Players and staff having to defer a percentage or all of their wages as the club cant afford to pay them would be a clue, or the club borrowing some money off the PFA to pay the players (and the ensuing transfer embargo until its paid back). Then probably an administrator helping out at the club in an advisory capacity. Then a notice of intention to appoint an administrator is given, which keeps the creditors at bay for a few days, then probably another notice of intention gives the inevitable a few more days.
Thats what happened with Bournemouth anyway. And dont forget the person that put the club into administration then funded the club through administration and had an agreement as a preferred bidder (along with whoever he could get to help with money) with the administrator, and is still involved at the club.