At Don Valley we (our particular enclave of frozen squinters) used to often say that we had Alfie, but no team. For the first couple of seasons under Evans we had a team, but no Alfie. Now we seem to have -at most- half a team...and nobody like any sort of Alfie.

Derbyshire has shown that the version of him from the first half of last season is actually the true manifestation of himself - it reminds me of when we were playing Barker and Warne at this level. Which is no reflection on JCH - who is wasting his time having to come back forty yards to get the ball. The problem is that he hasn't got himself to pass to up front. With service, he could perhaps paper over the cracks. A decent (and perhaps only decent is all that we need) forward is vital.

Then there's the problem of service. I've screamed for years that we need to get round the back of teams: this will always cause problems for defences, yet we attack without pace and pinball around until we get to a fluffed final pass with such regularity that we are wasting any possession we are allowed. We allow every defence to get numbers back every time. With pace on the wings, our multitude of defensive midfielders can then just support. Our forwards can then play where they need to play: in the opposition area. More chances just might mean more goals. I'm sure that others will see it differently.

So, just one forward, one or two wingers...oh, and a defence - an we're there.