Sherwood Uncertain over Spurs Role

Tim Sherwood is keen to press his claims to become Tottenham's permanent manager, but admits Sunday's trip to Southampton could mark his final game in charge of the club.

Sherwood was installed as interim manager following the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas in the wake of a 5-0 home defeat against Liverpool last weekend.

The former Blackburn midfielder oversaw a defeat in his first match in charge, the midweek home loss to West Ham in the League Cup quarterfinals, and is keen to register his first victory when he takes his side to St. Mary's Stadium.

"If it was down to me, I'm getting a 10-year contract now but football doesn't work like that," said Sherwood, who has been given no guarantee he will be in charge beyond the visit to the south coast.

"It's all about getting the results. I listen to managers all the time talking about the project, but the project is you win games or get sacked. End of story.

"I hope to have a chat with the chairman. I'm obviously taking the game on Sunday, but the games come thick and fast around Christmas, so I don't know when we are going to get that meeting in."

Sherwood believes the foundations are in place to improve on the club's inconsistent form.

Despite poor results of late, Spurs are only five points off the top four going into the latest round of matches and having progressed to the knock-out stages of the Europa League.

"I know the players we have got here, and I know the good young talent coming through the club," he said.

"We need to determine what long-term success is at this football club. That is something that the powers that be need to decide."

Sherwood will attempt to outwit Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino, who has also been linked with the Spurs vacancy but insists he has had no contact with the White Hart Lane club.

Ajax coach Frank De Boer has ruled out a move to north London while Guus Hiddink, Fabio Capello and Glenn Hoddle are among the other names linked with the post.

Pochettino, though, insists his thoughts are firmly on his current job and in the build-up to Sunday's game he spoke positively about his relationship with the Southampton hierarchy.

"As a manager what's really important is that the sporting aspect is under my control, in terms of signings," he said.

"Without my agreement no signings go through, and those two basic things are very important for any manager."

Southampton's recent disappointing results have taken the edge off their impressive start to the season, but their last two outings have seen them secure well-earned points against Manchester City and Newcastle.

"The thing about this team is that it's always played the same way," Pochettino said.

"It's played with the same identity against Arsenal and Chelsea, then against Manchester City.

"Those were really tough games of course, there's no denying that, but overall, despite that, the team has been playing well and with the same philosophy and identity which is the most important factor."

Tottenham's Andros Townsend is sidelined with a hamstring injury, while Pochettino has six senior absentees including Artur Boruc, Victor Wanyama and Nathaniel Clyne.