It has been a tough time for Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Kenny and in this summer of bleak Irish weather, one wonders if he turned a calendar page last Sunday and thought this is the time to stand up and be counted, or if he is already a beaten man.
It was around this time last year that the Hoops were riding high in the Airtricity Premier Division and beginning a European campaign that would create history.
The plaudits rolled in, the group stages of the Europa League were reached and brought unprecedented exposure and eventually it was confirmed that the Airtricity League trophy would remain in Tallaght.
Roll the clock forward a year and life couldn't be any worse for new manager Kenny and his players.
It would be ridiculous to write off Rovers and its group of players because nobody doubts its stature and some of the talent in the squad.
However, having already received two crushing defeats to Sligo Rovers and St Patrick's Athletic earlier in the season, their biggest humiliation came at the hands of fiercest rivals Bohemians last Friday.
Now chairman Jonathan Roche and his board are faced with an unwanted situation and a major decision if this season is going to be rescued. It is certainly one they will not be relishing.
The biggest call the Hoops board had to make last year was whether to play Europa League games in the Aviva or Tallaght Stadium. Everything was rosy in the garden but this is a very different prospect.
The dilemma for Roche is whether to relieve Kenny of his duties and face a massive severance package or keep him and take a chance he will bounce back.
Going on results and performances so far, they could end up winning nothing this year and crash out of Europe in their first tie. For a club as big as Shamrock Rovers that will be totally unacceptable.
I am not one for sackings after only a few months but when it is clear to see that something is wrong between a manager and a group of players then a decision has to be made.
Results have been poor, which can happen, but the true crisis is the manner of these defeats. When going a goal down they seem to be just rolling over and accepting defeat and that is something you would never associate with any Shamrock Rovers team over the years.
There seems to be a serious lack of leadership, which I pointed out in a piece earlier in the year after those earlier losses.
Dan Murray's departure has been badly felt in that regard because not only is he a presence and a voice on the pitch, he is also one off it.
Throughout all their success domestically and in Europe last year, he was their leader. In my eyes, he hasn't been replaced.
The major problems are all defensive issues. They also lost Pat Sullivan and Enda Stevens, two excellent players, and I know it's not easy to replace them because of how good they are.
However, the defensive signings Kenny made have simply not worked.
The two goalkeepers he brought in are also very poor and Kenny doesn't seem to have faith in either. With mistake after mistake, who can blame him?
If you look at the goals conceded last Friday night in Dalymount, it was like a comedy show. All their success recently has been built on a miserly defence which gives nothing away.
You know that Gary Twigg is always going to pop up and score you a goal so if you are not conceding at the other end you are half way to winning a match.
When Stephen Kenny was given this job I thought he would do really well - I tipped Rovers for the league.
He needs to get people on side and build some momentum back into their season.
The Hoops still have the best squad in the league and you do not become a bad team overnight.
They now have a massive couple of weeks ahead with St Patrick's Athletic at home on Sunday, the always-tricky trip to Dundalk and the first leg of their Champions League tie against Ekranas.
If they were to take six points from those two League games and get a positive result in Europe the tide could turn back in Kenny's favour and he may be able to salvage the season.
Anything less than that then Jonathan Roche's decision will be made for him.
Until next week,
Alan
