PAUL INCE cannot win; not so much a statement of the bleedin' obvious as a reflection of the turmoil the Blackburn Rovers manager has endured in a season that has stretched his resolve and reaches a pivotal point - turning or breaking? - at the JJB Stadium today.
The bottom line for Ince against Wigan Athletic is clear, having been drawn by his directors this week.
Set a target of nine wins for Premier League safety by John Williams, the Blackburn chairman, the 41-year-old was left in no doubt that the recovery must commence this afternoon and continue over Christmas. An ominous review of Ince's position is expected if it does not.
Williams is not alone in recognising the precariousness of the situation after buying time from the Jack Walker Trustees, who require survival as they attempt to sell the club.
Blackburn's players held an impromptu team meeting on Thursday to address how to stem a sequence of 10 league games without a win and, according to David Dunn, the vice-captain, to save Ince from the sack.
"I've been in this sort of situation before, both here and at Birmingham City in the season we went down, and you could sense unhappiness around the place then," Dunn said.
"The strange thing now is that we are also in a difficult place but the team spirit here is really good."
The captain, Ryan Nelsen insisted: "No player here would complain about his man-management. He is a great communicator and a winner, an absolute winner."
Then why the malaise? Ince's critics cite tactical naivety or, as with the signing of Robbie Fowler, the old pals' act.
The manager and his supporters point to an unfortunate set of circumstances, and few could dispute that injuries - particularly those to Dunn and Vince Grella in midfield - have seriously undermined attempts to mould a settled side.
The loss of such combative players partially explains why an unprotected Blackburn defence has conceded 31 goals this season, the most in the Premier League. Individual errors have also been notable.
The problem, however, could be one Blackburn never expected to have; that they have become "too nice". Under Mark Hughes, there was a directness to their play that has been lacking this season. Without the supply line of David Bentley to Roque Santa Cruz, Ince has tried to play his way out of trouble without the necessary tools.
Hardly a crime, but for a manager who answered the call for ex-players to learn their trade in the lower divisions and now finds himself accused of lacking experience for the Premier League, it is a Catch 22 that must now be broken.