Teddy, steady go

TOTTENHAM will be banking on captain Teddy Sheringham to reverse his own "dip in form" if they are to re-ignite their season at Stamford Bridge.

Spurs players held a dressingroom inquest into what went wrong in the 4-0 FA Cup quarterfinal defeat on Sunday and Sheringham admitted: "Chelsea came to do a job and they did it well. It wasn't so much that we played badly but they played very well and were the best team. We had a chat about it and voiced our opinions."

Sheringham, who celebrates his 36th birthday on 2 April, knows that he will have to be more clinical in front of goal tonight in what is a must-win match for Spurs if they are to keep up the chase for a UEFA Cup place.

The England striker, who also had a poor game when Spurs lost the Worthington Cup Final to Blackburn, said: "It hasn't been a bad season but everyone wants to win cup finals. There are still 30 points to play for and we will be giving it our all against Chelsea."

With two of the routes into Europe next season closed, Tottenham are now pinning all their hopes on finishing high enough in the Premiership to qualify for the UEFA Cup. They are eighth in the league currently, three points behind Aston Villa.

But they are nine points behind Chelsea who currently hold sixth place, which would bring with it a UEFA Cup spot.

Sheringham said: "As long as we have a good finish people will still say it's a good start to Glenn's management career at Spurs."

The striker has admitted his chances of going to this summer's World Cup finals may be in danger of slipping away.

"A month ago I would have been more confident than I am now, but unfortunately my form has gone into a little bit of a dip. The closer we get to the finals the more idea you will get of how the squad will take shape. In the end it isn't my opinion that counts. All I can do is play to the best of my ability."

Manager Glenn Hoddle said: "We have to draw a line under what has gone and concentrate on the 10 games we have left. We've had a good chat and we're all focused 100 per cent. We have got to be strong, brave and our character has got to shine through."

Midfielder Darren Anderton will have a late fitness test on his hamstring and Oyvind Leonhardsen will replace him tonight if he is ruled out.

Hoddle will draft fullback Ben Thatcher into the squad and also give checks to Tim Sherwood, Les Ferdinand and Simon Davies.

Davies (calf), Ferdinand (groin) and Sherwood (groin) all came through Sunday's game and should be fit to play.

However, Norwegian striker Steffen Iversen is still sidelined with a groin injury and defender Goran Bunjevcevic is also on the long- term sick list with Steve Carr, Gary Doherty and Stephen Clemence.

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