'Own worst enemy': Reaction to Sheffield United's error-filled defeat to Tottenham

A victory over Bristol Rovers in the FA Cup last Saturday gave the Blades their mojo back and that carried on into Tuesday when the first three points of the season were secured against Newcastle.

However, that spirit was broken after just five minutes against Tottenham when poor defending from a corner saw United fall behind to a Serge Aurier headr.

Harry Kane doubled the lead after Ollie Norwood had given the ball away in the middle of the park before a spark of life came into the home side through David McGoldrick’s header.

It didn’t last too long, though and after another Norwood error, Tanguy Ndombele finished superbly to all but kill the game off as Jose Mourinho’s men sat back and comfortable ran out easy winners.

Blades fans, for the most part, looked to mistakes as the main reason behind the demoralising defeat.

On twitter @AntSSimo19 posted: “Defensively horrific. Spurs only went up the gears when they needed to. Keane and Souness honesty is spot on. Way off being good enough to compete at this level. A massive rebuild is gonna be required when this season finally ends.”

And @Cammy_Bags said: “Think that’s the first game I can’t actually take any positives from. Were there any?”

@gill_carly rested the blame on mistakes rather than the display, saying: “It wasn’t the best performance but it wasn’t the worst & we didn’t get outplayed. We created a good amount of chances & even scored a good goal. But yet again, poor individual errors cost us goals & games. Has to stop. It’s so sad to see us like this.”

And @artw86 posted similar: “Individual errors are constantly chipping away at the little confidence that remains, and the lack of confidence leads to more individual errors and poor decisions. It's a vicious cycle and one that will be very difficult to break.”

'Looks short of confidence', 'Taken out of the firing line' - Player ratings from Sheffield United's defeat from Tottenham Hotspur

@artw86 said: “That was a really tough watch. No surprise that Spurs pressed us and we couldn't handle it. It's been the same story all season. The Newcastle win was a false dawn because they let us have the ball.”

And @unitedite added: “Back foot from the off, concede a soft goal and don't do basics to see it through to half time and go again. Pull one back and pushing them back, but don't give ourselves the chance to exploit the situation that Spurs have failed in recently. Own worst enemy.”

Some fans continue to keep the faith.

Sheffield United hit by huge suspension blow for Man Utd clash to add to misery of defeat to Tottenham

@naclayton78 said: “Newcastle victory gave us some slim hope of survival. But none of us expected us to take points from THFC, MUFC or MCFC on this seasons form. We move on and carry on supporting the boys.”

@Chris_W_Woo added: “The most important thing for us is beating the teams around us. Beat the Albion after the Manchester games and hope for results to go our way and [thumbs up].”

And @JimmyTheBlade1 posted: “Levels. Some Blades would do well to recognise not only where we are currently, but also how far we’ve come, and how quickly.”