Tim Sherwood insists European fixtures aren't to blame for Tottenham's Premier League defeats.

Spurs have picked up just 10 points from a possible 27 after playing in Europa League matches but their boss refuses to make excuses

Tottenham boss Tim Sherwood maintains the Europa League cannot be used as an excuse for the club's Premier League form.

Last Sunday's 1-0 defeat at Norwich came just four days after Spurs had lost in Ukraine against Dnipro in their last-32 tie.

The result at Carrow Road meant they have taken just 10 points from a possible 27 after playing in Europe. But with Cardiff visiting White Hart Lane this Sunday after the return leg against Dnipro, Sherwood refused to accept the competition is responsible.

The Spurs boss said: "I wouldn't use it as an excuse and I never have, but you'd have to say that the record isn't fantastic, both home and away, after games in Europe.

"The next result has not been great, so the facts suggest that, but I wouldn't use it as an excuse myself.

"We still want to progress in the competition. It means a lot to us."

The first leg defeat means Spurs must go for the jugular on Thursday evening, although Sherwood accepts the visitors will be dangerous on the break, as they search for the away goal.

He added: "We realise that they have got threats. They’ve got pace on the counter-attack.

"There’s no point in waiting until the last five minutes of the game and then deciding that we’re now going to come out and play.

"We need to come out and play from the start and hopefully we can put this tie to bed.”