The end

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What on God's green earth was that?

I could probably sit here and attempt to constructive excuses based on the games most controversial incident - Paulinho's straight red card - and that this gave Liverpool an extra three second half goals to rout us in the pouring rain. I 'could'. But I won't. How can I when the harsh reality is that we could have played with 11 men for 11 days and not got anywhere near scoring 1 goal.

Hugo Lloris entertained us with more indecisive hilarity but even his zany hiccups sweeping like a demented Dick van Dyke on the rooftops isn't a strong enough reason to look for blame or excuses and tag it onto the single person. Sure, it didn't help matters. Neither did the red card which wasn't malicious and without a doubt killed the game dead for us. Fact is, Spurs lost this because Liverpool outclassed us. Or more to the point, they played with more zip, determination and focus than we were able to muster up. This is happening too often. This psychological switch that seems to flick off more often than on.

Early signs suggested that the visitors would find comfort quicker than us. Not sure if the irony bomb dropped into the middle of White Hart Lane was the key reason for our surrender but it almost feels like this much sought after sacrifice that many of us have asked from Andre Villas-Boas has backfired. A case of wanting too much of one thing and not allowing our coach to stick to his principles and philosophy. The truly negative thing is, if Villas-Boas has changed his methods to appease the ones calling for change, then that is a road that might prove to be far too long and winding to find a way back from.

What I mean by this is that Tottenham have been very much a possession based side. The issue is we've struggled to do anything with the possession but the positive has been that opposing sides have struggled to break us down. However, the cracks have appeared - not because of the possession tactic but because of the lack of invention up front - meaning pressure is piled on. West Ham at home, Newcastle at home  - examples of when it explodes in our faces.

So, AVB allows for slightly more expansive football (compared to the more deliberate play) and thus the opposing side has far more space to attack.

The biggest issue is that if Liverpool are able to play with such quick paced movement with the players they have, why - with our wealth of talent - are we not able to do the same?

Simply put?

Tottenham have no identity to their style.

We might not a style until next season. How can we when key components are not available or still don't work?  Next season is not feasible especially if Champions League isn't claimed. AVB's stubbornness and the lack of patience has created a tipping point.

What was in his control is now out of his control. Question is, was it ever in his control to start with?