Embarrassing, disgraceful, clueless – Just some of the ways fan’s can describe the last weeks’ performances by Millwall.
After a 4-0 pummeling by Birmingham on Tuesday, the week was finished with a embarrassing gutless second half display at Bournemouth which saw the Lions lose 5-2 after going 2-0 up.
Goals from Martyn Waghorn and Liam Trotter saw the Millwall two up within ten minutes. This showed some of the good work Lomas has tried to do – both goals were both very well worked and finely finished.
Every time we went forward we looked like we could score, but as the first half went on the more and more we sat back inviting pressure, and the pressure broke a couple minutes before half time when Ryan Fraser scored an impressive goal.
Now, any punter in the ground could tell you that Bournemouth were going to come at the Lions in the second half. But the way the team collapsed was nothing short of embarrassing. Three goals in 14 minutes saw the game change completely.
We just rolled over and died, plain and simple. The second and third goals were unmarked finishes from crosses and then two penalties.
And lets not forget the red card, Alan Dunne didn’t know much about the handball until the red card, it wasn’t intentional. Now Dunney has two red cards in six weeks.
Lomas has done some strange things as manager already but Saturday summed it up. At the red card he took off Waghorn and brought on a defender, going 4-4-1. Why not just play three at the back and go for it, I’d rather lose by a couple more trying to salvage something then sitting on the goal-line.
This seems now to be the game changer. Some Lomas supporters have now had enough and have joined the “Lomas Out” club. Anyone could hear at full-time that this is now a high number of fans’ opinion, ‘get out and get out now.’
But would the club really sack Lomas? They’ve paid the money to bring him in, there’s not much chance they’ll pay to sack him and bring someone else in, I just can see it. And there’s no way he would resign.
Watching a Lomas interview is like watching a soap opera. It seems totally scripted and you know what’s coming, like Saturday where he starts to blame the ref’s decisions on the game, the red card was at 3-2 to Bournemouth, unbelievable…
And if it doesn’t get better it will get worse for Lomas… Our treatment of him will make Blackburn’s of Steve Kean look like a fun little day out at Thorpe Park.
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Fans anger is already at breaking-point for some, look at the celebrations for Bournemouth’s fourth, ex-lion Lewis Grabban running over straight to away fans. No wonder some fans wanted blood, and of course Steve Cook getting hit with a coin.
Florian Thauvin had only been on the pitch a matter of minutes, but there was already a sense that he could offer life to Marseille’s innocuous attack.
The newly-signed winger carved out the French side’s two best opportunities, seeing Nacho Monreal clear his shot off the line, and forcing an excellent save from Wojciech Szczesny in a congested penalty area.
There is normally a feeling of trepidation when an inexperienced youngster steps into the fold. That wasn’t really the case when Szczesny made his Premier League debut for Arsenal against Manchester United in 2010. The other two options, Manuel Almunia and Lukas Fabianski, were so calamitous that by default Szczesny became the saviour before anyone really had a clear understanding of what he was capable of.
Those early stages of his career in the Arsenal first team were fuelled by a clear drive to prove his worth. Age and the chasm separating him from the experienced names in the Premier League went out the window. Arsenal had their goal in safe hands; the player to hold that position for the next ten years, as it’s so often described.
The halt in Szczesny’s development that eventually followed was a concern. He looked lazy, disinterested and incapable of dragging himself out of the depression he’d fallen into.
Szczesny’s first save against Thauvin, however, was a reminder of the turnaround in his game. For the majority of the game against Marseille, Arsenal were dominant, allowing a clear a path for that lethargic state to re-enter Szczesny’s mind. But once again, as it has been for much of this season, that wasn’t to be. Even the very best defences allow for small streams to burst through their fortifications. Yet unlike in the past, this Arsenal goalkeeper is saving his team points, rather than losing them.
Arsene Wenger has played the biggest part. You wonder how much was said to the Polish international, if anything at all. Perhaps it was all mental. Perhaps all that was needed for Szczesny to get back on track was a set of scare tactics to prove that no matter how dire things were in the past, this current Arsenal team are not in the business of accepting mediocrity.
Fabianski did his part last summer. So much has been said about Arsenal beating Bayern Munich last season – still the only blemish on the Bavarians’ home record this calendar year – and yet it can sometimes be overlooked that Szczesny wasn’t in goal on the day. Fabianski helped Arsenal grab that final Champions League spot, but his short contributions could have a significantly longer affects.
Emiliano Viviano, the goalkeeper on loan at Fiorentina last season, was brought in this summer as further warning to Szczesny that his talent was not to be so carelessly discarded. If there is any eye-opening evidence as to how important those warning shots have been from Wenger, Arsenal have only conceded once this month, with clean sheets against Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund. That one goal came against Manchester United, when Robin van Persie’s shoulder took advantage of a last-minute change in Arsenal’s backline.
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Szczesny’s form is representing of the overall picture at Arsenal. There’s a newly-found urgency at the club, stemming from the manager. There’s no more time for half efforts or hollow promises of tomorrow. A good goalkeeper is a vital piece of a team challenging for silverware. But instead of rectifying the problem via the market – at least through an expensive purchase – Wenger has rightly chosen to work on the talent he has in house.
As is usually the case with Wenger, persistence and patience is bringing vastly deserved rewards.
The Capital One Cup has produced some quality football over the last 18 months, with huge upsets occurring late on and some wonderful winning goals. In fact, the League Cup has always thrown up some stunners, so with that in mind, here’s a look back at the top 10 goals from the Semi-Final stage of this competition.
Nigel De Jong – Liverpool 2-2 Man City 2011/12
[youtube dM1FUhq4u6g]
Nigel De Jong’s goal gave Man City the lead away at Anfield, with the Dutch international scoring a long range curling effort past the outstretched Pepe Reina. The goal levelled the score on aggregate and opened up an exciting encounter between the two Northern clubs.
Craig Gardner – Birmingham 3-1 West Ham 2010/11
[youtube 6shWClyw5B8]
Birmingham were trailing 2-1 after losing in the first leg, and after going a goal down in the return leg at home, they fought back to level the score, with Craig Gardner scoring the winner in extra time.
Carl Mchugh – Bradford 3-1 Aston Villa 2012/13
[youtube ocZ85u_Nc50]
Bradford were the surprise package in the Capital One Cup last season and Carl Mchugh’s header gave Bradford a vital 3-1 lead which saw them go into the away fixture at Villa Park with a real chance of reaching the Final. This goal was vital to Bradford nearly going all the way in the Capital One Cup that year.
Robbie Blake – Burnley 3-2 Tottenham 2008/09
[youtube gXWBh47Jar0]
Burnley went into the fixture having lost 4-1 at White Hart Lane and many fans could see another heavy defeat coming their way. Robbie Blake’s tremendous free-kick opened the scoring that night and staged a late comeback, giving the Clarets fans hope of reaching the Final.
Nicklas Bendtner – Arsenal 3-0 Ipswich 2010/11
[youtube sagFdkg8cnQ]
The first touch and brilliantly executed finish from Nicklas Bendtner opened the scoring in this 3-0 win over Ipswich and made it into the top 10 purely for the technique shown by the Danish forward.
Lee Bowyer – Birmingham 3-1 West Ham 2010/11
[youtube nJnzbrXC5LA]
This powerful strike from Birmingham City’s Lee Bowyer sparked the superb comeback, which saw them reach the Final and go on to beat Arsenal and lift the trophy.
Danny Graham – Chelsea 0-2 Swansea 2012/13
[youtube THZwwxNrbQQ]
The second goal away at Stanford Bridge snuck into the top 10, as Swansea went on to lift the trophy, after producing a magical display against Chelsea in the Semi-Finals and standing strong in the return leg.
Wayne Rooney – Manchester United 3-1 Manchester City 2009/10
[youtube zUO2GfEt8jY]
This 90th minute winner from Wayne Rooney saw United progress to the Final having conceded a late aggregate equaliser from former Red Devils striker Carlos Tevez. This goal would have meant a lot to United fans as they knocked out their fierce rivals and progressed to the Final.
Martin Olsson – Aston Villa 6-4 Blackburn 2009/10
[youtube 9dBOBHi9QH4]
One of the greatest games the League Cup has ever seen, Aston Villa progressed after a 6-4 win against Blackburn to reach the Final against Manchester United. Martin Olsson’s goal was the pick of the bunch, with an acrobatic finish to give Aston Villa their sixth of the game.
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Cesc Fabregas – Arsenal 3-0 Ipswich 2010/11
[youtube sagFdkg8cnQ]
The former Arsenal midfielder completes this goal fest with a delightful, delicate chip over Martin Fulop to put the icing on the goalscoring cake.
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Tottenham’s season has been as good as over ever since Benfica dumped the North Londoners out of the Europa League in Lisbon.
It has been a season of disappointment, with the investment of the summer holding Spurs back rather than proving to be the catalyst for a Premier League title push.
Tim Sherwood appears to be riding a tight rope at Spurs, and given Levy’s impatience for success you can expect there to be further upheaval this summer. Spurs fans will be desperate for some good news over the next few months, and with Daniel Levy at the helm you can expect your fair share of thrill and spill along the way.
So we’ve put together a list of the SIX things we can expect to see at Tottenham this summer.
Click on Tim Sherwood to reveal
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It looks set to be an interesting summer at White Hart Lane, with Tottenham welcoming a new manager in Mauricio Pochettino.Indeed, the former Southampton manager has a number of crucial decisions to make – last season’s regular capitulations against the Premier League’s top sides proved that the Lilywhites currently lack the quality to stage a successful Champions League bid.And although the Argentine will be keen to add his own players to the mix at White Hart Lane, rumours have circulated that he will have to sell before buying.With that in mind, here’s a list of SIX Tottenham players we at Football Fancast believe deserve the proverbial transfer axe this summer.
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GYLFI SIGURDSSON
Occasionally capable of pulling off the sublime:
//www.youtube.com/embed/KI-tIKIMASQ?rel=0
Iceland international Gylfi Sigurdsson is a useful player to have around. He’s netted 13 times for the Lilywhites since joining them in summer 2012, including a decent return of eight goals in 58 Premier League outings.
That includes this wonder-strike against Hull City earlier this year, which won the Goal of the Year at White Hart Lane:
But too weak to play as a central midfielder and too slow to be considered a long-term solution out wide, the 24 year-old is fundamentally flawed.
The Tottenham management appear to agree, and have resultantly struck a deal offloading Sigurdsson to Crystal Palace:
MICHAEL DAWSON
Another Lilywhite that already appears to be on his way out of North London is ever-loyal centre-back Michael Dawson.
You can’t question the 30 year-old’s commitment, and after nearly a decade at Tottenham, amassing 322 competitive appearances, he’s very much become part of the White Hart Lane fabric. Who remembers this sensational strike from back in 2009?
But recently, the four-cap England international’s brand of absent-minded defending has become far more prevalent:
After somehow surviving the transfer axe for the last two summers and looking disturbingly out of his depth towards the end of last season, Dawson’s Tottenham tenure has surely run its course.
Hull City have emerged as keen suitors with the view to a £5million deal. But with the 6 foot 3 centre-back demanding added compensation for Spurs’ refusal to grant him a testimonial, Steve Bruce claims the transfer far from complete:
ANDROS TOWNSEND
After netting England’s Goal of the Qualifying Campaign (yes, that’s a real award) against Montenegro in October, many expected great things from Tottenham winger Andros Townsend:
//www.youtube.com/embed/RH3eV6eIx38?rel=0
But far from becoming the Three Lions’ answer to Arjen Robben, as once predicted by Harry Redknapp, the 23 year-old is looking more and more like the next Adam Johnson by the game.
As you can see, his dribbles-per-game and shots-per game averages are amongst the best returns of the White Hart Lane roster:
But having netted just once all season despite taking 56 attempts at goal, with this cross-shot somehow finding its way past Aston Villa’s Brad Guzan:
//www.youtube.com/embed/WGt9oZXxXp8?rel=0
…Townsend’s conversion rate for the campaign stands at an almighty 1.7%.
The England international is fast-becoming a one-trick pony, with that one trick being cutting inside to shoot, which he’s not even that good at!
Spurs should sell before the youngster’s market value begins to depreciate. A return to QPR, where Townsend impressed on loan at the end of the 2012/13 campaign, has been mooted:
KYLE NAUGHTON
Had Spurs not continually failed in their pursuit for a resident No.3 and a back-up No.2, I’m certain that 25 year-old Kyle Naughton would have been ousted from White Hart Lane several seasons ago.
As you can see, the dual-sided full-back once again endured an inadequate campaign with the Lilywhites, failing to replicate the form that earned such widespread plaudits during his 2011 loan spell with Norwich City.
Here he is getting absolutely destroyed in the Europa League by Dnipro talisman Yevhen Konoplyanka:
The Lilywhites faithful have made their feelings perfectly clear and Naughton himself alluded to a move away earlier in the season:
Recent viable suitors remain few and far between, but Aston Villa, managed by Paul Lambert who worked with the defender during his Carrow Road spell, were linked in January.
Paulinho
This suggestion may seem controversial to some, considering Paulinho only joined the Lilywhites ranks last summer in a then-club record £17million deal.
But the Brazil international endured a torrid World Cup campaign, as detailed below:
And although his first season at White Hart Lane contained moments of brilliance…
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the 25 year-old has hardly set the top flight alight as initially expected, and often feels a poor fit for the Premier League.
Bearing that in mind and Juventus reportedly willing to pay £20million for Paulinho’s services:
The timing feels right for Tottenham to cash-in.
ROBERTO SOLDADO
Roberto Soldado is clearly a talented striker. You don’t score 81 goals in 141 appearances at Valencia without boasting considerable pedigree.
But the Spain international struggled to adapt in his first Premier League season, scoring only twice in open play, and measuring in and 5 foot 10 whilst not offering any considerable power or pace, you have to wonder if he ever will.
The old adage of allowing a year to settle comes to mind. If the Spaniard could unleash this kind of form on the English top flight he’d be talismanic for Spurs:
//www.youtube.com/embed/jBHnymaOBe4?rel=0
But Tottenham don’t have that sort of time. Soldado is already 29 years of age and resultantly his resale value – in comparison to the £26million fee that brought him to north London – is continually shrinking.
The Express believe Spurs will accept an £11million loss on the striker this summer, whilst the Daily Mail speculate he may be used in a swap deal to bring Sevilla left-back Alberto Moreno to White Hart Lane:
The one thing that was frustrating for West Ham with Mohamed Diame was that his potential wasn’t lived up to in his last two seasons at Upton Park.
They had seen what he was capable off after his free transfer from Wigan in 2012 when he was putting in some great displays playing behind the striker, down the middle of the park-scoring and creating goals just for fun.
When on top of his game, the Senegal international is unplayable. He has a great ability to take on defenders when on the ball, and create a shooting opportunity for himself out of nowhere. He scored some very important goals for the Hammers during his two year spell at Upton park and most of them were in the “spectacular” category.
The problem he faced was inconsistency in his performance. A lot of fuss has been made at the fact he would often be played out of position for West Ham – Sam Allardyce often him on the left side of the midfield rather than in the centre where the player said himself that he was most comfortable. A big reason for this, which Sam Allardyce would later go on to confirm, was that Diame was too much of a liability in the centre, often giving away the ball in dangerous areas of the pitch and gifting the opposition goalscoring chances when the team could ill afford to concede a goal.
He was often sloppy in possession, choosing to keep the ball at times where a pass to open up a chance for his team mates would have been the better option.
His fitness was also a worrying issue with him usually looking quite tired by the 70th minute of a game and having to be substituted, which made him a more effective player coming on as a substitute rather than starting the game. It was frustrating for the Hammers faithful and the manager himself to see the player not live up to his full potential – there is no denying the fact that when he fancied putting in the effort he was arguably West Ham’s finest player on the day.
This summer’s transfer window linked the midfielder with a move away from West Ham, with Everton being mentioned in the gossip columns seemingly on a daily basis at one point. It was like a game of ping-pong with reports coming out that he was leaving and the club answering them with the usual hands-off statement and quashing the rumours, denying any approach had in fact been made. Despite the player having already made his unhappiness at the club rather public, saying that Allardyce was holding him back from fulfilling his potential as a player. Diame also famously, and quite bizarrely claimed that he should be playing for a top six team which, even to his most loyal of supporters, found quite laughable.
Then transfer deadline day worked its magic and he was eventually sold to Hull City. Not a top six team but instead, with all due respect to Hull, another mid-table/bottom half team with similar ambitions. It seems like the move has done the player a world of good as he has come into his element since signing for the Tigers, scoring two goals in his first two games for them; one of which came against West Ham on his debut in a thrilling 2-2 encounter.
He is being played down the middle and showing off his ability and skill as he wanted to all along for West Ham. But West Ham will not miss him. He already started to show some signs for his new club that he is still unable to play past 70 minutes without getting knackered and having to come off. He is already showing signs that he is too greedy on the ball at times and tends to give it away a lot, despite two goals in two games.
West Ham are currently flourishing with their own summer signings and playing some ‘sexy football’ which has seem them look a real force going forward. They are creating a lot of chances – putting even the Liverpool defence under a lot of pressure and making them look second class. The Hammers do not need Diame, they have enough quality remaining, and even Stuart Downing has found himself playing well in a similar role to the one Diame was playing for the hammers.
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The player is quite simply a liability who will from time to time play really well. If Hull find themselves in a relegation scrap this season, they could do with Diame changing his attitude and sloppiness, otherwise he will prove to be more of a problem than a solution for the Tigers.
Even though the transfer window has closed, that doesn’t mean that West Ham cannot get yet more business done. Sam Allardyce has shown a willingness to delve into the bargain basement in the past, with Carlton Cole a product of the freebie market, which could tempt him back in in the coming weeks.
Although the Hammers enjoyed a fine summer transfer window, a few more bodies could benefit their push for a top half finish, and there are a few tempting options out there for them.
In case ‘Big Sam’ hasn’t had time to scour the market, we at Football FanCast have been researching, and here are six free agents for the Irons to consider…
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Jonas
Football – Stoke City v Valencia UEFA Europa League Second Round First Leg – Britannia Stadium, Stoke, England 11/12 – 16/2/12Jonas – Valencia Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Ed Sykes
A Brazilian international who represented the Selecao as recently as two years ago available on a free transfer? A bit of a no brainer for West Ham if they can pull the deal off. The versatile forward can play as a lone frontman or in a withdrawn role and is only currently without a club after agreeing a contract termination with Valencia due to Spain’s strict non-EU player quotas.
At 30, his best days are not too far behind him, and with his mix of pace, power and technique he could be a wise addition for Sam Allardyce as he looks to produce a more ‘easy on the eye’ Hammers XI. Let’s face it, he can’t be any worse than Carlton Cole.
//www.youtube.com/embed/NDdUUnXGfws
Hugo Almeida
Football – Germany v Portugal – FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014 – Group G – Arena Fonte Nova, Salvador, Brazil – 16/6/14Hugo Almeida – PortugalMandatory Credit: Action Images / Paul ChildsEDITORIAL USE ONLY.
‘Big Hugo’ is actually a player West Ham tracked over the summer following his release from Besiktas. Wage issues were understood to have scuppered the deal, but the burly Portuguese striker may be more willing to relent on his demands now that the transfer window has closed.
With Andy Carroll out of action, Almeida would be a good stand-in, and he can certainly do a job at the top level at 30.
Sotiris Ninis
//www.youtube.com/embed/vBrMDWmBfiU
Once the golden boy of Greek football, Ninis has endured a woeful few years which were capped with his release from Parma over the summer. The impish attacking midfielder has had his injury problems, but at just 24 he could be a big, big talent if he can be kept fit and firing.
After being dropped from Greece’s World Cup squad he has a point to prove, and he might add more guile to the Irons’ attack.
Ronaldinho
//www.youtube.com/embed/idYEGhn4LVo
It’s mad to think that the player dubbed the best on the planet less than ten years ago is now in the football wilderness. Everyone’s favourite buck-toothed trickster has bounced around the Brazilian top tier in recent seasons, but his time at Atletico Mineiro was brought to a close earlier this year, leaving him without a club.
The 34-year-old captained his country in 2013 and would certainly be a ‘wow’ signing for the Hammers if they could match his, almost certain, massive wage demands. A move to the MLS or Middle East is an option for ‘Ronny’, but it would be great to see such a star in the Premier League.
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Andrea Dossena
Football – Sunderland v Carlisle United – FA Cup Third Round – Stadium of Light – 13/14 – 5/1/14Andrea Dossena – Sunderland Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Lee SmithEDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or live services. Online in-match use limited to 45 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
A disappointing spell at Sunderland was brought to a close over the summer, leaving the former Liverpool left-back searching for a new employer. At 32, he could be a good back-up option for Aaron Cresswell and offer Sam Allardyce more depth as he sets about securing a top half finish.
Dossena impressed in Italy with Napoli and is adept in a 3-5-2 formation, which appears to be the new Premier League trend…
Anthony Reveillere
Football – France Training – London Colney – 10/11 – 15/11/10Anthony Reveillere – France during trainingMandatory Credit: Action Images / Steven Paston
Champions League experience and bags of ability, Reveillere is a decent right-back available on a free transfer. Joey O’Brien has long been a dependable option, but the Frenchman could well be an upgrade on the reliable full-back.
Napoli opted to release the 34-year-old recently, but he could well have a few good years left in the tank for West Ham to make use of.
Mario Balotelli’s name has been trending all over social media in recent weeks based on his poor performance, but is beginning to gather positive comments thanks to his goal against Swansea and most recently, for an amazingly huge act of kindness towards a Liverpool fan.
Jack Gandy, an 11-year-old Reds fan, along with his father climbed the wall at Melwood to watch Balotelli along with the squad in training as he recalls one of the most touching stories about the under-fire Italian striker you may ever hear.
Jack’s father, Lee, said “We just couldn’t believe it, he’s such a nice person. Jack’s a massive, massive Liverpool fan. He can tell you anything about every player.
“He broke up for half term last week and we went to watch them train over the wall at Melwood on Friday.
“Mario went to the far side and was doing longshots and we were watching him ping them in.
“Jack was clapping him as he went to go in and Mario turned and waved. The next minute he came round the back of the goal, scooped up a ball and signed it, before passing it to Jack and then told him ‘you be good’.
“I said ‘thank you so much Mario’ and he turned round, put his thumb up and said ‘no problem’.”
This wasn’t it as he continued the events which took place after they once again spotted the 24-year-old leaving the training ground.
“All the fans were outside afterwards and Mario stopped his car and told the security guard to let Jack come over.
“We went up to his car and he said to Jack ‘you couldn’t get a picture up there, would you like one now?’
He put his hand up to him and I said to Jack ‘he wants to shake your hand!’. Mario held his hand and I took the picture. Jack’s just so made up.
“I had the Swansea game on the radio on Tuesday and when Mario scored Jack was jumping around his room.
“He loves Mario now, he keeps saying to me ‘he’s such a nice person’. He’s put such a big smile on his face.
“You see him on the pitch and he looks angry all the time but he was so nice with Jack, I just think people should know about him doing things like this.”
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After Manchester United’s emphatic 3-0 win over Liverpool on Sunday, club captain Wayne Rooney believes the Red Devils are still in with a shout at the Premier League title.
United had an indifferent start under new boss Louis van Gaal, but the weekend’s result made it six wins on the trot for the 20-time English champions.
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And although they are still eight points behind league leaders Chelsea, Rooney believes that on United’s current form, the margin can be shortened very quickly.
“I think we have to believe we can win the title,” the England international told Sky Sports.
“We are eight points behind and coming into a busy period. If we can win our games and the others have one bad result, then there is nothing there.
“We have to keep winning our games, hopefully get back to the top, and you never know.
“We have shown a great resilience this season. Some of the games haven’t gone the way we would like but we are winning them and that is a great quality to have.
“We have been here before but we have a lot of new players and this is where the experience of myself, Michael Carrick and Darren Fletcher can rub off on the other players.”
Rooney also had praise for Spanish goalkeeper David de Gea, who had another commanding performance with some crucial saves against the Reds.
“In my eyes he is the best keeper in the world,” said the England forward.
“Sometimes in training you hit a shot and turn away thinking it has gone in and he just manages to get there. He came through a tough patch early on in his career here and he is starting to prove what a top keeper he is.
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“I hope he wins some of the top personal awards, he has had a really good season.”
Ryan Mason may well have been at Tottenham Hotspur since 2007, but the 23-year-old has had to wait an extremely long time to be given a chance to showcase his talents in the Spurs first team.
Mauricio Pochettino must have seen something in the midfielder that Tottenham’s previous managers haven’t, and Mason has certainly not disappointed since making his Premier League bow against Arsenal in late-September. The Enfield-born star, who has been loaned out on numerous occasions during his Spurs career, has finally made the step-up this season – going onto play 22 times for Lilywhites – and becoming a regular feature in Pochettino’s first team plans.
Mason has forced himself in front of the more senior players at White Hart Lane, and he seems to be getting better and better every week. Mason, along with Harry Kane, have been the standout bright sparks for the north London club this season – both players were instrumental in the 2-1 win over their fierce rivals Arsenal last weekend. The former England U20 international ran the show in the middle of the park for the Lilywhites, and he played like a midfielder who had been doing just that at the highest level for a number of years.
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Mason loves to have possession of the ball, he’s constantly looking for space to receive it – when the ball is at his feet, he rarely gives it away and more often than not makes a decisive pass. The former Doncaster and Millwall loanee has become one of the first names on Mauricio Pochettino’s team-sheet, and the only dilemma the Spurs boss has on a matchday now, is who’s going to partner him in midfield.
Tottenham’s 43-year-old goalkeeper Brad Friedel praised his fellow teammate in an interview with talkSPORT last week, he said: “I don’t think many Tottenham fans thought that he would be in our 25-man squad this year and maybe thought he wouldn’t even be at the club.
Friedel added; “In pre-season he impressed that much that they had to give him his opportunity and since he banged in that goal in the League Cup against Nottingham Forest he’s gone from strength to strength.”
Mason’s well documented loan spells and injury setbacks have undoubtedly played a huge part in his late development. At 23, you couldn’t have blamed the midfielder from wanting a move away from White Hart Lane, but to his credit, he sat tight and believed in his own ability, and is now reaping the rewards.
Nobody could have envisioned just how big an impact Ryan Mason and Harry Kane would have made at Tottenham this season. In fact, if you would have said back in August that Spurs’ push for a top four spot this season, will have a lot to do with Mason and Kane, you would be labelled as utter mad.
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Don’t be too surprised to see Mason in Roy Hodgson’s England plans in the not so distant future, and if he carries on playing the way he has done since cementing a place in the Lilywhites starting XI, then he’s all set for a very bright future at While Hart Lane.