There is an aching familiarity to the Fire’s roster situation as 2017 unfolds its sooty wings and emerges - sticky, preening and blinking baleful intent - from the horrifying chrysalis that was 2016. As usual, there’s just enough there that it’s possible to make an argument that maybe, just maybe this collection of footballers in CF97 livery are more promising than the last several assemblages - each of which were, in their time, maybe, just maybe better than their predecessors.
Every effort to really understand the roster situation is met by blandishments and obfuscation.