Sherwood hopes for final fling with Spurs

birmingham — Tim Sherwood will attempt to press his claims to remain in charge at Tottenham by securing a victory over West Bromwich Albion on Saturday that would keep alive his side’s fading top four hopes.

Sherwood’s chances of retaining his job beyond the end of this season appear slim with reports of Spurs’ interest in Holland coach Louis van Gaal gathering strength.

But Sherwood, who was hired on an 18-month contract after succeeding Andre Villas-Boas earlier this season, will enhance his reputation if he can revive the club’s season in the final five games of the campaign.

Tottenham visit the Hawthorns in sixth place, five points behind Arsenal in fourth and four points behind Everton who have a game in hand.

Games are running out for the north London outfit, but their 5-1 victory over Sunderland on Monday provided a timely confidence boost. And a repeat against another Premier League struggler will certainly increase the pressure on north London rivals Arsenal, who are on FA Cup semi-final duty this weekend.

The win against Sunderland brought two more goals for Emmanuel Adebayor whose return to form has been one of the successes of Sherwood’s brief time in charge. Christian Eriksen, the Denmark playmaker who arrived at the club from Ajax last year, contributed a goal and three assists to maintain his recent progress after an inconsistent first season in the Premier League.

The goal took Eriksen’s tally to nine in 31 appearances and the player insists he has been happy with his contribution at his new club. “It’s been a pleasure playing here. I’m looking forward to the final games of the season,” Eriksen said. “I knew it would be difficult from the beginning and it has been. —

I’m looking forward to the final games of the season

Eriksen