Eric Dier - key man

[mendesstormer]

There have been some great performances this season - Hugo, Toby, Alli, Harry to name a few. Toby in particular has been incredibly consistent. But if you had to pick one key performer, one stand-out reason why this team is performing so well, for me it has to be Eric Dier. His contribution often goes almost unnoticed, but it's his discipline and reading of the game, his toughness and commitment that above all else is making this team so hard to beat. Yesterday's game was another great example. We didn't go 3 at the back like the last game against Watford, but whenever the full-backs push forward (which was pretty constantly in this game) Dier slips back into the defence and stiffens things up (ooh-er). His discipline, which ensures he's almost never caught out of position keeps us ticking over at the back and is the prime reason (along with excellent performances from Hugo and the CBs as well as much improved full-back performances) why we have conceded the fewest goals of any team this season.

 

[Woodyy]

He is brilliant and has so long to improve as well..

Has to start in the Euros..

 

[Charly***]

His consistently disciplined performances are fundamental to the tactical variation we're seeing in other positions, notably the fullbacks and the fluid midfield. Having left and right footed centre backs who are as good in possession as most midfielders also helps.

 

[RichieS]

I love Eric Dier.
Eric Dier loves me.

 

[Shanks]

I've been saying this all season.

Our best purchase in recent times in my opinion.

 

[jamesc0le]

the sort of right footed player that could easily play lcb even lb on occ he would just shuttle you into less dangerous areas.. a worthy successor to ledley king

some great long balls yesterday too..

 

[Shadydan]

Superb player, backed Poch when he code him as our primary DMF and knew he got the right man to do the job, love him.

 

[monkeynick]

A future captian in my eyes...actually for the first time in many a year we have 4 or 5 credible options

 

[southlondonyiddo]

Quite amazing that Poch saw something in him to convert him into this position. Has been fantastic

I for one was very disappointed when we didn't acquire a DM in the summer and then suddenly Dier was 'filling in' but he's been brilliant pretty much after the first few games

Plus he can only get even better as he continues to play there

 

[thebenjamin]

The job he's doing is still being underrated. Reading of the game exceptional, tactically astute. Can pass very well. And hard as nails.

Will without question be first choice in the Euros.

Reminds me a lot of a young Marcel Desailly at Milan.

 

[danielneeds]

Love his personality when he's interviewed too. He's got a bit of that cocky alpha male thing going - like he's the guv'nor in the dressing room. Bit of Keane or Souness about him.

 

[glospur]

I know some will say that he doesn't see enough of the ball for a midfielder (and they're probably right) and that our better defence is as a result of the collective team display rather than just one person (they may be partially right) but for me there is a clear difference to our shape, defending and positional discipline between Dier playing CM and Bentaleb/Mason playing in there. I appreciate what those two do but IMO anyone that would replace Dier with Bentaleb and seriously believes we would keep our outstanding defensive record are completely wrong. His discipline and positional nous (two attributed in which he is significantly better than the other DM options) sets the platform for the rest of the team to do their thing and, crucially, it allows the fullbacks to push up and create the width knowing that they have sufficient cover if they're caught out of position.

 

[Always Offside]

I've been saying this all season.

Our best purchase in recent times in my opinion.

Best buy, hmmm not sure, maybe ? The best thing was perhaps Poch moving him into midfield.

 

[mattie g]

I remember people complaining about his move to DM in the pre-season when he was intertwined about it and said something to the effect that playing DM "was OK."

I completely agree with those who say that his positioning and decision-making are what sets him apart. His reading of the game is uncanny and his self-awareness is astounding.

He's a thinking man's midfielder and a brick shit house rolled into one.

 

[Sweech]

The great thing is that he fits what we need and we're giving him time to grow.

He has a lot to improve, but I trust he'll get there.

 

[taricco]

He is brilliant and has so long to improve as well..

Has to start in the Euros..

He is great, but you need to remember that tactically, Poch is 10 leagues above hodgson. There's no way he'll be used as well or effectively in the euros!

 

[Flashspur]

Built like a brick shithouse. Intimidating especially with that No1. buzz haircut he has been sporting lately. Warrior! not lacking speed either. Can make a lovely pass onto a sixpence. What is there not to like?

 

[THOWIG]

At the start of the season I suggested we'd play 343 or even similar to Bielsa's famous 3331 formation this year. I know formations are irrelevant these days, but it's interesting with Dier dropping deeper and the fullbacks pushing further up the pitch that it's looking more and more like our favoured formation.

 

[OPModric]

Completly agree and this is also the reason why we need another DM like that.

 

[MkYid]

I remember people complaining about his move to DM in the pre-season when he was intertwined about it and said something to the effect that playing DM "was OK."

I completely agree with those who say that his positioning and decision-making are what sets him apart. His reading of the game is uncanny and his self-awareness is astounding.

He's a thinking man's midfielder and a brick shit house rolled into one.

That was exactly what I was going to say. Pre-season and probably the first 5 or 6 matches of the season there were a big section of fans lamenting Poch for playing him as a DM, before that started quieting down, quite like when Redknapp started playing Bale as a LW, but but but, he is a left back.

Admittedly, I wasn't too sure of the conversion myself, but he has made the position his own, and imo he is the closest player to Sir Ledley the King at our club, with how he reads the game, and is just cool, calm and collected in everything he does.

Toby has helped Verts shore up the defense, but Dier is the main reason we have such a tight defense this season, and him being able to drop back gives the full backs and to an extent the centre backs much more freedom to bomb forward and 1. Express themselves going forward 2. Help the forward press.

Kane, Eriksen, Alli and Lloris will get the majority of the plaudits but Dier for me is our player of the season.