LIKE a boxer on the ropes with no gloves, Cherries boss Kevin Bond is fighting for his managerial life.

Punch-drunk following another heavy pounding, Bond even looked the part on Saturday as he faced the press sporting a bloodshot left eye.

In not dissimilar circumstances, he sat in the same chair that he had occupied almost a year ago to the day after he had taken charge of Cherries for the first time.

During his stewardship in an eventful 12 months, Cherries have collected 44 points from 45 league games, a relegation return by anyone's standards.

In recent weeks, Bond's position has been similar to that of a defendant standing trial. He is accused of allowing Cherries to slip to the bottom of the league.

Some jurors would probably say he is already a condemned man, while others would grant him a stay of execution. The evidence is compelling.

Feelings were certainly mixed among the 348 travelling supporters who witnessed Cherries' latest horror show at Millwall.

As they watched their side slump to another demoralising defeat, some fans called for Bond's head, while others were stung by the public criticism of their manager.

The prosecution's case is built on an alarmingly poor start to the season. A paltry eight points from 12 games is a damning statistic, while five defeats in six home games is also potentially ruinous.

A number of Bond's summer signings have yet to deliver, with some members of the jury still very much out on the likes of high-profile arrivals Paul Telfer, Jo Kuffour and Lee Bradbury.

Bond's decision to replace Neil Moss with Asmir Begovic was also questioned by many supporters, while fans are still hoping to see the best of Ryan Garry, Russ Perrett and Marvin Bartley.

Tactical issues have also been the subject of fierce debate, while the limp manner in which Cherries have gone down to a number of their defeats has also raised concerns.

Saturday's reverse did little to quell the mounting unrest as Cherries, for long periods at least, were truly awful.

In mitigation, Bond will point to a series of overwhelming factors, not least a crippling injury crisis and the club's ongoing financial predicament.

Hamstrung by injuries to a number of key players, he has again been forced to scour the loan market, begging and borrowing in a bid to keep Cherries competitive.

The unavoidable unavailability of Max Gradel has also proved a major stumbling block. Following a tardy start to life at Dean Court, the young winger has emerged as one of the finds of the season.

Publicly, Bond's bosses have offered little in the way of moral support, with the manager often left isolated to carry the can for Cherries' dismal start.

Chairman Jeff Mostyn has invested heavily in the club and will be desperate to see Bond succeed, while, in Steve Sly, Cherries are extremely fortunate to have a genuine lifelong supporter at the helm and fans would doubtless value his opinion above all others.

As guardians of the club, Mostyn and Sly will ultimately sink or swim by their decisions.

And irrespective of Bond's problems, they will face arguably the most difficult decision unless the situation improves.

Can they afford to sack Bond? Can they afford not to sack him? And, should they decide to dispense with his services, who would be able to do a better job under the circumstances?

Answers on a postcard to