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Eric Dier utility man?

THFCSPURS19

The Speaker of the Transfer Rumours Forum
Jan 6, 2013
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130,485
From what I can gather reading that, one randomer has called him a 'utility man' back in September. And now there's a discussion about whether that could harm him.


Even though no one else has called him a 'utility man'.
 

IfiHadTheWings

Well-Known Member
Aug 5, 2013
3,636
11,483
I just read that article and thought about his potential at centre back but how well he has grown into the destroyer, wanted to see whether anyone thinks he will be in the long term a midfielder or back to centre half.
 

JUSTINSIGNAL

Well-Known Member
Jul 10, 2008
15,980
48,500
He's played well as a DM but I still think he will end up as a centreback. He benefitting from having a defined role in a well coached tactical system but I still think he looks like a centre back playing in midfield at times.
 

Japhet

Well-Known Member
Aug 30, 2010
19,232
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Might well move to CB later in his career if he loses a bit of pace. For now he's a defensive midfielder unless there's an emergency. I do wonder sometimes whether Vlad could have played where Dier does now. I know he made quite a few gaffs but when you look at the way Lamela has improved with a bit of time and good coaching I think he might have been OK.
 

Rout-Ledge

Well-Known Member
Jul 29, 2005
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Might well move to CB later in his career if he loses a bit of pace. For now he's a defensive midfielder unless there's an emergency. I do wonder sometimes whether Vlad could have played where Dier does now. I know he made quite a few gaffs but when you look at the way Lamela has improved with a bit of time and good coaching I think he might have been OK.

Chiriches had talent but did not have the mentality or discipline to be relied on in any sort of defensive capacity. Poch realised that and shipped him out.

Dier is a defensive midfielder. Just like Bale started out as a left back, sometimes a player's true calling doesn't come to light until slightly later on in their career.
 

Japhet

Well-Known Member
Aug 30, 2010
19,232
57,392
Chiriches had talent but did not have the mentality or discipline to be relied on in any sort of defensive capacity. Poch realised that and shipped him out.

Dier is a defensive midfielder. Just like Bale started out as a left back, sometimes a player's true calling doesn't come to light until slightly later on in their career.


I think his confidence was low and he didn't get used to the intensity of the EPL. I reckon he might have improved with a bit of time, but unfortunately that often isn't available, especially when playing at the back is so unforgiving when you make a mistake. Can't say I miss Vlad but was just making an observation.
 

Mullers

Unknown member
Jan 4, 2006
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I can only see a future as DM for him right now, Poch has made it very clear with the dropping of Wimmer when Wimmer was playing well, that TA and Verts are his first choice pairing.
 

nferno

Waiting for England to finally win the Euros-2024?
Jan 7, 2007
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Although his passing capacity is underrated, I don't feel he should be a DM long term because of it. In an ideal situation we'd be even better if we had Dier at CB and someone who can do what Dier does in DM but can also dictate the tempo of a game.

Insanely hard to find a player with both those qualities though, so imo he will stay put at DM for the foreseeable future.
 

MattPhilpott

Well-Known Member
May 30, 2013
844
3,176
For me, someone like Phil Jones defines "Utility Man"

It's an insult to label Dier as that, he will become the best DM in the country for me in the next 3 years.
 

spurs9

Well-Known Member
Aug 31, 2012
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34,030
Although his passing capacity is underrated, I don't feel he should be a DM long term because of it. In an ideal situation we'd be even better if we had Dier at CB and someone who can do what Dier does in DM but can also dictate the tempo of a game.

Insanely hard to find a player with both those qualities though, so imo he will stay put at DM for the foreseeable future.
IMO, it's more likely that Dier will develop the ability to dictate the tempo of a game than we will find a player than can do what Dier does and dictate the tempo of a game.
 

Sweech

Ruh Roh Ressegnon
Jun 27, 2013
6,752
16,378
What I'm really impressed by is how much he's doing for this team in this system yet, there's so much room for growth and improvement for him. The sky is really the limit for him at the moment.
 

Hazelton

Unknown Member
Jul 11, 2011
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For me, Dier is too important to be considered a utility man. Sure, he could cover other positions if needed, but who would cover him? We need him in midfield.

When I think of utility men, I think of players like John O'Shea and Teemu Tainio. Good players, but they make their living by being able to cover any position. Dier is our holding midfielder and part of the core.
 
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