- Jul 3, 2006
- 15,248
- 19,064
I see.
I nearly responded to your comment a few above this regarding his "not looking happy" and all that...glad I waited.
Let me start by asking you how much non-stop football Dier played up until injuries finally did him last season? From the moment he made his debut? Think about that.
"He keeps getting slated for his poor performances"...I see. So that means something does it? Means more than Southgate and Pochettino continually having him in their set-ups? I see. One thing I personally won't do is let the numptynet, and all its shit amateur coaches, tell me what I see and what I think. Opinions are one thing; opinions because of the opinions of others? That's everything which is wrong with the modern supporter (IMO).
Regarding Alderweireld, a great right-sided centre-back I agree, but recently he has been both injury-prone and made several big mistakes which have cost us either directly or indirectly (not helped by sometimes being played on the left). Not much of a midfielder mind, although he quite obviously is a specialist position player (BTW, how many versatile players do we have? Dier , Dele - who funnily enough also got caned by some despite him spending half the season playing a different role!)...
Tet you choose to evaluate Dier as a CB when he clearly has not played there nearly enough to find rhythm or consistency. Bizarre.
Dier and Alderweireld's stats are not hugely dissimilar. As you'd expect, Dier has more assists, Toby better defensive numbers but not by a huge amount...the BIGGEST difference between their numbers, is that Eric Dier is involved in more actions. He is looking to win more 50/50s, win more tackles, will take a yellow for the cause, etc. The win/loss ratio for both inn their total games is very, very similar (we have won slightly more with Dier but that means little without context).
What I cannot reconcile is how you, and others like you, cannot see the IMMENSE qualities this versatile, committed and loyal leader brings to our squad. Eric Dier is a brave fucking guy. A warrior. You say he "hasn't looked happy" for a while, it is because he has been playing hurt for a long time, pushing through to give his best and is unable to play consistently. I'd be pretty disappointed if he was "happy" with all that.
As I stood applauding us off the pitch at the Wanda, feeling dejected, flat and bewildered by everything which had (or hadn't) happened, I noticed one player gathering the side from the turf to form a line and go to get our runners up medals. Yes, Eric Dier . It absolutely typified EVERYTHING about this man IMO, someone who does the dirty jobs, the unwanted jobs, but the jobs which big clubs have to have done. I think he is a leader. 100%. And obviously Poch and Southgate agree.
Eric Dier never, ever hides. Never has, never will.
If we were ever unlucky enough to lose him, it appears folks like your good self wouldn't know what you were missing until they weren't there.
Dier is our version of Phil Jones, a Jack of many trades a master of none.
If we bring in Ceballos and Lo Celso he won’t get a sniff in midfield with NDombele, Sissoko, Winks, and even a fit again Wanyama ahead of him. He’s too slow and limited for the high press we like to play.
As a CB it’s a no for me... he’s nowhere near in Toby or Jan’s league. Even if Toby goes we’re being heavily linked with Saliba. That will leave us Jan, Sanchez, Saliba, Foyth and Davies... again, no place for Dier.