I suspect he has the next four games to conjure up at least one win otherwise an exasperated and panicked Vinnie will conclude a tenure of no victories in six attempts - along with a worse points per game ratio than both predecessors this season - will provide ample justification to elbow him in favour of Bamba.

The club will be underdogs at the bookmakers for the matches versus Middlesbrough, Birmingham and Norwich and slight favourite to beat Reading at home on the 17th. Failure to bag three points in that one and the manager will fear Vinnie will drop the guillotine should another draw or loss occur at Norwich.