- Aug 27, 2013
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:shrug:Dier back in Mid and scores 2 goals. Wanyama is a beast but what do we do here.
I'm a massive fan of Dier and want him back in midfield.
I'm a massive fan of Dier, and want him to stay in a back 3. (And was one of the first to recognize his value as a DM last season)
As a midfielder, I think he is a "tweener". If you look at the two roles - we (and Chelsea) use a DM, with defensive responsibilities, and a CM, with attacking/possession responsibilities. Wanyama is a better Defensive Midfielder than Dier, and Dembele (and Winks) are better in attack/possession than Dier.
Dier is a better attacking option than Wanyama - but that is not what is most important in that particular position. And, Dier is a better defensive option than Dembele/Winks, but that position requires more of an offensive skill set than Dier possesses.
But - as a RCB, or even just CB, he is developing the kind of ball-playing skills that make this formation dangerous where he (and Toby and Jan) can contribute in the attacking third, and also can launch quick counter attacks with quality long balls and/or diagonal passes. Its harder for teams to defend when we have 3 CBs capable of stepping into the attack - much like a Midfielder who gets beyond a striker is hard to pick up.
If we did not have Wanyama, I would not hesitate to keep Dier in midfield, but we have Wanyama, and he is arguably the best DM in the league...