This Week’s Manager Watch: Ryan Mason

[muel]

- Every word that has come out about him has been glowing
- Every time he has faced the press he’s handled himself impeccably
- Everything he has said about what it means to be Spurs is sincere and in line with fans
- Everything he has said that we need next as a club is absolutely spot on
- Every single player has been better than pre Mason
- Every game has had green shoots of better tactics and performances for at least parts of the game

To judge him on results alone. Without context. Taking on a disillusioned squad 40+ games into an incredibly long disjointed season is ridiculous.

I’ve had pelters from day 1 of saying I’d be delighted for him to get the job but I’m sticking with it and happy to die this hill.

If he wasn’t one of our own, and had come up through the coaching ranks at any other club then yes. Absolutely. I wouldn't want him, but right now the last thing I want is another mercenary that doesn’t care what we are about or has ‘settled’ for Spurs. To para phrase Mason. If someone doesn’t want or appreciate the badge then fuck off. He’s Spurs through and through and would not accept anyone giving less than 100% for the shirt.

The ‘Levy yes man’ stuff is bollocks as well. He has been as challenging as Conte but in a much more professional and controlled manner. Speaking in a way of “Here’s how we move forward positively together” rather than “here’s why you lot are shit”

I hope the club give him a fair crack to make his case and don’t make a decision based on ‘optics’ or potential fan backlash.

 

[wrd]

- Every word that has come out about him has been glowing
- Every time he has faced the press he’s handled himself impeccably
- Everything he has said about what it means to be Spurs is sincere and in line with fans
- Everything he has said that we need next as a club is absolutely spot on
- Every single player has been better than pre Mason
- Every game has had green shoots of better tactics and performances for at least parts of the game

To judge him on results alone. Without context. Taking on a disillusioned squad 40+ games into an incredibly long disjointed season is ridiculous.

I’ve had pelters from day 1 of saying I’d be delighted for him to get the job but I’m sticking with it and happy to die this hill.

If he wasn’t one of our own, and had come up through the coaching ranks at any other club then yes. Absolutely. I wouldn't want him, but right now the last thing I want is another mercenary that doesn’t care what we are about or has ‘settled’ for Spurs. To para phrase Mason. If someone doesn’t want or appreciate the badge then fuck off. He’s Spurs through and through and would not accept anyone giving less than 100% for the shirt.

The ‘Levy yes man’ stuff is bollocks as well. He has been as challenging as Conte but in a much more professional and controlled manner. Speaking in a way of “Here’s how we move forward positively together” rather than “here’s why you lot are shit”

I hope the club give him a fair crack to make his case and don’t make a decision based on ‘optics’ or potential fan backlash.

If he gets the job mate then backing him all the way and hope he succeeds but my concern isn't his capability to manage spurs, my concern is that it is too much too early and we would basically be ruining somebody who I think could be a superb manager for us in the future. I think that sometimes it is about arriving at the right time and I think with the current situation Spurs find ourselves in, we would be absolutely ruining him. I think he has shown the capability to say he'd be no worse than what Nuno produced, I think he'd do just enough to survive but I think that is an absolute waste of what he could be down the line due to putting him in too early.

In any other job I would say that being chucked in the deep end and learning to simply to survive would be an incredible learning experience but the football management world does not allow for people to develop that way. It expects immediate results and if you don't get it right first time, fans pretty much never buy into the belief that somebody deserves a 2nd chance. Look at what Poch achieved with us and the context, half the fans on here wouldn't give him a 2nd chance, so how do you expect it to go with Mason?

I hope he makes the best decision for the long run and goes elsewhere and follows in Kompany's footsteps who went to Anderlecht, Then Burnley and then instead of jumping at the first opportunity to join a big club, renewed with Burnley. He knows where he's heading and he knows that when is as important as where. You contrast that with Lampard who had a good go of it at Derby, jumped too early and has eviscerated in 3 jobs, any chance of a prem job that he doesn't earn from starting in the Championship, possibly league 1. I really think Mason can be a top manager for us but I don't think he will become that if he takes the job in this moment.

 

[Styopa]

If he gets the job mate then backing him all the way and hope he succeeds but my concern isn't his capability to manage spurs, my concern is that it is too much too early and we would basically be ruining somebody who I think could be a superb manager for us in the future. I think that sometimes it is about arriving at the right time and I think with the current situation Spurs find ourselves in, we would be absolutely ruining him. I think he has shown the capability to say he'd be no worse than what Nuno produced, I think he'd do just enough to survive but I think that is an absolute waste of what he could be down the line due to putting him in too early.

In any other job I would say that being chucked in the deep end and learning to simply to survive would be an incredible learning experience but the football management world does not allow for people to develop that way. It expects immediate results and if you don't get it right first time, fans pretty much never buy into the belief that somebody deserves a 2nd chance. Look at what Poch achieved with us and the context, half the fans on here wouldn't give him a 2nd chance, so how do you expect it to go with Mason?

I hope he makes the best decision for the long run and goes elsewhere and follows in Kompany's footsteps who went to Anderlecht, Then Burnley and then instead of jumping at the first opportunity to join a big club, renewed with Burnley. He knows where he's heading and he knows that when is as important as where. You contrast that with Lampard who had a good go of it at Derby, jumped too early and has eviscerated in 3 jobs any chance of a prem job that he doesn't earn from starting in the Championship, possibly league 1. I really think Mason can be a top manager for us but I don't think he will become that if he takes the job in this moment.

I think there is a lot of sense in what you are saying, but as with most things, there are some major exceptions.

For example, Arteta went from assistant coach at Man City to his first head coach job at Arsenal.

And Julian Nagelsmann started his head coaching career not in the lower German leagues but at relegation-threatened Bundesliga club Hoffenheim, where he had been an assistant coach and involved in the youth team. He was only 28 at the time.

Both of the above clubs were in a mess and took a huge gamble, which paid off big time.

I am not suggesting we should appoint Mason but we could probably do worse. It really depends who the alternatives are.

 

[mil1lion]

He's down the list for me but I would have him on the list. More of a last resort option. I would take him over ending with another Nuno. My preferences in order would be..

Nagelsmann
Gallardo
Enrique
Ange
Potter
Mason

 

[Nerine]

I've not really seen anything that would put me off having Mason as head coach considering the absolute shower he took over.

We've seen more interesting and expansive football in the games he's been in charge for than the same amount of games (if not quite a lot more) prior to him taking over.

The players seem to have a lot of respect for him and have looked like they want to play for him, too.

 

[SirHarryHotspur]

I've not really seen anything that would put me off having Mason as head coach considering the absolute shower he took over.

We've seen more interesting and expansive football in the games he's been in charge for than the same amount of games (if not quite a lot more) prior to him taking over.

The players seem to have a lot of respect for him and have looked like they want to play for him, too.

I would love to see Ryan make a success of management at Spurs but I fear if he was appointed there would be a whole load of criticism that he would be a Levy yes man .
Years ago Liverpool managers were promoted from within the club from the "boot room" if only it was like that at Spurs.

 

[InOffMeLeftShin]

I would love to see Ryan make a success of management at Spurs but I fear if he was appointed there would be a whole load of criticism that he would be a Levy yes man .
Years ago Liverpool managers were promoted from within the club from the "boot room" if only it was like that at Spurs.

He’s already been speaking out about the way the club has been run and that there have been a lot of mistakes. That doesn’t suggest yes man to me.

Let’s be honest, Levy isn’t going anywhere. If a coach can’t figure out how to work with Levy he gets rid of them. So understanding how he works and maybe how to work him might be a strength rather than a weakness.

 

[Cochise]

I'll echo the points about how he handles himself in front of the press and also how he deeply cares about the club. The Levy yes man comment is fair though because to say Levy has been let down by other people is an unreasonable line to take. Then again Mason is angling for the job, so no sense in pissing off his potential employer but to absolve Levy of any blame isn't going to fly with the majority of fans.

As for the football, I can't honestly say it's been great. Conte had the players entirely reliant on his automated passing sequences, so I'm not expecting high IQ decision making straight away. With that said, we still have failed to control games since Mason took over. Our playing out from the back is still poor and we still seem unable to control the ball for long periods of time unless allowed to. Defensively we are disorganised with the midfield barely protecting the already vulnerable defence.

Personally I've not seen enough on the pitch to make me think it's his time.

 

[Styopa]

He’s already been speaking out about the way the club has been run and that there have been a lot of mistakes. That doesn’t suggest yes man to me.

Let’s be honest, Levy isn’t going anywhere. If a coach can’t figure out how to work with Levy he gets rid of them. So understanding how he works and maybe how to work him might be a strength rather than a weakness.

Exactly this. There's this whole narrative about us needing a strong man to stand up to Levy. Mourinho and Conte are widely celebrated for sticking it to him and telling him how it is. But they lasted about three seasons between them and left us in a mess. What good is that?

 

[wrd]

I think there is a lot of sense in what you are saying, but as with most things, there are some major exceptions.

For example, Arteta went from assistant coach at Man City to his first head coach job at Arsenal.

And Julian Nagelsmann started his head coaching career not in the lower German leagues but at relegation-threatened Bundesliga club Hoffenheim, where he had been an assistant coach and involved in the youth team. He was only 28 at the time.

Both of the above clubs were in a mess and took a huge gamble, which paid off big time.

I am not suggesting we should appoint Mason but we could probably do worse. It really depends who the alternatives are.

Yeah I agree, I think Hoffenheim is the similar pressure of Burnley in terms of expectation (fan demands). With Arteta he had a board who really believed in him and didn't let outside noise impact their decision making (evidenced from their mouths in the prime documentary). I don't think based on recent years that this level of stick-to-itiveness (smashed it there ain't I) is a trait our board has shown. So if I was analysing it from Mason's POV, I would not trust that I'd get the support during the difficult moments that Arteta did. I'd love to see Mason go to Leeds.

 

[gaffers]

- Every word that has come out about him has been glowing
- Every time he has faced the press he’s handled himself impeccably
- Everything he has said about what it means to be Spurs is sincere and in line with fans
- Everything he has said that we need next as a club is absolutely spot on
- Every single player has been better than pre Mason
- Every game has had green shoots of better tactics and performances for at least parts of the game

To judge him on results alone. Without context. Taking on a disillusioned squad 40+ games into an incredibly long disjointed season is ridiculous.

I’ve had pelters from day 1 of saying I’d be delighted for him to get the job but I’m sticking with it and happy to die this hill.

If he wasn’t one of our own, and had come up through the coaching ranks at any other club then yes. Absolutely. I wouldn't want him, but right now the last thing I want is another mercenary that doesn’t care what we are about or has ‘settled’ for Spurs. To para phrase Mason. If someone doesn’t want or appreciate the badge then fuck off. He’s Spurs through and through and would not accept anyone giving less than 100% for the shirt.

The ‘Levy yes man’ stuff is bollocks as well. He has been as challenging as Conte but in a much more professional and controlled manner. Speaking in a way of “Here’s how we move forward positively together” rather than “here’s why you lot are shit”

I hope the club give him a fair crack to make his case and don’t make a decision based on ‘optics’ or potential fan backlash.

Thank you, Daniel

 

[gaffers]

I've not really seen anything that would put me off having Mason as head coach considering the absolute shower he took over.

We've seen more interesting and expansive football in the games he's been in charge for than the same amount of games (if not quite a lot more) prior to him taking over.

The players seem to have a lot of respect for him and have looked like they want to play for him, too.

I think I've wandered into some weird parallel universe...

 

[Oh Teddy Teddy]

Some nice reflecting from Ally Gold on Mason’s time at the club this time around as interim.

Says people he’s spoken to reckon Mason has softened the handover for the next manager and has set a lot up behind the scenes.

Course, his source might be Mason on this, so pinch of salt

 

[SirHarryHotspur]

He’s already been speaking out about the way the club has been run and that there have been a lot of mistakes. That doesn’t suggest yes man to me.

Let’s be honest, Levy isn’t going anywhere. If a coach can’t figure out how to work with Levy he gets rid of them. So understanding how he works and maybe how to work him might be a strength rather than a weakness.

Levy obviously has faith in Ryan having put him in charge twice , I would be happy for Ryan to be given the job but looking through some of the comments on this thread not sure it would be popular.
Just watching the Leeds game again , I know Leeds are a poor team but Ryan has cut out a lot of the tip tapping the ball across the back and the painfully slow build up , we were much more direct.
Also like the way he has Porro in front of Royal on the right.
With the right DOF in place don't see why Ryan couldn't do the job with a whole close season to work with the squad and any new additions.

 

[PaulThurston]

Levy obviously has faith in Ryan having put him in charge twice , I would be happy for Ryan to be given the job but looking through some of the comments on this thread not sure it would be popular.
Just watching the Leeds game again , I know Leeds are a poor team but Ryan has cut out a lot of the tip tapping the ball across the back and the painfully slow build up , we were much more direct.
Also like the way he has Porro in front of Royal on the right.
With the right DOF in place don't see why Ryan couldn't do the job with a whole close season to work with the squad and any new additions.

There would at least be no way anyone could question his motivation to be here.

 

[Nerine]

I think I've wandered into some weird parallel universe...

read my post again and then explain your comment.

At no point have I said he’d be my first choice.

 

[SpursSince1980]

If Ryan was crowned, I'd like to think we'd have a very solid DoF in place. Plus, a lot of thought would be put into assembling a first-rate support staff around him. A combination of experience and innovation. Right now, he's been having to put together an IKEA bunkbed without a set of instructions and with half the parts missing.

So, no. I won't throw my toys out the pram if they go in this direction. But they have to provide him with the best possible set up for a chance to succeed.

 

[ralvy]

Anyone who wants Mason to get the job is part of the problem.

 

[muel]

Anyone who wants Mason to get the job is part of the problem.

Didn’t realise I was that influential. Wonder what I should apply my new found power to next

 

[robotsonic]

Anyone who wants Mason to get the job is part of the problem.

Ah, the tired narrative of blaming other fans, who have no agency over what the club does whatsoever

Not everyone has the time or the energy to be outside the stadium or Hotspur Way with a placard with the other 8 blokes. Some of us just want to care about something above all else. And I say that as someone not punting for Mason.