Hugo Lloris Wins Tottenham Spurs For September

Hugo Lloris has won his Tottenham Spurs for his displays in the month of September. Such has been the unpredictability of the performances by the Spurs players and the team as a whole over the past month that a total of 13 players finished in the top 3 places in the HotspurHQ polls for the five matches played in September.

Tottenham have played 3 games in the Premier League and one each in the Europa League and Capital One Cup. Mauricio Pochettino, like Andre Villas-Boas last season, has settled on a League team and a midweek side for European and Cup games. The month started with an exciting performance at Sunderland which unfortunately produced only one point. Team displays and individual performances then dipped alarmingly but picked up in the final quarter against Nottingham Forest and a hard-working defensive performance so nearly brought all three points against Arsenal.

The HotspurHQ ‘Spurs’ awards for September are based on performances in the five games played. After each match the readers of our blog voted for the player who has been deserving of his ‘Spurs’. The player with the highest % votes cast in each match receives 3 points, second gets two and 3rd claims 1 point.

1st: Hugo Lloris

Hugo Lloris has carried on from where he left off last season. The newly-appointed Tottenham vice-captain has maintained the high level of form displayed throughout 2013-14 and has again topped the HotspurHQ poll. In the very pedestrian performance at White Hart Lane against West Bromwich Albion, Lloris received the most votes from HotspurHQ readers.

His play at the Emirates on Saturday earned him second place with important saves and a commanding performance in the face of mounting pressure from Arsenal.

Speaking after the match at the Emirates, Pochettino’s remarks about Hugo Lloris were reported by The Mirror,

"I think he is one of the best goalkeepers in the world, not just the Premier League. He is unbelievable."

Thoroughly deserved praise for Hugo Lloris from his manager.

2nd: Ryan Mason

Jul 26, 2014; Bridgeview, IL, USA; Tottenham Hotspur forward Harry Kane (left) celebrates with forward Lewis Holtby (14) and midfielder Ryan Mason (38) after scoring a goal against the Chicago Fire during a friendly at Toyota Park. Mandatory Credit: Jon Durr-USA TODAY Sports

Ryan Mason only played in two games during the month – a total of 115 minutes – but is runner-up in the poll. His cameo performance against Nottingham Forest in the League Cup which included a stunning equaliser earned him top spot in the readers’ votes.

Better still for 23-year-old Mason, it earned him a starting place in the team for the north London derby. Not overwhelmed by the occasion, he performed with confidence and finished 3rd in the poll for that match.

Having progressed through the Tottenham Academy his Premier League debut and progress was hindered by serious injuries picked up while on loan at a variety of lower League clubs. Mason will be hoping that he can build on the opportunity afforded to him in the first team by Pochettino.

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=3rd: Mousa Dembele, Benji Stambouli and Younes Kaboul

Five different players headed the polls through the month. Mousa Dembele started his first league game at Sunderland and gave his best performance for some time but was unable to repeat in the home game against West Brom. In the Europa League game against Partizan, new signing Benji Stambouli finished as top man with captain Younes Kaboul excelling in the high-pressured atmosphere of the derby at Arsenal.

Honourable Mentions

• Christian Eriksen was second in the match at the Stadium of Light, just behind Dembele with Erik Lamela third.
• In Belgrade, Jan Vertonghen was second in the poll with his central defensive partner Federico Fazio in third place.
• The West Brom match saw Etienne Capoue rewarded for his consistent performances this season, to finish runner-up to Lloris with Danny Rose in third.
• Against Forest, Andros Townsend finished second to Mason with Kyle Naughton third.

Look out for the HotspurHQ polls which are posted on the morning after the game. Your opinions and votes are greatly appreciated.