Ryan Mason believes he did not get the opportunities he deserved under Harry Redknapp but is convinced he can make inroads into Tottenham’s first team with Andre Villas-Boas.
The 21-year-old midfielder was a late substitute against Lazio in the Europa League last week and is expected to feature when Spurs travel to Carlisle in the Capital One Cup tonight.
Mason made his Tottenham debut in 2008, aged just 17, but found chances limited during Redknapp’s four-year tenure at White Hart Lane and was sent out on loan to Yeovil, Doncaster and Millwall.
This season, with Villas-Boas’s policy of giving youngsters an opportunity to stake their claim in cup competitions, Mason is ready to make his mark.
“The way Villas-Boas does things is a lot different to Redknapp,” he said. “I’ve been training with the first team for the last few weeks and that wasn’t the case under Redknapp. I was out on loan a lot and when I was back I didn’t get a chance to show what I can do. It was a bit disappointing because I was a senior member of the development squad and I wasn’t getting a chance.
“Hopefully things will change and I will get an opportunity to show what I can do. I’m confident I will do well.”
Fellow academy graduates Steven Caulker and Andros Townsend have already given Villas-Boas food for thought this season and both are expected to start at Brunton Park.
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