Former Tottenham manager Tim Sherwood has defended his successor Mauricio Pochettino from criticism, stating that the players must carry the responsibility for the club's struggles.
Spurs return from the international break with an 11-point deficit to make up in the hunt for Champions League football again next season, with the gap potentially being extended this weekend if they cannot defeat West Ham.
With the struggles on the field, questions have started to emerge on Pochettino 's future at the club and there are widespread claims that this weekend's match is do or die for the Argentine.
However, Sherwood believes that it is the players who must carry the blame for the club's continued struggles during the season so far.
“I don’t blame the manager, I blame the players. They have to look at themselves and have that bravery when things are not going well to get on the ball in dangerous areas and really take the game to the opposition," he told TalkSport.
“Because, at the moment, a few of them look like they’re hiding. When you have a bad run of form you always look for excuses why, and everyone is pointing to the obvious one, which is the uncertainly amongst the squad.
“Three or four players are out of contract and others are coming quite close to running their contracts down next year. That’s not what Pochettino wants, he wants players who are going to be there for the long-term. But, you still need to get the best out of what you’ve got.”
Sherwood also spoke about the importance of this weekend's London derby with West Ham, where two under-fire lock horns and are in need of a result.
“Both teams are having a bad time of it. Not many are having a worse time than Tottenham, but fortunately enough West Ham are. Tottenham desperately need three points. They need to pick up some form, get their best players on the pitch and hopefully they can play with confidence.
“It’s so important to make sure you’re in the top four for the Champions League next season, and at the moment they’ve got a uphill task to try to achieve that.
“I still back them to put a run together, I think they’re capable of going ten game unbeaten. You wouldn’t suggest that on their current form, but Pochettino has built a good squad of players and they just need to perform.”
