Uninspired team need an angry man to wake them up

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: Tottenham and their lacklustre players are not set up for a relegation dogfight, and will have to work extremely hard to keep their place in the top flight. Assistant coach Tim Sherwood is of the same opinion, and has shown concern for his players’ attitudes:

“[Harry Redknapp] cares. He’s passionate about the game and, if he’s not getting the results, then he’s got the hump, like all of us have.

“Unfortunately, what I’m finding more and more is that managers and coaches actually care a lot more than the players, which is a real shame. But it’s a fact.

“The transfer window’s gone now and we’re going to see which players want a long-term future at Spurs from now until the end of the season.

Sherwood believes the return of Robbie Keane will have a positive impact on the team, not just for his goalscoring ability, but because the Irishman “cares” enough to get angry about a loss. In a post-match dressing room where defeated players silently pick their noses and nonchalantly organise nightclub visits via text message, the anger factor could play a huge part in rousing team spirit. This, according to Sherwood, is why Spurs were so keen to bring Craig Bellamy and his pitching wedge to White Hart Lane:

“That’s why we tried so hard to get Craig Bellamy because we’ve got a lot of nice guys at the club and, no disrespect, but Craig Bellamy is not very nice.

“The guy is a winner and he’ll let people know if they’re not pulling their weight.”

Spoiler bonus: Find out if Tottenham can beat the drop with the help of our Interactive Relegation Predictor

On today’s proof, he’s totally fiiiine….

Yes people, on the very same day that old man Beckham is likely to be staggering around the midfield for England against the mighty Croatians, “crocked” Steven Gerrard has been spotted enjoying a competitive training session at Liverpool HQ.

Seems Sherwood might be right after all.

How far would you travel to have a load of drunks call you a fat, useless wanker?

Ex-Tottenham, Blackburn and England man Tim Sherwood has waded into the debate about the levels of enthusiasm experienced by the national team when they pull on the shirt. “If Capello gets them in a room and says: ‘It will never come out from here and I will give you the perfect alibi - how many of you do not want to play for England anymore?’ 70 per cent of that squad would put their hands up,” he insists. “Not talking about the guys who have one, two, three or four caps - I am talking about the ones who have 36 or 40 caps. They would jack it in.”Assuming that he means over 36 caps, that would remove the following names from the current squad: David James, Paul Robinson, Rio Ferdinand, Ashley Cole, John Terry, David Beckham, Frank Lampard, Joe Cole, Emile Heskey and Wayne Rooney.

“Does Frank Lampard really want to be out there taking that sort of abuse?” continues Sherwood, “I don’t think he does.”

Fair point.

[The Telegraph]