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Eric Dier

LexingtonSpurs

Well-Known Member
Aug 27, 2013
13,456
39,042
So, Dier insisted on playing as a CM - because he felt that gave him the best chance to make the England squad, which seems reasonable, until:

Eric Dier to be used in England back three as Gareth Southgate prepares to try out World Cup master plan


Gareth Southgate is hoping to road test his World Cup master plan by looking at Eric Dier in England’s back three during the friendlies against Holland and Italy.

The Tottenham player, who could captain England again with Harry Kane out through injury and Gary Cahill dropped, has mainly been deployed as a deep-lying midfielder for his country.

But England manager Southgate, whose options at the back have been complicated by poor form, injuries and Cahill losing his Chelsea place, believes Dier could excel in a back three and free up more creativity in midfield. John Stones and Harry Maguire seem likely to retain their places, but Dier could slot into the middle of them to give England greater tactical options.
 

Bus-Conductor

SC Supporter
Oct 19, 2004
39,837
50,713
So, Dier insisted on playing as a CM - because he felt that gave him the best chance to make the England squad, which seems reasonable, until:

Eric Dier to be used in England back three as Gareth Southgate prepares to try out World Cup master plan


Gareth Southgate is hoping to road test his World Cup master plan by looking at Eric Dier in England’s back three during the friendlies against Holland and Italy.

The Tottenham player, who could captain England again with Harry Kane out through injury and Gary Cahill dropped, has mainly been deployed as a deep-lying midfielder for his country.

But England manager Southgate, whose options at the back have been complicated by poor form, injuries and Cahill losing his Chelsea place, believes Dier could excel in a back three and free up more creativity in midfield. John Stones and Harry Maguire seem likely to retain their places, but Dier could slot into the middle of them to give England greater tactical options.


I think that's a good idea.
 

LexingtonSpurs

Well-Known Member
Aug 27, 2013
13,456
39,042
I think that's a good idea.
It is a good idea - and will help ease Dier back to CB next season, where we will have an interesting dilemma among Dier, Sanchez, Vertonghen and Foyth.

And, its also why we shouldn't replace Alderweireld this summer - Sanchez was his replacement last summer.
 

eViL

Oliver Skipp's Dad
May 15, 2004
5,840
7,960
Some people see the odd slack pass in the middle and write off anything else he will ever do.

It seems to me, and evidently to Poche, that he's one of the key pieces in this team. His attitude is spot on, and whether he's in central midfield or central defence he's a quality player.

He's very assured in central midfield, offers a tactical flexibility that others don't, is a better passer than is given credit for and reads the game pretty well.

There's a couple of things holding back the fans' appreciation for all things Dier;
  1. Having his head turned by United in the summer and it showing in his football early season.
  2. Strolling around against lower league teams in the Prem like he's suddenly Jordan Henderson or something..
  3. His poor reading of dangerous situations at times.
I think he's certainly stepped up his game in the 2nd half of the season; you can certainly see the the England influence in him (like Dele) when we start seeing short, needless passing for the sake of it rather than head up, looking for runs from the front four.

I think Poch picks him for flexibility and adaptability over his ability to influence or control the midfield.
 

DCSPUR

Well-Known Member
Apr 15, 2005
3,918
5,415
It is a good idea - and will help ease Dier back to CB next season, where we will have an interesting dilemma among Dier, Sanchez, Vertonghen and Foyth.

And, its also why we shouldn't replace Alderweireld this summer - Sanchez was his replacement last summer.
it is an interesting one Lexington. IF Toby left our back line group could be:
Davies, Rose
Verts, Dier, Sanchez, Foyth
Trippier, Aurier and KWP (would keep him in the mix)

That does leave us slightly light at CM:
Dembele, Wanyama, Winks

Obviously Dier can do double duty and play both but if we have injuries like we have had this season we are a bit thin...
of course if we don't - no problem.

What to do?
1. Bring in another CM who compete with the Dembele-Wanyama axis? Seems unlikely, particularly as Dier can play there and we have hopes for Winks?
2. Bring in a younger CM who can challenge Winks for the 3-4th spot?
3. Use Josh Onomah, TOB or another youth for CM depth?

My thought --- is to go with option 3, recognizing we could, in a pinch, drop Alli or Eriksen into the CM 2 against certain teams.

Thoughts?
 

Bus-Conductor

SC Supporter
Oct 19, 2004
39,837
50,713
There's a couple of things holding back the fans' appreciation for all things Dier;
  1. Having his head turned by United in the summer and it showing in his football early season.
  2. Strolling around against lower league teams in the Prem like he's suddenly Jordan Henderson or something..
  3. His poor reading of dangerous situations at times.
I think he's certainly stepped up his game in the 2nd half of the season; you can certainly see the the England influence in him (like Dele) when we start seeing short, needless passing for the sake of it rather than head up, looking for runs from the front four.

I think Poch picks him for flexibility and adaptability over his ability to influence or control the midfield.


Personally I think Dier is the most natural replacement for Alderweireld there could possibly be. And if anything he's about 3 years ahead of TA's development curve.

Sanchez is a slightly different type of CB altogether IMO.
 

nicdic

Official SC Padre
Admin
May 8, 2005
41,857
25,919
Personally I think Dier is the most natural replacement for Alderweireld there could possibly be. And if anything he's about 3 years ahead of TA's development curve.

Sanchez is a slightly different type of CB altogether IMO.
A back three of Sanchez, Dier, Vertonghen would have just about everything.
 

Wheeler Dealer

Well-Known Member
Jul 29, 2011
6,863
12,282
Dier is massive for this club and the way Poch sets the team up. If he ever became available for transfer, all the top clubs across Europe would be fighting over him. This illustrates just how valuable he is.
 

spursfan77

Well-Known Member
Aug 13, 2005
46,680
104,956
Dier is massive for this club and the way Poch sets the team up. If he ever became available for transfer, all the top clubs across Europe would be fighting over him. This illustrates just how valuable he is.

He’s the one I’m worried about in the summer after Man U being in for him last year. Let’s hope they don’t come back in for him.
 

Zippy1980

Well-Known Member
Mar 23, 2018
3,313
6,707
I really hope somebody outside the Premiership offfers big money for him and he goes. Too error prone for me. Nowhere near in the same league as Kante, Matic and such like.
 

Hazelton

Unknown Member
Jul 11, 2011
5,527
19,292
I think the problem he's always had is that he's considered too talented to be a defender yet not quite talented enough to be a top class midfielder. I still think he's best used as a CB to be honest, which he most likely would be in a more technical league like La Liga.

I'm a fan though and I hope he stays at the club for a long time, whichever role or position he plays. Great character and will only get better in my opinion. Just needs to figure out what he is.
 

Cravenspurs

Well-Known Member
Jul 31, 2011
2,864
3,680
I really hope somebody outside the Premiership offfers big money for him and he goes. Too error prone for me. Nowhere near in the same league as Kante, Matic and such like.

Prepare for a barrage of dislikes, doh’s, wtf’s and more.

He isn’t a CM for me, but I wouldn’t want him to go. He is a CB and the sooner he plays there the sooner his errors diminish. The CM role is just a bit too demanding for his technique and his mental processing.
 

Mullers

Unknown member
Jan 4, 2006
25,914
16,413
I really hope somebody outside the Premiership offfers big money for him and he goes. Too error prone for me. Nowhere near in the same league as Kante, Matic and such like.
He's really a defender who can play at DM. He's scored as much goals as Dembele in less appearances, he has been tremendous value for money. Selling him would serve no purpose really. Victor is our main DM, we don't need to buy another expensive DM, we are better off spending the money elsewhere.
 

dontcallme

SC Supporter
Mar 18, 2005
33,985
81,907
While Dier has his weaknesses I would be gutted if we sold him at this stage of his development.

Fortunately I don’t think the club are remotely considering it.
 
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