Free Mason Brings First Win

Okay, so the pun in the title is a bit of a reach. Nevertheless, it was Mason's freedom to roam from a defensive midfield position that was the difference between the two teams in Wearside.

In all honesty it was a game you'd have to watch to understand the multitude of complaints I have. A clean sheet? An away win? What could possibly have been wrong with that? In fact, I saw one Twitter account state that the modern day fan is "never satisfied" with just a win. I disagree. No one is dissatisfied with the three points. But there is a fine line between winning ugly and not deserving to beat relegation candidates. Unfortunately, we fell into the latter category. 

Where an inform Harry Kane or Christian Eriksen would so often spare our blushes last season, we seemed unable to crack open what is without doubt one of the worst defences in the league. It took until the 79th minute for us to muster an attempt on Pantilimon's goal. We were narrow and sorely lacking in dynamism and incisiveness. Kane's midweek goal against Switzerland did nothing to ease his Premier League woes as he yet again failed to open his 201516 account. Ah well, at least we've got Berahino on the bench to bring on when he's not firing.

More shirts than goals

Kane cannot take all the blame for our lacklustre performances of late. While the finger should still be pointed firmly at Levy and his lack of deadline day investment, we must first analyse the three behind our young English prodigy. Son will take some time settling into the Premier League and, until he does, cannot be relied upon to dig us out of sticky situations. I mean, just look at Lamela. It has been two years and I'm still waiting for him to unpack. Dele Alli, while undoubtedly talent, is a teenager from League One and should also not be counted on for an instant impact. That leaves Nacer Chadli. Yes, he was playing today. You wouldn't have noticed him if it wasn't for the multiple shots he glazed over the bar. I'm usually a big fan of the Belgian winger but today he was totally ineffectual.

You merely adopted the dark... I was born in it.

While this post could easily have been used to rant about the growing number of problems we have, I will instead then to the positives. Eric Dier was once against superb in his new positions, executing his now trademark slide tackles with ease and providing several covering blocks when our defence looked exposed. I will continue to praise the lad until every fan and pundit understands what an exceptional job he is doing. His partner today was Ryan Mason, the match winner. While it is becoming something of a popular question to ask precisely what Mason offers to our midfield, I feel he went some way to answering his critics with today's performance. Unlucky not to score against Everton two weeks ago and Stole earlier in the season, the Englishman popped up late in today's game to delicately lift Lamela's through ball over the onrushing keeper. While many see Mason as a possession player, I'd like to think of him as the Paulinho we thought we were buying before a young Jermaine Jackson turned up. Essentially, Mason is a box-to-box midfielder with growing confidence and ability. The likeable Jordan Henderson the world so desperately needed. I'm thrilled for Ruan. He's no Modric, granted, but he has taken the place of four multimillion pound internationals and made it his own. Fair play.

Lifesaver!

As for Thursday, I'm hoping to see a lot of rotation as well as a confidence-building win. Until then. Up the Spurs!

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