WeeFranco

Would you really go from C/L winning Porto, to multi trophy winning Chelsea, to C/L winning Inter, to La Liga champions Real Madrid and then go to Tottenham Hotspur? I'm not convinced Spurs would be willing to pay out for Jose, or that they would embrace his tactics, or his media baiting antics. Jose back at Chelsea is a mad idea. But then, both Chelsea and Jose are a bit mad anyway - so, how could you put it past him?

No, I realise that. I was saying AVB shouldn't expect Roman to help him out with his bully problem.

Right. And it's AVB's job to find a solution to this. He's well paid to make it work, whatever the obstacles andn if he's any good then he will. He shouldn't be calling out to Roman for back up. It won't happen.

Totally agree. We need to support our old stars with experienced up and comers so we can risk phasing in a bit of youth too.

Despite everything, I was still happy enough to stick with AVB for the long haul. He's a good young manager who probably took the Chelsea job a few years too early - that's bad news for us now in terms of results, but what if he finds his feet in the next few years and realises his full potential with us? - he could be great. And there's no knowing how far would that early show of faith could carry us. The problem is the players don't believe in him and his tactics are confusing. He doesn't seem to believe in a best 11, which echoes Ranieri and Benitez. And now there seems to be a push to reassemble Chelsea with the components of his winning Porto side - an expensive venture that worked for Jose, but would push costs through the roof for AVB. So now we have a impasse - Roman put his reputation on the line investing in a young manager and so far it's a gamble that hasn't paid off. Does he stick to his guns and stump up for the players AVB feels he needs, or does he cut his losses and appoint someone else? Hiddink's appointment proved we could still catch fire and easily get 3rd if someone could come in and inspire the players. But, another quick fix? Not for me. I'd rather AVB was backed with a few of the players he wants, but not the overpriced ones.

I agree. That was a hard lesson.

I don't doubt his ability. But do we really want to get into another embarassing expensive bidding game over one player who may or may not click when what we really need is a rock solid, road tested CB and a pair of devastating wingers.

There's nothing wrong with Torres as a player, he just doesn't suit the side. Nobody wants to admit he's a flop, but we've probably waited long enough for him to fire. Would you pin your hopes on him against Napoli? Or would you go for Sturridge? We should probably cash in and try and recoup some of that 50M in the summer - and spend it on a world class CB.