'I'm waiting for Spurs to turn the corner but it just isn't happening': former star bemoans defensive frailties

Tottenham have been warned their struggles will continue if they don't stop shipping sloppy goals.

And former Spurs midfielder Tim Sherwood fears his old team will still be rooted in the Premier League bottom three after tonight's clash with Newcastle at St James' Park.

Tottenham have conceded 18 goals in ten league games and Sherwood said: "That is just one less than the top four clubs put together.

"They have only kept one clean sheet in the league so far so it doesn't take much to work out where their problems lie.

"I keep waiting for them to turn the corner but it just isn't happening. They got a good point on paper from their last outing at Liverpool but they know they should have really come away with all three as they were leading deep into injury-time at the end of the game."

Sherwood believes under-fire manager Martin Jol is still the right man for the job, however, and added: "I like him and think he should be judged at the end of the season.

"I just hope he has been working with his defence during the international break.

"Spurs spent £8.5million bringing Younes Kaboul from Auxerre in the summer and although the kid looks a good prospect he has made more of an impact scoring goals at the other end.

"Tottenham knew Ledley King was going to be missing at the start of the season and should have bought a more established and experienced player who was ready to step in and be effective in defence from the word go.

"Instead they have shipped goals at an alarming rate. They did well to fight back and get a point in the 4-4 draw with Aston Villa in their 125th anniversary game at the start of the month but they shouldn't have been 4-1 down at home in the first place. They need to get a win and start climbing the table."

Sherwood believes Spurs are in for a tough time on Tyneside and added: "It's always difficult going up there, especially for a night game when the atmosphere is buzzing.

"Newcastle are starting to hit a bit of form and Michael Owen will be sharper after his last couple of games for England."

Tim Sherwood is an analyst for Setanta's coverage of Newcastle United v Tottenham Hotspur, live and exclusive from 7pm, Monday 22nd October, Setanta Sports 1. Tel: 08712 00 33 22 or visit: www.setanta.com