Only a few weeks ago, Ghana’s biggest club Kumasi Asante Kotoko were my subject for discussion as the club seemed to be on a downward spiral.

Results had not gone according to plan with a seeming crisis hitting the club. Four points from a possible six in their last two Premier League games together with a win in the FA Cup quarter-final against Ashgold seem to have taken off the pressure from the Opoku Nti-led administration but that would pale into insignificance if the side is unable to retain the Premiership or defend the FA Cup.

AND NOW, THE PHOBIANS

These are very trying times for them you might think but it isn’t any better for their eternal rivals Accra Hearts of Oak. There has been a certain level of disquiet within the Phobian fraternity in the last few weeks.

Things hit a head with the loss to Sekondi Hasaacas, a result that ultimately led to a crisis meeting of sorts by Hearts’ management. The FA Cup reverse against Medeama has been a pill too big to swallow.

It’s nice to hear clubs in any part of the world look for solutions to challenges affecting their clubs. That the two biggest clubs in Ghana seem to find themselves mired in such quagmire is worrying to say the least.

Why these clubs find themselves in the second half of the table might pass for seismic upheavals. They have almost identical records in the league (Kotoko on 29 points with Hearts on 26) having won just about a third of their games all season (seven and six respectively), drawing as many games (8 each) and losing six and seven games respectively.

Fans of the two clubs have naturally been asking the tough questions as to how the clubs have sunk this low.

1. MANAGEMENT

The two clubs on a managerial level have had some of the most astute football brains run their affairs over their years. Their ability to court huge revenue for their clubs have also contributed to their successes over the years.

The case of the current structure of Hearts of Oak is more baffling with millionaire businessman and traditional leader Togbe Afede XIV in charge as the Executive Chairman.

For a gentleman who has built up an impressive business empire over the last three decades, fans of the club were probably looking forward to massive turn around in fortunes when he took over. He promised to return the club to their glory and winning days within a reasonable time frame.

In moments like these, as in the case of Kotoko under businessman Herbert Mensah, communication and timing are key.

The Kotoko family was made to understand the club was in a rebuilding phase, a phrase which was very much on the lips of every Kotoko fan whether they were winning or otherwise.

Herbert knew that a long term mandate made it possible for him to plan for a reasonable number of years with the right message and business plan.

Former Managing Director Neil Armstrong was famous for his “Restoring the oak tree" mantra but for current MD Gerald Ankrah (below, pictured) and his management team, the challenges just keep compounding by the day. That players’ wages are alleged to have been delayed for months may not be news in itself as this happens in many parts of the world. The management of such an internal challenge which has translated into poor performances for the season has only aggravated the situation.

At some point, it’s got to be results or bust. The fans are clearly incensed. You only have to decipher the comments of former Board Secretary Ernest Thompson on what he makes of the current administration. Clueless is an understatement.

2. PRIORITIES

Major clubs the world over plan their seasons in earnest before the first ball is kicked on matchday 1 of a new season.

Their priorities are tied to the ambitions of the club for that particular season and beyond and whether they do have the quality to compete on all fronts. Funds are a huge part of the sport these days and failure to rake in as much money from sponsorship and other internal means of generating funds mean that it would practically be impossible to compete.

There are efficient players on the market as the likes of Bournemouth, Watford and co would go for. On the other hand, the big boys like Barcelona, Real Madrid and the PSG’s would always go for the stellar performers who can guarantee silverware.

I would be extremely surprised if a club run by such astute minds at Hearts of Oak had misplaced priorities. Competing on four fronts - league, FA Cup, CAF Confederations Cup and Elite Cup – meant that players without the experience and quality to play at this level on a consistent basis were always going to suffer.

The travel challenges on the continent only heightened these worries.

Without a reasonable squad size, and with players likely to lose form, suffer injuries or be suspended, squads are definitely going to be stretched in season.

Hearts of Oak have already played 21 league games, eight Confederations Cup games, five in the FA Cup and a few more in the Elite Cup with virtually the same squad.

All this in just four months.

For top clubs who have the quality to compete on all fronts, the opportunity for some silverware motivates them to go over the finish line. I am not too sure if we can say same for Hearts of Oak now.

3. TECHNICAL DIRECTION

With a technical brain like Herbert Addo, the Phobians were expected to perform a lot better than they have all season – but even the most astute technical brains may get it wrong sometimes.

The quality of signings, the lack of a comprehensive technical plan, a poor backroom staff and more has its own way of affecting a clubs performance. Training methods adopted by clubs especially during pre-season can positively impact a club’s season.

How some clubs play over 20 games in preparation for a season is baffling to say the least. The management of the club knew what they wanted when they employed a defensively minded manager like Herbert Addo.

Granted, he was brought in to stop the rot in their defence, the attack has not been any better.

4. BAD NUMBERS

The Phobians have scored a paltry 22 goals in 21 games, an average of just over a goal per game and have conceded 24 goals within that same period in the league.

In the CAF Confederations Cup qualifiers, they scored nine goals over four rounds and conceded ten against AS Police, Djoliba, Olympique Ngor and Esperance.

It’s been strange how well they have performed in the MTN FA Cup with nine goals - against Elmina Sharks, Bolga Man City, Afienya, FC Utrecht and Medeama. They let in only two.

The semi-final loss to Medeama all but ended any hopes of winning laurels at the end of the season. It’s obvious that the quality in here is not at the level of the league or the Confederations Cup.

The Herbert Addo led technical team has clearly not done enough to make things happen and it’s not surprising that he has been sacrificed. I am not too sure what the new gaffer can do differently. Nothing more than Premiership survival, I reckon.

5. THE FANS

They form the heart beat of every club thus it is understandable why they are aggrieved with poor form. They spend hard-earned currency on buying club paraphernalia and attending games.

Often, they have left the stadium in pain and deep seated anger at the efforts displayed by the team. For them, the players are not fighting hard enough on the pitch.

The last straw is a reported conversation of players scheming to lose games in the coming weeks. The players are heard accusing Herbert of losing the dressing room and not being impressed with the manager’s tactics.

It cannot get any worse than that.

In the last few days, there have been calls for changes in management and the general structure of the club. The question though is whether that alone would change the fortunes of the club. They have got to support the club in very good times and replicate that in such trying moments. That is what hard core fans do.

6. THE FUTURE

The coming weeks are likely to define the club’s season and future as they flirt with relegation. With tough games coming up against Aduana Stars, Hearts of Lions, Wa All Stars, Kotoko and Liberty Professionals on the next five matchdays, the Phobians have to quickly put their challenges behind them and fight the common enemy if they are to survive the Premiership this season.

It is time to rally round the flag, Phobian mates. Let that sink in.

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Kwame Dwomoh-Agyemang is a Joy Sports producer.  Follow on Twitter: @DwomohKwame