AVB does not have the players to turn his vision into reality

TRANSITION or crisis? I’m not sure of the answer — probably a bit of both.

It is evident that AVB is trying to facilitate a different type of football but it is also perfectly evident that he does not have the personnel to turn his ideas into a reality.

It’s like trying to perform open heart surgery with a knife and fork — risky even under perfect circumstances, but nigh on impossible without the correct tools.

I’ve always considered myself a fairly level headed supporter. I like AVB, I like how he has handled himself, I get what he is trying to do and I am prepared to give him the time to do it. However, I do think that a staged passage from what we have now to his ideal playing style is the only way to go.

We should develop step by step, as and when the correct type of players are brought on board — not try and force square pegs into round holes — you do that and you get what we witnessed against Liverpool — confused players — AVB shouting instructions continually from the touchline, players caught in possession, errors and panic — need I go on?

As a man who studied under Jose, I also thought Villas-Boas would be more considered in the man management side of the job too. Mourinho once stated he didn’t like players playing against their old clubs — he felt there was too much emotion involved for them to follow instructions. I didn’t necessarily agree with that but accepted that he did and at least had obviously thought about it. I’m not so sure Villas-Boas has considered this issue as much as perhaps he should have.

Giving Torres seven minutes against his former club was not only completely pointless — it was also humiliating. What exactly was he meant to do in seven minutes? What does it tell Torres? At best the striker will be frustrated. AVB is an intelligent guy — he knew Torres would be under the spotlight in this game more than any other. Give him enough time to make a difference or just don’t bother playing him at all.

Putting Torres on with seven minutes to go said: “I don’t trust you to play for 90 but I’m desperate.” !

I would imagine that no one expects AVB to win the league but now, more than ever, we need to remain within that hallowed top four at the end of the season — and that looks a big ask at the moment.

Financial fair play means that Champions League money is imperative; quality players too want to play at the highest level and that’s before you even consider sponsors.

With more teams having access to the kind of funds that allow them to compete for a top four finish, falling away could lead to years in the wilderness. It’s not a question of whether we fans are prepared for that — it’s whether Abramovich is prepared for that — he has not been known for his patience in the past has he? I don’t want to lose AVB but he needs to do something because at the moment we look like we’re going backwards, whereas clubs like Arsenal and Liverpool are pulling themselves out of the mire.

City and United look comfortable and Newcastle and Tottenham may have form for falling away but this year they may just doggedly hold on — and where does all that leave us? In a second class European trophy....if we’re lucky.