It will be quite a reunion with Spurs bringing four coaching staff and three players who used to be on the books at Fratton Park.

All eyes will be on Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp who will be returning to the south coast for the first time since his switch to north London almost a year ago.

He will be bringing assistants Kevin Bond and Joe Jordan who worked with him at Fratton Park as well as Sherwood who made 30 appearances for Pompey after playing with distinction in midfield for Blackburn Rovers and Spurs.

On the field, Jermain Defoe, Peter Crouch and Niko Kranjcar will be keen to impress against their old club.

For their part, Pompey have two players who used to ply their trade at White Hart Lane but Sherwood knows there will be no room for sentiment on Saturday.

After gaining their first win of the season at Wolverhampton Wanderers, Portsmouth will be desperate to move away from the foot of the Barclays Premier League.

But Spurs need the points just as badly as they aim to consolidate their place in the top three after a bright start to the campaign.

Sherwood said: "There is a great history to this fixture with so many ex-players for both sides but the only thing in anyone's mind will be to get three points.

"If you ask Harry, I am sure he would say Portsmouth are his second team. He gave them the best times they ever had. His heart still lies there and he would want to see them safe but he will want to win the game.

"There are quite a few of us who used to be there and all retain a lot of affection for them but that will be set aside on Saturday.

"We are all looking forward to it but we will know it will be tough. It is a difficult place to go and we know Portsmouth will come out firing.

"But if we play like we can, then we can win the game. If we match their intensity we are capable of picking holes in them."

Spurs have made their best ever start to a Premier League season and are flying high in third place, losing only to Manchester United and Chelsea.

Sherwood added: "We have had two dips, if you can call them that. But we have set our standards so high that we think we can beat these sides.

"And if we are going to go to the next level then we have to pick up points against the top teams.

"But then we also have to make sure we do not slip up against sides at the other end of the table and we showed good character to twice come from behind at Bolton.

"A couple of years ago we would have lost that but we are made of sterner stuff these days and on reflection it was a good point to get.

"There is a bit more resilience about the team. Wilson Palacios loves to tackle and to run around and we are looking more solid."

Sherwood is revelling in his new role as a coach and is happy learning the trade from one of the best in the business.

He added: "Things are going well for me and I am really enjoying the experience.

"I am learning the ropes under Harry Redknapp and there is no better teacher than that.

"He is very much a players' manager. His system is based on honesty, he is very up front with the players. That is the best way to be.

"He tells the players what is required and if they don't produce the standards he sets, then they don't play.

"It is a good education for me. I just try and take it all on board and learn as much as I can. I am very hands-on working with the kids right up to the first-team.

"I watch every match from the directors' box where you get a different viewpoint and then I go down at half-time and make suggestions which may or may not be taken up.

"For a while, I was in denial and thought I would not go into coaching but it is in the blood and I would fancy a crack at management some time.

"I am at my happiest out on the training field. For me it is not a job, more a lifestyle."

Tim Sherwood was speaking on behalf of Barclays Ticket Office, which is giving fans the chance to win a pair of free Barclays Premier League tickets every 90 minutes throughout the 2009/10 Barclays Premier League season. Request a receipt from any Barclays ATM to enter or click here.