Tottenham Hotspur manager Tim Sherwood has insisted that his side's performance during their 2-2 draw with Benfica in the Europa League is proof that he has not lost the dressing room at White Hart Lane.

The Spurs boss publicly blasted his players following their 4-0 mauling by Chelsea earlier this month, but does not believe that his criticism has had a detrimental effect.

"People speculated, didn't they?" Sky Sports News quotes Sherwood as saying. "I read a lot of things saying now you need those players on your side.

"I think it's evident they're on my side and the side of the club. They fight for the cause and my little rant, if you want to call it one, has done them no harm.

"They have showed real character and real guts and they need to do that until the end of the season, because we've got some tough games ahead and I'm confident they will do that."

Spurs bowed out of the Europa League despite their draw with Benfica, having lost the first leg of the last-16 tie 3-1.