0
Former Force and Wallaby hooker Brendan Cannon believes time may be running out for John Mitchell in the west.
Cannon also said he thinks Wallaby prodigy James O'Connor must be moved to flyhalf to save the Western Force's season.
The Force will travel to New Zealand this week with their backline in tatters after injuries to Mark Bartholomeusz and Cameron Shepherd cruelled their Super 14 preparations.
The club is also sweating on scans of Richard Brown's injured shoulder, which may require a full reconstruction.
And after the nightmare suffered by Sam Harris in his elevation to the number ten jersey coach Mitchell must make a decision on who will be his playmaker the Hurricanes.
Cannon, the first ever signing for the Force, said O'Connor was the obvious candidate.
"The Force will sadly struggle without a good flyhalf as we saw on Friday night, it is such a specialist position," Cannon said.
"I would bring James O’Connor to flyhalf as he would liven up the attacking options and he would appear to be the best chance of giving them the direction the team requires."
Blogging for an eastern states newspaper, Cannon said the pressure should be starting to mount on Mitchell, with the bookies now having the Force as second favourites for this year's Super 14 wooden spoon.
"Mitchell has another year on his contract after this and if within that time he is unable to obtain a top four finish then it is time to take another direction for the organisation," Cannon said.
The Force leave for New Zealand on Thursday, with Shepherd, Bartholomeusz and Brown all out, and Haig Sare and Matt Dunning struggling.
The club has been given dispensation to sign an injury replacement, with former stars James Hilgendorf and Scott Staniforth both possibles