Tottenham threw away another two-goal lead – this time in a behind closed doors friendly defeat with boss Antonio Conte still away in Italy.
Spurs are limbering up for the resumption of the Premier League where they face a fight on their hands for a top-four finish.
Doom and gloom has surrounded the club in recent weeks following their exit from the FA Cup and Champions League.
A late defeat at Wolves followed by last Saturday’s collapse at Southampton sparked a fiery outburst from Conte criticising his players and the ownership.
Conte subsequently boarded a flight to his homeland and has not yet returned to London.
It has left the Italian’s position at the club in major doubt with suggestions he is set to be axed as head coach.
The drama doesn’t appear to have subsided after Spurs again crumbled from a winning position – his time at the hands of League One side Ipswich.
The friendly took place at Tottenham’s training ground and included a number of the club’s senior stars who were not called up for international duty.
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The game lasted 70 minutes and was not accessible to supporters.
One positive for Spurs fans was the welcome return of captain Hugo Lloris who had been on the sidelines since picking up a knee injury last month.
Lucas Moura and Japhet Tanganga handed Spurs a two-goal lead but, after Lloris was substituted, Ipswich scored three times without reply.
Spurs’ run-in will see them battle it out with Newcastle, Brighton and Liverpool for a top four place.
Hugo Lloris made a welcome return from injury in the friendly[/caption]
Conte’s side are clinging on to fourth place with ten games to go.
They hold a two-point lead over Newcastle but Eddie Howe’s side have two games in hand.
Liverpool are six-points adrift with two games in hand and Brighton share the same points as the Reds but have played three games less than Spurs.
Tottenham face a number of key fixtures after the international break including a home clashes with Brighton and Manchester United and trips to Everton and Newcastle.`