Mason: I could have left but I wanted to play for Spurs so badly

[thinktank]

Tottenham’s Ryan Mason reflects on the journey that led him to his first ever Premier League start in Saturday’s north London derby against Arsenal.

It is incredible to think that when Ryan Mason first appeared for Spurs, against NEC Nijmegen in the Uefa Cup in November 2008, Harry Redknapp had just replaced Juande Ramos.

A 17-year-old Mason came off the bench in place of David Bentley in the 90th minute, joining the likes of Chris Gunter, Jonathan Woodgate and Didier Zokora on the field for the final few moments.

Aaron Lennon was the only other Tottenham player that day who is still at the club. And, since then, Spurs have changed their manager three times while gradually replacing virtually every member of the squad.

Young players have come through - Danny Rose, Steven Caulker, Andros Townsend, Harry Kane and Nabil Bentaleb have all progressed from the academy to become first-team players.

However, Mason was virtually forgotten, making just three more appearances for the Lilywhites in almost six years after being loaned out to Yeovil, Doncaster, Millwall, French club Lorient and Swindon. But that has all changed this week.

There were signs in pre-season that 23-year-old Mason could finally be about to get his big chance at White Hart Lane – Mauricio Pochettino picked him in his starting line-up for three successive friendlies against Toronto, Chicago Fire and Celtic, alongside Etienne Capoue in central midfield.

But, after a career that has been blighted by injuries, Mason was ruled out of the final warm-up game against Schalke and had to watch the start of the season from the side-lines.

It was another unfortunate setback but he was registered in Tottenham’s Premier League squad when the transfer window closed, and the big moment belatedly came on Wednesday night against Nottingham Forest in the Capital One Cup.

With Spurs trailing at White Hart Lane and potentially heading for a third successive home defeat, Mason came off the bench and promptly hit a 30-yard equaliser, sparking the comeback as Tottenham triumphed 3-1.

Then, on Saturday evening, he finally made his first ever start in the Premier League, being thrown in at the end deep end away against Arsenal in the north London derby – and acquitting himself admirably in athe 1-1 draw.

Mason admits there have been times when he has questioned his future at the Lane but insists he never gave up on his dream of becoming a regular for Tottenham.

He believes the key to his breakthrough has been his decision to put extra work in during the summer – and the arrival of a manager who has spotted what he can bring to the team.

“It’s been a massive week for me with three games in five days,” said Mason. “I played with the reserves on Monday, then made my first appearance of the season against Nottingham Forest in the Capital One Cup on Wednesday and then started against Arsenal, so it’s a bit surreal.

“We did some shape work on Friday and he stuck me in so I found out then [that I would be playing in the derby]. I was buzzing and couldn’t wait for the game.

“I struggled a little bit to get to sleep - I struggled after the game on Wednesday as well - but I think I’ll sleep well now. I got quite a few tickets, some of my family were there so it was good. It was a massive game and it was good to get a point on my full Premier League debut.

“Did I ever think I might have to leave the club? Obviously there have been times when I have questioned it but I wanted to play for Spurs so badly that I never really wanted to leave.

“The change in manager helped me. If previous managers were still in charge maybe I wouldn’t still be here. There were a few opportunities [to leave] but I was raring to give it a go and see what happened, and hopefully it’s paid off.

Mason added: “With the change in manager in the summer I made sure I came back fit. I was just in more often than I would have been in previous summers. I didn’t really have a break. I wanted to make sure I came back in the best shape possible.

“There were a lot opportunities because a few of the World Cup players were missing. I got a bit of game time on the tour and felt like I did well so I was pleased.

“I was in a pretty good position and then I got a bit of a niggle. But that’s in the past, I’m not really thinking about injuries at the moment.

“I thought the manager’s appointment was promising. He’s the type of gaffer where if you’re training well and doing well then you’ll play.

“That’s important, especially as a homegrown lad because not many managers put them in and trust them, but obviously this one has.”

http://www.london24.com/sport/footb...i_wanted_to_play_for_spurs_so_badly_1_3786399

Proper yid.

 

[Adam456]

Good lad. I will still respect him when he signs for Madrid

 

[weststandvoice]

Has the unemployable Tim Sherwood comfirmed this for us yet?

 

[carpediem991]

Most important thing for him is to remain fit this season. He has the potential to become maybe our frank lampard one day. Love his attributes, attitude and that he is one of ours. We badly need players who know what playing for tottenham is all about.

But take it slowly and step by step. He has big rivals in his posiions with capoue, nabil, benji, dembele or paul. Hard choice for poch.

 

[thinktank]

Most important thing for him is to remain fit this season. He has the potential to become maybe our frank lampard one day. Love his attributes, attitude and that he is one of ours. We badly need players who know what playing for tottenham is all about.

But take it slowly and step by step. He has big rivals in his posiions with capoue, nabil, benji, dembele or paul. Hard choice for poch.

Not that hard imo; him and capoue stand out a mile as an effective, functioning pair for me.

You could see the instant chemistry in pre-season...they just harmonized well from the off. Can't take something like that lightly, it's extremely valuable.

Hopefully we'll get a proper chance to see what stambo's got to offer, he could give capoue a run for his money if anything.

 

[spurs9]

Pritchard and Carroll must be watching Mason thinking that could be them next year.

Edit: and Fredericks.

 

[Syn_13]

Pritchard and Carroll must be watching Mason thinking that could be them next year.

Edit: and Fredericks.

Sadly, Carroll is getting close to not making it for us. He's a year younger than Mason but did manage to break into the team earlier. Mason has a bit more fight about him though, and is certainly stronger, which makes him more suited to a role in our midfield. It is good to see talented youth though, and competition there is healthy. Bentaleb is still ahead of Carroll too. As frustrating as he can be, he did play very well last season when given his chance, all things considered. Took his chances in the WC pretty well too, from what I saw.

 

[thinktank]

Pritchard and Carroll must be watching Mason thinking that could be them next year.

Edit: and Fredericks.

 

[thinktank]

Sadly, Carroll is getting close to not making it for us. He's a year younger than Mason but did manage to break into the team earlier. Mason has a bit more fight about him though, and is certainly stronger, which makes him more suited to a role in our midfield. It is good to see talented youth though, and competition there is healthy. Bentaleb is still ahead of Carroll too. As frustrating as he can be, he did play very well last season when given his chance, all things considered. Took his chances in the WC pretty well too, from what I saw.

I still have hope for the boy. Sell Paulinho, bring in Carroll as back-up #10. He can do it. I'd play him there in front of Eriksen atm to give the Dane a kick up his bum bum; Tom knows what's required.

 

[spurs9]

Sadly, Carroll is getting close to not making it for us. He's a year younger than Mason but did manage to break into the team earlier. Mason has a bit more fight about him though, and is certainly stronger, which makes him more suited to a role in our midfield. It is good to see talented youth though, and competition there is healthy. Bentaleb is still ahead of Carroll too. As frustrating as he can be, he did play very well last season when given his chance, all things considered. Took his chances in the WC pretty well too, from what I saw.

As much as I agree with what you say, Mason has completely thrown my thinking about Carroll out of the window. This time last year, Mason was on loan in League 1 and he got injured and missed the second half of the season and that was on top of his previous injury record, previous poor loans and being no-where near the first team.

Carroll does need to improve on a few things, like his bravery (not hiding away from his responsibility rather than in the tackle) which could happen if he gets a run of games for Swansea.

I would say Fredericks has the hardest route with Walker, Naughton, Yedlin and even Dier competing with him.

 

[Bus-Conductor]

My only concern is a lot of the CM's we have, particularly the young ones aren't really the right type for CM2's, especially in tougher games. Mason, Bentaleb, Carroll, Dembele, Paulinho are all really better in a CM3.

Pochettino seems pretty inflexible when it comes to formation. Has he played anything other than 4231 in his entire time in the EPL. Did he in Spain ?

 

[spurs9]

My only concern is a lot of the CM's we have, particularly the young ones aren't really the right type for CM2's, especially in tougher games. Mason, Bentaleb, Carroll, Dembele, Paulinho are all really better in a CM3.

Pochettino seems pretty inflexible when it comes to formation. Has he played anything other than 4231 in his entire time in the EPL. Did he in Spain ?

Arsenal away is a pretty tough game and Mason handled that superbly considering it was is PL debut. Carroll plays pretty deep, so I see no reason why he wouldn't suit a CM 2 rather than 3 (question marks are whether he has the mentality to play at the top level) and Bentaleb plays very well in a CM 2 for a 19 year old. Dembele could play there, if he ever develops urgency with the ball but can't argue about Paulinho.

 

[theShiznit]

Has the unemployable Tim Sherwood comfirmed this for us yet?

Apparently he has said he would have confirmed it with the press but they rang four other sources before him, and he no longer wanted to confirm it after this as he is the best source in world football and deserves the proper respect of being the first number they call.

 

[DiamondLites]

Why does he want to play so badly? We have enough players doing that already

 

[fatpiranha]

Capoue and Mason have to be our 1st choice CM partnership from now on. Benteleb, Stamboue & Dembele will have to prove their worth in the cup matches. Paulinho is a dead man walking, and about time too . I can see Pritchard being given a chance but probably not this season (i'd like to see it because like with Mason i've always been a fan but I just don't see it happening). Carroll I think is a write-off .

 

[beats1]

Sadly, Carroll is getting close to not making it for us. He's a year younger than Mason but did manage to break into the team earlier. Mason has a bit more fight about him though, and is certainly stronger, which makes him more suited to a role in our midfield. It is good to see talented youth though, and competition there is healthy. Bentaleb is still ahead of Carroll too. As frustrating as he can be, he did play very well last season when given his chance, all things considered. Took his chances in the WC pretty well too, from what I saw.

In football you need luck and Bentaleb got that last season when Sherwood came in however before his first team appearances Carroll was ahead of him and Mason.

He was outplaying both of them the season before that in the U21's.

Mason has been behind carroll because carroll has been playing that deeper position longer and is better at it. Mason is a no.10/striker(clive allen) converted to a CM

Carroll hasn't got the mentality to impose himself on games however that is something he can change and he could be a tottenham player, if he does that he could have a future with us. Look at some of the highlights for the U21's the other week he did this 30 yard pass that took a whole team and was simply sublime and I think it was 1 touch as well

 

[spurs9]

In football you need luck and Bentaleb got that last season when Sherwood came in however before his first team appearances Carroll was ahead of him and Mason.

He was outplaying both of them the season before that in the U21's.

Mason has been behind carroll because carroll has been playing that deeper position longer and is better at it. Mason is a no.10/striker(clive allen) converted to a CM

Carroll hasn't got the mentality to impose himself on games however that is something he can change and he could be a tottenham player, if he does that he could have a future with us. Look at some of the highlights for the U21's the other week he did this 30 yard pass that took a whole team and was simply sublime and I think it was 1 touch as well

Who's U21's?

 

[beats1]

Who's U21's?

England

 

[spurs9]

England

This one (at 1:17)? It wasn't a first time ball but a peach of a chip and to Kane too.

 

[beats1]

This one (at 1:17)? It wasn't a first time ball but a peach of a chip and to Kane too.

It was 2 touches but still good, at 40 secs