The difference is, you don't have to infer anything from what I've said, you can just ask me. Assigning me an ulterior motive isn't productive.

“I wish I would’ve done my part better,". That isn't a perfectly clear statement because we don't know what he means by "part". As I already asked, does that mean how he played, how he prepared, how he reacted? It's ambiguous.

You feel it's clear based on something he said in the past and that's your prerogative. I won't accuse you of anything based on your opinion but I think I have a legitimate reason to wonder what exactly he meant.