Club legend Quah Han Kok's departure was but one of the high-profile outgoing moves that took place, with Domenik Bögengang and Marc Pujolràs leaving an unfillable hole for the second part of a less than outstanding campaign.

Not that Grilled were doing well before that, as their previously intimidating The Cooking Pot became a happy hunting ground for a point for their visitors, as they drew their first three matches at that stadium. Grilled's two league victories, which allowed them to remain in the league by the skin of their teeth, both came away from home.

Their most upbeat fans would point to a respectable Cup run, in which they reached the eighth round, as the cause of their abysmal league form, but it was more likely due to several of their most trusted veterans, such as Erik Back and Vukota Crkvenjakov, finally fading.

The arrival of former youth international midfielder Seytek Djekshenkulov made headlines but he flattered to deceive, and much-watched local hope Zhu Changchun too struggled to fit in, meaning that Grilled's midfield burden too often fell on intended bit-part player Alex Fonseca. Compounding matters, Bögengang took his deadly free-kicks and understated leadership with him, and Mohd Safri and company were shut out for almost half their games.

Han at least has evidence to back up his assertion that Grilled are restocking, as he let twelve players go and brought in thirteen, mostly Singaporean trainees, in one of Grilled's busiest seasons in terms of transfers to date. Whether he will be around to reap the rewards is another thing.