Christmas might have to come late for Wellington Phoenix fans but it must come in the form of a couple of players in the January transfer window.
The A-League club was taken over by a seven-man consortium by the name of Welnix Ltd in September on the eve of the new season and they refused to make any kneejerk signings.
That's an admirable way to play; get a gauge of the situation, weigh up the opportunities then pounce. The problem is though, you get the feeling that a big-name signing or two may not be coming in the next transfer window.
Coach Ricki Herbert is already speaking about this season being a tough one, which implies he may not have been given the licence to track down a strong target or two.
That is a major problem if that is the case. Football in New Zealand is a bandwagon sport; granted, there are loyal fans, but Westpac Stadium will have more empty yellow seats than 30 mathematicians could calculate if the side doesn't win.
Only 5090 fans braved the wind on Friday night to watch the side stumble their way to a 2-1 loss to Central Coast - their third defeat on the bounce - and those figures won't rise if they keep losing.
The owners need to show some desire to make a quality signing or two to install some faith in the fans that they are serious about making the club a contender for the title.
Sure, they can talk about having an academy structure and a feeder team, which is important, but that won't create a superstar in the next two seasons.
The teams who have signed quality players like Brisbane Roar recruiting Thomas Broich or Melbourne Victory pulling in Harry Kewell look the most likely to be celebrating a grand final victory at the end of this campaign.
Another thing which wouldn't go amiss in the short term is some injury cover. How they can make Herbert work with a squad of 16, no genuine assistant and no goalkeeping coach is mind boggling.
Captain Andrew Durante said after losing to the Mariners on Friday that running with a thin roster was taking its toll on the players so something has to give.
Now, there are some hurdles: A) Their import quota is full so they can only sign Kiwis or Aussies and B) They can only be short-term injury replacements to cover Vince Lia, Lucas Pantelis or potentially Jimmy Downey.
But here's the thing: Why has Aaron Clapham been picked for every All Whites squad for the past two years - making him theoretically within New Zealand's 23 best footballers - but he can't secure a minimum contract with the Phoenix?
Instead the midfielder battles away in the ASB Premiership for Canterbury United, barely creating a stir.
Why does David Mulligan, who can play a range of positions, again make every national squad going but the Phoenix chose to release him last year?
Again, he is left to plod away in the amateur ranks of the New Zealand domestic competition.
These short-term signings wouldn't need to be superstars but they would offer depth to a squad, which appears to have already been ran ragged this year through injuries and suspensions.
This weekend they head across the Tasman to meet the high-flying Brisbane Roar and unless the form book gets turned upside down it might be painful viewing for seven blokes who own a football club in dire need of some new talent.
