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Dier's 'connection' with Mourinho and why it is 'very special' to be playing for him

mawspurs

Staff
Jun 29, 2003
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Eric Dier was back in the Spurs team on Saturday as he played his part in the 5-0 demolition of Burnley. Starting in the first three matches under Jose Mourinho, the versatile player was dropped down to the bench for the midweek defeat at Manchester United.

Source: Football London
 

Thenewcat

Well-Known Member
Aug 8, 2019
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Eric Dier was back in the Spurs team on Saturday as he played his part in the 5-0 demolition of Burnley. Starting in the first three matches under Jose Mourinho, the versatile player was dropped down to the bench for the midweek defeat at Manchester United.

Source: Football London
I find it ridiculous how many people seem to have written off Dier. He’s 25 and coming off a nightmare year with illness. He was key to the best Poch sides and can offer proper cover screening the defence at his best, and well as dropping back into defence when the full backs bomb on. Looking forward to him getting a decent run of health to see what he can do
 

Paceyjg

Well-Known Member
Jul 9, 2003
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Was he any good on Saturday? I only saw the highlights which showed him giving away possession on three occasions?!
 

UbeAstard

Well-Known Member
May 31, 2005
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I find it ridiculous how many people seem to have written off Dier. He’s 25 and coming off a nightmare year with illness. He was key to the best Poch sides and can offer proper cover screening the defence at his best, and well as dropping back into defence when the full backs bomb on. Looking forward to him getting a decent run of health to see what he can do

Same with any player who justifiably divides opinions eg Jenas or Sissoko. Some people will have on the rose tinted and some people might think they see things more on a level. There are decent performances and there are times when their limitations has gone against us. There is no absolute one or the other. We need to allow for the way other people see things and understand there is nothing wrong there either.
 

Japhet

Well-Known Member
Aug 30, 2010
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Thought he improved a lot v Burnley and he's been pretty good against teams that haven't had us under any pressure (Red Star being the other example). The acid test will be against decent opposition who get up in his grille and cut down time and space on the ball though.
 

davidmatzdorf

Front Page Gadfly
Jun 7, 2004
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Was he any good on Saturday? I only saw the highlights which showed him giving away possession on three occasions?!
Yes, he was sound and reliable throughout and got forward at sensible times to support the attack. All of our midfielders won the ball off Burnley players more or less at will, including Dier. They couldn't cope with our pressing and tackling at all.

Dier made a few good vertical passes as well, although we relied more on Sissoko running the ball out of defence and Alderweireld's long, aerial passes, in the absence of Winks, Ndombele or Eriksen.

It's also worth observing that the one game under Mourinho when our midfield was completely outplayed and out-hustled was the one when Dier didn't start.
 

kaz Hirai

Well-Known Member
Nov 5, 2008
17,692
25,340
Yes, he was sound and reliable throughout and got forward at sensible times to support the attack. All of our midfielders won the ball off Burnley players more or less at will, including Dier. They couldn't cope with our pressing and tackling at all.

Dier made a few good vertical passes as well, although we relied more on Sissoko running the ball out of defence and Alderweireld's long, aerial passes, in the absence of Winks, Ndombele or Eriksen.

It's also worth observing that the one game under Mourinho when our midfield was completely outplayed and out-hustled was the one when Dier didn't start.

That's more to do with playing the combination of Doom than the absence of Eric Dier I feel
 

FibreOpticJesus

Well-Known Member
Aug 14, 2005
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4,991
Yes, he was sound and reliable throughout and got forward at sensible times to support the attack. All of our midfielders won the ball off Burnley players more or less at will, including Dier. They couldn't cope with our pressing and tackling at all.

Dier made a few good vertical passes as well, although we relied more on Sissoko running the ball out of defence and Alderweireld's long, aerial passes, in the absence of Winks, Ndombele or Eriksen.

It's also worth observing that the one game under Mourinho when our midfield was completely outplayed and out-hustled was the one when Dier didn't start.

Point well made except the one player who shone for them was McNeil. We struggled to get the ball of him and if they had had a Harry Kane instead of Rodriguez the game could have been different. A player who would fit into our squad seamlessly.
 

bigspurs

Well-Known Member
Aug 9, 2005
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I find it ridiculous how many people seem to have written off Dier. He’s 25 and coming off a nightmare year with illness. He was key to the best Poch sides and can offer proper cover screening the defence at his best, and well as dropping back into defence when the full backs bomb on. Looking forward to him getting a decent run of health to see what he can do

i dunno, might have something to do with the fact that he can’t seem to make a simple pass anymore. Would definitely give him more time to rediscover his form though. Fingers crossed and all that!
 
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