UNITED legend Carl Veart believes the Reds are suffering an identity crisis fuelled by a poor leadership.

Veart refused to blame coach Rini Coolen for the club's worst start in history but expressed disappointment with some signings and questioned the appointment of Luciano Trani as the Dutchman's assistant.

Coolen headhunted Wellington Phoenix assistant Trani after former Socceroo John Aloisi turned down the role before taking over Melbourne Heart's youth team.

Veart said not replacing the qualities and off-field characteristics of players like ex-captain Travis Dodd, former vice-captain Lucas Pantelis, Marcos Flores, Paul Reid and Adam Hughes was a calamity waiting to happen.

"This squad needs a (former skipper) Ross Aloisi in there and a big kick up the backside," Veart said.

"Losing Travis, Reidy, Hughesy, Marcos and Lucas in one hit ... they were a huge influence in the dressing room.

"They've decided to rip the heartbeat out of the dressing room and the players that were left behind, some haven't had the character to carry it.

"Morale is down and it hasn't picked up.

"And I don't believe Luciano has had playing experience at the same level of some players and they're switching off."

Veart - scorer of Adelaide's first historic goal in 2003 and the A-League's first goal in a 1-0 away win over Newcastle Jets in 2005 - was made redundant just days before pre season started in May.

He claims Coolen told him he was the club's most knowledgable brain alongside ex interim Reds boss Phil Stubbins. He is now enjoying an assistant's role at SASI with coach Tony Vidmar.

Veart was credited with signing Johnny Warren medallist Flores after watching the Argentinean play live in Chile.

He still believes the squad has quality but Adelaide will continue to suffer from an identity crisis if it doesn't give young local players opportunities.

"Don't tell me youngsters like (MetroStars) Jackson Groves and (Blue Eagles) Kym Harris aren't good enough to be in the squad after they excelled in the Super League," Veart said.

"We've got the talent, just give them a chance.

"I think if you give the talent some time and work with them they'll prove they'll come through.

"A lot of these young boys have the hunger but they also need hope and a line to get to the top.

"When I was a teenager I came from Whyalla at 17, was given a chance at Salisbury and then went to play for Adelaide City under Zoran Matic."

Veart and Stubbins handed the Reds 2010-11 squad to the Dutchman in premium shape when Coolen arrived two weeks before kick off.

Coolen was heralded as the club's saviour when the Reds broke a then A-League record undefeated streak of 13 games until Brisbane Roar ended the run with a 4-0 win at Suncorp Stadium in November 2010.

Adelaide since has won 11, drawn four and lost 13 times, scoring 39 goals and conceding 45.

Originally published as The verdict on Reds: No heart, no soul