What's new

Eric Dier- defender or midfielder ?

Is Dier better in midfield or in defence ?

  • He is a defensive midfielder

    Votes: 67 21.6%
  • He is a central defender

    Votes: 97 31.3%
  • He is a utility player who should only play when others are unavailable, or in the domestic cups.

    Votes: 101 32.6%
  • We should just sell him in one of the next 2 windows. He’s just not good enough.

    Votes: 45 14.5%

  • Total voters
    310

southlondonyiddo

My eyes have seen some of the glory..
Nov 8, 2004
12,599
15,012
Not a starter in a top 6 team, decent versatile cover at best.

Unfortunately, upsetting a few sensitive gooners and smashing Ramos in half isn't enough for a starting spot.

I would agree with you apart from the fact that he has started 139 league games in the last 4 seasons and we've finished:

5TH
3RD
2ND
3RD
 

@Bobby__Lucky

Well-Known Member
Aug 20, 2013
2,933
3,982
Think everyone's been well harsh in this thread. He hasn't had a plethora of partners next to him, sometimes I feel that far too much is expected of dier in his role. His first season in midfield was with dembele in prime condition or close to, then was the 3 at the back season, last season was with a tiring and degerating dembele,winks at times.. I like dier and agree with something, I preferred the more aggressive and intimidating dier. When he was dropped for the barca game, it was only really when he came on that winks really came to life and the team did too. Whilst not in his best form he is still a very crucial part of our team. When winks takes the mantle properly or we have more midfield movement or creativity I think we will see a better dier.
 

coys200

Well-Known Member
May 22, 2017
8,436
17,403
For once Paul merson summed it up quite well “ he’s a bit too cas ( casual) “. He seems to just trundle around quite a lot, I’d love to see his running stats. Personally I think a high energy DM like Kante Torreira would make a huge difference to us which is why I hope the Barrios rumours are true. People say but yes with him we’ve got 3rd 2nd but imo with someone better we may have got 1st.
 

kmk

Well-Known Member
Oct 5, 2014
4,147
27,504
For once Paul merson summed it up quite well “ he’s a bit too cas ( casual) “. He seems to just trundle around quite a lot, I’d love to see his running stats. Personally I think a high energy DM like Kante Torreira would make a huge difference to us which is why I hope the Barrios rumours are true. People say but yes with him we’ve got 3rd 2nd but imo with someone better we may have got 1st.

Have you seen him play much?
 

Hazelton

Unknown Member
Jul 11, 2011
5,529
19,292
He's a defender who has been played in midfield for far too long, to the point where he thinks of himself as a midfielder and can't really be moved back because he doesn't want to and, even if he did, he hasn't spent enough time at CB to pick up the necessary experience required to play the position at the highest level.
 

phillipjpalmer

Well-Known Member
Jul 29, 2008
652
1,304
His main problem at cm is that we play high press, possession football so invariably when teams attack its either on the break or they have broke through the press and dier is then exposed.
He is not nimble enough to cover the ground and get in good positions.
I also think at cb he makes poor choices and loses concentration.
Some players just aren't a great fit for teams and I would personally move him on if the money is right.
 

dtxspurs

Welcome to the Good Life
Dec 28, 2017
11,234
46,574
It's all about consistency for Dier, some games he looks excellent in spraying the ball across the field, putting the ball in behind the defense, making tackles to break up play, but then there are other games where he looks lost.

I think some consistency next to him would surely help as well. He plays with a different partner damn near every game in which he has to constantly change what he needs to do in a game. With Sissoko or Dembele he needs to try to be that more progressive player and maybe not play as defensively. With Winks he has to play as more of the anchor and a more defensive role.
 

isaac94

Well-Known Member
Jan 5, 2017
2,921
9,733
If we are too reach the next level I personally feel we must upgrade, his a squad player at most
 

Primativ

Well-Known Member
Aug 9, 2017
3,229
12,486
If you look at Torreira for the scum and the way he plays with such dynamism and speed, always proactive and on the move, and then you look at Dier, it’s chalk and cheese.

Still of the opinion Dier isn’t good enough. A rotation squad player IMO but we need better.
 

double0

Well-Known Member
Aug 29, 2006
14,423
12,258
If you look at Torreira for the scum and the way he plays with such dynamism and speed, always proactive and on the move, and then you look at Dier, it’s chalk and cheese.

Still of the opinion Dier isn’t good enough. A rotation squad player IMO but we need better.

Id have Dier any day over Torreira. Dier is a solid player and can cover multiple positions, I don't get the hate.
 

Primativ

Well-Known Member
Aug 9, 2017
3,229
12,486
Id have Dier any day over Torreira. Dier is a solid player and can cover multiple positions, I don't get the hate.

Where in earth is the hate? It’s early days for Torreira but he is like the South American Kante and even better on the ball. Literally it’s not even close as far as I’m concerned.

Dier is too slow and cumbersome. Lethargic player.
 

double0

Well-Known Member
Aug 29, 2006
14,423
12,258
You need a player like Dier in the team imo he is very consistent, and does so much unnoticed work.
 

isaac94

Well-Known Member
Jan 5, 2017
2,921
9,733
You need a player like Dier in the team imo he is very consistent, and does so much unnoticed work.
Every team needs a enforcing/defensive midfielder, fair point. But Chelsea have Kante, Arsenal Torreira, City Fernandinho, Dier in that role is well below there level.
 

Nebby

Well-Known Member
Dec 27, 2013
3,363
6,377
Simply cannot believe the stick he gets.There's no other player in the league that can play a holding role in midfield and then, seconds later, play as a second or third centre-half when we're defending or when our fullbacks are playing forwards. He is essential to the system we play. The clue to his value to the team can be found in the fact that when he's fit he plays.
 

kremlyn

Well-Known Member
Jul 30, 2004
1,823
2,803
I would hate to play against him. Knowing he's just begging for the opportunity to do a Ramos must be rather off putting.
He's not as good as Souness or Roy Keane but hes ours and he might be the best intimidator in the modern game.
 

Kiedis

Well-Known Member
Aug 4, 2013
2,926
8,490
All talk of moving him on is pretty strange, considering how important he's been for us thus far. But let's say we go and buy three CMs that are genuinely good, then it may be another issue.

Our midfield definitely has issues right now, but it's more down to Wanyama never being fit, Dembele being past it and never fit, Winks yet to get back to earlier levels and Sissoko being Sissoko than it's down to Dier.
 

Primativ

Well-Known Member
Aug 9, 2017
3,229
12,486
[QUOTE="Kiedis, post: 6109134, member: 25742" Sissoko being Sissoko [/QUOTE]

Sissoko has had an infinitely better season than Dier has so far.

In my opinion, Dier looks like a CB playing in CM, and then a CM playing at CB. This isn't a compliment. He's not good enough on the ball, nowhere near good enough. His first touch, general play is too slow in mind and body.

He's a good physical player, and decent in the air, and in the tackle, but we need better.
 

daryl hannah

Berry Berry Calm
Sep 1, 2014
2,674
7,717
All talk of moving him on is pretty strange, considering how important he's been for us thus far. But let's say we go and buy three CMs that are genuinely good, then it may be another issue.

Our midfield definitely has issues right now, but it's more down to Wanyama never being fit, Dembele being past it and never fit, Winks yet to get back to earlier levels and Sissoko being Sissoko than it's down to Dier.
So the car's got four flat tyres and another in the boot that could also use pumping up, but what youre saying is, it's not the nearside front tyre that's the problem?
 

Johno1470

The worst thing about prison was the dementors
Aug 6, 2018
1,026
4,857
If we were to sell Dier, where do we reckon the likes of United or City would plan to play him? I'd hedge my bets on him being played at CB. Dier has his strengths for sure but this season and last he has shown that he easily switches off and plays some daft passes at times. If the opportunity comes to add a real ball winning midfielder or there's a revival from Wanyama and we sign another top midfielder, we should move Dier back.
It's my personal opinion that Dier restricts us when in midfield. He's good but there's better options.
 
Top