Lampard has been a virtual ever-present in the Blues side when fit over the past few years but Villas-Boas has made it clear he will drop any player that is underperforming. And the manager decided it was in Chelsea's best interests for Lampard to be replaced after the opening 45 minutes at Manchester United on Sunday, when United were leading 3-0. Nicolas Anelka came on and his introduction paid immediate dividends as Fernando Torres was played in for a goal that reduced Chelsea's arrears, although they could not complete the comeback. Villas-Boas maintains that not much should be read into Lampard's withdrawal, stressing that the England international will continue to play a vital part all season. "Those are the decisions that we had to make, bearing in mind the result at half-time," Villas-Boas explained on Sky Sports News. "It was an attacking substitution that we thought would be right, not because Lamps was playing bad because he wasn't. He was having quite an impact in the game. "It was just something we had to do to adapt the team to a more attacking style, not that he doesn't give attacking style because he does and he has proven it throughout his career. "Nothing dramatic. Frank is a fantastic player and will be one of our key players for the rest of the season." Villas-Boas refused to get drawn into a debate on Fernando Torres' state of mind following his horror miss against United. The Spaniard squandered a glorious opportunity in the closing stages with the goal gaping after going round David de Gea. Prior to that embarrassing moment he had performed better but, having been in poor form for such a long time, there has been plenty of discussion about how the miss will affect Torres' confidence. "It is not a question about an individual player. We are very happy with how the team has responded and we have managed two days' training," Villas-Boas said ahead of Wednesday's Carling Cup tie at home to Fulham. "Everybody has come back strong and with the correct frame of mind to change from one competition to another." Villas-Boas plans to make changes for the midweek clash with the Cottagers but is still determined to go as far as he can in the Carling Cup. "Opportunities will be given to our youngest players," he said. "We have to put ourselves of course in a situation where we can try to win the game and try to continue in the competition."
