By James Standley BBC Sport Online

Super League strugglers Halifax, Wakefield, Warrington and Salford share more than just a fear of relegation.

They also share an inability to get through the 2002 season without shedding their coach - or in Warrington's case two.

Salford were the first to wield the axe back in May after Steve McCormack led the club to just two wins from their first 11 games of the season.

Peter Roe claimed he was sacked by Wakefield

Unfortunately for the rock-bottom Reds, they have seen little improvement in their fortunes under ex-Great Britain forward Karl Harrison and have only won two more games since he took over.

Warrington are on their third coach of the season - and the fourth in 12 months - after Steve Anderson resigned at the start of May.

His replacement, David Plange, quickly followed him, leaving Wilderspool by mutual consent just a fortnight ago.

The Wolves are now under the control of former player and crowd favourite Paul Cullen.

Wakefield, who are level on points with Warrington, parted company with Peter Roe in July after his reign had brought only three wins.

The Wildcats are now under the dual leadership of Shane McNally and Adrian Vowles.

As for Halifax, they have confirmed Tony Anderson as Steve Linnane's successor after parting with the Australian on Saturday, just a few weeks after he signed a new contract.

And Anderson will know relegation to the barren wastes of the Northern Ford Premiership - as the Super League clubs see it - is a real possibility after a disastrous run of results.

But at least the Blue Sox's future rests in their own hands.

Their next three matches are against their relegation rivals.

Warrington also have a last-day clash against Wakefield to look forward to in what may turn out to be a relegation decider.

Steve Linnane had only just signed a new contract

It will be scenario the Wildcats are familiar with after beating Huddersfield Giants on the last day of last season to avoid the drop.

But the odds appear to be on Salford falling through the trap door.

They travel to Widnes, entertain Halifax and then visit Warrington before finishing their campaign at home to the play-off chasing Castleford.

No-one is safe, though, and it is that fear that has led to the rapid turnover in coaches at the foot of the Super League table.

The three clubs that escape relegation will no doubt argue that their change of coach helped save them.

For the coach who takes his side down there remains only the hope that he will get the chance to try and redeem himself in 2003.

And given the desperation of clubs to find a winning formula, he would be making a mistake to assume his job was secure.