Player Watch: Victor Wanyama

[NEVILLEB]

lol

Dier got on the ball in the second half and it was immediately obvious that his passing was far more incisive. He also looks to play the early pass without feeling like he's got to travel with the ball or take a few touches first.

Wanyama is a good player but Dier is one of those 'Roy Keane' types who just sets the tempo and maintains the shape of the team. Alli had a fantastic understanding with him last year and it's no coincidence he's not quite as good this year.

I really want him back as DM.

 

[Eric_s]

Dier got on the ball in the second half and it was immediately obvious that his passing was far more incisive. He also looks to play the early pass without feeling like he's got to travel with the ball or take a few touches first.

Wanyama is a good player but Dier is one of those 'Roy Keane' types who just sets the tempo and maintains the shape of the team. Alli had a fantastic understanding with him last year and it's no coincidence he's not quite as good this year.

I really want him back as DM.

You are writing fiction. Anyone who watch with their eyes will not agree with your assessment of Dier.

 

[tiger666]

Swapping Wanyama for Dier has changed us from a patient, composed and balanced team to a bit of a mess.

One of the worst decisions I've seen Poch make. A shocker.

He's not a bad player at all but Dier was a star last season.

Just.. lol.

 

[Archibald&Crooks]

Just.. lol.

Fiar play, he's 'passionate'..........Its the new get out of jail free card

 

[HildoSpur]

He has been a superb signing for us, a much better player than I had realised

 

[lol]

lol

Just.. lol.

sup?

 

[The Swellhead Spur]

He has been a superb signing for us, a much better player than I had realised

I loved Dier but tbf Wanyama had been much better than I ever thought. Him and Poch love eachother and he genuinely seems to be getting better at different aspects every game.

 

[NEVILLEB]

You are writing friction. Anyone who watch with their eyes will not agree with your assessment of Dier.

Yes I'm writing friction.

 

[NEVILLEB]

The argument is not whether Wanyama is a good player. He clearly is.

It's the failure to recognise and value the effect on the whole team that Dier brings us as DM. This season has made me question Poch's reading of the game because he hit the jackpot last year and then he's thrown it away.

Dier even made England look a good side in the last 12 months!!

Get him back in asap.

 

[bubble07]

Im certain dier will start against watford as a DM

 

[sherbornespurs]

Apart from 4 goals and a win, of course, the best bit for me was when '£60m rated' (Daily Telegraph) Virgil van Dijk got skinned next to his own six yard box by Victor.

Bravo fella', bravo.

 

[millsey]

People making out Dier was zidane last season. Dier was very good at sitting in front of the back four and making tackles. His passing was a major weakness and would give the ball away many times. Our tempo and flow is not dictated by one player in the middle of the park winning the ball and passing to a team mate. Why don't you blame all the injuries, or the fact Ali and Eriksen have only just decided to turn up? Or that Kane has been way off the pace?

 

[nightgoat]

I do think he plays more risky passes and the stats back that up for example.

Dier makes more forward passes, Wanyama makes more backwards passes as I have already alluded to, which then makes sense Wanyama would have a higher successful pass rate as he is making a higher percentage of passes backwards but notice how that figure is only slightly better than Dier despite the latter making the riskier passes, same goes for pass completion, makes sense it would be higher as Wanyama is passing backwards more.

What those stats won't show however, is how many passes attempted are next touched by a Spurs player but in a situation that leads to them losing possession. Last night there were several occasions where Wanyama made simple, short passes that were sloppily a few feet away from their intended target, or where he didn't consider his options and passed to the nearest teammate, who had their back to goal with two or three defenders around and subsequently lost the ball.

 

[dudu]

I do think he plays more risky passes and the stats back that up for example.

Dier makes more forward passes, Wanyama makes more backwards passes as I have already alluded to, which then makes sense Wanyama would have a higher successful pass rate as he is making a higher percentage of passes backwards but notice how that figure is only slightly better than Dier despite the latter making the riskier passes, same goes for pass completion, makes sense it would be higher as Wanyama is passing backwards more.

What's amazing to me is that, for all the talk that Wanyama is better defensively as well you will notice Dier is better at intercepting the ball and actually has a higher assist percentage (albeit small) and when he played 3 at the back and pushed forward more this season he assisted another goal (that chip ball that led to walkers cross.)

Also, Wanyama has already contributed to a defensive error that led directly to a goal, Dier didn't do that once last season according to these stats.

Overall however, the bigger picture for me is how Dier contributes more to the attack by being more disciplined in that role, he doesn't push forward as much, which allows for more space with our attackers however he still contributes to the attack when he needs to.

Wanyama however pushes forward more and leaves gaps, also, it affects the space allowed by our attacking players ahead of him and forces them to track back more when he is out of position.

I think that is the biggest difference.

Dier had a slightly different remit last season than Wanyamas this and probably played a lot more passes from deeper meaning less options behind him

 

[nightgoat]

People making out Dier was zidane last season.

No one is saying that.

 

[dudu]

No one is saying that.

Yeah, they are.

 

[chrissivad]

Yeah, they are.

Who is saying he was Zidane last season then?

 

[millsey]

Who is saying he was Zidane last season then?

My post said people are making out Dier was zidane last season. His amazing passing range, the way our teams tempo goes up, his wonderful long balls. Are we talking about Dier??

 

[dudu]

Who is saying he was Zidane last season then?

Ok fair.

No one is litterally saying that.

People are alluding that Dier is an obviously superior footballer and passer of the ball while without him at DM our entire offensive and defensive play is suffering.... This despite us having scored more and conceeded less than at this stage last year.

I am a huge fan of Eric's but him playing in DM is not the glue that holds us together.

 

[Shadydan]

Ok fair.

No one is litterally saying that.

People are alluding that Dier is an obviously superior footballer and passer of the ball while without him at DM our entire offensive and defensive play is suffering.... This despite us having scored more and conceeded less than at this stage last year.

I am a huge fan of Eric's but him playing in DM is not the glue that holds us together.

I really don't understand the Dier shouts, I think it's probably based on the fact that Dier is a bit of a favourite and people are a little frustrated that he's been displaced.