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Eric Dier

Hakkz

Svensk hetsporre
Jul 6, 2012
8,196
17,270
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.

Still worried about our defense going forwards. Even Sheffield U will be a much bigger challenge than this RS team.
 

rio bryan

Well-Known Member
Dec 30, 2006
547
350
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.
Not sure you can totally blame the defence for them chances, the first one was where Foyth got his body in the way but then lost his balance and still managed to block the shot although the deflection took the ball into the path of the forward and the second was caused by a mistake by N'dombele.
 

Shadydan

Well-Known Member
Jul 7, 2012
38,247
104,143
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.

I noticed his reading of the game being very good, covering Sanchez, his positioning etc...he just looked very comfortable.

I hope someone makes a little compilation.
 

slartibartfast

Grunge baby forever
Oct 21, 2012
18,320
33,955
At the end of the day they are a CL team and we're away from home so surely you'd expect them to have at least a couple of chances?
Still think not having a recognised DM is the problem but what do I know.
 

muppetman

Well-Known Member
Jul 29, 2011
8,901
24,815
I think we've really missed his attitude and influence in the side, really was Poch's "attitude" when on the pitch so I hope he comes back into the fold.
 

wrd

Well-Known Member
Aug 22, 2014
13,603
58,005
I'm trying not to get ahead of myself but would love him to kick on in the team as a CB now.
 

dimiSpur

There's always next year...
Aug 9, 2008
5,844
6,750
He's not quite good enough for CM/DM, I think most of us can agree on that.

At 25 however, he's still a young CB. I'd like to try him there in the long-term. It's his natural position. He has all the attributes to be a success there. He's not slow, he's tough, good in the air and for a CB good on the ball too. His decision-making and positional play can improve with time. Given Jan & Toby's ages and/or contract situations, there's a good chance our long-term partnership will be Dier and Sanchez. They weren't tested to the extreme by any means last night, but I saw enough there to suggest they could form a solid partnership.
 

DogsOfWar

Well-Known Member
Jan 12, 2005
2,292
3,603
Bottom line is that Toby and Jan won't be here next season and they haven't been playing well enough to justify their inclusion.

We might as well bite the bullet now and plan for next season starting Dier and Sanchez, with Toby and Jan as back up (or replacements if the wheels come off completely).
They're both decent CBs so I don't see us struggling with the pair of them, and I think they make a great combination as both are capable of attacking the ball physically and both have the brains to read the game as sweepers.
 

cjsimba

Well-Known Member
Dec 5, 2006
2,563
9,450
He's not quite good enough for CM/DM, I think most of us can agree on that.

At 25 however, he's still a young CB. I'd like to try him there in the long-term. It's his natural position. He has all the attributes to be a success there. He's not slow, he's tough, good in the air and for a CB good on the ball too. His decision-making and positional play can improve with time. Given Jan & Toby's ages and/or contract situations, there's a good chance our long-term partnership will be Dier and Sanchez. They weren't tested to the extreme by any means last night, but I saw enough there to suggest they could form a solid partnership.

It’s amazing he’s only 25. I always think of him as much older.

He’s still a few years away from hitting his peak as a defender (where I hope he will concentrate on playing).
 

gavspur

Well-Known Member
Jun 24, 2004
5,255
8,686
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’s not just on the defence tho, we again played without a proper DM.. I always go back to what Ledley King said after a few games of having Scott Parker in front of the back four, and he said that they/he were having to do a lot less running and covering because it never really reached them. It’s a key area that we are severely lacking in. I have no idea why we have not addressed this situation. Get a proper DM in, and let Skipp learn under him.
 

rossdapep

Well-Known Member
Aug 25, 2011
21,905
78,640
Dier's best run of form arguably came when he was next to Dembele week in week out. And with Toby and Jan at their peak behind him the whole base was stable.

As Dembele regressed and then left, I think its been tougher for Dier to cope as DM and some of his weaknesses in this role (mobility and ball circulation) have been highlighted. It is afterall one of the hardest positions to play and I think Dier will do better not having to play with 360 vision
 

ostrov

Well-Known Member
Jan 8, 2006
1,447
1,053
I hope Dier will help the team this season. I miss his early bromance with Dele, it was a good time for all of us. Happy for him if his illness is behind.
 

cliff jones

Well-Known Member
Aug 31, 2012
4,059
6,512
he simply needs to play games to gain match sharpness, when he's not 100 per cent fit he can lumber around in midfield, or get turned easily in defence. Those who are not leaving this summer should be fkin prioritised!
 

gavspur

Well-Known Member
Jun 24, 2004
5,255
8,686
Dier's best run of form arguably came when he was next to Dembele week in week out. And with Toby and Jan at their peak behind him the whole base was stable.

As Dembele regressed and then left, I think its been tougher for Dier to cope as DM and some of his weaknesses in this role (mobility and ball circulation) have been highlighted. It is afterall one of the hardest positions to play and I think Dier will do better not having to play with 360 vision

I’m not sure Dier played any/many games after Dembele left tho.
 
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