TIM Sherwood believes the only way Tottenham can move forward is to oust manager Glenn Hoddle.

The former Blackburn Rovers and Spurs midfielder launched a scathing attack on his former boss, who has come under fire this week over Spurs' decision to release Teddy Sheringham at the end of the season.

"No one at Tottenham would shed a single tear if Glenn Hoddle was sacked tomorrow," said Sherwood, who spent four years at White Hart Lane after being signed from Rovers for £4 million in 1999 by George Graham, before being off-loaded to Portsmouth in January.

"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.

"The kids have far more respect for guys like Teddy Sheringham, Gus Poyet and Steffen Freund than they do for Hoddle.

"They all turn to the experienced pros for encouragement and advice because the manager won't accept anyone else's point of view and just leaves them all confused.

Meanwhile, Sherwood believes it's vital Rovers get off to a flying start against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday if they are to fight for a place in Europe, saying an early goal for Graeme Souness' men would spell trouble for Tottenham.

And that means Rovers could be handed another passport into Europe if Everton slip up against Manchester United at Goodison Park.

"If they start well, that will be important because the fans will turn on Tottenham," the 34-year-old said.

"On their day they are capable of beating anyone, so it's important Blackburn suck all their confidence out of them."

And he believes if Rovers have secured a place in the UEFA Cup for next season by 5pm on Sunday, they will have earned the right to finish ahead of challengers Everton.

"Blackburn are a team in form but it's out of their hands if Everton beat United," he said.

"If they do get into Eurorpe they will have deserved to because anyone who reaches Europe does.

"It's a long season and the table doesn't lie at the end of it.

"But if Everton win, that's the end of it.

"All Rovers can do is concentrate on their own game and see what happens."