Tottenham are back to square one as the problems continue to mount for boss Jose Mourinho

In the aftermath of Tottenham’s 3-1 defeat at the hands of Sheffield United, a despondent Jose Mourinho discussed his side’s mental fragility – an issue that has been present at the club for quite some time.

‘You have to be ready to cope with negative moments and go to the last minute,’ Mourinho said, after watching his side collapse in emphatic fashion at Bramall Lane. 

‘Now I know more the profile of my players. I felt it. I feared that in the second half we wouldn’t be strong enough to cope.’

The Portuguese manager’s words were damning, but it is not something Spurs fans didn’t already know about their side.

In fact, it was a large criticism that was directed at Mauricio Pochettino during his final 18 or so months at the club before he was ultimately sacked earlier this season.

And while there were a couple of controversial incidents involving VAR that went against Spurs on Thursday, their defending against the Blades was, at times, shambolic.

While the Blades had to carve through Mourinho’s defence to get the first goal, Lys Mousset’s second and Oli McBurnie’s third for the hosts were like a knife through hot butter – it was far too easy.

Lys Mousset (No 22) caught Eric Dier sleeping as he tapped home for the Blades’ second goal

Oli McBurnie got in front of Davinson Sanchez to put the result beyond doubt late on

Yes, Spurs can feel hard done by after VAR ludicrously ruled out Harry Kane’s equaliser seconds after the opener, but their inability to dust themselves off and kick on exposed the task Mourinho has on his hands.

Eric Dier, who has performed admirably at centre-back since the campaign resumed, was caught napping and allowed an unmarked Mousset to tap in from three yards out.

McBurnie added a third six minutes from the end after getting goal-side of Davinson Sanchez to all but end Spurs’ dreams of securing Champions League football for next season.

For a third successive game, Toby Alderweireld was nowhere to be seen, prompting fans to question why arguably their best defender hasn’t been involved.

Veteran defender Jan Vertonghen made a cameo appearance at Bramall Lane but his time at the club will come to an end once the current campaign finishes, leaving Spurs with a gap to fill.

Toby Alderweireld is yet to make an appearance for Tottenham post-lockdown

However, the coronavirus pandemic will likely prevent Daniel Levy from splashing the cash and stop Mourinho from reinforcing areas of his squad that desperately need it.

A new full-back appears to be high on the agenda while a defensive midfielder is another spot the team needs to fill.

Tanguy Ndombele, who made his first appearance post-lockdown as a second-half substitute against the Blades, still has questions hanging over his head on whether he has a future under Mourinho following a reported falling out between the pair.

Missing out on Champions League football will only further hinder Spurs, leaving them with little resources to improve a squad that needs freshening up.

There is also the worrying prospect of Harry Kane leaving his boyhood club, should results not improve. 

Persistent questions still linger over the club’s record signing Tanguy Ndombele (left)

Harry Kane could end up leaving Tottenham if the club fail to match his title ambitions

Spurs’ talismanic forward admitted during lockdown that he would seek a move away from White Hart Lane if the club failed to match his ambitions in winning silverware.

Going off recent results and this season’s form, Tottenham look a long way from doing that, especially when it is considered the strength of Liverpool and Manchester City’s squads, while Chelsea look set to challenge from next season.

It remains to be seen whether Mourinho can work his magic with his current crop of players but the Portuguese boss will be given the benefit of the doubt seeing as he hasn’t completed a full campaign at the club yet.

However, with the well running dry, Champions League football unlikely and the daunting prospect of their biggest names leaving, Spurs find themselves staring at a very uncertain future.