Wembley does not hold happy memories for Tottenham Hotspur. No positive memories were created on Wednesday night, either. Another defeat, to add to the one suffered against Monaco, has left Spurs in a challenging position in Group E and compounded a run of poor form that could quickly snowball into something rather serious.

Mauricio Pochettino delivered one of the best Spurs seasons in living memory in 2015/16 and 2016/17 had started equally well until their recent difficulties. Their return to the Champions League promised land took endless organisation - mainly around the midweek Wembley games - and was hyped up around the country. Their exciting, high-intensity football was meant to show the rest of Europe that the Premier League is recovering from its recent slumber.

Thus far, Spurs have not enjoyed a happy return to the Champions League. A difficult, if competitive, group has made things rather challenging without the presence of a considerably weaker team. Wednesday night, however, was the worst of the lot for Spurs.

Walker struggles

Kyle Walker

Kyle Walker's woe against Bayer Leverkusen - he was the target of their pressing throughout the night - led to one of his worst individual performances in years. His improved defensive reputation is well deserved, but the way he was harassed by the Leverkusen forwards will see him pressed by every side he faces from now on.

Leverkusen forced Spurs to play the ball to their right-back and Walker was all at sea throughout the game as a result.

End of defensive resilience

Toby Alderweireld

Spurs' almost faultless defensive record this season will be not last much longer should they perform like this on a regular basis. Pressed into countless mistakes and unable to retain possession for any period of time, Pochettino's side were fortunate not to be on the end of a humiliation.

This cannot all be placed on the shoulders of Toby Alderweireld's absence and gives a blueprint for Premier League sides to attack them.

Dreaded Stage Fright

Tottenham Hotspur v Bayer Leverkusen - UEFA Champions League Group Stage - Group E

In their second game at Wembley this season, Spurs were a phenomenal disappointment again. Having embarrassed themselves against Monaco, an improvement was needed and they could not produce it.

Maybe that big arch at the historic stadium just gives Spurs' players the wobbles.

Europa League beckons

Tottenham Hotspur v Bayer Leverkusen - UEFA Champions League Group Stage - Group E

Their future in the Champions League is in doubt and anything other than two victories in their remaining two games will probably see a return to Thursday night, Europa League football.

Yes, that's right, Spurs' Champions League expedition could be over before Christmas and its hard to quantify how harmful that could be to their morale.

Fearful Sunday

FC Barcelona v Arsenal - UEFA Champions League Round of 16 Second Leg

As if things couldn't get much worse for Spurs right now, they've got a North London derby this weekend.

Against the in-form Gunners, Pochettino might be worried, or he could see this match as the perfect opportunity to turn their fortunes around. Either way, the flowing attacking football Arsenal have produced of late could humiliate Spurs if they perform as they did against Leverkusen.