I want to write something positive about my team. I've got a lot of good openings - but no endings. I don't have what I need. I'm caught short.

Adelaide's 'not even almost' season continued last Friday with a tame fade-out to our perpetual bunnies, the Nix.

Even before the game started I was caught in a kind of strange dual world. As I walked in with my daughter, I noticed Robbie Cornthwaite and Mark Rudan signing autographs. My heart dropped. I thought Viddie had been gutsy to drop them both for the previous game but I had desperately hoped one of them would be back.

Then, as I took my seat, the faithful Red Army lifted their wonderfully hopeful banner, "Redemption Starts Now".  I'm a religious kind of guy. I believe in redemption. I applaud the belief of the RA. When I saw the teamsheet, full of the young boys again, I was ready to believe they were right.

It was when I caught sight of the subs that my fears ignited again. Shin, Moneterosso and Hughes! Defensive cover? None. Already Michael Marrone (again my MOM and I don't want to talk about why we've been stupid enough to let him leave) was being pressed into service in defensive midfield. Alamao - not the most reliable defender - was at RB. Well, obviously we were going to attack.

Attack we did. Cassio was superb as ever. Barbs and Leckie looked sharp. Cristiano and Pantelis were trying at least. Marrone was everywhere - even hitting the post after a screaming run. At the back Fyfe and Mullen were doing the business.

Wellington were barely in it before half-time but, of course, it finished 0-0. The Reds caught short of a gaol again. Caught short of a striker.

The Nix came out to play in the second. They should have scored at the back post from a header even we might have scored. Ominously it was down their left-hand attacking channel. An area too often left exposed and, finally, our downfall.

Then that moment of pure brilliance by Alemao. I was right behind the ball and my first impression was that the keeper had made a terrible blunder. Why didn't he even move? The replays showed he could have flown like Superman and he still wouldn't have got near it. What strike!

Hindmarsh came alive. The buzz was back. Redemption starts......oh, shit.

It had been clear Leckie was struggling after about 60 minutes. Cristiano was slowing down. The team was tiring. Then, in a comedy of errors, Barbs and Leckie managed to fall over next to the corner post (where was Alemao now?) and no-one blocked Caceres' run as he strolled across and crossed the ball into the net off Hugene's back leg.

The life was sucked out of Hindmarsh faster than spacemen leave a broken airlock in a SF movie.

The next minute Marrone was off injured and Adam Hughes entered the fray to the jeers of many. This was the answer? He's a better player than Flakes or Rudes? More wedded to the shirt? Is more inspiring? Is a leader? I have nothing against Adam Hughes. He tries hard but he's not good enough. Caught short.

We needed fresh legs. So we waited for the 84th minute before introducing Shin and Monterosso. And Cassio goes off!! It was 45 minutes too late for Monterosso, who seems to know how to score. At least 20minutes too late for Shin, who showed some great attacking touches and should have replaced the injured and exhausted Leckie. Caught short again.

We wasted more chances. Can't shoot. Caught short.

Why was Hughes on the bench? I know I'm a Cornthwaite fan but the guy can play central defence, can play a wide attacking role, has scored goals and is a half-decent option as a target man up front. He never gives less than 100%. Not even on the bench. No real reason. Caught short.

I don't think we can make the finals. Maybe that's a good thing. it means we can concentrate on getting it right for the ACL. Viddie's come out and said he's made mistakes and not rewarded the young guys. Things are changing. But Friday showed we're still missing some of what we need. We're always caught short.

I don't know why we can't buy a goal. I don't know why the coaches can't seem to see what the fans see - why they haven't been able to recognise commitment and quality. I don't know when we're going to see the right team selected. I don't even know where Lloyd Owusu is!

I do know that on Friday night we were unprepared for a full 90 mins. We were caught short.

Again.