Ryan Mason urges the Spurs to improve their mentality

Ryan Mason

was appointed as the

’ interim coach after the club decided to part ways with

Jose Mourinho

last month. Tottenham sit sixth in the Premier League table as they are battling for a top-four finish. Ahead of his side’s clash against

on Saturday, Mason says he is focused on his team’s abilities as he is determined to improve their mentality.

“I respect any team we come up against. I respect managers, I respect players, I respect football clubs.

“It wouldn’t be right of me if I didn’t spend and invest a lot of energy and a lot of my time trying to figure out how they want to play and go about certain things in certain moments. I focus a lot on Leeds. I focussed a lot on Sheffield United.

“And every game that we do play, there will be a lot of focus on the opposition but also there has to be more focus on us because we have some very good players.

“I am sure they will be thinking about us as well. We respect them massively, we respect everyone we come up against but we have to focus on us.”

Tottenham are five points behind

, who are sitting in fourth place with four games to play. The north London club have won their last two games and they are hoping to improve their form in the crucial upcoming matches.

“It is about how we are going to try and implement our style, how are we going to win this game of football.

“Because if we don’t have that, then it is going to be very difficult to win a game of football. Massive respect to any team we come up against but also a lot of energy invested in us, that is for sure.”

Mason hanged his boots as a footballer in 2017 due to a head injury. The young coach says

Mauricio Pochettino

has had a huge influence on his managerial career.

“I think energy is important and it’s important that it’s a good energy,”

he added.

“Mauricio opened my eyes to a lot of things, he and his coaching team opened my eyes to a lot as a player and as a person as well. It’s important.

“If you’re doing something, you need to feel good, you need to be mentally in the right place to work and to compete. Yeah, it’s so important that we try and transmit this kind of feeling to each other, to our players, to the groundsmen, to the cleaners, everyone.

“Because when you get that feel-good energy, the running doesn’t seem as

“Because when you get that feel-good energy, the running doesn’t seem as hard, the competition doesn’t seem as hard, it’s a key to any environment to work well, not just in football but in life as well.

“Whether it’s at home with your kids, with your family – you need to be happy, you need to feel good, for sure.”

After their match against Leeds United, the Spurs will face

in their next Premier League match on May 16.

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