In calmer seas, there is a great deal of admiration to be had for showing loyalty to a football manager.

If you are one of the bigger clubs challenging in the Barclays Premier League, and the results

just aren't going for you, there is little hope of stopping the axe from falling – even if you are risking loss of European football, rather than banishment to the 'non-League' ranks.

Many will say missing out on Europe is the hardest cross to bear.

Clubs make forecasts – top ones add european money to the equation – and, as each New Year begins, sadly we slip further away from the game of football itself, and deeper into the finances.

One can't help wondering where it will all end for clubs like Plymouth Argyle...

For me, Carl Fletcher's sacking following the 2-1 defeat to Bristol Rovers at The Memorial Stadium was about six weeks overdue.

For more on this story, and the week's other sports news, don't forget to order a regular copy of The Cornish Times, on sale every Friday