Tottenham Hotspur captain Hugo Lloris has admitted that his side need to question their mental fortitude following their recent dip in form.
Mauricio Pochettino's side have lost three and won just one of their last five games across all competitions, including an FA Cup semi-final defeat which saw their hopes of ending a 10-year trophy drought ended for another season.
Saturday's late 1-0 loss to a rejuvenated West Bromwich Albion also left Spurs needing wins from their final two games of the season to guarantee a top-four spot which looked all but wrapped up a month ago, and Lloris has urged his side to keep on fighting until the very end of the campaign.
"We are in a period of the season where - and it is the same for every team - we don't have the freshness that we had in September, October and November. It is difficult to play in every game with the same intensity. We do need to question ourselves and realise that the next two games are very important for the future of the club and the future of every player in the dressing room," he told reporters.
"I think we need to put into our minds that it is going to be difficult until the end. Until the last game. Until the last minute against Leicester because we are in the Premier League and we are fighting against Liverpool, against Chelsea for the top four and they are both top clubs. They are used to competing and playing at this level.
"Now it is all mental. It is not about fitness or physical condition. It is mental and in this game we lacked a bit of aggression in key moments. It's a bit disappointing because we could have managed the end of the season in a better way. It is up to us. But we need to stay confident and keep believing in ourselves. It is not the moment for doubt."
Tottenham's final two games of the season both come at home, against Newcastle United on Wednesday and Leicester City on Sunday.
Barney Corkhill
