SINCE the inauguration of the Hyundai A-League, Newcastle Jets have had 12 imports.

Of these 12 players – by my reckoning at least – only four have been successful (Song, Rodriguez, Brown and Coveny). Meanwhile, three have been utter flops (Bates, Drovandi and Jardel) and the other five either left with question marks still over them, or still have something to prove (Håkansson, Old, Denni, Corbo and, of course, Edmundo Zura)

From memory (correct me if I am wrong), we’ve only ever snapped up five players who have played in the A-League previously, but with other clubs. All five remain with the club, with four of the five proving to be reasonable acquisitions.

While only new, Mark Milligan and Daniel Piorkowski will be more than useful as long as they remain. Kaz Patafta remains a work in progress but seems to be developing. While currently injured, Noel Spencer has filled in admirably when given his chance, and Shaun Ontong should prove a welcome addition once he returns to full fitness.

So why, after Edmundo Zura’s exit on Monday, is there already talk of bringing in a new marquee signing or guest player from far flung corners of the globe? Surely any player who is worthy of this so called ‘marquee status’ is already contracted, and given our track record of attracting quality imports compared to our additions of A-League hardened players, wouldn’t it be best to see what players with previous A-League experience may be available?

Two names that immediately come to mind (not as marquees, but perhaps as guests, injury waivers or even under the salary cap) are Nathan Burns and ex-Jet, Labinot Haliti. Okay, I can hear you laughing, but hear me out.

Burns hasn’t been getting regular game time in Greece. Having missed out on Olyroos selection for Beijing, he’s hardly proving to Graham Arnold, or to the Australian football fraternity that he should have made the cut.

Coming back home (perhaps on a loan until seasons end) would give Burns adequate time to put his name back in Socceroos circles for the road and plane to South Africa. What’s more, Burns would be the perfect tonic for a goal-shy Jets outfit - his creativity, speed and goal scoring nous fitting seamlessly into Gary van Egmond’s style of play.

Working in this potential moves favour is the fact Jets owner Con Constantine, and ‘Director of Football’ Remo Nogarotto, are chummy with Burns’ agent, Bernie Mandic.

Perhaps one from the blue, but the ‘Aussie Albanian’ Labinot Haliti was a fan's favourite during his two-year stint with the Newcastle Jets. Since then, Haliti has plied his trade in the Croatian, Albanian and now Polish top flights.

Currently with the relegation threatened LKS Lódz, the attacking Haliti not only knows many of the players in the current Jets squad, but knows the A-League. Whilst he’s no marquee player, he’ll fit straight back into life in Newcastle, and will add something to the squad.

If you can remember his first goal against New Zealand Knights in Round 18 of the A-League’s inaugural season, you’ll know there’s merit to this argument.

While I do believe the excellent addition of Ian Crook and his web of connections will see the Jets pick up some brilliant imports in coming seasons, now is not the time for uncertainty or experimentation.

For me, there should be no talk of Seria D deadbeats, Campeonato could-bes or dodgy players with nicknames such as the “Zidane of Malta” or the “Beckham of Equatorial Guinea”. Let’s look at proven ex - A-League performers of whom there’s a reasonable expectation of we’ll get.

And if we are to sign yet another foreigner, lets not bring him here as a marquee. Sign the lad up under another title or don’t bother. The word ‘marquee’ has become a much maligned one in Australian football.

Unfortunately, we’ve tarnished its supposed dignity as much as any club. I’d hate us to do so further by bringing in another dud. Frankly, with the squad we’ve already got we should be doing better anyway...