The extent of West Ham's financial troubles have once again been exposed in Tuesday's papers with new owner David Sullivan providing a further insight into the previous mismanagement of the club.
Sullivan and partner David Gold are slowly uncovering the full scale of the economic disaster at Upton Park with Sullivan fearing a Leeds United-like "Armageddon" should the Hammers be relegated this season.
And even if the club stays up, Sullivan has revealed that all members of staff will be asked to take a 25% wage reduction. It seems the Hammers have been living the life of riley but with somebody else's money.
This is not the first time either Sullivan or Gold have used the media to explain West Ham's problems since their takeover and although at first Hammers fans will have welcomed being told the truth, there is also now a sense that the club's problems should be kept in-house.
And you can't help feeling that by continually highlighting what a disaster relegation would be, the pair are paving the way for manager Gianfranco Zola’s exit from the club.
So far the Italian, and his highly-paid assistant Steve Clarke, have escaped criticism despite the club's poor form this season despite West Ham falling into the relegation zone following Saturday's defeat to Burnley. The common perception being that Zola has done his best in pretty awful circumstances.
But with the reality of relegation now growing, questions are going to be asked.
Compared with many of the teams around them, West Ham have one of the strongest squads around. We're not saying they are too good to go down, just look at the players the club had when they were last relegated - Di Canio, Kanoute and Joe Cole to name but three.
But with a spine of Robert Green, Matthew Upson, Scott Parker and Carlton Cole it's fair to expect more from Zola and his men.
For much of the season West Ham have been playing pretty uninspiring football which would be fine if it produced results but looks even worse when defeat follows defeat.
Zola will know that despite persistent claims that they are letting their hearts rule their heads, Sullivan and Gold remain businessmen and will do all they can to avoid relegation and risk losing millions. And seeing as the transfer window is now shut, the only change the owners can make is to replace the manager.
Like Mark Hughes at Manchester City, Zola is also under threat as he was appointed by the previous regime. Sullivan and Gold might prefer to get a man in who they have interviewed and approved. As it happens, Hughes has become the first name to be linked with the club.
West Ham face two huge home games this week with first Gold and Sullivan's previous club Birmingham visiting Upton Park on Wednesday, before fellow relegation candidates Hull arrive on Saturday. Anything less than a four-point return over the two games would increase the pressure on Zola.
At Birmingham, Sullivan and Gold showed admirable loyalty to their managers which suggests they were keen to take the long-term view. But if Sullivan is correct in his Armageddon claims then Zola could soon be living on borrowed time.
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