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Ryan Mason

Article on him here: http://windycoys.com/2013/06/ryan-mason-spurs-prospect-and-his-non-start-in-lorient/


Ryan Mason: Spurs’ prospect, and his non-start in Lorient

Ryan Mason caught the eye of many a watcher as an apprentice – prolific as he was in an impressive youth career. Playing mostly as a number 10 (second striker), he formed a lethal partnership with Jon Obika at U18 level for Spurs, and scored 29 goals in 31 appearances in the 2008/9 season. This led to him signing a pro cotract in June 2008.

The hype was there: Darren Bent was asked in a mainlittle ringed plover press interview who the best prospect he’d seen at Spurs was – he answered ‘Mason’. Sally Williams, a Telegraph journalist, wrote in her 2009 article that Spurs were keen for her to meet Mason, with John McDermott speaking highly about his ‘mono vision’, and saying ‘He’s incredibly dedicated, verging on obsessed.’ And, of course, he made his professional debut as an 18 year old in the UEFA Cup – coming off the bench against NEC Nijmegen. Involvement in the England U19 and U20 set-up showed that he wasn’t just rated within the club.

A move to League One Yeovil seemed the ideal way to toughen him up, and it was interesting that he often played in the central midfield battleground. His impressive first season on loan led to involvement in Spurs’ pre-season the following summer, and I for one was hopeful of him being around the first team squad. Instead, he was sent back out on loan. His progression continued, however, as he moved to Championship cub Doncaster Rovers, where he made five starts and ten substitute appearances in an injury-hit spell. Doncaster took him back for the following season, but injury struck again and restricted him to just five appearances. He regained fitness and joined Millwall for the end of the season, making four starts and two substitute appearances.

When Andres Villa-Boas took over at Spurs, much was made on a new focus on youth; I felt hopeful that Mason would be one of those close to the squad. I thought I had my wish in September, when Mason first came off the bench against Lazio in the Europa League, and then played nearly 70 minutes against Carlisle in the League Cup. Thereafter, however, we only saw glimpses – an unused sub in one game, and an 85th minute cameo against NK Maribor.

However, slightly under the radar, Ryan had established himself as one of the integral players for Spurs’ Under-21s, playing consistently well in a central midfield berth in the Under-21 Premier League.Then came the transfer window. Lorient. Ligue Une. Well-connected journalists emphasised that the club wanted Mason to go to a “technical” league (rather than, say, the Championship) which should have, in theory, suited his style perfectly.

Mason essentially confirmed as much, giving some insight into the move in an interview with the Standard’s Tom Collomosse in February: “Ligue 1 seems similar to the Premier League in its pace and physical style, and you have a whole week to prepare for games. I doubt I’ll be able to go home before the end of the season so I’m out of my comfort zone but, hopefully, I will be able to progress.”

He went on, “I don’t think I’ve made as many appearances for Spurs as I should, or maybe I’ve deserved,” he admitted. “By the age of 21, I definitely expected to have made more than four. The club thought it would be more beneficial for me to move abroad because we thought it might suit my style of play better. When the offer from Lorient came in, I said I wanted the move to happen. Within an hour of landing, I was training.”

He finally went on to say, “Andre Villas-Boas wished me luck and told me to get good experience. It’s hard to break into the Spurs team because there are so many talented young players around. But next year is the year I want to break through.”

Months later, and after being named on the bench just once and playing four minutes for Lorient II, Mason’s frustration were clear from his Twitter timeline alone. A rumour did the rounds that it was in fact Lorient’s chairman that had arranged the transfer – potentially without the manager’s agreement. The use (or lack of use) of Ryan implied that the rumour may have had some substance to it. In April, he returned to White Hart Lane.

A talented and committed player with excellent technical attributes, Ryan is someone who should have seen a lot more playing time than he has at the ripe old age of 22. I look at someone like James McCarthy at Wigan and wonder whether Ryan would be playing at a similar level had he had the same opportunities.

Sometimes just being in the right place at the right time is crucial; perhaps next year will be the year that Ryan Mason finally makes the breakthrough, be it for Spurs or otherwise.

If you search the history on here,I said four years ago Mason will play for England and I stand by that. Onomah is the next one through.
 
It's actually his old man who is my pal but yes I know Ryan. Very decent, grounded guy.

Been talking to his dad for 18 months now getting so frustrated as he has always been capable of doing that but hasn't been given a chance. Niggling injuries haven't helped as well as a loan move to another PL team who Sherwood felt didn't play a system that would benefit Ryan so turned down the approach preferring to send him to Swindon.

Cool. Hopefully a late bloomer like Drogba or Toni
 
He transitioned the ball forward quickly and accurately for the most part and pressed well. Also has a decent long ball. That sounds like a Poch player. Hope he breaks in to our side this season.


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Probably the biggest positive we can take from tonight was this guys performance. Where Bentaleb, Dembele, Capoue and Stambouli take 3-4 touches he takes 1-2. It may have been down to the fact that we were chasing the game and the intensity of the team as a whole went up, but from the moment he came on the ball was hitting the forward men quicker and the switching of play was smoother. He passes the ball so well too. Some of the others don't put enough pace on the ball or too much. It's something quite basic but he does it well none the less.
 
He was an exceptional player at youth level and it's no surprise to see him do what he did tonight. It just shows that a player so far down the pecking order can look so good in comparison to our statuesque and limited midfielders. Get it, give it, look again.... So simple yet 17m players can barely trap a ball never mind find a creative pass.

One thing to n
 
.... One thing to notice, he always seemed to go into a tackle and get injured or pull up randomly. Hope he stays fit and progresses! Would have him ready to come on this sat.
 
If you search the history on here,I said four years ago Mason will play for England and I stand by that. Onomah is the next one through.

BBC1 just said he made his debut 6 years ago and has had a frustrating wait. But they also got his forename wrong.

Agreed on Onomah, every match report always talks about how good he is, I have high hopes for the wee tyke.
 
Can't complain with that performance at all a goal and assisted the assister in the other two. Could mason be to us what lallana was to Southampton for poch?!?
 
BBC1 just said he made his debut 6 years ago and has had a frustrating wait. But they also got his forename wrong.

Agreed on Onomah, every match report always talks about how good he is, I have high hopes for the wee tyke.

He's not so wee!
 
A player Alex Inglethorpe nurtured and AVB first blooded?

Timmeh was possibly responsible for all his disasterous loans

you are mistaken i believe

AVB did not first Blood this Kid in...

and to be honest...Ryan Mason was pretty much ear marked for a successful footballing career (note that this does not mean that he would be world class. just that he could earn a good living playing in good competition at the very least)

and the loan spells clearly has done him good, looks a bit stronger and doesnt try to play the great ball ALL the time as he once used to
 
He always had the talent.

Just needed to grow, toughen up and put persistent injury behind him. And then to be given a chance. Let's hope that this is it.

Thanks for this. 100% agree with you.

Tbh , i felt the same about others such as Adam smith and Kasim in the past......ryan mason to me felt like a forgotten and sad story....so happy for him.

just from a sheer marketing perspective that goal has made his career
 
What I don't understand about Mason's situation is that he was born on 13 June 1991, according to the OS. That makes him 23. So how can he count as an U21 player. I could understand if he was 22, because they count I think from January or some such.

Any helpful info gratefully received.
 
What I don't understand about Mason's situation is that he was born on 13 June 1991, according to the OS. That makes him 23. So how can he count as an U21 player. I could understand if he was 22, because they count I think from January or some such.

Any helpful info gratefully received.

He is named in the 25 as a HG player. Not as an u21
 
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