Ryan Mason Offers His Thoughts on Tottenham’s Season
More and more, Tottenham Hotspur players are reflecting on how this past season has gone for them. The latest person to do so is Spurs midfielder, Ryan Mason.
Ryan Mason managed to make 22 league appearances this past term even though he had to deal with two injuries (knee and ankle) wiping out a portion of his season. Still, despite a lot of time spent on the sidelines as well as losing his starting position at central midfield, Mason was able to watch Tottenham play consistently well throughout the year.
Related Story: Tottenham's Ryan Mason Praises Eric Dier
“The team did very well throughout the year – we progressed from the previous season,” Ryan Mason said (via Tottenham’s official site).
“We showed that we’re a tight team with great chemistry but that’s not just the players, it’s the staff and everyone at the football club.”
“The gaffer and the players put in hours of work on tactics and how we play out from the back and this last season you saw that we did it on more of a consistent basis.”
“Everyone understands each other in the team and some of the performances were fantastic. Even in the first game of the season against Manchester United away I thought we were the better team, we outplayed them and we should have got a result there.”
“I think over the season there weren’t many games where we underperformed – it felt like we were the dominant team in the majority of matches.”
A big part of Tottenham’s consistent play was being able to have the likes of Toby Alderweireld and Harry Kane for all 38 Premier League games this season.
Hugo Lloris and Eric Dier appeared in 37 games missing one apiece due to injury and suspension, respectively.
Christian Eriksen and Érik Lamela made 35 and 34 appearances.
More from Hotspur HQ
- Storybook ending after difficult period for Tottenahm’s Richarlison
- Tottenham comeback showcased invaluable intangible Ange has cultivated
- Tottenham player ratings in 2-1 comeback win over Sheffield United
- Tottenham projected starting 11 for Sheffield United
- Tottenham’s Richarlison says he’s going to seek psychological help
For Mauricio Pochettino to have his key players at the goalkeeper, center-back, defensive midfield, wide midfield and striker positions, there’s no wonder why Tottenham were able to gel together after a slow start and become title contenders near the end of the season.
Had Ryan Mason not suffered two separate injuries this past season, who knows what would have happened at Spurs’ central midfield. Obviously Mousa Dembélé stepped up, regained his starting spot on the team and having excellent form in Mason’s absence.
It could be seen as a blessing in disguise that Mason was injured because although the 24-year-old played well last season and showed some improvement early on this past term, Pochettino’s offense and defense got better with Dembélé playing alongside Eric Dier.
Maybe Ryan Mason is better suited by coming off the bench rather than starting? Either way, it might not matter much to Mason, but missing game time due to injury and eventually his starting job, he feels that it’s just a part of football.
Next: Tottenham Linked with Yet Another Serie A Midfielder
“That’s part of football,” Mason added. “Obviously I’d have liked to have played a bit more but I got injuries at bad times, had long spells on the sidelines, the team did well and the players in my position did well too.”
“People get injuries but as long as you come back stronger and you don’t have a negative attitude around the place, I think that’s the most important thing.”
News is speculating that Ryan Mason could be one of the players who might get sold this summer. But at the very least, he has the right mentality to support the team even when he’s not starting, which is something that Mauricio Pochettino and the other players no doubt appreciates.
Which could keep him around for another year; good team spirit and camaraderie.