On Sunday evening you could have heard a pin drop on Tottenham's return flight from Merseyside.
Not really surprising, given what had happened at Everton a few hours earlier. The 3-2 scoreline did not reflect what a cathartic afternoon it was for Spurs' losing players.
Their first-half capitulation goes straight into the club's shame, alongside the ignominy of being 5-0 down after 21 minutes at Newcastle in April 2023.
Tottenham have won once in ten Premier League games – at bottom club Southampton, who are on course to become one of the worst teams in the division's history in terms of points won.
Yet the feeling from Spurs since the loss to Everton – their fifth defeat in six league games – is that under-pressure boss Ange Postecoglou will continue to be supported.
While it is highly likely that the Australian will remain in charge during Sunday's visit to Leicester, it is recognized that results require a sharp improvement.
There is no indication that defeat against Ruud van Nistelrooy's relegation battlers would spell the end for Postecoglou, but scrutiny would increase if they do not win.
But for now, Tottenham is giving Postecoglou time. There are plenty of reasons for this, with the club's horrendous injury record being one of the main factors.
As Mail Sport revealed on Saturday, the club's record £65m signing Dominic Solanke has a knee injury that could rule him out for weeks. Brennan Johnson, the club's top scorer, will miss about four weeks due to a calf injury.
There are nine other players absent due to injury and the club accepts that Postecoglou has been dealt a brutal hand. There is a feeling that he should be judged when he has more players from his squad at his disposal, especially in defence, having been without centre-backs Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario for a long time.
Tottenham's recruitment team is working to strengthen the squad. But that's easier said than done. The transfer market evolves daily and the terms of deals are constantly changing.
For example, Tottenham's desire to sign a striker has been complicated by the injuries to Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus at Arsenal. The Gunners, who did not expect to enter the market for a new striker, are now looking for a new striker. That poses problems for Tottenham and clubs in a similar position.
Spurs need to take their share of the blame for that. Get your business done decisively and you'll be less likely to catch a cold.
While getting rid of Postecoglou would reassure some fans, it would present Daniel Levy with an even bigger problem as there is no clear candidate to replace him midway through the season.
Andoni Iraola at Bournemouth is one of the best managers in England, but why would he jump ship when his team are flying well above Spurs in the table?
Kieran McKenna at Ipswich has links with Tottenham, having coached in the academy and played for the club at junior level. But would he leave Portman Road in the middle of a relegation battle? Mail Sport also understands that removing McKenna from his contract would entail a significant compensation payment.
Spurs sporting director Johan Lange, who led the hunt for the club's only January signing so far – goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky – is said to admire Brentford boss Thomas Frank. Frank deserves a chance at a bigger club, but you wonder how Spurs fans will view the appointment.
Fulham's Marco Silva is also said to be a contender, while the club's evolving data-driven recruitment team would identify more candidates from abroad.
Still, joining a bottom-of-the-table team in the grip of an injury crisis isn't exactly the most enticing proposition. There is no feasible 'no-brainer' arrangement.
Furthermore, Romero, the club's vice-captain, will be a target for Spanish clubs this summer and is said to be open to a move away. Captain Son Heung-min will turn 33 before the start of next season.
Son is key for Postecoglou, while his value off the field in the lucrative Asian market is invaluable – although the striker's arrival of compatriot Yang Min-hyeok this month has big profit potential in the Far East.
But having lost Harry Kane and Son in the twilight of his career, it would be understandable for a new manager to be concerned about the striker. So with so much unrest, it seems logical that Tottenham would be inclined to stick with Postecoglou for the time being.
There is also a Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Liverpool looming, a draw they lead 1-0. Reaching Wembley would give Spurs a chance at the trophy they crave. However, losing at Anfield would put even more emphasis on Postecoglou's future.
As always in football, the way players view Postecoglou differs depending on who you talk to. Some still swear by their boss. Others are less convinced.
Certain players have privately complained about the demands of training and schedule. The club's injury list does not alleviate some players' concerns that their production will need to be reduced.
Staying in a hotel the day before the match, regardless of venue and kick-off time, has also caused consternation. However, it is reasonable that the club does not want to make long journeys on match days to ensure peace and quiet before kick-off.
The team's expansive, attacking approach – or, more relevantly, Postecoglou's apparent refusal to adapt it – is also seen as a factor behind the team's struggles.
However, one source close to the Spurs team believes he has identified a dilution of the gung-ho tactics that many pundits are citing as Tottenham's biggest failing.
There was shock within the squad when Postecoglou also dropped captain Son and James Maddison earlier this month. Both are big characters and such decisions often have consequences, especially if the results don't improve.
Still, it was a risk Postecoglou said was worth taking in the hope of doubling his authority and shaking off the malaise.
If Postecoglou is fired, he will at least have stuck to his principles. There's a lot to be said for that.
The manager is indeed well-liked at Spurs, but that jovial attitude from his early months at Spurs has waned, understandably given how their season has gone. “Tetchy” was the word one insider used.
The other side of the argument is that Postecoglou is a sore loser; maybe that's the kind of person you want to put in charge of your club.
But this is a Tottenham squad lacking in confidence and positivity. Postecoglou must raise them or he will have to face the consequences.
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