Former Tottenham boss Tim Sherwood has backed Spurs to get off to a winning start against Brentford in Roberto De Zerbi’s Premier League opener.
Tottenham travel to the Gtech Community Stadium for the Saturday night fixture versus Brentford, who performed brilliantly last season.
A new-look Spurs side under De Zerbi has been tipped to perform well this season, with Sherwood feeling they will get off to a strong start.
Speaking to GB News through NetBet Sports Betting, the former Spurs boss said: “They’ll be disappointed if they lose, and the fans will certainly be disappointed because they’re really on a high.
Tim Sherwood has backed Spurs to get off to winning ways
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GETTY“They’ve been encouraged by the early business they’ve done in the window and the players they’ve brought in.
“I think Tottenham will win the game. They really need to start well. It’s really important in the Premier League to start well, get that confidence and belief, and get the fans on your side.
“If they lose this first game, I can hear the Tottenham fans now: ‘Oh, here we go, same old.’ They need to stay positive.
“The last thing you want when that game finishes is to hear ‘Hey Jude’ being played and see them all walking around clapping their hands because they’ve just beaten you.”
Spurs had a very successful pre-season period
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Spurs had a very positive pre-season, going unbeaten and winning against Chelsea and Hoffenheim.
Sherwood feels fans should “not read into it,” citing his playing days as an indication that pre-season should be taken with a pinch of salt.
He said: “Don’t read into it. I won the league with Blackburn, and we got beaten by Doncaster in a pre-season friendly. Friendlies mean nothing, all they mean is you’re getting fit.
“You can get a little bit of confidence and a little bit of belief, because no one wants to lose any football match, even if it’s in training.
Roberto De Zerbi took over Spurs at the back end of last season
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“So, it’s good, but he’s mixed the team around, and it’s just De Zerbi getting a look at what he needs for the first game of the season.
“It’s all about when that season kicks off. They need to get off to a good start, they really do.”
One of the biggest boosts for Spurs is the return of James Maddison, with the attacking midfielder getting minutes under his belt in Tottenham’s last pre-season game.
Sherwood cast doubt over whether the Englishman starts given the way De Zerbi likes to play his football.
All Premier League matches this weekend | GB NEWSHe told the People’s Channel: “I’m not sure he plays. I’m not sure, I’ll be interested to see if he does. Don’t get me wrong, I think he’s an excellent footballer.
“I think he slows the game up, and at times you need that. He’s got a footballing brain.
“When I’ve seen De Zerbi’s teams play, especially the Brighton sides, he wants to play quickly all the time. The first pass is forward, and you don’t want people standing on the ball.
“I’m really interested to see where James fits in. I really can’t say he’s going to be the main man. Maybe he will, but I don’t know how De Zerbi is going to fit him in.”
