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Eric Dier

spursfan77

Well-Known Member
Aug 13, 2005
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I think some people are getting a bit carried away. Our defense was reasonably solid but Red Star still had 2 almost certain goal opportunities (1 early which Gazzaniga made a great save with his foot, and the 1 2nd half where they couldn't find the pass whilst 3 on 1) and also hit the woodwork. On another night we could have easily conceded 3.

That was when they were breaking on the defence though. Maybe if they had protection, from say, a defensive midfielder, it mightnot of happened?

Ndombele and sissoko are defensively minded enough to play the role. Maybe Dier’s performance at centre back might get him back in the team?
 

spursfan77

Well-Known Member
Aug 13, 2005
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Definitely worth a read and a timely reminder not to judge players too harshly as there may be mitigating circumstances we are not fully aware of.

He used to be such an important player for us and can be again. The article backs up what I’ve been saying about him this year. He needs to be back fit and given a run of games. Maybe because of what’s been wrong with him he needs to earn the faith of his manager back, it doesn’t sound like his fault at all though.
 

Wsussexspur

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Oct 2, 2007
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He deserves a run of games I think now I think. Didn’t think he did too much wrong on Wednesday night. To be honest On my opinion barring a couple of games Toby hasn’t been that bad this season. But given he will be leaving at the end of season I’d rather see a Dier given run of games ahead of him.
 

wrd

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Aug 22, 2014
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There was a moment in the game where Dele was desperate for Sanchez to lob the ball over for him to run onto and I'd probably say it looked like Sanchez doesn't have that in his locker yet but we know Dier does. Makes me curious as to whether we will eventually see Dier on the right so he can make those diagonals to Dele, thus replacing Alder but also putting that good Dele/Dier relationship to good use.
 

dudu

Well-Known Member
Jan 28, 2011
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See this is what gets me. They haven't become bad players overnight. It's the manager, that's why these players are so bad. People are acting like it's amazing how players have become too old all of a sudden. it's just not true.

Or, player has been crippled with horrible illness for a year and needs time to get back up to speed.
 

SargeantMeatCurtains

Your least favourite poster
Jan 5, 2013
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Whenever I think about Dier, i'm always brought back to the interview he gave after we came back from 1-0 to beat City 2-1. He said something along the lines of "people say a lot of things about us, and I dont like it." etc. Basically he really stood up for the club.

Sorry for the exhausted cliche, but he plays for the shirt. He was solid against Red Star and i'd certainly have no issues with him getting a run of games now. He is literally the only player we have in the squad who is capable of allowing us to change formation without needing to make sweeping substitutions.
 

nicdic

Official SC Padre
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May 8, 2005
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I said it before, I'll say it again, I love Eric Dier. If we can get him fit and firing, he'll be quality, whether that's in defence or midfield. Personally would love him to step up and take over in defence. He's a leader, very intelligent, and very competent. He and Sanchez could be a formidable partnership moving forward.
 

Lo Amo Speroni

Only been in match thread once.
Aug 9, 2010
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I said it before, I'll say it again, I love Eric Dier. If we can get him fit and firing, he'll be quality, whether that's in defence or midfield. Personally would love him to step up and take over in defence. He's a leader, very intelligent, and very competent. He and Sanchez could be a formidable partnership moving forward.
I agree with this big time. We need him in CD and the have CD partnership for 5 to 8 years sorted.
 

Japhet

Well-Known Member
Aug 30, 2010
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I said it before, I'll say it again, I love Eric Dier. If we can get him fit and firing, he'll be quality, whether that's in defence or midfield. Personally would love him to step up and take over in defence. He's a leader, very intelligent, and very competent. He and Sanchez could be a formidable partnership moving forward.


I like him best in the hybrid DM/CB role and I think that would allow us to use more progressive fullbacks (Sessegnon for sure and maybe KWP). Maybe Dier's illness is what has stopped us from doing this. Some people see a back 3 as a defensive setup, but I see it as more attacking when it allows fullbacks to give us width in attack.
 

wrd

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Aug 22, 2014
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I said it before, I'll say it again, I love Eric Dier. If we can get him fit and firing, he'll be quality, whether that's in defence or midfield. Personally would love him to step up and take over in defence. He's a leader, very intelligent, and very competent. He and Sanchez could be a formidable partnership moving forward.

I think that Wanyama showed a fairly big difference in quality in DM compared to Dier and I think that was down to being more athletic and also better on the ball than Dier when it comes to dribbling and technique. I feel like Dier is a competent DM but you take the qualities he has as a DM and put it in CB and you're looking at a fantastic CB.

I think what I'm trying to say is as a DM Dier is competent in terms of athleticism and technique but when you move him to CB then comparable to most CB's Athleticism and technique he is in the upper tier. As you say Leader/Intelligence comes across in both areas on the field. Always seen him as the on the pitch manager.
 

easley91

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Jan 27, 2011
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Definitely worth a read and a timely reminder not to judge players too harshly as there may be mitigating circumstances we are not fully aware of.
Just read this. Feel for him, as although I have not had anything as serious I have felt as if my immune system is at a real low point and can't shrug anything off. Knee injury, sinusitis, flu, constant headaches. This year has been a non-stop ride of health issues for myself and have struggled to string constant working days together, so can only imagine not been able to train or play. It's a horrible feeling whoever you are and whatever your working life is.

People (everywhere, not just us at Spurs) need to remember these guys are still human and still can suffer physical and mental ailments like the rest of us folk.
 

wrd

Well-Known Member
Aug 22, 2014
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Just read this. Feel for him, as although I have not had anything as serious I have felt as if my immune system is at a real low point and can't shrug anything off. Knee injury, sinusitis, flu, constant headaches. This year has been a non-stop ride of health issues for myself and have struggled to string constant working days together, so can only imagine not been able to train or play. It's a horrible feeling whoever you are and whatever your working life is.

People (everywhere, not just us at Spurs) need to remember these guys are still human and still can suffer physical and mental ailments like the rest of us folk.

Sorry to hear that pal, went through it myself and feels like this is your life now but you can get past it even the constant cough and sinusitis which feels like it's here to stay but you can overcome all of it with some trial and error.
 

Spursmatty87

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Jul 7, 2016
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Personally think he’s a better cb than cm but we really could do with cdm atm so I would put him there over the next few months then move him back. But I sure he’s only got 18 months left on his contract so that needs sorting before long.
 

dontcallme

SC Supporter
Mar 18, 2005
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All through this period, I'm sorta amazed how little respect he has among an alarming amount of our fan base.
Unfortunately respect isn't something many fans have. If people don't think he is good enough then fine, but so many have to use that as a reason to dislike a player.

Dier appears to have a very good attitude and is usually up for the physical battle. I was hoping we could use him as a DM this season to allow Ndombele to get forward more.

With Jan and Toby not performing maybe Dier is best suited for the CB role for now.
 

CheeseGromit

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Aug 22, 2013
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I am always surprised how little credit is given to players who can read a game well. Have the knack of being it just the right place at the right time. Players are complimented for their dribbling ability able to make a long pass or athleticism but rarely the game management.
Ledley King was one of the best readers of the game I have seen yet nobody really talked about that aspect of his game.

Dier as a DM is really good at game management. Opposition found it difficult to get telling passes to exposes our defence when he was playing well often comparisons are made with Wanyama but I believe they were much more complimentary to each other rather than competitive for the same role.

It is true that we have moved on from the initial Poch team set up and that Dier has had difficulties in getting back to his previous standards but I believe he can and will play a significant part in steadying the ship and moving forward

I feel Poch as had great difficulty in replacing him in the side. Personally I would see that Ndombele Sissoko and and Winks are vying for the position alongside him moving forward. Each have their own attributes but also weaknesses when they play without a stabilising player alongside them And as an example and only an example when Sissoko plays and how he has grown in the Spurs side because he covers so much ground he is less defensively conscious which i believe has contributed to our goals against tally. we can afford 1 box to box player not 2 imo
 

nicdic

Official SC Padre
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May 8, 2005
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I think that Wanyama showed a fairly big difference in quality in DM compared to Dier and I think that was down to being more athletic and also better on the ball than Dier when it comes to dribbling and technique. I feel like Dier is a competent DM but you take the qualities he has as a DM and put it in CB and you're looking at a fantastic CB.

I think what I'm trying to say is as a DM Dier is competent in terms of athleticism and technique but when you move him to CB then comparable to most CB's Athleticism and technique he is in the upper tier. As you say Leader/Intelligence comes across in both areas on the field. Always seen him as the on the pitch manager.
I think Dier was a better DM than Wanyama. I think you're doing him a disservice both as a DM and CB.
 

nicdic

Official SC Padre
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May 8, 2005
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Interesting that he kinda mentioned how the second surgery in pre-season hasn't really been explained, but then proceeded to not explain it?
 
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