Sherwood’s Spurs’ dream in tatters after Capital One Cup ejection

Tim Sherwood’s attempts to simplify the intricate methods that his predecessor insisted upon yielded exactly the same result as Tottenham were eliminated from the Capital One Cup at the hands of West Ham.

A pair of late strikes from Matt Jarvis and Modibo Maiga guided the Hammers – 14/1 outsiders to lift the trophy – to a 2-1 victory at White Hart Lane, simultaneously booking them a semi final berth against Manchester City.

A very much unanticipated 3-0 win at the same venue earlier in the campaign is arguably what set the wheels in motion on Andre Villas-Boas’ Spurs demise and the same result may well have had a similar effect on Sherwood’s hopes of landing the position on a permanent basis.

The caretaker coach is currently joint 4/1 favourite to be the north Londoners’ next full-time manager, with Ajax supremo Frank De Boer sharing the mantle at the head of the market.

Sherwood rung the changes for his first game in charge, suggesting he was out to make an impression.

Recalling the previously exiled Emmanuel Adebayor was one, a reversion to a more orthodox 4-4-2 system was another; a blatant insinuation that AVB’s selection policy and tactical approach are at fault for Spurs’ current plight.

Resorting to the long-forgotten basics was intended to be the tonic to cure their woes, but it became clear that upturning the Lilywhites’ fortunes won’t be as easy as that.

West Ham, resting several first-team regulars, were easily able to compete with a team far superior in terms of personnel and this uninspiring effort will have done little to convince Daniel Levy and co that Sherwood can be Tottenham’s salvation.

With the two favourites attributed such a large price, it suggests that there is no inkling as to who is in pole position to land the job permanently, so punters would be best served drawing a name deeper in the list boasting a fatter price.

Murat Yakin at 9/1, even Roberto Mancini at 25/1 – whose Galatasaray side are riddled with debt – could definitely spring into contention over the coming days, so don’t be put off by their standings as outsiders.

All odds and markets accurate as of publication’s time and date

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