ryan mason tottenham
Was that just what you wanted to see from your players after the previous game?
Yes. We needed to see a win first and foremost but then also with that, how you win is important. It’s important to get a certain feeling. I thought we were outstanding today. We could have and probably should have scored more. We attacked the game, dominated it and and controlled it. We also defended well when we needed to so it was a very pleasing performance.
What did you make of Dele Alli’s performance today and with Gareth Southgate watching on, could he sneak into that bigger England squad?
I can’t speak in terms of what Gareth is thinking. I don’t know on that but for me Dele was excellent. I don’t really like singling out players but it’s hard not to because I’m sure everyone felt it. He ran, he competed, he pressed, he created opportunities. I’m sure he’s disappointed not to get a goal himself. It was an excellent number 10 performance, I’m really, really pleased.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg is known more for his defensive work but he popped up with a goal and assist today, what did you make of his display?
Pierre has had a very good season for this football club. I’m not too sure what he’s doing in the six yard box to be perfectly honest but he felt it was right and that came from an excellent piece of play from Reggy as well. The desire never to give up and to compete for every single ball and that’s what can happen, you can create chances from that. So very pleasing performance from Pierre. Not just his goal and assist but overall I thought he helped the team and everyone collectively was very good today.
With the top six in your own hands, does that change the dynamic around the club?
No. Our thinking all along was the next game. That will be the case. I am going to enjoy the next 30 minutes because our performance deserves that. Our attention has to be on Wednesday, it’s another big game for the club, we know that. We knew today was a big game. Three wins in four in the Premier League so it is nice to get a good feeling going into a crucial seven days now.
Can you tell us more about Serge Aurier’s injury, will he be fit for Wednesday?
We are not too sure with Serge. He trained all week, but he didn’t feel 100 per cent and we didn’t feel it was right to have a player on the pitch that isn’t 100 per cent but we are going to assess him day by day and go from there.
How do you think Harry Kane played?
Very good. I am pleased he got a goal. I am sure he wished he got more. There is so much quality in this squad, there is so much quality sitting on the bench which is hard when you are not playing them too. They have all trained and applied themselves in a way that has allowed us to play like that today. They have all pushed each other, they have worked each other. Today collectively I thought it was excellent and there were some individual moments as well which more often than not when Harry Kane plays a game of football he produces moments and he did.
Can you tell us the thinking behind picking Japhet Tanganga instead of Matt Doherty?
There are so many players in this squad. There are 21 players training that we are trying to pick from. We just feel the dynamic felt right with a more defence-minded player in that position with their threat. It paid off today. I am sure if we hadn’t won today it would have been a criticism of me not starting Matt. Japhet was excellent, the team was excellent, Matt’s been excellent all week, he is ready to play, he has trained very well. Mentally he is ready, we will see what happens on Wednesday because we are going to need everyone between now and the end of the season.
