Eric Dier and the Defensive Dilemma for Spurs

[Bus-Conductor]

He was clearly at fault for Everton's second on Sunday, even his mum would admit to that.

Dier is good, but the weak link in a Spurs back three, as has been evident and very costly three or four times this season when Poch sets the side up to pay three at the back. He's been exposed for what he is, and Klopp exploited that in spades in our game up at Anfield.

I'd be very surprised given the fact that Poch does not appear to want to use Wimmer that another center half isn't brought in over the Summer, especially if Poch wants to play three at the back more often. Dier for me is a very good squad player who is comfortable against sides that do not press but lacks pace and concentration when a team will stand toe to toe with us.

To a certain extent Dier isn't even an option in midfield now with Dembele, Sissoko, Winks, Wanyama to compete against, so it looks like for now anyway he will be used in defence.

But you'd expect him to be the weak link in that back three wouldn't you ? The other two are two of the best in the PL, vastly experienced, international footballers who have played at a much higher level for much longer.

I agree, for me, he isn't an option in midfield either.

I'm not denying Dier has made mistakes, I've pointed them out previously when people have been saying we should be playing Dier instead of Wimmer in place of JV when he was injured (I didn't agree and said I don't think Simmer had been any worse than Dier and at least was a more natural LCB). But I also don't want to go to far either, I think for a 23yo having his first proper season as a regular CB, he's generally doing OK, and I think even now he's already better than the CB's we've had before like Dawson, Kaboul, Chiriches, Fazio etc.

If Vertonghen was out and we wanted to play a back 4, I'd have just dropped Dier and played Wimmer (or Davies even) because I like my CB's to be on their stronger side iff possible. But in a Back three, I have no issue with Dier being there (RCB) at all, I don't think he's a major liability, I think he'll make the odd mistake, but so do the best CB's (including JV and TA). And he's got to learn, just as they did. If he's still making the same mistakes in a couple of years then we may have to re-evaluate.

 

[BringBack_leGin]

If he's our weakest link then we're in a pretty fucking good state as he'd still walk into every other top six defence bar maybe Chelsea when you consider that City play Stones with Kolarov or Otamendi, Arsenal play Mustafi, Utd play Rojo and Stones and Liverpool use Klavan, Lovren and Lucas!!

He is better than all of those and is only 23. He is strong, fast, aggressive, good on the ball and takes responsibility. He makes no more mistakes than Kane or Alli, he's just in a more vulnerable part of the pitch.

Best defence in the league speaks volumes.

 

[Gaz_Gammon]

But you'd expect him to be the weak link in that back three wouldn't you ? The other two are two of the best in the PL, vastly experienced, international footballers who have played at a much higher level for much longer.

I agree, for me, he isn't an option in midfield either.

I'm not denying Dier has made mistakes, I've pointed them out previously when people have been saying we should be playing Dier instead of Wimmer in place of JV when he was injured (I didn't agree and said I don't think Simmer had been any worse than Dier and at least was a more natural LCB). But I also don't want to go to far either, I think for a 23yo having his first proper season as a regular CB, he's generally doing OK, and I think even now he's already better than the CB's we've had before like Dawson, Kaboul, Chiriches, Fazio etc.

If Vertonghen was out and we wanted to play a back 4, I'd have just dropped Dier and played Wimmer (or Davies even) because I like my CB's to be on their stronger side iff possible. But in a Back three, I have no issue with Dier being there (RCB) at all, I don't think he's amor liability, I think he'll make the odd mistake, but so do the best CB's (including JV and TA). And he's got to learn, just as they did. If he's still making the same mistakes in a couple of years then we may have to re-evaluate.

I think in general if we all took an objective view of our defense and want to see this team improve to the next level it would be with an upgrade at center back. Far better teams than what we face week in week out in the PL would know how to exploit a Spurs side playing with three center backs.

Putting aside all sentiment for one moment, Dier is a weak (or weakest) link and that's where this team could improve.

 

[Klinsmannesque]

I am convinced it's down to the fact he's 23 and not been played this season in one settled position for an extended period. I can to an extent sympathise and understand - whilst no where near the same level, I play to a fairly good standard of football and regularly switch between CB and CM - it's no coincedence my best football was after a run of 5 plus games in one position - you become more settled, more aware and more confident in the positions you take up, decisions you make etc. Can't underestimate the impact of stability

 

[Luka Van der Bale]

It's not really true at all he's looked a weak link in the back 3. Think of all the mistakes people talk of - Liverpool, Gent, Wycombe - they all came when playing in a CB pairing, or in the latter case covering both CB and RB as we were down to 10 men. On the right of the back 3 he's looked comfortable, and his ability to carry the ball out and link with the midfield has been an understated part of our success in that formation.

 

[Xeeleeyid]

Everyone makes mistakes. Vertonghen gifted Everton a goal at the weekend. Lloris gifted Man City 2 goals a few weeks ago.

One of the reasons Dier makes more mistakes than Toby and Jan is that he is 23 and they are 30 and 27. When they were 23 they were both still at Ajax learning their trade in a softish league. Diet's career is already progressing faster than theirs so far. With hard work and experience there's no reason why he can't slowly cut the silly errors out. Ledley benefitted from a season or two in midfield it gives you a better perspective on things but I seem to remember a period of similar readjustment when he dropped back.

 

[Neon_Knight_]

"there are occasions in which he’s still acting as a defensive midfielder. He’s taking risks a centre-back shouldn’t be taking"

Whilst I agree that he is the weakest link in our defence (by that I mean he's less good than Toby and Jan, rather than actually weak), I don't think he particularly plays higher up or takes any more risks than Vertonghen. The difference is that he's not as good.

 

[Archibald&Crooks]

I think when he's at it, he's one of the best players we have, i'd hate to lose him.

 

[Cornpattbuck]

Ah, people and their constant need for nitpicking/scapegoating.

He's a really bloody good 23-year-old with a great temperament and work rate, and will only keep improving unless he suddenly has a personality transplant or major injuries.

 

[Flashspur]

Stop being a whiney little girl and spamming up threads by moaning about ratings! Take them like a man! Like I've taken your one about my comments about Ramadan, even though I know it's a revenge rating.

Your post offered nothing of any interest, which is usual for you. There are clear issues with Dier as a CB - he's making basic mistakes and unnerving the whole defence. We all like Dier and hope he becomes a top CB but that's not a good enough reason to play someone and not look for an alternative. His ability to concentrate for 90 mins is questionable IMO.

gotta love those revenge ratings dude, just returning the gratuitous spam rating as a favour

 

[dontcallme]

I think in general if we all took an objective view of our defense and want to see this team improve to the next level it would be with an upgrade at center back. Far better teams than what we face week in week out in the PL would know how to exploit a Spurs side playing with three center backs.

Putting aside all sentiment for one moment, Dier is a weak (or weakest) link and that's where this team could improve.

While you are basically correct I will maintain the most best way for us to improve the defence is for us to give Dier the opportunity to improve and gain further experience there.

We have bought experienced defenders in the past who have performed worse than Dier so lets not think this is something we can easily improve on by spending money.

If Van Dyke was a genuine option I'd love to see us buy him but realistically I don't think he is.

 

[yido_number1]

Young player in inconsistency shock horror! Will only improve with age and has all the traits to become a club legend. I don't know of many players that can play CB, RB and DM to a capable level and I don't know of many more with as much of a desire to win.

If we were Liverpool I could understand the criticism but he really doesn't make that many mistakes just a couple of high profile ones everyone notices.

 

[Pat Rice Spurs fan]

I think he'd arguably walk into a two man centre back pairing in half of the teams in the top 6 - maybe more - and probably all the teams below that. Yet some seem to be suggesting he's a disaster waiting to happen.
If he's the weakest of our centre three, it just shows how good the other two are.

I'm sure Dier is making fewer mistakes than Stones at Man City. Yet the pundits still expect him to be an England mainstay for years to come.

 

[Nerine]

Is Jan 30? Shit.