Certain films should never see the light of day. The ‘80s dog of a movie, “Best Defence”, is one example of a film that must never be allowed to make a comeback under any circumstances.

Two of the biggest comedy stars of the day, Dudley Moore and Eddie Murphy, were given obscene amounts of money to flog life into a script that should have been left in the toilet in which it was written. Suffice it to say that the movie’s entire contribution to comedy is this exchange:

Field commander during battle: “State your position!”

Eddie Murphy (from inside his tank – yes, Eddie Murphy is in a tank): “Doggy, and I’m up the wrong end!”

It was that kind of movie. Historically, it does have one redeeming feature though – art, if that’s what you’d call it, predicts life in a plot where Iraq invades Kuwait and the Americans go in and rescue the Kuwaitis, a full six years before Desert Storm.

Perhaps this is how Saddam Hussein got the idea to invade Kuwait in the first place. Let’s face it, it gave him something productive to do after wasting ninety minutes of his life and that way at least he felt he got something out of it.

Not being a dictator or the owner of an army, I was unable to take my frustrations out on a small country after watching Sydney put in a dog of a defensive performance in the West. Even the cat was safe, wisely tucking itself away under the cupboard.

It is a cliché that defence is the cornerstone of a football side. But it is one for a reason.

Best Defence? Our title in 2006 was built on solid defensive foundations, Rudan, Fyfe, Timpano and Ceccoli forming the meanest backline in the league’s inaugural season. Wind forward a few seasons and Viteslav Lavicka built a winning side on the foundations of a tight defensive unit, with Colosimo, Keller and Byun virtually impenetrable over the course of the season.

Defending is as much about mindset as ability. It isn’t enough to just put your body on the line. Anyone can do that. It is less about sliding tackles and more about being switched on enough to be a step ahead of the opposition. Being mentally alert rather than mentally lazy. Which is why Italians win World Cups, but that’s a discussion for another day.

It appears that our backline of 2013 has few title-winning qualities about it. Conceding a whopping 46 goals in 23 games – yes, that’s right, do the maths – it matters little who has occupied the back four, the result has been largely the same. I will make an exception in the case of Seb Ryall who has had a splendid season, but the rest have been found wanting.

Allowing a simple two-on-one to happen around Fabio was awful. Leaving Perth unchallenged on a set piece that led to Smeltz’s goal was downright unprofessional and it is the second time this season that we have cost ourselves a goal by switching off on an opposition’s set piece and not sending a man out to the flag.

Having conceded 46 goals, ours in clearly the worst defence, both currently in the league and in comparison to previous Sydney outfits. Was it poor recruitment? Bad coaching? Lazy habits that players have allowed themselves to slip into?

Whichever, but the results are dire. The fact that we are still in with a playoff chance is due to our goals scored column. We may have conceded the most but have scored 36, the third highest in the league behind the Mariners and Melbourne Victory.

When this season is done and dusted, don’t blame the attack. Led by Del Piero, whose rocket on Saturday night is sure to be the goal of the season, we are putting them away. Twelve to Del Piero. Five to Yau. Blake Powell and Joel Griffiths with three apiece.

We are scoring them.

Perhaps the coach's thought process has been all wrong. Seeing a leaky backline, we are playing two defensive midfielders in an attempt to put a finger in the dyke and protect the defensive line at all costs.

In days of old, the kind that football-loving grandpas love to reminisce about, Brazil had a footballing ethos. They knew they’d concede goals. But replete with Pele, Garrincha, Didi and Vava, they also knew that if they conceded one, they would score three.

The Sky Blues are no Brazil, but we do know our way to goal. Billy Beane, he of the Oaklane A’s and “Moneyball”(a far better viewing experience), would likely assess the situation and decide that our strength lies in attack and to maximise our chances of winning it is the attack on which we need to focus.

Too simplistic? Sure. But maybe we are going about things the wrong way. Take some chances by replacing the lately lacklustre Emerton with lightning-quick Chianese or Yau. Bring Antonis into central midfield, gaining creativity without losing workrate. And play the hardworking Rhyan Grant in front of Fabio, allowing the Brazilian to attack with impunity in full knowledge that his back is covered when he ventures forward.

Let’s just go for it.

With matches coming up against this season’s three top sides plus last season’s champions, we can take the game to them. All four have shown that they are not always comfortable when the opposition gives them little respect. We are rank outsiders so let’s get out and have a real go at our opponents rather than engage in a war of attrition that, on this season’s statistics, we are unlikely to win.

And then maybe we’ll see some blue sky again.