Former Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea defender Graham Roberts has backed Andre Villas-Boas to be a success at White Hart Lane.

The 34-year-old, who is expected to be appointed as Harry Redknapp's successor this week, was sacked by the Blues in March amid reports of dressing room unrest.

Roberts does not expect Villas-Boas to encounter similar problems at Spurs.

"He didn't have a good time at Chelsea but he had a harder job there with the older players," Roberts told talkSPORT. "Tottenham have a young squad, with players who are new to the game.

"If you look at his record in Portugal it's very good. He's only 34 and the older players [at Chelsea] thought they could walk all over him.

"He'll get the backing of the younger and older players [at Spurs]. You have to give him a chance. If he doesn't finish in the top four then the pressure will be on him again, but I think he'll be a good move for Tottenham."

Roberts made 209 league appearances for Spurs between 1980 and 1986.