Dier or Wanyama - Who should start for Spurs?

[Ironskullll]

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.

Very good point, and sort of along the same lines, I think that Dier is a player who is very good at understanding what his coach wants and makes sure he delivers it - very good at adapting and playing to varying instructions. That quality is even more important at international level, and I think he will have a very long and involved career with England as a result, which in turn will make him a better and better player.

 

[UncleBuck]

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.

Well put sir, horses for courses & all that!

 

[Donki]

Could they work in the old Palacios / Sandro wall? We're gonna need it against Real me thinks.

 

[Ledley's Right Foot]

It's not a case of Wanyama or Dier, we have Wanyama and Dier. Davies and Rose. Trippier and Aurier.

They will all get games. They will all push each other to improve. They are all great players. We have so many options to play different systems with those 6 players it's frightening.

Can't see any of them being on the bench for more than a week. Our squad is sooooo good right now.

 

[Twizzle]

Wanyama is a specialist DM, Dier is a utility player.

Different strokes.

 

[cockerel downunder]

Wanyama is as good as he’s going to get. Dier is still learning / improving.

The real question for me is whether dier has higher potential than wanyama?

 

[cockerel downunder]

Also how many games has dier missed when fit? Poch always finds a way to play him

 

[DJS]

Wanyama is as good as he’s going to get. Dier is still learning / improving.

The real question for me is whether dier has higher potential than wanyama?

Wanyama is 26 so reckon he still has room for improvement and is back with Poch who is improving all of our players.

Look at his first season with us - he stepped up to another level from his already outstanding performances for Southampton and got booked / red carded far less.

He also looks a heck of a lot leaner.

I like Dier and Wanyama but even though the patriotic part of me wants to see Dier succeed I do have a rather large soft spot for Wanyama and he is magnificent when fully fit.

Fortunately at present with Sanchez slotting in at the back Dier is a lemon to play in midfielder and we don’t need to rush back Wanyama until he gets himself 100% right.

 

[Gaz_Gammon]

When fit, Wanyama will be one of the first names on the team sheet. He is a better all round DM that anyone else we have in the squad, and one of Poch's main transfer targets last season. Dier for the time being will be a utility player that can cover two or three positions, whereas Wanyama is the master of one.

 

[Gaz_Gammon]

Wanyama is as good as he’s going to get. Dier is still learning / improving.

The real question for me is whether dier has higher potential than wanyama?

They is just over two years age difference between them, are you saying that a player finishes advancing at just twenty six years of age? I think that saying Poch cannot improve a twenty six year old first team player is a disservice to the Manager and player.

 

[Jamturk]

Great headche, and they're popping up all over the pitch

 

[Dinghy]

Everyone seems to be missing the true benefit of Dier's 'versatility'. It means that formations & tactics can be changed mid-game without the need to make a substitution.
I would not be at all surprised if Dier has the highest appearances(/starts) when fit of any other player. He is IMO (and Potchs) one of the first names on the team sheet.
I would not be entirely surprised to see one of the three centre backs make way for Wanyama and a return to having a fluid 3 / 4 / 5 defenders dependent on the stage of the match with Dier slipping in and out of the back line to accommodate those changes.

 

[LB Hotspurs]

It's a great situation to have both available to Poch.They can play together when needed or individually in the team. Teams would love to have just one of these two in their teams!

 

[Guntz]

Bit like Aurier and Trippier with these two.

Dier & Trippier- Play them against the lesser teams where we control the game.

Wanyama & Aurier- Play them against the big teams where we need to be more solid

 

[SpursTillIDie1882]

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

I completely concur with this, Love dire but Victor is just a beat and is everywhere, people must hate playing against him!!!!

 

[ralvy]

Only SJWs would pick Wanyama ahead of Dier.

Just kidding, Dier has upped his level a bit this season and it's now a close pick between them two. Really think Poch will have to find a way to give both of them enough minutes.

 

[cockerel downunder]

They is just over two years age difference between them, are you saying that a player finishes advancing at just twenty six years of age? I think that saying Poch cannot improve a twenty six year old first team player is a disservice to the Manager and player.

Hmmm I probably should have checked their ages before posting, had it in my head dier was 21/22 and wanyama 27/28!!

I still think dier has a lot more room for improvement though having only recently converted to dm.

I also think he would have been tempted by man utd interest, where he would have been first choice dm, and poch may have offered him the chance to make it his own at spurs. I don’t think he wants to continue as a utility player but instead specialise as a dm for club and country.

 

[King of Otters]

It’s not even a debate.

 

[thinktank]

lol