If we really want to be league contenders (I mean not just saying it but meaning it) the question to ask is; would Lia, Mac, Daniel, Hearfield....... make the Roar or GCU starting 11 or even their benches - the answer seems a very obvious no except for maybe Hearfield because of his versatility.
If they are not good enough for the Roar or GCU then they're not good enough for us.
Players like Ifill, Hernandez, Kruse, Culina, van Djyk, are the bench mark - of course you can't afford to have a team of players of this calibre but you need them in key positions complemented by a backbone of solid players.
In Dura, Brown, Sigmund, Paston...... we have the backbone we just lack a class striker and play maker.
P.S. I really think we need a couple of big signings - not just for on the field reasons but also off the field - this season has been very disappointing for many fans - not just results wise but the quality has been poor. A couple of "names" will help reignite the support base.
I know, I know; $s.