Rats deserting a sinking ship: That's probably how most football fans see the departure of Notts County manager Hans Bakke today. Who'll be next? Lee Hughes? Schmiechael? Sven?
One person who won't be leaving the circus is Peter Trembling, who this weekend was confirmed as the new chairman of Notts County after buying the club from the shadowy Munto Finance / QADBAK / Potential convicted fraudsters living abroad.
Trembling made the following statement to the media this week. However in true 'Mock The Week' style, we've put what he actually means in brackets after his quote.
(County fans please be aware this is a light hearted look at recent news, please direct all death threats to Munto Finances offices. If you know where they are, or who they are. Thanks)
"I would like to thank Munto Finance for the way they have conducted the sale of the club. They have been responsible for changing the outlook of the club."
'Before this the club was focused on achieving within our means. Now we have a lot of hangers on expecting to be paid. Thanks'
"I must stress however that a great deal more still needs to be done if we are to fulfil our ultimate objective of Premier League football."
'Of which there is absolutely no chance at all'
"We have restructured the ownership of the football club in order to secure new and prolonged investment. We anticipate this will be an ongoing process."
'We've got rid of the supporters trust. Now please give us your money'
"The support and passion of our fans has constantly energised me. The last few weeks have been the hardest and most stressful of my working career but the support of the Notts County faithful has been the fillip that has driven me to complete what I anticipate being a significant stage on our road to progression."
'I sensed all along this'd go tits up, but for months I pretended it was all ok. Now they've dumped the hot potato in my hands and buggered off back to Dubai'
"This is a totally unique project with the world's oldest professional League club and I, for one, am not prepared to walk away from that."
'Someone has to pick them up out of the gutter and restore their reputation. At least you all know who I am - I'm the guy who said everything was fine a few weeks back. Trust me'
"We have seen our average home crowds double this season and it is absolutely imperative that our support base continues to grow."
'But in reality are the Jonny-Cum-Latelys really going to keep coming if Sven and the good players leave?'
"I would also like to thank the many sponsors, suppliers and our corporate supporters for their continued backing of our club."
'Because without you I wouldn't be having a turkey this christmas, I'd be feasting on the carcass of our once 'rich' football club'
"In particular I would like to thank my friend and confidant Sven-Goran Eriksson who has been steadfast throughout and with whom I will now embark upon the urgent process of securing new investment into the football club."
'Please don't go Sven, you the only assett I have to tempt investors here. If you go we are up that brown coloured creek without one of those paddles. Sven? Sven? His phone must be off. I'll ring him in a bit. How much is a reverse charge call to Sweden'.
With Hans Bakke quitting his post today, the future doesn't look particularly rosy for County. Players such as Lee Hughes, Ade Akinbiyi, Ricky Ravenhill, Ben davies and Kaspar Schmichael are all earning considerably more than they would at any League Two club - indeed rumours that Schmichael was set for a move to the Championship continue to circulate. The rumour goes Sheff Utd had a package all put together that was trumped by County millions - money that is no longer there.
LCM will keep an eye on proceedings with the usual keen eye.
DISCLAIMER: LCM normally would not enjoy writing articles of this type, however due to the reaction to our October article about the state of the club (which two months later is proven to be correct) we feel it is in the LCM readers interests to be kept abrest of developments. Thanks.