CARLOS Edwards admits that Ipswich Town might have to recruit another striker, to finally get their season up and running.
But the inability of Roy Keane's men to find the back of the net - it's now just 17 goals in 17 games - has left them stuck in the bottom three, a distant four points away from safety.
“We've solved our defensive problems, but I think we do need a striker with a proven record of scoring at his level,” revealed Edwards.
“We do need a striker with a killer instinct in front of goal.
“It's sometimes a case of going in that extra yard to break a leg, though not literally of course; it's often just a toe-poke that results in a goal.
“Some of our strikers have not scored for so many games. They lack confidence in front of goal.
“Yet the goals can come from anywhere. Just look at our win over Derby, when a defender (David Wright) scored the winner.
“It usually comes down to the players believing in themselves. The manager believes in them, but the players have to believe in themselves as well,” added Edwards.
The transfer deadline for emergency loan deals ends on Thursday, by which time Keane will hope to have recruited a new player, almost certainly a striker.
The Irishman did make changes for Saturday's stalemate. He handed Owen Garvan his first appearance for three months, and also gave a run-out to Lee Martin up front.
Edwards himself was actually surprised that he kept his place in the team.
“I was surprised that I started today, after my last two performances (against Derby and at Reading), which were poor. But the manager has kept faith in me,” continued Edwards.
“Roy Keane is a top man. Everyone has their dark side, but he needs his players to help him and make his job easier.
“It's hard for him to accept not winning, because of his past, when he won more than he lost. Winning is everything for him.
“He has mellowed since our days together at Sunderland. He has learnt from his mistakes.
“I'm no golden boy. He makes it known when he's not happy with what's going on, and you have got to know how to take constructive criticism.
“I'm ambitious, just as the manager is. I won promotion at Sunderland, which was a sweet feeling.
“We must look at the positives again. We're on an unbeaten run (six games) and I think that things are taking off already, rather than about to take off.
“We are gelling together and we are strong as a unit.
“And we can't ask for any more from our fans. They have given us such good support, like at the last away game at Reading. I was surprised but joyful with that support, considering the position that we are in. We need all the support that we can get,” concluded Edwards.