After last week's optimism, I've had to take a deep breath before writing this. Pieces of the puzzle that I believed were possibly starting to fit still need some work. So before launching into a rant, I just need to get one piece of business out of the way. Can the defenders please come over to this little room? Surat, you're excused.

Kevin, Roddy, Adrian meet Michael; he is your new goalkeeper. You may not have noticed but you've been playing with him for five weeks now. Would have thought you might have made the introduction yourselves by now. Possibly immediately before corners and set pieces to decide on who is marking who.

During this introduction, I'd like to take a moment to allow Michael to explain his strategy on coming for said set pieces and crosses. Michael the floor is yours.... (insert Sounds of Silence by Simon and Garfunkel or crickets clicking, frogs croaking here... ) Oh, right I'm starting to see the problem. Anyone else have something to say, Roddy? Adrian? Come on, come on speak up Princess, you appear to want to get something off your chest.

Adrian: "Well it's just that..."

Kev: "Spit it out Princess."

Adrian: "Well it's just that, well....

Kev: "It's about me, isn't it?"

Adrian: "Maybe".

Kevin, I think what Adrian is trying to say but, due to your imposing persona and history within the club, feels it would be like shooting Bambi to bring it up, is whether you could perhaps stop giving the ball away in your own half and forcing other defenders to take yellow cards to protect the side. It's starting to give people the impression you're a bit past it.

Adrian: "Something like that."

Kev: "Well, why didn't you just say? I think you all need to harden up."

Adrian: "Yes, probably Kevin. Oh, can you also try to make sure you don't allow your man to run across you and beat you to a cross at the near post?"

Kev: "What? You little ##$$%#, just wait until we get out on the track I'm gonna (insert suitable Muscat like punishment here.)

Michael: "He does have a point, Kev."

Kev: "I think you'd be better to keep your mouth shut right about now and concentrate on protecting your near post from said crosses and occasionally coming off your line to take a few of those set pieces we love so much."

Okay, glad we got that all off our chests. All good, ready for this week now, you four back to the group.

The front half doesn't exactly get off scot free either. Those furtive cries you are hearing from the stands of "SHOOT" are for a reason. Despite some decent build up play at a much better tempo than that exhibited against Perth, those in the front third seem intent on attempting to walk the ball into the back of the net.

Dugandzic, Kruse and Pondlejak all had good opportunities to let loose from the edge of or even inside the box but decided to try to find the perfect pass instead. Ernie has already been on the case and I expect at least a few longer range attempts this week. Even if just to keep the defence on their toes.

Welcome back to Melbourne for Theo. A fine servant of the club while he was here and, considering the current incumbent's travails, find myself wishing that he was still in the big V. I'm sure the B&W Brigade and the south end will have plenty of helpful advice for him.