Sherwood hits out at Hoddle after criticism of Spurs’ body language at Anfield

Tim Sherwood PA Wire/Press Association Images

Tim Sherwood has hit out at Glenn Hoddle for his criticism of Tottenham’s body language in the build-up to their 4-0 defeat at Anfield on Sunday.

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Glenn Hoddle Glenn Hoddle

Former Spurs boss Hoddle managed Sherwood at White Hart Lane between 2001-03, and observed the weekend’s clash against Liverpool as a pundit for Sky Sports.

The Lilywhites went behind within the opening two minutes and were 2-0 down at half-time. During the interval, Hoddle told viewers: “I didn’t like them [the players] in tunnel. Vertonghen was leaning against the wall with two hands behind his back.

“They were too relaxed, too flimsy, chatting away, coming here with no steel - and they’ve conceded a dreadful goal straight away.”

Speaking in today’s press conference, Sherwood responded: “I don’t know what he said. Glenn’s got a lot of opinion and he’s also got a lot of opinion about Tottenham, and he’s entitled to that.

“It’s been a long time since Glenn Hoddle’s managed a football team and the game has moved on quite significantly.

“I’m not saying that it’s anything to do with whether the body language is correct or not, but that wouldn’t have been brought up if we had gone out and won the game.

“I think you can look back in history at some teams who played very well from the outset, probably won the game very easily, and some of them might have been leaning on the walls and doing that, but it never would have been brought up.

“I’ve been a pundit myself. It’s easy to look for something when you’ve got nothing else to talk about, other than to be critical of your ex-side.”

It is not the first time that Sherwood has spoken out about Hoddle. In May 2003, the midfielder – who had left Spurs for Portsmouth that January – called on Spurs to dismiss Hoddle.

“No-one at Tottenham would shed a single tear if Glenn Hoddle was sacked tomorrow,” he said at the time. “The only way they will bring success back to Tottenham is through a change of manager.

“The dressing room is not together and there is no team spirit. Nobody is busting a gut for the manager.”

Follow me on Twitter @BenPearceSpurs