Toronto FC general manager Tim Bezbatchenko now has the unenviable task of convincing supporters of two things post-collapse:

That the Reds are better than they were this time last year — an undeniable fact, as far as this scribe is concerned.

And, more importantly, that he and head coach Greg Vanney are the men to lead this club into 2015 and beyond.

Public perception is working against them. Toronto FC’s top brass — former bench boss Ryan Nelsen included — were always in tough to achieve the lofty expectations thrust upon it prematurely.

And when the Reds inexplicably won in Seattle on opening day, the expectations were no longer achievable.

Truth be told, the Reds have solid pieces all over the park in Joe Bendik, Steven Caldwell, Justin Morrow, Michael Bradley and Gilberto. They have solid MLS depth, too.

They have, according to everyone at the club, a good enough roster to make the playoffs as is.

That presents a problem: Either the club misjudged its talent, or the Reds have yet to find a manager capable of getting the most out of this group.

For me, it’s the former. Vanney hasn’t had time to shoulder responsibility for this roster, or late-season collapse.

So, for Bezbatchenko it’s about stepping to the mic: Was replacing Nelsen midseason the correct decision?

And if it was, why are the Reds more red-faced than ever?

SOBER SECOND THOUGHTS

Vanney alluded to raised expectations post-game Saturday.

Following a 3-1 loss to the Red Bulls, the first-year head coach mentioned names on a paper as not being enough.

“On paper, there’s a lot to be excited about,” Vanney said. “But there are so many things you can’t predict over the course of nine months.”

Like injuries. World Cups. Long-haul flights to London by certain Designated Players. And managerial changes.

“These guys went through a lot of those things,” Vanney continued. “There were little points here and there that we left on the table.”

But are the pieces in place to pick them up next season?

“You can’t keep starting over year after year,” Vanney added. “We have to have an identity and philosophy we buy into.

“There’s no real need for this team to be blown up.”

LIVIN’ ON A PRAYER

The Reds aren’t dead yet.

But they’re on the gurney being read their last rites, especially when you consider Michael Bradley (accumulation) and Nick Hagglund (ejection) are suspended for next weekend’s match.

Should TFC win its two remaining games — home to Montreal Saturday and away to New England the following weekend — they’ll have a chance as long as the Columbus Crew lose back-to-back games against New York and Philly.

In simpler terms, if the surging Crew collect a single point through their final two games, it’s over.

Toronto FC’s locker room was akin to a wake post-game Saturday in Harrison, N.J.

Heads hung. Players spoke softly.

In other words, nothing we haven’t witnessed before.

SOMETHING TO PONDER

An MLSE staffer posed a question prior to Saturday’s match.

“Who’s Toronto FC’s season MVP?” he asked.

He wanted a player’s name.

The more I think about it, though, how about renaming the award Most Valuable Persons?

Nobody would argue with handing that out to long-suffering supporters who just want something to be proud of.

Convoluted answers aside, you’d be hard pressed to find someone who doesn’t believe fullback Justin Morrow has been TFC’s most consistent player this season.

Then again, it took be a while to answer the question when it was presented to me.

THE BIG NUMBER

Fifty two: The number of goals Toronto FC has conceded this season after the Reds failed to find a capable veteran to partner at the back with Caldwell. Now, centre back Doneil Henry looks poised to get yet another chance after Hagglund picked up a red card at Red Bull Arena on the weekend.