I’ve been hearing voices.

It's as though I've been eavesdropping on an intriguing debate. Two parties to an unresolved argument, each in turn expressing their views.

In the shower, in the car, just before I drift off to sleep, the dialogue in my mind has continually returned to the question at hand.

The facts are undisputed. The Reds' A-League finals record is glaringly short on a little commodity known as 'wins'. There's no hiding from it. The truth sometimes stings.

So the pertinent question then becomes, in this context, how much does the past influence the present? Do the Reds' prior-year failings (if by failings one means the lack of ultimate success) have any negative effect in terms of this year's finals campaign?

To argue for the affirmative one would point to the humiliation of the grand final loss to Melbourne a few years ago and the residual effect it may still have. It was like going to the dentist for a check-up and clean but then walking out having instead had an on-the-spot root canal procedure.

One would never look at a dentist's chair (read Telstra Dome stadium) the same way again.

The Reds have struggled to win big A-League games in the past and perhaps that sordid history adds pressure and weight of expectation to the shoulders of the current team? Perhaps it will be too much to carry?

Those that might argue the negative position however, that the past won't hurt the present, also have constructive ammunition. Rather than being a weight to carry the failings of the past may just bring an extra level of determination to now succeed.

The Reds' adventures in the ACL have left them a little tired but it's also instilled a toughness and resoluteness of spirit. They seem to have developed a street-wise sense of being able to grind results out. This could be crucial.

Also, enough of the squad has changed since that fateful grand final against Melbourne to deaden the event's impact. Root canal work? What root canal work?

Ultimately this is a debate though that can never be settled. It's all theory.

Just for the record, I don't believe that past results will have much of an effect on how the Reds perform this year.

Maybe I'm being naive. Maybe I'm being too optimistic. Maybe I'm just being a football fan.

Bring it on!