By Kevin Howells BBC Sport

Last week we ended the feature by warning time was fast running out for Yorkshire to retain any hope of holding onto their County Championship title.

This week we begin by announcing the dream is already over. Who says so? The answer is coach Wayne Clark.

Twelve hours after the defeat by Leicestershire at Grace Road, Clark, speaking live on BBC Radio, confessed that a fourth defeat out of five matches was a time to concede the crown.

Last season's celebrations seem a long time ago

I have since wondered if that was all mind games, taking the pressure off his side who must be so low in confidence.

The facts are simple for Clark.

" We only lost three matches last year to win the title, now we've lost one more than that and in amongst our four losses this season we have only managed a draw."

He went onto agree that chances of now wining the Championship were best described as nil.

Fans' views

Yorkshire members can only sit back and wonder what exactly has gone wrong.

Talking to Yorkshire Uncovered, these were the thoughts of some of those down hearted supporters.

"David Byas' decision to retire last season is the pivotal reason for loss of form. David was such an overwhelming character in the dressing room and amongst the Yorkshire team that we seemingly are now without a leader."

"Surprised by the results but not by the lack of discipline 'cos I think that captain Darren Lehmann is too much one of the lads and I'm not surprised that he has found it difficult to keep the discipline in the dressing room."

Some members wish David Byas had stayed

"We should have confidence that it will get better. I sincerely think that we won't go down."

Who would have thought that as early as June the supporters of the County Champions would already be talking about fighting off relegation.

But can it really be the fault of the new skipper?

Not according to vice-captain Richard Blakey, who will step into the job for the next two weeks whilst Lehmann is away in Australia playing in a series of matches against Pakistan.

Headingley headaches

"Everybody knows the situation over Dave Byas' leaving last autumn.

"The lads fully supported that decision and we are totally behind Darren as captain and supports what he is trying to achieve. So although there will always be those comparisons, I don't think that has anything to do with our current position."

Does that amount to too much player power in wanting a change at the top? It's certainly an argument but if we were sat now talking about four wins out of five and not four defeats it wouldn't be an issue.

Lehmann: Dodging criticism and bouncers

The same could be said for a Headingley ground in turmoil, lacking as it does a fully operating scoreboard - having to annouce the score at the end of every over on the public address system is not what you expect at a Test venue.

Due to a mix-up in the order, the players are turning out in scruffy, badly-fitting kit without proper names and numbers on their backs and it looks a shambles.

Club chairman Keith Moss is sensitive to criticism, but refuses to walk away from the problems.

"Yes we have had a bad year so far both on and off the field, but let us not forget that as a club and committeee we have moved mountains to create, in 18 months, well over half a rebuilt Headingley.

"The indoor cricket centre opened with great plaudits in April and I'm please to say that the east stand is looking superb. It is not all bad news."

Listening to Moss, you can't help but feel there is an underlying warning to his defence of his committee which runs much deeper that just Yorkshire.

"Cricket is a difficult business to run and it is hard for us all. It's focus has to be on delivering both and off the field".

Yorkshire Uncovered can be heard fortnightly on Thursdays on BBC Radio Five Live's Ian Payne Show (7.00-10.00pm). Next instalment: 20 June.