Eric Dier

[Shadydan]

Only because you agree with him no doubt. When you start telling other fans they don't understand the game, because they think a player is performing badly, and you disagree with it, that is being patronising.

Okay he didn't say you don't understand the game, he said people in the game i.e professional have more understanding than people who aren't, what is so patronising about that?

 

[Nebby]

We're a stronger team defensively when Dier plays. Our system doesn't work if he's not there to slot in at the back when Toby or Jan step into the space created when our fullbacks push forward. You need a defender's instincts and positional sense to do that.

 

[dagraham]

We're a stronger team defensively when Dier plays. Our system doesn't work if he's not there to slot in at the back when Toby or Jan step into the space created when our fullbacks push forward. You need a defender's instincts and positional sense to do that.

Despite my criticism of Dier I do concede this point.

I just think that a) Dier did this before but has seemed to go steadily backwards in his performances, b) I can’t believe Dier is the only player who could do this and c) playing 3 at the back negates this.

It’s just opinions at the end of the day. To me, the slight tendency for Wanyama to roam is made up for in all other apsects of his game.

 

[Lilbaz]

Despite my criticism of Dier I do concede this point.

I just think that a) Dier did this before but has seemed to go steadily backwards in his performances, b) I can’t believe Dier is the only player who could do this and c) playing 3 at the back negates this.

It’s just opinions at the end of the day. To me, the slight tendency for Wanyama to roam is made up for in all other apsects of his game.

The problem with wanyama is he's always injured.

 

[Primativ]

Interesting how so many can say its ok for Dele to go missing and be bad for long parts of a game, but slack off Dier for the same thing.

Attempting to pull off tricks and through balls which don't come off, or being starved of service or marked out of the game, is usually what people mean by going missing and that is lot different for an attacking player than when we talk about Dier, not closing down the ball, strolling around, not being aggressive enough, being easily passed around by opposition players.

 

[dtxspurs]

Attempting to pull off tricks and through balls which don't come off, or being starved of service or marked out of the game, is usually what people mean by going missing and that is lot different for an attacking player than when we talk about Dier, not closing down the ball, strolling around, not being aggressive enough, being easily passed around by opposition players.

Was simply an observation pal. I'm fine to agree to disagree but I like Dier and am fine with him moving forward. I don't doubt that he has his flaws but I trust in his ability to get better.

 

[dagraham]

The problem with wanyama is he's always injured.

Oh absolutely, and same for Winks. Add Dembele’s fitness issues and it clear as day the area of the pitch that needs to be addressed in the transfer market.

 

[Primativ]

Eric Dier has visibly regressed imo. It's not poor form for me, as it's been over a long period of time.

He's never going to be the most mobile, but he seems to have become even slower in body and mind since his breakthrough season in midfield. Back then he at least used to intercept attacks, protect the back four and although his passing was limited, it was at least executed with some degree of assuredness.

Now, more often than not, the ball is like a hot potato for him and is sometimes actually painful to watch when opponents are attempting to close him down. There are some comments on here about his distribution being good, but although he has a range of passing in his locker, crucially he can only do it if there isn't a player within 10 yards of him. Unfortunately in the PL in CM that's not going to happen too often. He also takes an age to decide what to do with the ball in the first place.

Now I know one of his subtle qualities is his positioning, but I personally think this is being overplayed. It's not like he is nipping in and intercepting the ball or even hassling the opposition. I've seen countless times players getting the wrong side of him and of late ( not just on Monday although that was a particularly bad example of it), a tendency to be completely off the pace of the rest of the players on the pitch. The say a sign of a good midfield player is where time seems to slow down for them, but it seems with Dier everything else is going on double speed. I don't think it's enough to just be another body dropping in to an area of the field. It's not like Dier is the first player of his type to be able to perform this function.

As for the argument that Poch plays him so if you criticise him you're a know nothing idiot then you can't criticise Sissoko either, which is going to be an issue for 95% of people.

I love the guys attitude, and I think Poch picks him just as much for his warrior spirit as he does his ability in midfield. Poch has already indicated he thinks he is a better CB than a CM and I agree with him. He may have a mistake in him, but he can see the play in front of him as opposed to having to receive the ball in tight spaces.

I'm not saying he is crap. He's a great player to have in the squad as much for his versatility as anything ( I still think he could do a decent job at RB in a flat back four).

However, the standard of this Spurs team is being continually raised and to my mind if everyone is fit and up to speed there isn't a place in the first 11 for him for me. There are 3 better CB's and better a DM in Wanyama. In fact I would argue that at times with 3 CB's and the ability of Toby and Vertonghen to step into midfield we would be better served by playing a more progressive combination in CM.

We see the exact same thing. Excellent post. It really is night and day between the Dier in his breakthrough season where he was colossal to this quite tentative, passive player we have now.

I think if it wasn't for bad injuries to Wanyama and Dembele's fitness issues, we'd have seen a lot less of Dier recently.

 

[Primativ]

Oh absolutely, and same for Winks. Add Dembele’s fitness issues and it clear as day the area of the pitch that needs to be addressed in the transfer market.

Definitely. Upgrade our CM options and we really do look the complete team.

 

[dagraham]

Definitely. Upgrade our CM options and we really do look the complete team.

Still need another creative type/playmaker to take the burden off of Eriksen, but I guess that could be a CM player rather than a pure alternative number 10.

 

[dtxspurs]

Still need another creative type/playmaker to take the burden off of Eriksen, but I guess that could be a CM player rather than a pure alternative number 10.

There's another thing about all this thats touchy is that Dier seems to be an incredibly popular member of the squad. Upsetting him, benching him and wanting to leave could legitimately disrupt the rest of team. Its very well known how tight he and Dele are but think he is a very respected member amongst the rest of the players.

 

[Giovanni]

There's another thing about all this thats touchy is that Dier seems to be an incredibly popular member of the squad. Upsetting him, benching him and wanting to leave could legitimately disrupt the rest of team. Its very well known how tight he and Dele are but think he is a very respected member amongst the rest of the players.

Is that right?

 

[RichieS]

There's another thing about all this thats touchy is that Dier seems to be an incredibly popular member of the squad. Upsetting him, benching him and wanting to leave could legitimately disrupt the rest of team. Its very well known how tight he and Dele are but think he is a very respected member amongst the rest of the players.

My member is well respected, also.

 

[CowInAComa]

I think the role Dier performs in the team is underappreciated.
It's often quite a functional role of covering others or filling gaps that is hard to quantify in a world of statistic based analysis.

 

[spursfan77]

I think Poch values Dier way more than most of us. He is his ‘on pitch Lieutenant’ and if Lloris lost the capataincy would be a serious rival to Kane for it. Whilst his athleticism could be better, his positioning is very good and his distribution underrated.

Definitely. I think he’s one of poch’s first names on the team sheet.

Managers love players who do what they are told and follow out their tactical plans to a tee and that’s what dier does. (Similarly it’s why Poch plays sissoko when he has to, despite his lack of footballing ability he does what he’s told).

 

[spursfan77]

lot of fans want to moan for the sake of it....bit silly, our best manager since Bill Nic has him as a constant first team player, Maureen was tapping him up and yet somehow he isn't good enough. People are daft.

Until reading this thread I really didn’t know that so many of our fans had doubts about him. I’m quite surprised at the lack of appreciation of him actually.

 

[Nebby]

Dier will never get the praise he deserves. He's not there to spray the ball about, drive into the opposing box, hit free kicks or drop a shoulder and go on a dribble, and all to often that's how midfielders are judged.

 

[rio bryan]

I'm not sure if too many people realize that he is Poch's lieutenant on the pitch !!

 

[Neon_Knight_]

Eric Dier has visibly regressed imo. It's not poor form for me, as it's been over a long period of time.

He's never going to be the most mobile, but he seems to have become even slower in body and mind since his breakthrough season in midfield. Back then he at least used to intercept attacks, protect the back four and although his passing was limited, it was at least executed with some degree of assuredness.

Now, more often than not, the ball is like a hot potato for him and is sometimes actually painful to watch when opponents are attempting to close him down. There are some comments on here about his distribution being good, but although he has a range of passing in his locker, crucially he can only do it if there isn't a player within 10 yards of him. Unfortunately in the PL in CM that's not going to happen too often. He also takes an age to decide what to do with the ball in the first place.

Now I know one of his subtle qualities is his positioning, but I personally think this is being overplayed. It's not like he is nipping in and intercepting the ball or even hassling the opposition. I've seen countless times players getting the wrong side of him and of late ( not just on Monday although that was a particularly bad example of it), a tendency to be completely off the pace of the rest of the players on the pitch. The say a sign of a good midfield player is where time seems to slow down for them, but it seems with Dier everything else is going on double speed. I don't think it's enough to just be another body dropping in to an area of the field. It's not like Dier is the first player of his type to be able to perform this function.

As for the argument that Poch plays him so if you criticise him you're a know nothing idiot then you can't criticise Sissoko either, which is going to be an issue for 95% of people.

I love the guys attitude, and I think Poch picks him just as much for his warrior spirit as he does his ability in midfield. Poch has already indicated he thinks he is a better CB than a CM and I agree with him. He may have a mistake in him, but he can see the play in front of him as opposed to having to receive the ball in tight spaces.

I'm not saying he is crap. He's a great player to have in the squad as much for his versatility as anything ( I still think he could do a decent job at RB in a flat back four).

However, the standard of this Spurs team is being continually raised and to my mind if everyone is fit and up to speed there isn't a place in the first 11 for him for me. There are 3 better CB's and better a DM in Wanyama. In fact I would argue that at times with 3 CB's and the ability of Toby and Vertonghen to step into midfield we would be better served by playing a more progressive combination in CM.

I see him as a very good player to have in and around the team, but not someone who should be an automatic starter every week for a team that's trying to win major trophies. If we get Wanyama back to full fitness/form, I can see Dier becoming more of a back-up utility player, like O'Shea used to be for United. Still playing regularly and making a vital contribution, but not starting XI when everyone else is fully fit and in form.

EDIT:
That said, I do think he brings a lot to the team and is far from a weak link. Perhaps we can't afford to drop him without finding another "leader".

 

[allpaths]

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.