• Premier League

Sherwood: Spurs have gambled on me

Tim Sherwood admitted the West Brom draw felt like "a kick in the privates" © Getty Images

Enlarge

Tottenham boss Tim Sherwood admitted the club have taken "a gamble" on hiring the first-time boss until the end of next season.

Sherwood watched on as Spurs stumbled to another poor result at home as they could only claim a 1-1 draw against relegation-threatened West Brom. The solitary point did little to enhance Tottenham's reputation as title contenders as they slipped to eighth on the ladder.

And after the match, Sherwood said the club was taking a risk in appointing him as the replacement for the sacked Andre Villas-Boas.

"It's a gamble because I've never done it before," the 44-year-old said. "But there are a lot of good managers who had never done it before and become a success.

"I was never a professional footballer until I stepped on to the field."

However, the former Spurs midfielder has refuted suggestions he is just keeping the position warm until the club's board find a better-equipped manager.

"I regard [that] as an insult, but it is only an insult if I go and win all the games," Sherwood said.

"What can we do? If we win all the games and someone else comes in and keeps it and brings someone else in after I've won the league then I'm going to Real Madrid."

On the home draw, Sherwood said he shared the fans' disappointment, admitting the result felt like "a kick in the privates".

"The fans will be disappointed, obviously. I understand that,'' Sherwood said. "We are at home and, with respect, against West Brom you should be winning.

"It's a game we should have won. We should have played better and we are capable of playing better. It was a poor free kick to give away and we were unable to clear it. It was a kick in the privates to be honest. I thought we could be a bit more adventurous around the penalty box and show a little more guile."

Download ESPN's new UK sport app, a fresh and powerful new way to follow your favourite UK sports news, scores and video.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd