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ESPN staff 8y

Tim Sherwood: Tottenham scouting 'spot on' to bring stability and identity

Tim Sherwood has praised Tottenham's scouting department for the club's recent success in the transfer market, saying his former club have got their recruitment policy "spot on."

Spurs drew 0-0 with Chelsea on Sunday to extend their Premier League unbeaten run to 13 games, and currently sit five points behind table toppers Manchester City.

Dele Alli scored on his full England debut against France having won an international call-up after impressing at White Hart Lane following a summer move from MK Dons, and Sherwood -- who brought through Harry Kane and Ryan Mason while Spurs boss -- hailed current coach Mauricio Pochettino for trusting young players.

"Some of the best scouts haven't been players but they have to have a relationship with the manager," Sherwood told the Telegraph. "They have to be a second pair of eyes for him, especially the head scout.

"Paul Mitchell is trusted by Mauricio to be his eyes and when he flags one up I bet he is never far out. Mitch is working closely with [Spurs chairman] Daniel Levy. At the moment they have got it spot on.

"Not only do they have an identity on the pitch of how they want to play, they have it right in the background. That's why they will continue to be stable."

While Alli has shone in North London, Jamie Vardy recently broke the Premier League record for scoring in consecutive games by netting against Manchester United to make in 11 in a row.

Vardy joined Leicester from Fleetwood Town in 2012 -- the first ever £1 million non-league signing -- and Sherwood says more Premier League teams should scout from lower divisions.

"Clubs are not sending scouts out as much to these lower leagues," he said. "Years ago they found Ian Wright, Les Ferdinand and Stuart Pearce in non-league.

"You hear people say now they will never be found again. Vardy is proving they can. In the Football League, Callum Wilson has proved they can. John Stones [at Everton] has proved they can. A lot of clubs are just not looking because it is not sexy to sign a player from the lower leagues or non-league.

"Everton are a great example of doing it the right way. They have got it right. So have Spurs. Those are two good managers, Mauricio Pochettino and Roberto Martinez, who are willing to give young and developing players an opportunity.

"They also recognise that if you have a lot of academy kids coming through or from lower league it opens up the purse strings and you can spend the budget on the one or two outstanding make-the-difference players. You are always better off going for quality rather than quantity."

Sherwood was sacked by Spurs in May 2014 before taking over at Aston Villa in February 2015, leading the Midlands club to Premier League safety and an FA Cup final appearance in his first season in charge.

But Villa sold Christian Benteke (Liverpool) and captain Fabian Delph (Manchester City) in the summer, and Sherwood was fired in late October following a poor start to the current campaign.

The former England midfielder does not hold a grudge against his former employers, adding: "I wish them well. It's difficult when you lose your three best players and you finished 17th in the Premier League the previous season.

"It was always going to be a tough task. The club is always going to be bigger than any individual. I respect their decision.

"I have managed two big football clubs and I have learnt from the experience. I know the mistakes I have made and I will be a stronger manager when the next opportunity comes along."

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