TIM Sherwood today revealed that Roy Hodgson's methods were one of the main reasons for the rift between the two men, not a desire to quit Blackburn Rovers for Tottenham, as the the ex-Ewood boss has claimed.

The Rovers skipper, breaking his silence following Hodgson's stunning criticism that Sherwood was largely to blame for getting him the sack, also emphasised that he was not the only player unhappy with the previous management.

As captain, he felt it had been his duty to speak out.

Hanging over the whole episode, however, is the question of a new contract to replace the one he signed last year.

Following interest from Spurs earlier in the season, the two parties have been negotiating but so far without success and that means a question mark still hovers over the skipper's future, despite repeating his desire to stay with Rovers.

On Hodgson, Sherwood revealed: "I cannot accept some of the things he has said. If I was that bad a disruption he should have let me go.

"He commented that I was finding fault with most things but one of those things was the coaching.

"I didn't think the way we were being prepared for games was right and I thought it was best for the club, and for me, that I should air those feelings. "It wasn't just me, it was a lot of the players. But, as captain, I was the one who had to say something.

"The statement from the club said it all, that the manager was judged on games from last January, months before there was any interest from Tottenham.

"That had nothing to do with it.

"It's a shame really that he feels he should have to say some of the things he did. I think it makes him look weak and it's not true, because I didn't want to go.

"And he never mentioned that to me.

"My comments were made in the best interests of the club, because I wanted us to do well, and they still are."

The one remaining problem is the issue of a new deal for the skipper.

Sherwood has been talking about a new, improved contract for some time and he stressed that he would like to come to an agreement with Rovers as he really wants to stay at Ewood where he sees a much brighter future.

But, if the two parties cannot come to a settlement, then there is clearly still a distinct possibility that the only eventual answer will be a move.

"I would just like to get things sorted out one way or the other as quickly as possible," added Sherwood. "That would be in everyone's best interests."

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