• Premier League

Paulinho unhappy with life at Tottenham

Tottenham midfielder Paulinho has revealed a lack of playing time under Tim Sherwood has left him feeling unhappy at White Hart Lane.

Speaking to Globo Esporte, Paulinho admitted he has struggled to settle in England following his £17 million move from Corinthians last summer and had problems overcoming the language barrier.

The 25-year-old missed Sunday's 4-0 drubbing at Liverpool due to an eye infection and, having not featured since a substitute appearance in the 1-0 defeat to Arsenal earlier this month, has found a place in Sherwood's starting XI is far from assured.

"I always want to play," Paulinho said. "I understand the team rotation because that's how it works here, but I am not feeling well or comfortable. I want to be present, I want to play.

"The language is the most complicated thing as I am lazy about studying. I am learning little by little, but I don't understand everything.

"The football language is easier, that's not a problem on the pitch."

Tim Sherwood insists he has learned more about Tottenham watching from the stands © PA Photos

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However, Spurs have endured plenty of problems on the pitch recently and the hammering at Anfield has only increased the mounting pressure on his Sherwood's position.

With Louis van Gaal reportedly waiting in the wings, the head coach's team selection and management style during games is coming under greater scrutiny.

Sherwood took up a seat in the directors' box to watch Tottenham's collapse at Liverpool, a view that he has recently preferred than observing from the touchline.

His decision to view the shambolic performance from the stands drew criticism from the travelling fans but, despite acknowledging their demand for a pitch-side presence, Sherwood insisted he learned more watching from afar.

"They are entitled to have an opinion," Sherwood said. "I have sat up there for the last few games and I get a better view of the game. It's a learning curve for me because when the team is not going so well they want to see you.

"They know me well enough to know I am not shirking any responsibility. I am in it with the team. It's my responsibility as well as the guys on the pitch. At 2-0 and the game going away and then 3-0, I am going to learn more from my players from sitting up there and having a good look at it, rather than getting involved and maybe getting myself in trouble of the touchline.

"You have seen enough of me ranting and raving, but it's time for me to start assessing and taking a step back and looking what we need to do for the future, because our performances against teams in the top four and the teams above us have not been good enough, so I learnt a lot there today."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd