Tottenham 1 Cardiff 0: Roberto Soldado and Emmanuel Adebayor tipped to click by manager Tim Sherwood

Soldado notched his first goal in nine games to earn victory over the Bluebirds and Sherwood believes his two strikers can form a formidable strike partnership

Roberto Soldado celebrates his goal for Tottenham Hotspur against Cardiff City (GETTY IMAGES)

Roberto Soldado can forge a formidable strike partnership with Emmanuel Adebayor now he has broken his goal drought, according to Tottenham boss Tim Sherwood.

Misfiring striker Soldado blasted his first goal in nine games as Spurs edged past Cardiff 1-0 in the Barclays Premier League at White Hart Lane on Sunday.

The 28-year-old Spain forward's first goal in two months sealed a nervy Tottenham victory, the hosts never convincing against relegation-threatened Cardiff.

Spurs head coach Sherwood hailed Soldado's unshakable belief as he continues the battle to settle in English football, notching just his sixth goal in 29 appearances this term.

Sherwood has frequently deployed one solitary striker, and will continue to switch his formation to suit the opposition.

The former Blackburn midfielder paired Soldado and Togo striker Adebayor against Cardiff though, with the duo combining for the decisive goal.

"It was a good finish, he had a lot to do. Ade laid it into his path but he still had to take it on the run," said Sherwood.

"It was tight control and just to roll it past the goalie, instinctively, he didn't have a lot of time to think about it, which is probably great.

"I hope they can grow that partnership, it would be great for us if they did.

"We're looking forward to them building a bit of confidence now from that."

Tottenham 1 Cardiff 0 match report: Soldado ends goal drought

Backing £26million summer signing Soldado to rediscover the clinical finishing that saw him net 59 goals in 101 Valencia appearances, Sherwood hailed the likeable Spain forward's tenacity through his lean spell.

"I was delighted for Robbie, he's a great character around the place," said Sherwood.

"The boys love him and want him to do well.

"If I could have picked anyone to score that goal it would have been him.

"If he wasn't showing any desire in training, and belief he could turn it around I would leave him out.

"I have stuck by him, I believe he will come good and I maintain that.

"We're just hoping this is a platform for him to go on and score 20 goals between now and the end of the season.

"He's a great lad, he speaks enough English to have good banter, he's a very humorous guy around the place.

"He's never a moment's problem, a true professional and he gets on with his training, whatever anyone asks him to do, he does it.

"He knows he's been in a sticky spell, but I always looked him in the eye and knew that he had the belief."

PA