THE MILK has been spilt and damn it, I’m going to cry.

I know, I know, I’m flying in the face of conventional wisdom. I’m hoping that it will have some therapeutic value.

I’ve done some investigative work. I’ve gone under cover. I’ve discovered a common thread in the following three scenarios.

Game one and the Reds lose 3-0 to Gamba, away from home.

Game two, this time in our own backyard, but the Reds go down 2-0.

Game three, the Reds against Gamba again, and despite playing almost at full strength, another loss. This time 1-0.

I’m suspicious, very suspicious.

Detailed analysis though has given rise to an observation, a very poignant one. I hope that you’re sitting down.

The Reds tally of goals, in each of the three games, has a semblance of similarity about it. That’s because, in each game, it amounted to a big, fat zero.

Are you shocked?

In referring to game three above I mentioned that the Reds were playing ‘almost’ at full strength. All of our heavy hitters were there, with one standout exception.

When marquee status is given to a player at an A-League club it signifies high expectations. It means that the player is valued, in theory, for possessing greater ability. It also means that the player’s wallet in somewhat bulkier.

Paul Agostino, the Reds’ marquee man, has been missing in action. The role call was sung and when the name ‘P. Agostino’ was sounded, there was deathly silence (cue in the sound of crickets chirping).

Quite simply, it’s not good enough.

Late in game three against Gamba, when the Reds desperately needed a goal, Aurelio Vidmar introduced Osama Malik (who has not even played an A-League game yet) and then Robert Younis (who has a certain x-factor about him but he’s yet to deliver even a solitary jatz cracker). Both guys tried hard but as things stand, they weren’t quite up to it. The cupboard was bare.

What was needed was a saviour. A marquee saviour. Unfortunately though, he was injured. He’s been injured way too much, that’s the problem.

Sometimes the game of football can be tough. In the words of Shakespeare, ‘harsh but fair’.

As they used to say in a now poorly rating TV show, ‘Paul Agostino, it’s time to go’.

On behalf of the tribe, I’ve spoken.