You're right the stats can be misleading but the fact is neither Carroll nor Mason are good enough to command a regular place in our team.
Really.... I know Everton fans who have started to realise how limited McCarthy is. I said it last year that he is poo and it's shown this year with their awful defensive record despite playing two well regarded (but clearly crap) holding midfielders.
I think Mason has plenty to offer but as I've also said it's an area we need to build up our strength in as the drop without Moussa is noticeable
The problem with McCarthy is that he's had Martinez as his manager for the last 7 years. It will be interesting to see how he plays in the Euros after a few weeks with Roy Keane on his back.
Facts?
Thats completely subjective.
Anyway this isnt about this season its about the future.
Last season Dembele "wasn't good enough", same with Lamela.
Pochettino improves players. Carroll has had a season with Poch.
We need these Phil Neville, John O'Shea, Wes Brown, Darren Fletcher types in our squad. Players who have come through our system and know the club.
We need to constantly move on and improve, and if you don't move on at the same pace you'll get dropped. Bentaleb has had two years under Poch. How long do you give him? You also need to freshen up the squad and bring in the odd new face or three, so some will have to make way.
Maybe we need homegrown players like Mason in our team, but if so then he need to be number 7 or 8 on the list to fight for the two places.
Spurs when Ryan Mason has started in the Premier League this season:
Played 8
Won 1
Drawn 4
Lost 3
You're right the stats can be misleading but the fact is neither Carroll nor Mason are good enough to command a regular place in our team.
Like I said.
How well would you play if you were cortisoned up to your eyeballs just to get you out there?
Shouldn't be playing if he is cortisoned up. He is making the wrong decision and consequently further wrong decisions on the pitch. I doubt the club are begging him to play.
Whether good enough, he's become an easy escaped goat. It wasn't Mason in isolation. Too easy to blame him. We do need more in midfield, not sure who or even if its a tweak to our shape, but with Dembele out, we're lighter no doubt.
Can't believe people are blaming him so much really.
There were so many poor. Players out there today.
I think the two instances of him getting caught in possession stick in people's minds - I don't know if that was a true reflection of his half as watched in the pub and it's hard to properly watch
Eriksen getting caught in possession was far more egregious to me. The attacks that directly followed led to their first goal.I think the two instances of him getting caught in possession stick in people's minds - I don't know if that was a true reflection of his half as watched in the pub and it's hard to properly watch