Roberto Soldado Having Barren Spell Similar to Luis Suarez, Says Tim Sherwood

Tottenham Hotspur manager Tim Sherwood claims Roberto Soldado is having a "barren spell" similar to that of Liverpool star Luis Suarez.

The Spanish international joined the north London club before the start of the season and since his arrival at White Hart Lane, he has bagged only five goals and managed four assists from 22 league appearances.

Meanwhile, Suarez had a brilliant start to the season after returning from suspension. The Uruguayan striker has scored 23 goals and registered nine assists from 22 league games. However, in the last 10 league games, the former Ajax man has managed only four goals.

Sherwood believes Suarez's recent form is unnoticed as Liverpool are enjoying a great run in the league. Spurs manager claims Soldado's time has come as he remains hopeful for the Spaniard to find his form during the second leg Europa League fixture against Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk.

"It is a barren spell for a striker. Luis Suarez is going through one at the moment and no-one is pointing any fingers as Liverpool are winning. But Robbie has to have the character and be big enough to come through that," Sherwood explained.

"It might just be a lucky one and all of a sudden the confidence floods back. I hope he can walk away with a match ball tomorrow. Robbie knows his time's come. Hopefully that will be tomorrow night [Thursday] and we see him hitting the back of the net."

Sherwood replaced Andre Villas-Boas at the Lane after Spurs chairman Daniel Levy showed the exit door for the former Chelsea manager last December. Since the 45-year-old took in charge of the north London side, Emmanuel Adebayor has been in brilliant form for Spurs.

The former Arsenal and Manchester City striker has scored eight goals from 12 league games. The Togo international was not a part of AVB's plan at Spurs and since Sherwood gave him a chance in Spurs' starting XI, he's been a main man leading his side's attack.

Sherwood is hopeful that Soldado will end is rough patch and has urged him to emulate Adebayor's goal scoring form.

"We know he's a top player or he would not be at the club. Now's the time for one to ricochet in off his backside and he'll be off on a run like Adebayor has since I came in. It would be handy to have the two of them scoring. I sat down with him this week and said, 'It will happen, it's a matter of time'," he concluded.