This Week’s Manager Watch: Ryan Mason

[Metalhead]

I say give Mason the job permanently! He clearly has the tools to unify the club and group of players, he loves Tottenham and his philosophy is reminiscent of Pochettino.

I hope that whoever comes in, be it JN, Slot or Kompany, they have him as assistant.

 

[-Afri-Coy-]

Dude, he started insinuating the players weren't good enough for him shortly after he signed. Pretty sure you can find comments supporting that from interviews and press conferences after most of our losses. Just because he wasn't as extreme as after the Southampton game, it doesn't mean he didn't talk down the players before that. And even if he didn't, a great motivator would never end up speaking like that anyway.

Insinuation is way to open to interpretation to be used as an argument here, saying that he shat on the players all the time is a very hyperbolic and extreme thing to say. Insinuation doesn’t fit, it needs to be a lot more direct than that.

 

[HoltbiusMac]

It’s hard to know what Mason’s football philosophy is because the only two opportunities we’ve given him are trying to tidy up after a complete mess. What I think you can see from both spells is that he wants us to play on the front foot. It’s hard to know how sophisticated his ideas of attacking play are because he hasn’t had time to implement things long term. At the same time he does seem to be prone to set ups which are vulnerable in transition. Again, it’s hard to know whether he can improve on that over time. It’s pretty similar to how he was as a player for us really - properly committed but maybe not quite sophisticated enough. That said I think his personal attributes are fantastic - it’s a cliche but he bleeds Spurs. That hurt him today every bit as much as us and whilst it would have annoyed Conte or Mourinho I don’t think it’s quite the same.
I’d love for him to be our manager in the future but it depends how best to achieve that. Do we believe that he’s ready now? I’m not so sure but I’d still have reservations about Kompany and Slot being ready for this step up. If he’s not ready now would we still be having the same queries if he remained as a number two to the next guy? Should he go and manage at a Championship club because although that seems sensible Arteta has done better stepping up as a number two than Gerrard and Lampard who did the more traditional route.

 

[Whazam]

Insinuation is way to open to interpretation to be used as an argument here, saying that he shat on the players all the time is a very hyperbolic and extreme thing to say. Insinuation doesn’t fit, it needs to be a lot more direct than that.

It most definitely is hyperbolic. But wince your discussion focused on him as a motivator, both what he said and constantly insinuated is very valid as arguments. That's what motivating is all about.

Other than that, I agree with you that not all praise or critique of Mason have to been in comparison to Conte and/or Stellini.

 

[Neon_Knight_]

It’s hard to know what Mason’s football philosophy is because the only two opportunities we’ve given him are trying to tidy up after a complete mess. What I think you can see from both spells is that he wants us to play on the front foot. It’s hard to know how sophisticated his ideas of attacking play are because he hasn’t had time to implement things long term. At the same time he does seem to be prone to set ups which are vulnerable in transition. Again, it’s hard to know whether he can improve on that over time. It’s pretty similar to how he was as a player for us really - properly committed but maybe not quite sophisticated enough. That said I think his personal attributes are fantastic - it’s a cliche but he bleeds Spurs. That hurt him today every bit as much as us and whilst it would have annoyed Conte or Mourinho I don’t think it’s quite the same.
I’d love for him to be our manager in the future but it depends how best to achieve that. Do we believe that he’s ready now? I’m not so sure but I’d still have reservations about Kompany and Slot being ready for this step up. If he’s not ready now would we still be having the same queries if he remained as a number two to the next guy? Should he go and manage at a Championship club because although that seems sensible Arteta has done better stepping up as a number two than Gerrard and Lampard who did the more traditional route.

Some similarities to Sherwood there...and not in a good way. I think it's a reflection of their inexperience while managing us.

 

[Metalhead]

It’s hard to know what Mason’s football philosophy is because the only two opportunities we’ve given him are trying to tidy up after a complete mess. What I think you can see from both spells is that he wants us to play on the front foot. It’s hard to know how sophisticated his ideas of attacking play are because he hasn’t had time to implement things long term. At the same time he does seem to be prone to set ups which are vulnerable in transition. Again, it’s hard to know whether he can improve on that over time. It’s pretty similar to how he was as a player for us really - properly committed but maybe not quite sophisticated enough. That said I think his personal attributes are fantastic - it’s a cliche but he bleeds Spurs. That hurt him today every bit as much as us and whilst it would have annoyed Conte or Mourinho I don’t think it’s quite the same.
I’d love for him to be our manager in the future but it depends how best to achieve that. Do we believe that he’s ready now? I’m not so sure but I’d still have reservations about Kompany and Slot being ready for this step up. If he’s not ready now would we still be having the same queries if he remained as a number two to the next guy? Should he go and manage at a Championship club because although that seems sensible Arteta has done better stepping up as a number two than Gerrard and Lampard who did the more traditional route.

All legitimate questions - it feels like there are risks attached to whoever comes in next.

 

[Bluto Blutarsky]

I would like Mason to stay under JN for a few more years.

If you want Mason to be a future Spurs manager - he needs to get out and manage a club, and everything that entails.

 

[muel]

I think that there is a lot of reasons why Mason makes sense.

As a club we need to settle and stabilise. Having someone who bleeds Spurs has huge advantages. He won’t walk. He won’t bring the club down. He will support the club in resolving the off field chaos. He genuinely loves the club. Our instability goes right through the club. Having one of our own reinstalling our beliefs and values on and off the pitch as well as in the stands

Every single word he has said in every interview has been absolutely fantastic in my opinion and is indicative of an extremely intelligent person. As well as being a very highly rated coach.

I really am not worried about his lack of experience. I’ve posted about my views on experience before. We’ve had some of the most experienced Managers in global football over the last few years and it hasn’t worked because that isn’t the root cause of our issues

My issue over the last few seasons has been not feeling connected and falling out of love with Spurs. Not the lack of trophies. I want someone who can make me care again. I think that could be Mason.

 

[Joely]

Let's be honest, he is a stop gap who is very young but more importantly has limited experience of managing a team, let alone one in the top flight. He is going to make mistakes, not get all the calls right, do some good things etc. The hope was probably he can turn around the mood by being a new face and somehow get the team going to we can limp to the end of the season and get into some sort of European competition for near season.

Personally, struggle to be too over critical of him. Kind of accept he has taken on a good opportunity but at the same time thrown in the deep end somewhat and it is a learning curve. Expectations are low and it's all about crawling to the finish line and personally, I couldn't give a shit about qualifying for European competition right now.

Think he should build his career at a club a level or two below and see how he gets on. Right now, the club as it is, is not the kind of job to be handed over to a novice at this level. Things can quickly become toxic after a bad defeat or two and think it would be mighty unfair on someone with such little experience to deal with that if he was given the role.

 

[Johnny J]

I like Mason but I have to say I'm surprised that people want him in the role permanently. Maybe he'll be a good manager in time, but appointing him with the club in this state would not be sensible IMO.

Obviously if he's appointed I'll back him 100% but there's simply no comparison between him and Slot, let alone Nagelsmann.

 

[Mr Pink]

He speaks very, very well. Clearly articulate and intelligent, very confident as well.

Hard not to be impressed but he should go out and develop further somewhere else.

I'll be surprised if he doesn't make it as a top coach.

One for the future.

 

[Joely]

I like Mason but I have to say I'm extremely surprised that people want him in the role permanently. Maybe he'll be a good manager in time, but appointing him with the club in this state would not be sensible IMO.

Agree. I just don't think Levy would take that kind of gamble right now. If it went pear shaped next season under Mason, Levy would get pelters and if Mason was sacked, Levy would be left scrambling around for a manager and potentially writing off another season and a lot of the managerial options he has now may not be available.

Fully expect one of Nagelsmann, Kompany or Slot to be here by preseason.

 

[Timberwolf]

I like Mason but I have to say I'm surprised that people want him in the role permanently. Maybe he'll be a good manager in time, but appointing him with the club in this state would not be sensible IMO.

Obviously if he's appointed I'll back him 100% but there's simply no comparison between him and Slot, let alone Nagelsmann.

Yeah don't really get it personally.

He's ahead of the curve for someone his age, speaks well and I think he could have a bright future in management, but would be an absolutely colossal risk for us right now. We'd basically be picking a manager based on good vibes, some decent press conferences and promising stories from Ally Gold and co. We have no idea how he how he works in the transfer market, how he'd put together his staff...hell we don't even really know what his style of play would be other than 'more positive than Conte & Jose'.

If the only alternative was someone rubbish like Nuno then sure I might just say 'fuck it' and give him the keys but when there are some very promising other candidates available I just don't see how you can justify it, really.

 

[THFC_SWE]

I think Mason should work under a more progressive manager like lego head did under Guardiola. And when the next manager is leaving at some point, he will be ready to step up.

 

[muel]

One of the things I’ve been most impressed with is when he talks about things like; focussing first on not conceding again first and foremost, working to the strengths of the squad you have, focussing on mentality.

These are the comments of someone who is beyond their years and experience. Not just someone who has an idea of how to do things on paper

I love him

 

[rossdapep]

Dude, he started insinuating the players weren't good enough for him shortly after he signed. Pretty sure you can find comments supporting that from interviews and press conferences after most of our losses. Just because he wasn't as extreme as after the Southampton game, it doesn't mean he didn't talk down the players before that. And even if he didn't, a great motivator would never end up speaking like that anyway.

Yeah as far back as January 22 he said that we were miles off Chelsea's level and it'd take multiple windows to catch up with them.

I think he was partly right but probably not right to air that publicly.

Because unfortunately you can't fix all your issues in 1 window, so any time Conte said anything negative about players it adds to what he previously said and loses the players belief each time.

It doesn't have to be a strong criticism or knock down because even little by little it can erode away.

 

[markt]

It’s hard to know what Mason’s football philosophy is because the only two opportunities we’ve given him are trying to tidy up after a complete mess. What I think you can see from both spells is that he wants us to play on the front foot. It’s hard to know how sophisticated his ideas of attacking play are because he hasn’t had time to implement things long term. At the same time he does seem to be prone to set ups which are vulnerable in transition. Again, it’s hard to know whether he can improve on that over time. It’s pretty similar to how he was as a player for us really - properly committed but maybe not quite sophisticated enough. That said I think his personal attributes are fantastic - it’s a cliche but he bleeds Spurs. That hurt him today every bit as much as us and whilst it would have annoyed Conte or Mourinho I don’t think it’s quite the same.
I’d love for him to be our manager in the future but it depends how best to achieve that. Do we believe that he’s ready now? I’m not so sure but I’d still have reservations about Kompany and Slot being ready for this step up. If he’s not ready now would we still be having the same queries if he remained as a number two to the next guy? Should he go and manage at a Championship club because although that seems sensible Arteta has done better stepping up as a number two than Gerrard and Lampard who did the more traditional route.

A pretty reasoned summary.

As he said himself, at this stage of a season it's hard to try rip up and start from scratch. Then with the injuries we have too, the current players we have available make it difficult to try a different formation for example.

The positives I have seen from him is we move the ball quicker, play a bit more to strengths of players than a rigid system (Son being prime example) and elements of pressing in patches (again though takes time for a team to develop a cohesive press, as well as having the right personnel).

We have looked very vulnerable defensively still, but hard to say what impact he has had on this, as we all know defensively we need an upgrade and on top of that confidence and form is rock bottom

 

[mil1lion]

I would like Mason to stay under JN for a few more years.

Only if Nagelsmann wants him

 

[MiakSarawak]

We'd actually went to 352 soon after they scored the penalty, and not when Sarr came on. He deserves credit for changing that, but he set up the team terribly to begin with. Yes, defenders made mistakes and you can't legislate for that, but he still set us up terribly defensively in his two games.

How did he set up terribly defensively? What could he have done better?

 

[MiakSarawak]

I think that there is a lot of reasons why Mason makes sense.

As a club we need to settle and stabilise. Having someone who bleeds Spurs has huge advantages. He won’t walk. He won’t bring the club down. He will support the club in resolving the off field chaos. He genuinely loves the club. Our instability goes right through the club. Having one of our own reinstalling our beliefs and values on and off the pitch as well as in the stands

Every single word he has said in every interview has been absolutely fantastic in my opinion and is indicative of an extremely intelligent person. As well as being a very highly rated coach.

I really am not worried about his lack of experience. I’ve posted about my views on experience before. We’ve had some of the most experienced Managers in global football over the last few years and it hasn’t worked because that isn’t the root cause of our issues

My issue over the last few seasons has been not feeling connected and falling out of love with Spurs. Not the lack of trophies. I want someone who can make me care again. I think that could be Mason.

Post of the season