Spurs unconvinced by Ryan Mson
4 min read
According to former England and Arsenal forward Alan Smith, now a TV pundit with Sky Sports who seems to have toned down his anti Spurs comments of late, Ryan Mason doesn't have universal support inside Tottenham.
Writing in his Daily Telegraph column Smith, who won the UEFA Cup Winners Cup, League Cup, FA Cup and First Division with Arsenal, says there is a difference of opinion at Tottenham.
Surely the point is does Mauricio Pochettino rate him, he is the only one who picks the team and he is the one handing out instructions to each player to improve their game. Mason broke through on the North American pre-season tour taking his chance where Tom Carroll didn't.
Injury has then prevented him making progress until the midweek visit of Nottingham Forest. His positive passing and speed of passing changed the game, the reward a Premier League debut in the North London derby.
Pochtino makes positive comments about all his players as you would expect but the fact he picked him for such an important game surely indicates that the right man rates him. His forward passing statistic of 77.15%, way above any other midfielder in his role backs that up.
Can he stay physically fit is the question, he seems to have an injury every year. Pochettino alluded to his physical condition after the League Cup tie.
Again Pochettino spoke about him to the media prior to the Europa League tie last night as he is the flavour of the moment.
That last sentence is so so important, 'now it's important for him to use this opportunity', if only all players did that. Fans often spout rubbish that players should get a run of games but if you have talent you should show what you can do immediately. Nabil Bentaleb took his chance, Harry Kane took his chance, Ryan Mason took his chance.
Why then are the Paulinho's of this world not taking their chance, why did a player like Giovanni Dos Santos not take his chance, Roberto Soldado, too many players don't perform, too many are not hungry enough, they lack the right mentality.
Like him or not, Tim Sherwood was spot on about some players at Spurs, they think they are doing the club a favour when fans want to see players who want to play for us. Overhauling this squad will take time but if Ryan Mason can stay fit, he may well have an increasing part to play.
Writing in his Daily Telegraph column Smith, who won the UEFA Cup Winners Cup, League Cup, FA Cup and First Division with Arsenal, says there is a difference of opinion at Tottenham.
"To some, Mason is not built for the Premier League’s cut and thrust, making it hard for him to make a mark.
"To others, however, the Enfield-born youth product is regarded as the best of the bunch, more talented and capable than any of his peers. Nabil Bentaleb, Andros Townsend and even Tom Carroll might all have seen more first-team action over the past couple of years but, to some, they do not measure up to the lad who finally made his league debut in Saturday’s north London derby."
Surely the point is does Mauricio Pochettino rate him, he is the only one who picks the team and he is the one handing out instructions to each player to improve their game. Mason broke through on the North American pre-season tour taking his chance where Tom Carroll didn't.
Injury has then prevented him making progress until the midweek visit of Nottingham Forest. His positive passing and speed of passing changed the game, the reward a Premier League debut in the North London derby.
Pochtino makes positive comments about all his players as you would expect but the fact he picked him for such an important game surely indicates that the right man rates him. His forward passing statistic of 77.15%, way above any other midfielder in his role backs that up.
Can he stay physically fit is the question, he seems to have an injury every year. Pochettino alluded to his physical condition after the League Cup tie.
"It is early to predict the future for Ryan Mason. He needs to stay calm and understand that he needs to improve and progress in both his physical condition and his skill. Maybe there will be a time to speak about his future, but now we need to be calm with him.
"His form is no surprise for me because I know him from the beginning of pre-season here. I also knew his history, how the last two or three seasons have been difficult for him. We have tried to help him and his development and his physical condition because this is a major problem he has had.
“He showed me in training his quality and always with young talent and young player you need to play for them really to show their skill.This moment Ryan has the possibility to play because he deserves it and he has indeed shown his ability.
“Everybody is extremely happy with the performances of Ryan.”
Again Pochettino spoke about him to the media prior to the Europa League tie last night as he is the flavour of the moment.
“Ryan is a big talent. It was difficult the last two or three seasons for him. He got different injuries and played in different clubs and was always on loan. But when we started pre-season, we felt something special from him, so we waited for the moment he was ready to play and we gave him the chance.
“He is 23, but he is young and has never had the possibility to show his talent here. Now, he deserves it. He worked hard in pre-season and now it’s important for him to use this opportunity to stay in the Premier League and in the squad.”
That last sentence is so so important, 'now it's important for him to use this opportunity', if only all players did that. Fans often spout rubbish that players should get a run of games but if you have talent you should show what you can do immediately. Nabil Bentaleb took his chance, Harry Kane took his chance, Ryan Mason took his chance.
Why then are the Paulinho's of this world not taking their chance, why did a player like Giovanni Dos Santos not take his chance, Roberto Soldado, too many players don't perform, too many are not hungry enough, they lack the right mentality.
Like him or not, Tim Sherwood was spot on about some players at Spurs, they think they are doing the club a favour when fans want to see players who want to play for us. Overhauling this squad will take time but if Ryan Mason can stay fit, he may well have an increasing part to play.
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