| view Mason's match-by-match record |
| Ryan MASON | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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One of six players to join from Tottenham in the 2013/14 close season, Mason was captured on a season long loan in July, having been courted by the Town since May. After a series of niggling injuries, Mason stated that the upcoming campaign was a “massive season” for him personally, describing himself as “a ball playing central midfielder and hopefully I can chip in with a few goals.” After making his debut on the opening day of the season in a 1-0 defeat at Peterborough, Mason was withdrawn at half time in his following game - a grade one hamstring tear keeping him out for two weeks. Unfortunately, it proved to be just the first of a number of injuries over the season, as Mason’s bad luck continued - when he was available, he outlined his credentials with some superb performances, including a hat-trick in a 5-0 win over Crewe (despite missing a penalty), and another goal - this one a thirty yard rocket - in a sublime display at Wolves, during which the only blot on his copybook was a glaring miss, turning the ball wide when it seemed easier to score. Just when he seemed to be hitting his stride, a thigh injury forced him onto the sidelines again - and he was out for a month. When he returned to action, manager Mark Cooper stated his delight at having him available again - calling Mason a “match-winner”, and if they could get him back to match fitness, the best was yet to come. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen - after two substitute appearances and three starts, Mason was out again in early November, this time with a twisted ankle, and though he returned before the end of the month, he was in and out of the starting eleven right through to the end of January - a period in which he netted another goal in a 3-2 defeat at Brentford on Boxing Day. A seventeen minute appearance in a 3-1 win over Shrewsbury at the end of January proved to be his final display in a Town shirt - after being forced off early on with a muscle spasm in his side, the injury was expected to keep him out for no longer than a week, it he didn’t return to full training until three weeks later - 48 hours later, he suffered a recurrence of an old ankle injury, and in early March, he underwent surgery. With an anticipated recovery period of over six weeks, and only ten weeks of the season remaining, Mason did not return to the County Ground. During the lay-off, Cooper stated that if it wasn’t for injuries, Mason would be playing for Spurs in the Premier League - an opinion proved accurate over the coming year, as Mason broke into Spurs’ Premier League squad, and making his debut for England before the following season was out. PLAYING RECORD:
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date of birth
usual positions central midfield other positions centre forward youth career senior career website links |
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