Dier or Wanyama - Who should start for Spurs?

[FootballWhispers]

Hi guys,

Hope you're all well.

With Eric Dier impressing in the absence of Victor Wanyama, we've taken a look at which of the two should be in Mauricio Pochettino's starting XI.

"What’s even more impressive is that Dier is excelling even when playing alongside Moussa Sissoko, last season’s villain. The Frenchman, who became the club’s record signing last summer, has been filling in for the injured Dembélé and thrived in that role. On paper this is a weakened midfield duo for Spurs yet they’re doing just as well as the first-choice pairing."

Who should start?

Cheers,

Sam

 

[Everlasting Seconds]

It's simple. Given injury free, equally match fit and motivated players, it goes
Wanyama
Dembele
Winks
Dier
Sissoko

Hæshtæg endofstory.

 

[dude573]

I love Eric Dier and Eric Dier loves me, but Wanyama offers more to the team when he is fully fit.

 

[Disconosebleed]

Wanyama. He does everything Dier does, but slightly better.

 

[Johnny J]

Wanyama, of course.

 

[Bulletspur]

I actually find the question "silly". All being fit and at their best I am sure most will go for Wanyama

 

[Bulletspur]

Why not put up a poll to gauge the results?

 

[Univarn]

I know the tempation is to just say Wanyama all the way and that is a very historically Poch idea. I think this season we've seen Poch stick with his favored best XI on the pitch model but mixing it with the tactical needs of the match. Both Wanyama and Dier are best alongside a more progressive CM (Dembele/Winks) and I don't think it's a surprise Dier looked much better this weekend. The Sissoko/Eriksen diamond puts more ownace on him to create forward passes, which he can do but not well against set defenses. While Dier is press-mistake prone, Wanyama is equally prone to misdirected headers in dangerous parts of the pitch. Love both and think both can play and function fine. I favor Dier against limited pressing open teams (Everton, Crystal Palace, Bournemouth) where Poch feels may need tactical flexibility in a 4231 to 3421 midmatch switch. Wanyama I prefer against pressing teams and teams setup to play on the break. I also think Wanyama better suits the 3421 DM option.

 

[Deleted member 27855]

Hopefully Wanyama can get healthy. If he does we should rotate Dier & Wanyama much in the same way we rotate our fullbacks. I’d love to see this lineup once everybody is fit. I think it’s our best lineup and we’d destroy teams starting:

Lloris
Toby Sanchez Vertonghen
Aurier Wanyama Moose Rose
Eriksen Alli
Kane

You could then rotate in this lineup in lower leverage matches:

Vorm
Foyth for whomever needs a rest
Tripper Dier Winks Davies
Lamela Son
Llorente

Assuming we can get everyone back in a month or two I think it’s our best and most complete team ever.

 

[brendanb50]

Dier has been a key man in the team this year and deserves a lot of credit - the DM, dropping to CB role he performs so well allows so much fluidity among our back 3, which in turn frees up the wing backs.

I know Wanyama does all of the above and he's a more dynamic DM in my opinion but I think Dier is potentially the more natural defender; which means i don't believe this is a straight shoot out of two players who do the same job in the team really.

When both fit and on form - we rotate dependent on opposition/tactics

At the moment - Dier starts for me as he's fit and has been playing well. Wanyama should be eased back in if we have the luxury to do so.

That said, who knows what the sodding international break will bring...

 

[cozzo]

Wanyama

 

[Disconosebleed]

For what it's worth, while I would choose Wanyama in a straight one-or-the-other decision, I think the question omits one of Dier's most important qualities - his flexibility allows us to play exactly the same way when missing any of Wanyama, Vertonghen, Alderweireld, Sanchez and, to a point, Dembele. He isn't just an 'adequate replacement' for all of those in terms of overall quality, he fits into the side and knows exactly what he needs to do in order for everyone else to play as if it was the first-choice eleven out. And I think that's hugely important.

There might not be a huge difference in overall quality between, say, Rose and Davies or Aurier and Trippier, but their varying strengths and weaknesses enforce subtle changes in the way the team plays, and therefore the rhythm changes, everything becomes slightly slower and less instinctive. Dier's versatility means the machine can lose any of three or four important players without disrupting the overall style, and I think that's an incredible strength to have - it's important to have players like Son, N'Koudou, Llorente and Winks in the squad who offer 'something different', but it's just as important to have someone like Dier who offers 'something very bloody similar' for when players go missing throughout the season.

 

[TaoistMonkey]

I'm surprised people's opinions of Dier. You're gonna really appreciate how good he is when he replaces Carrick at United.

 

[Everlasting Seconds]

I'm surprised people's opinions of Dier. You're gonna really appreciate how good he is when he replaces Carrick at United.

There is nothing wrong with Dier, he is not a bad player. But I think he needs to find a way to specialise and hone in one something. He is not a great, creative force who whisks off decisive passes in a constant flurry. He also is not the best in the squad at the DM work load. Equally, he neither can nor has the desire to outperform the other CBs. He is just a little bit short of providing a reason for why he should play ahead of others, because he doesn't do anything that not other Spurs CMs also do, and in most cases do better. Winks will soon outgrow Dier, unless Dier picks up a few new tricks. As far as ManUtd goes, the way Matic and Fellaini are playing these days, they won't have any need for Dier.

 

[LexingtonSpurs]

Horses for courses.

Dier and Wanama both play DM - but they each play it differently. Dier is more positionally sound, and shields the back line. Wanyama is more aggressive and attacks the ball, breaking up play.

They are both effective with the style they play - and to suggest one is better than the other, misses the point of different playing styles. With 3 in the back - particularly Sanchez - I think Dier makes sense. He does not have to be aggressive, and can afford to shepherd the play, slow things down, and wait for reinforcements. With 2 CBs, Wanyama's attacking style is better suited to close down opposing midfielders.

We are fortunate to have both - as long as they are not both playing Midfield at the same time....

 

[Cornpattbuck]

I love both and with Winks, Dembele and Sissoko it means we can keep the engine room fresh.

 

[yankspurs]

Dier should start. He's the hot hand at the moment and IMO adds a bit more to the attack with his passing.

 

['O Zio]

Wanyama is the better player for me, but in certain situations Dier is more suitable. So to answer the question, it just depends on things like who we're playing against, who is alongside them etc.

 

[yido_number1]

Fact is until Wanyama comes back and we see what kind of player he is this year we won't know. Players gain and lose form and at the moment Dier is looking pretty good. Plenty of games for everyone to be involved in.

 

[spids]

Depends on form, fitness and opposition. Same with Davie vs Rose and Trippier vs Aurier which are the other two areas where we have the best competition.