Eric Dier

[SdB]

Dier does an adequate job in midfield, but for me, he's a solid 7/10 player, nearly every week. For me he has a lot more potential as a defender than a midfielder. Either way it's a big bonus that we have him as part of our squad and his versatility is a great asset.

Personally I don't think he's a particularly good defender.

 

[Giovanni]

He'll have fun trying to stop messi running at him

 

[CowInAComa]

He'll have fun trying to stop messi running at him

I wouldn't judge any player on how well they contain Lionel Messi.

 

[heelspurs]

Played in a 0-3 win at Man Utd and a 1-3 win at Chelsea, can’t be that bad!

And sissoko played in our Real madrid CL games so he can't be that bad! See what I did there? Now do you see the error of your reasoning?

aside-I love Sissoko but do realize he isn't good enough for us though I admire his effort and would be more than happy to see him stay. He just works very well to point out the big gaping chasm that is the hole your logic.

 

[slartibartfast]

Cant believe the amount of shit Dier gets on here.
Just goes to show a lot of people dont know what they're on about.
He's played almost every game in recent seasons where we've finished 3rd 2nd 3rd and kicked ass against some of the big boys.
How shit can he be really? Or has all our recent form been with 10 men?
Is he a world beater? No probably not but he deserves a fkin sight more respect than some are giving him here.
Oh and he was in a team that got to a world cup semi final as well. Suppose England carried him as well???

 

[slartibartfast]

And sissoko played in our Real madrid CL games so he can't be that bad! See what I did there? Now do you see the error of your reasoning?

aside-I love Sissoko but do realize he isn't good enough for us though I admire his effort and would be more than happy to see him stay. He just works very well to point out the big gaping chasm that is the hole your logic.

Sissoko can be a good player every now and then and it also depends what type of game it is. Dier has been playing for us during our most succesful spell in an age.

 

[heelspurs]

Sissoko can be a good player every now and then and it also depends what type of game it is. Dier has been playing for us during our most succesful spell in an age.

And during our highest league finish who was in that position? And who got pissy and considered jumping ship to United? When Poch had an alternative he used it. So what does that say?

People will cling to this poor line of reasoning until competent alternatives come about. For instance, now that Moura is here people will see the difference between the previous bumbling and the actual danger a competent footballer can bring (a 'world class' player is not necessary, just competent). Both were on display on Monday. Poch preferred Vic to Dier when healthy. Vic has not been healthy for over a year. If we can score a competent MF Dier will see more of the bench as he is not good enough.

and again, I love Sissoko. No need to defend him to me. I see his effort and contribution.

 

[Giovanni]

Cant believe the amount of shit Dier gets on here.
Just goes to show a lot of people dont know what they're on about.
He's played almost every game in recent seasons where we've finished 3rd 2nd 3rd and kicked ass against some of the big boys.
How shit can he be really? Or has all our recent form been with 10 men?
Is he a world beater? No probably not but he deserves a fkin sight more respect than some are giving him here.
Oh and he was in a team that got to a world cup semi final as well. Suppose England carried him as well???

Ok so just out of curiosity then.........

Most would say were not quite good enough to win the league or challenge city and the top dogs of europe. So looking at our strongest team where do you see that we need to improve the most? Where are we weakest?

Most here arent saying he is s*** but that he is a player which can be improved on and a potential area of weakness.
On the ball he cant achieve much and both jan and toby can easily bypass him with forward balls.
Without the ball he is not very mobile to get about and win it back. Hes not sharp, can be taken on by good opposition forward players ect.
All he mainly does is holds shape and plugs holes here and there. Personally id have a more combative dm like wanyama or even dembele/ winks in there.
Against teams like city and pool this season they are going to be swarming us high up the field, all very mobile and fluent. Dier does not fill me with confidence in there because hes in no way progressive with the ball.

 

[kaz Hirai]

And sissoko played in our Real madrid CL games so he can't be that bad! See what I did there? Now do you see the error of your reasoning?

aside-I love Sissoko but do realize he isn't good enough for us though I admire his effort and would be more than happy to see him stay. He just works very well to point out the big gaping chasm that is the hole your logic.

You're right, he isn't that bad. It's just a lazy notion that he's the worst thing on the pitch .
He may not be skillful but he tactically does a job with a high work rate. If he was terrible and we were effectively playing with 10 men Madrid would've mauled us

 

[dontcallme]

I like Dier and there is clearly a reason why Poch plays him so much.

His positional sense is very good. Just being in the right areas and blocking off positions is more effective than big physical tackles.

I think the reason he doesn’t do the strong tackles as often anymore is because his positioning is better.

Not as eye catching but more effective.

Just wish he was that bit better at passing with an eye for the right pass.

 

[nicdic]

I like Dier and there is clearly a reason why Poch plays him so much.

His positional sense is very good. Just being in the right areas and blocking off positions is more effective than big physical tackles.

I think the reason he doesn’t do the strong tackles as often anymore is because his positioning is better.

Not as eye catching but more effective.

Just wish he was that bit better at passing with an eye for the right pass.

If only he could play the type of killer ball over the top right into Alli's path to score with two touches without even breaking stride.

 

[Ron Burgundy]

If only he could play the type of killer ball over the top right into Alli's path to score with two touches without even breaking stride.

That was a lovely pass, sure. Do you think that was reflective of the consistent level of his passing? Cause I don't think it was.

I think we're all slightly answering different questions here aren't we? My school of thought (which some others seem to be in the same place as) is:
- Dier is a good player, though not a great player
- He is in the team for good reason, and he has our general support
- His positioning is very good, as is his strength in the air, he's a battler and brings a lot to the side. He can also drop back into CB, and these are all good aspects to add to the side
- That being said, if we had to strengthen one area of the team, it would likely be in the position he's in, and for good reason
- Technically, he's fairly limited, a few nice passes aside
- We can be happy with the team we have (which we are) but surely the purpose of these sites is to debate where the team could be better, and plenty of people seem to think DM/CM is one area

I think the whole "If he's the weak link in our side, then good for us, we're doing well" argument is totally missing the point isn't it?

 

[nicdic]

CM isn't weak because of Dier, it's weak because of the fitness of Wanyama, Dembele and Winks. Dier is the one mainstay.

 

[dontcallme]

If only he could play the type of killer ball over the top right into Alli's path to score with two touches without even breaking stride.

Yeah because clearly I was saying he never plays a good pass.

Some people are being overly critical of him but from a discussion point people like you are worse, always ready to jump and over exaggerate any perceived criticism.

 

[nicdic]

Yeah because clearly I was saying he never plays a good pass.

Some people are being overly critical of him but from a discussion point people like you are worse, always ready to jump and over exaggerate any perceived criticism.

How good do you want him to be at passing? Give the fella some credit. He's a much better passer than Wanyama or Dembele. Positionally is better than both. Better on the ball than Wanyama, yet he's the problem.

It's a joke.

 

[dontcallme]

How good do you want him to be at passing? Give the fella some credit. He's a much better passer than Wanyama or Dembele. Positionally is better than both. Better on the ball than Wanyama, yet he's the problem.

It's a joke.

My post did almost nothing but praise him. I simply stated he can work on his passing. You know, to become a better player.

 

[Ron Burgundy]

CM isn't weak because of Dier, it's weak because of the fitness of Wanyama, Dembele and Winks. Dier is the one mainstay.

Again, is that not a different point? What you're saying is: our midfield options within the squad need improving

I would agree with that. But I don't think that's addressing the discussion. Let's talk your point for a second though and elaborate:

1) I think there are two categories of player in that group you mention, let's focus on the defensive minded i.e. Wanyama and Dier
2) Assuming we need to strengthen that group, would you look to strengthen the DM group? If yes:
3) Would you look to buy a first team player, or a back up to one of those players

Focusing on (3) for a second, were you to ask that question about someone in Kane, Eriksen, Vertonghen etc. position, the answer would be 'back up' player, because for any realistic amount of money, it would be very difficult to upgrade on those players.

In the case of Dier and Wanyama, you'd be looking for someone who would, ideally and recognising it's a squad game, be pushing them down to the subs bench for the big games.

In fact, it's probably the area (along Dembele's position, who we're looking at replacing because of age and fitness, no quality) that we should arguably be spending the lions share of our cash

No one is saying he's bad. Everyone is saying he's good, it just happens that, relative to the rest of the first team, it's an area of weakness

 

[nicdic]

Again, is that not a different point? What you're saying is: our midfield options within the squad need improving

I would agree with that. But I don't think that's addressing the discussion. Let's talk your point for a second though and elaborate:

1) I think there are two categories of player in that group you mention, let's focus on the defensive minded i.e. Wanyama and Dier
2) Assuming we need to strengthen that group, would you look to strengthen the DM group? If yes:
3) Would you look to buy a first team player, or a back up to one of those players

Focusing on (3) for a second, were you to ask that question about someone in Kane, Eriksen, Vertonghen etc. position, the answer would be 'back up' player, because for any realistic amount of money, it would be very difficult to upgrade on those players.

In the case of Dier and Wanyama, you'd be looking for someone who would, ideally and recognising it's a squad game, be pushing them down to the subs bench for the big games.

In fact, it's probably the area (along Dembele's position, who we're looking at replacing because of age and fitness, no quality) that we should arguably be spending the lions share of our cash

No one is saying he's bad. Everyone is saying he's good, it just happens that, relative to the rest of the first team, it's an area of weakness

Many are saying he's bad.

I don't believe central midfield is as weak as people make out, and I certainly don't believe that any perceived weakness lies at the feet of Dier, which is what seems to be being suggested.

Of our four CMs, he's the only one who can be relied upon in terms of fitness. And so he's the only one I'd say who's not at risk of being replaced.

As you say, it's the position alongside Dier that is more desperate. I just can't understand the negativity toward him, not saying that's you, I can't remember who's said what, but he gets unfairly criticised by many.

 

[nicdic]

My post did almost nothing but praise him. I simply stated he can work on his passing. You know, to become a better player.

But you can say that about every player. But people aren't in the other threads saying those things. They're all here saying Dier needs to be better.

 

[dontcallme]

But you can say that about every player. But people aren't in the other threads saying those things. They're all here saying Dier needs to be better.

I don’t give a shit about those people.

I have given an honest appraisal of Dier in the Dier thread. It is almost all praise and I pointed out an area for improvement as I would any player.

Why you have decided to try and make out I think he is a bad player I have no idea.

If you want to discuss with someone , read the words they have written and respond to them.

Bringing up what other people have said in other discussions is really fucking weird.