Eric Dier in midfield: Why Tottenham can reap the long-term benefits

theShiznit · Aug 28, 2015

double0 said:
I disagree Dier has looked cumbersome. Looking at his role without influence of thought ( what we think he should be) Dier has been very composed, surprisingly I may say imo.
Pochettinho and the coaching staff believe his capable, tbh I feel his going good....Bentaleb hasn't been on his game and that will happen being a young player at this moment Dier Mason is the best pick.

My feeling though is I like the combination of Mason Bentaleb.

That composure has often been misplaced though, as he has occasionally received the ball and turned straight into trouble and as he doesn't have the agility/mobility of his midfield counterparts it's in these instances where he has looked leaden footed in trying to repair the situation. Give and goes are a bit of a worry with him too, as he lacks a turn of pace.

double0 · Aug 28, 2015

theShiznit said:
That composure has often been misplaced though, as he has occasionally received the ball and turned straight into trouble and as he doesn't have the agility/mobility of his midfield counterparts it's in these instances where he has looked leaden footed in trying to repair the situation. Give and goes are a bit of a worry with him too, as he lacks a turn of pace.

Regarding pace, Dier isn't a slouch he hasn't lack a turn of pace from what I've seen he is quite athletic for he's build, and let's be fair, he has only played 3 games for us in this position so let's not write him off / disgurd him just yet.

parj · Aug 28, 2015

2bearis2do said:
I don't get it, I don't like it - this isn't pre-season experimentation MoPo.
He's technically sound, no doubt and has great ambition and I think great talent - But stick him in his BEST position and groom him there. That, for me is as Centre Back and at this moment in time he should be starting ahead of Verts in that position and Dembele should be the boss as the holding midfield player and they should all play in their best positions for a run of games! Grrrr

Groom him for where we need him most. At CB who you going to drop out of Jan and Toby? He at the age he needs to play.
At DM he could pretty much be unchallenged. Already I would prefer him ahead of bentaleb because the latter disappears when it's tough. Dier was still getting involved.

The alternative is to waste his talent

Bobbins · Aug 28, 2015

Dave-F said:
Could well prove to be one of our best signings in recent years, but still needs to learn and bulk up a bit. Still think he wants to play CB, but if the DM role works well for him then it will only benefit us as that will naturally free up Mason/Bentaleb/Alli/Dembele to roam forwards.

Bulk up a bit?!

The kid's built like bloody Thor!

2bearis2do · Aug 28, 2015

parj said:
Groom him for where we need him most. At CB who you going to drop out of Jan and Toby? He at the age he needs to play.
At DM he could pretty much be unchallenged. Already I would prefer him ahead of bentaleb because the latter disappears when it's tough. Dier was still getting involved.

The alternative is to waste his talent

Drop Jan.... I would - I think he's slow and over rated. Dier is more mobile and stronger.

HotspurFC1950 · Aug 29, 2015

Dier is playing that role because he is versatile though normally a centre back. He drops in to centre back when the usual two centre backs split to cover the attacking full backs.

sak11 · Aug 29, 2015

A few responses to some of the opinions already voiced:

1) he does not need to bulk up - He is 6'3 I think and he is built like a tank.

2) he is too nice - no he isn't. I have seen him dole out plenty of solid challenges. He def can play the enforcer if required.

3) he is def CB material but playing at DCM is only going to benefit him in the long run. He will develop his skill set as a player which can only benefit him and us in the long run, particularly when he settles into being the starting centre back.

Jenko · Aug 30, 2015

He had a bloody good game against Everton. I think he will prove his doubters wrong and I don't understand why everyone assumes he wants to play CB. We don't know what he wants (except that he doesn't favour RB). I would assume that a player like him will love DM because he'll be more involved in the game.

Yakflange · Aug 30, 2015

jenko said:
He had a bloody good game against Everton. I think he will prove his doubters wrong and I don't understand why everyone assumes he wants to play CB. We don't know what he wants (except that he doesn't favour RB). I would assume that a player like him will love DM because he'll be more involved in the game.

Agreed - I thought he was our MOM yesterday. Excellent all round game (and plenty of physical stuff too).

Chris_D · Aug 30, 2015

He's done all right there, so far this season better than Bentaleb. To me he looks a natural centre back but for once we have more centre backs than central midfielders.

Japhet · Aug 31, 2015

Have to admit I was a bit dubious at first but he seems to be developing into a defensive midfielder very quickly. I'd now question whether there would be any need to pursue Wanyama who is primarily a destroyer - which Dier does very effectively. We may still need a playmaker there but Dier seems well suited to the shielding role we have been crying out for since Scott Parker was sold.

Main Man · Aug 31, 2015

How have we arrived - and now four games in to a new season - with a centre back playing in midfield?

We have suffered with a lack of midfield creativity so Poch decides Eric Dier is the answer? Or was he put there to combat the amount of chances we have conceded? Or ideally, was it both?

Not even considering the players we currently do have, can Dier do anything Sandro, Capoue or Stambouli could/can?

Is Dier able to function in Poch's infamous high pressing team?

In fairness to Dier, as redundant as I think he is in central midfield, I would rather see him in there than us shell out £20m on Wanyama. I would also play him centre back over Jan. We need to sell that useless piece of shit whilst people still think he is good.

sak11 · Aug 31, 2015

Main Man said:
How have we arrived - and now four games in to a new season - with a centre back playing in midfield?

We have suffered with a lack of midfield creativity so Poch decides Eric Dier is the answer? Or was he put there to combat the amount of chances we have conceded? Or ideally, was it both?

Not even considering the players we currently do have, can Dier do anything Sandro, Capoue or Stambouli could/can?

Is Dier able to function in Poch's infamous high pressing team?

In fairness to Dier, as redundant as I think he is in central midfield, I would rather see him in there than us shell out £20m on Wanyama. I would also play him centre back over Jan. We need to sell that useless piece of shit whilst people still think he is good.

In response to all of your questions - yes.

His role is not to create, that is not how the double pivot works. There are 3 attacking midfielders who are there to create and score.
His role is primarily defensive shielding as you say, dropping back when the fullback bombs forward, and to destroy and recycle the ball quickly.
You can see that he doesn't have the nifftiest feet however he is fast, strong, agile.
He has already, in my eyes, proved to be able to play the position asked and will only get better...

Henry Percy · Sep 1, 2015

I thought he was excellent against Everton, so was verts. I was really dubious initially but Dier gets better and better, he reads the game well, was right in the thick of it and starved Lukaku of any service.

I like the defence and the way it is shaping up as a structure and if they stay as a unit they will only get better.

Next step is to address the attack. Which is clearly underway.

Things are going in the right direction.

TaoistMonkey · Sep 1, 2015

I'd be more than happy if we stuck with Dier and not sign a DM.

Kids going to be class.

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