Things could not have started any worse for Cardiff City head coach Paul Trollope this season, as his Bluebirds side is firmly rooted to the bottom of the Championship table after 8 games with just 5 points.
The solitary win this season coming against Blackburn at home when Cardiff needed Rovers defender Shane Duffy to score two own goals, to help them on their way to a 2-1 victory emphasises the lack of ruthlessness the club possesses right now.
It is now five league matches without a win for Trollope's side and speculation is mounting that the former Wales national team coach could be in line for the chop unless results, and performances on the pitch improve significantly over the coming weeks, despite Trollope claiming he has owner Vincent Tan's full support.
Football League World writer Steve Day looks at THREE potential replacements for Trollope should Tan take the decision to sack the 44-year-old taking into account the financial restrictions, that the board have stated the club is currently under....
James Rowberry
The first name on this list will undoubtedly be the most controversial one.
Rowberry is just 31- years-old and was appointed as joint assistant coach, along with ex-Cardiff manager Lennie Lawrence when Trollope was given the head coach role during the summer.
Rowberry has previously been first team coach at the club since the 2014 and also held a coaching role with the FAW since 2006.
He was one of the youngest individuals to have earned their UEFA A Licence and is the youngest person to have earned the UEFA Pro Licence.
There is no doubt that Rowberry might not be a popular choice with the fans given his lack of experience, and the lack of confidence the supporters would have in another coach making the transition to management.
However, it is a transition that worked for Paul Heckingbottom at Barnsley with Heckingbottom having graduated on the same coaching scheme as Rowberry.
Due to the financial constraints imposed on the club it could be a risk worth taking for the Bluebirds.
Graham Alexander
The lack of funds available to bring in a big name manager, means that if Tan does remove Trollope from his duties as Bluebirds boss, then he will need to scour the lower leagues for a replacement where the compensation paid to the manager's club will not be excessive.
A potential option is the current Scunthorpe manager Graham Alexander.
The former Preston right back enjoyed a brilliant career that spanned over 950 competitive matches, but it is his management career that is proving to be the talking point right now.
Scunthorpe currently top of League One and looking very impressive under Alexander's leadership.
He also proved to be an accomplished manager during his stint with Fleetwood in a period that saw him guide them through the League Two play-offs back in 2013/14 to secure promotion to League One.
Compensation to the Irons is unlikely to be overly high, and Alexander would be a top drawer young manager who is already proving himself and would cost very little to acquire.
Craig Bellamy
Bellamy is an interesting one. It appears that is relationship with Tan is one that blows hot and cold.
The outspoken former Wales international has openly expressed his interest in becoming Cardiff manager one day.
The 37-year-old is seen in a positive light by the vast majority of Cardiff fans after he returned to play for his home town club towards the end of his career, despite interest from bigger clubs.
Bellamy has two spells with the Bluebirds playing for them during the 2010/11 season and then again between 2012 and 2014.
He played a key role helping the side reach the Premier League during that second stint.
Having already spent time with the club as an academy coach as well as a player it would appear to be a match made in heaven, but the enigmatic relationship between Bellamy and Tan could be the stumbling block.
Bellamy would not cost a penny to bring into the club but the issue could be his weekly wage.
He would certainly be an appointment that would shake things up at the Cardiff City Stadium.
What do you think Cardiff fans? Do you favour any of these three choices? Do you have a favourite choice of your own? Let us know in the comments section below.