Football is tribal.
To me that word equates to another word, irrational.
ODM for example saw a picture of me with my dog (nothing as compromising as he had possibly hoped for) in which the true size of Bernie was demonstrated
Little old 6’4″ me was sat on a chair in the front office of the Rescue place, and Bernie was on his hind legs, his front paws pinned to my chest as he wanted to look out the window behind us.
Bernie is a 41 kilo Akita cum Mastiff cut n’ shunt of a fella; with his heavy set mane, the image makes him look rather more like a medium sized lion than a dog.
ODM’s response to the picture was ‘why are you wearing red trainers?’
So forgive me for what some will view as an irrational enthusisasm for our man Mason. However I noted at the weekend that young Ryan came in for a bit of what I felt was irrational stick on Social during the City game.
I don’t know about other clubs, I don’t follow any of them with anything the same degree of intensity, but I think it’s to our support’s credit that the enthusiasm for the promotion of youth, probably surpasses that for household name signings. It’s telling how elated fans are when they sing for Harry Kane.
Ryan told The Guardian:
City knew how to shut out the game and this is something we have to learn quickly for next season because we have got a young team and we need to learn how to play bad and win games.
First and foremost we want to win games, play attractive football and score goals. But there are times when maybe we’ve been a bit naive at times.
It’s been a breakthrough season. I’m delighted how it’s been and the challenge now is to carry on and keep improving for next season.
It is the first time I am going into a break feeling like a footballer. After the next three games I’ll look forward to it, but probably within a couple of weeks I will be dying to get back into pre-season.”
Has Mason been as successful as Kane?
Well, if if goals scored are you barometer, then obviously not. But if doing your absolute best in the Lilywhite, wanting Spurs to win with every fibre of your being, then I’d argue he’s as Tottenham as Tottenham gets.
Mason is an Enfield lad, who’s been on our books since 2007.
Thrown in the deep end is a phrase that springs to mind. But don’t mistake his emergence in our first team for a damage limitation exercise. This is a 23 year old that has seriously bust a gut in order to make his mark.
This is a guy that has done the Loaned Out gig, as Harry and Andros also have. He’s bulked up, he’s been receptive to guidance and instruction.
Is Mason the next so and so? Who knows or cares?
What is important, is that his developing talent is not just acknowledged but respected.
Don’t keep this a secret – Ryan Mason is one of our own.
