Crossword Genius

Futile state of team that can't score? (13)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pointlessness

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'team that can't score?' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.

'futile state' is the wordplay.
'futile' becomes 'pointless' (I've seen this before).
'state' becomes 'ness' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'pointless'+'ness'='POINTLESSNESS'

'of' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for pointlessness that I've seen before include "that is demonstrated by blunt type" , "Futility" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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