#PLStories-Ryan Mason on Harry Kane, Emerson, Pedro Porro and changing Tottenham’s system after win against Crystal Palace #THFC
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ryan mason tottenham
A win and a clean sheet, you must be pleased with that?
Yeah London derby, and Palace are in a good moment. We understand the importance of the win, and the clean sheet as well is a great response form the players because maybe mentally when you concede so many goals in a short space of time it can have an impact, but the players have worked hard – the whole squad has worked hard on the training pitch. We’ve had a bit of time together to try and influence things. And they responded today. I thought it was a cagey game but overall we deserved the three points.
You changed up the system and it was a fluid one, tell us about it and what you changed?
Ultimately we wanted to engage Palace higher up the pitch because we know they have some individual brilliance, and we wanted to avoid them getting the ball in our final third and the box running at us. So we added a sixth man into the press and tried to be a bit more aggressive and I have to compliment the players because when you’ve been working in a certain way for so long to make that change at this stage of the season it’s very positive for me.
Another goal for Harry Kane and the records keep coming?
Yeah, I mean Harry Kane, I think we can sit here all day and speak about Harry. Naturally people see the goals, the records. But probably what doesn’t get touched upon enough is the individual brilliance from a technical point of view. Most importantly the team player, the humility. He’s humble, he works hard, he fights for the team. He’s recovering, he’s working back. He’s an example for any young player to see a top player and how to act. We’re very lucky to have him, we know that, we feel it every day.
What did you make of Emerson Royal today, coming straight back into the team?
Yeah he was outstanding. I thought the whole team without the ball worked hard, they worked together. And obviously Eme has had a period out. But I trust him. We trust him. And I thought today he did a very good job along with the rest of the players on the pitch. When you keep a clean sheet it’s a collective, it’s everyone and everyone fought for the clean sheet. The players on the pitch but also the ones who didn’t because in the training week we’ve all worked hard together and they’re the results you want.
Pedro Porro as a right winger, who knew?
Pedro has been quite effective for us, even in the previous system. He’s scored goals, he’s created chances. He’s a good guy, he works hard, he fights for the team and I thought we saw that today.
How is Clement Lenglet?
He had a shoulder problem, you could probably see. Hopefully nothing too serious, too bad. He got treatment on the pitch, it was late on in the game, it was a set piece and we didn’t really want to lose a central defender to defend a set piece so we made that change.
You’ve seen the change in Harry Kane over a long period of time, what has been the biggest change?
It’s a difficult one. I don’t think I’ve seen a great deal of change in terms of the person, the mindset, the elite mindset, the desire to keep working hard and improve. Naturally I think we’ll all talk about Harry’s goals and when he plays games of football he will continue to score goals. We know that. Also that elite mindset, that example that he sets every day in and around the place, it’s great to be around, because when you have people like that they inspire you to be better. We appreciate Harry and we value him so highly in this football club.
Do you think he can make it to Alan Shearer’s record?
I don’t like speaking too much about the future because from personal experience you can’t plan too far ahead in football terms and in life. You’ve got to be in the moment. Harry is certainly one player who is focused in every game and he gives the best version of himself every time he’s out on that football pitch, whether it’s on the training ground or matchday. Hopefully Harry continues to play and I’m sure he’ll continue to score goals.
Was Porro one of the biggest beneficiaries of the change in system?
Yeah, he’s affected the game today with and without the ball. That was the job and the task that we set him. I’m very pleased. Very pleased with his performance for the team because we saw a desire to help his team-mate from a defensive point of view but also not losing that attacking threat that we wanted him to give us and he’s been part of a clean sheet for the group but also got the assist for Harry, which is good for him.
When you manage Harry Kane and you see him clearing the ball from his own goalmouth late in the game, is that as important as his goals for you?
Absolutely. The Premier League is tough. To win games in the Premier League is difficult and you have to have 11 players that are fighting for each other and working hard as a collective to get results. When you’ve got your captain, your leader, your goalscorer, probably one of our best players setting that example, that’s what I want. That’s what any manager or coach wants. It probably doesn’t get spoken about enough in terms of his overall performances because we put a lot of attention on his goals and his goalscoring records but he’s a joy to watch. In this country we should really appreciate him because he’s a special, special player.
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