved Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale are struggling to do right by many Los Blancos fans.

The Spanish publication surveyed 14,000 supporters after Madrid whooped Granada 9-1 on Sunday, a match that saw Bale open the scoring and Ronaldo hit five to push himself beyond Lionel Messi in the hunt for this season's Golden Shoe.

AS offered Ronaldo, Bale, Karim Benzema, Toni Kroos, Isco, James Rodriguez and Luka Modric as the seven players who should fill six spots in Carlo Ancelotti's team. A hefty 31.94 percent of those who voted, equating to 4,495 votes, believe Bale should be benched to make room for the others. Isco was second with 18.44 percent, or 2,595 votes.

Daniel Ochoa de Olza/Associated Press

Despite scoring 36 La Liga goals this season, Ronaldo was the third-most common Madrid player who received a vote to be dropped, having accumulated 15.26 percent (2,147 votes). This means the majority want to see Modric, Rodriguez, Benzema and Kroos in the lineup over him.

Modric (13.20 percent, 1,858 votes) and Rodriguez (10.91 percent, 1,535 votes) follow CR7 in the vote. Only Benzema (6.54 percent, 921 votes) and Kroos (3.71 percent, 522 votes) escaped a double-figure percentage.

At the beginning of March, 46.1 percent and 32 percent of readers wanted Bale and Ronaldo dropped, respectively, according to the AS poll (h/t James Orr of The Independent). It's worth noting Madrid had many injuries at this time, however, and this survey was used to determine whether or not supporters want a change from 4-3-3 to 4-4-2. An incredible 92.1 percent did, per Orr.

It seems Madrid fans continue to crave midfield balance over all-out attack. Both Ronaldo and Bale heavily focus on work inside the opposition's half, leaving space for ambitious foes to burst forward on the counter.

Full-backs such as Marcelo and Dani Carvajal rarely receive the cover they need to support attacks without leaving the team exposed, with Bale's lack of defensive contribution playing a major role in his struggles this season.

B/R UK's Ryan Bailey and Stan Collymore recently discussed Bale's further problems at the Bernabeu:

Sky Sports Spanish football expert Guillem Balague acknowledged the player's struggles, saying the fans "want him to show more defensive commitment." Balague continued: "They want him to track more often and help the full-backs, for instance. They want him to link more with the midfield and do more of what they expect from a player in that kind of position."

Bale wasn't used to such all-round responsibility at Tottenham, where he was given the freedom to roam as Spurs' main creative force. Most players at Madrid are worldwide stars in their own right, so no special rights are offered.

Ronaldo remains the club's most important goalscorer and someone whom Ancelotti would unlikely ever consider dropping even if the fans continue to make their feelings known.

Manu Fernandez/Associated Press

Such a poll highlights the expectation around the club. Four points behind Barcelona with the season's end approaching, Madrid's best shot of silverware may turn out to be the Champions League trophy they are currently defending.

Ronaldo and Bale were pivotal to securing La Decima last year, but that is easily forgotten during a troubled run.