Support Group for People afraid of Dier as CM

[Indisguise]

I've been going through a negative phase with our "ambitions", etc., but if Eric Dier ends up being our DM, that wouldn't add to my negative feelings at all. I think he did really well in his first PL game in that role against Yanited away from home and I'm intrigued by how much he can improve on that performance. Add a couple of decent forwards and I may well find myself returning to a positive frame of mind.

 

[Jules]

I'm happy to see him in front of the back four. He will certainly work from a defensive perspective.

I particularly like the aerial ability he brings to our midfield for both defending and attacking.

The question mark for me is his passing ability. Let's see how it goes.

 

[Blake Griffin]

i'm not happy. for a cb he's good on the ball, for a cm he's below average. we can't afford to have a player like that in our system. so he might make a few more tackles than mason, that's no good if he can't turn/move/pass under pressure or give us anything going forward. i love dier but just no, stop it poch, stop it now.

 

[Bulletspur]

As stop gap it could be worse, as long term we should buy better.

 

[TwanYid]

This has been a common phobia seen throughout SC for the last few weeks.

"Dier is a CB not a CM"

"Pochettino has lost the plot starting Dier away at OT"

"We can't go into the season with Dier as a CM"

"Please Poch, no Dier in midfield."

"Dier in midfield is pathetic."

Its time to come together as a group and discuss these irrational fears. Lets start with the obvious, the sky is not going to fall if Dier plays CM.

As we all know (or should know by now) Eric Dier is more than just a "proper CB", he is a proper footballer. He came up though Sporting as a DM. He showed enough athleticism last season as a RB, for everyone to know he is not as immobile as Fazio. He showed enough ability last season as a RB to know he can pick out a pass, and he can move the ball forward.

If you went back to last season's match threads, almost every one would include multiple posts about how the defense would be better if we had a proper DM to shield the back four. Guess what? Dier can shield the back four. He reads the game well enough, and he knows a thing or two about putting a foot into a tackle.

Consider this - in the game at OT, Spurs held United to a single shot on goal. Do you think that was an accident? For all the things you think Dier is not, he will put in a shift, and he will protect the back line. United will end up as one of the highest scoring teams in the league this season, yet we held them to a single shot on goal. With Dier as a CM, and with most considering Bentaleb having a mare.

Was he perfect? No, of course not. It was his first game in the PL as a CM, away at OT - if you expected perfect, perhaps you also expect Levy to turn water into wine.

Is he the ideal CM for Poch's system? No. But that does not make him a poor CM - his role is simply more defensive than a typical CM in a true double pivot.

Should we continue to look for a CM in the transfer window? Sure, but no reason to break the budget. Among Dier, Bentaleb, Alli, Mason, Winks, and even Veljkovic we have enough options to play this year at the same or higher level than last year.

Compare that to our attacking options - where we currently have no viable back-up to Kane, and no pace on the team. Those are more pressing needs for this team, this season, than CM. Fill those holes first, adn then see if there is money left over for a CM.

As the transfer window winds down, and we don't bring in a new CM, remember if we can't be with the one we love, we should love the one we are with. Don' be angry - don't be sad; Don't sit crying over good times you've had. There's a girl right next to you, and she's just waiting for something to do.

Before we close this meeting, let me remind you of Spurs motto: To Dier, is to do. So it is written, so it shall be done.

Fuck man- now I got that "do-do-do-do-do- DO-do, DAH-do-do-do..." stuck in my head!

 

[TwanYid]

He did play reasonably well against UTD. But one game is different from being deemed as first choice for a whole season.

Would it be the end of the world if it turned out that way? No, probably not.

Could we list 15 reasons why it isn't a good enough solution going forward? Yes, potentially.

I would say its something to not be suicidal about, but not overly happy about either.

Haha- if that ain't the quintessence of today's Tottenham, I don't know what is.

 

[cliff jones]

This has been a common phobia seen throughout SC for the last few weeks.

"Dier is a CB not a CM"

"Pochettino has lost the plot starting Dier away at OT"

"We can't go into the season with Dier as a CM"

"Please Poch, no Dier in midfield."

"Dier in midfield is pathetic."

Its time to come together as a group and discuss these irrational fears. Lets start with the obvious, the sky is not going to fall if Dier plays CM.

As we all know (or should know by now) Eric Dier is more than just a "proper CB", he is a proper footballer. He came up though Sporting as a DM. He showed enough athleticism last season as a RB, for everyone to know he is not as immobile as Fazio. He showed enough ability last season as a RB to know he can pick out a pass, and he can move the ball forward.

If you went back to last season's match threads, almost every one would include multiple posts about how the defense would be better if we had a proper DM to shield the back four. Guess what? Dier can shield the back four. He reads the game well enough, and he knows a thing or two about putting a foot into a tackle.

Consider this - in the game at OT, Spurs held United to a single shot on goal. Do you think that was an accident? For all the things you think Dier is not, he will put in a shift, and he will protect the back line. United will end up as one of the highest scoring teams in the league this season, yet we held them to a single shot on goal. With Dier as a CM, and with most considering Bentaleb having a mare.

Was he perfect? No, of course not. It was his first game in the PL as a CM, away at OT - if you expected perfect, perhaps you also expect Levy to turn water into wine.

Is he the ideal CM for Poch's system? No. But that does not make him a poor CM - his role is simply more defensive than a typical CM in a true double pivot.

Should we continue to look for a CM in the transfer window? Sure, but no reason to break the budget. Among Dier, Bentaleb, Alli, Mason, Winks, and even Veljkovic we have enough options to play this year at the same or higher level than last year.

Compare that to our attacking options - where we currently have no viable back-up to Kane, and no pace on the team. Those are more pressing needs for this team, this season, than CM. Fill those holes first, adn then see if there is money left over for a CM.

As the transfer window winds down, and we don't bring in a new CM, remember if we can't be with the one we love, we should love the one we are with. Don' be angry - don't be sad; Don't sit crying over good times you've had. There's a girl right next to you, and she's just waiting for something to do.

Before we close this meeting, let me remind you of Spurs motto: To Dier, is to do. So it is written, so it shall be done.

Love the way you packaged this but it's Poch who needs the sessions not me. Dier's plainly not quick enough when receiving the ball in tight spaces where one moment of indecision or poor footwork can cost goals. Mason and Bentaleb continue of course to have moments of their own and the Club could do better given the right investment by the owners. Now she the time.. Or rather last month...

 

[Strikeb4ck]

I noticed that quite a few times he pulled back to form a back three when both our fullbacks pushed on. And as a result cut out a possible counter attack on more than one occasion.

Busquets-esque.

 

[LexingtonSpurs]

Love the way you packaged this but it's Poch who needs the sessions not me. Dier's plainly not quick enough when receiving the ball in tight spaces where one moment of indecision or poor footwork can cost goals. Mason and Bentaleb continue of course to have moments of their own and the Club could do better given the right investment by the owners. Now she the time.. Or rather last month...

Yeah, i know Dier is not the ideal CM, but when I look at the needs right now, for me the priority is 1. Striker, 2. Wide Player, 3. CM. We only have so much money, and if we can get all 3 great, but I'd rather focus on the first two.

The other issue I have with spending too much on a CM is that Alli looks to be the long-term solution - so no sense in bringing in a big money signing, only to turn to Alli next season full time.

With the mix of CMs we currently have: Bentaleb, Dier, Alli, Mason, and even Winks - I think we have the pieces to rotate quite a bit based on opponent. If we need a stronger presence in the midfield, Dier starts. If we think the game is going to be a bit more open, maybe Alli, or Mason starts. Either way we have an option on the bench to change things up.

Bottom line, Dier at CM won't make or break our season.

 

[cliff jones]

Yeah, i know Dier is not the ideal CM, but when I look at the needs right now, for me the priority is 1. Striker, 2. Wide Player, 3. CM. We only have so much money, and if we can get all 3 great, but I'd rather focus on the first two.

The other issue I have with spending too much on a CM is that Alli looks to be the long-term solution - so no sense in bringing in a big money signing, only to turn to Alli next season full time.

With the mix of CMs we currently have: Bentaleb, Dier, Alli, Mason, and even Winks - I think we have the pieces to rotate quite a bit based on opponent. If we need a stronger presence in the midfield, Dier starts. If we think the game is going to be a bit more open, maybe Alli, or Mason starts. Either way we have an option on the bench to change things up.

Bottom line, Dier at CM won't make or break our season.

Agreed with you till you included Dier in the list of cms. For reasons I've already stated. Alli absolutely then, if m or b are out, or Winks. But not Eric. Don't want him shunted around this season as well. Cb.

 

[Donki]

I think there is more of a chance of Dier making it as a DM than Chadli or Lennon had of making it as a striker! I really dunno what made some people think Lennon could play as a striker .

 

[voxy28]

The fact is that Dier plays 90 min at OT and made no mistakes as a DM on the right side means he is more than capable than any players on our bench says a lot about his development. He would had been perfect in a 433 attack formation.

What happened in OT is bec Bentelab losing his balls on the left side of the pitch and gets slaughtered by Depay and Darmien.... We should play 4321 in defense with Dier covering both left and right side should we lose the ball since Eriksen don't drop deep to defend.

 

[mattie g]

I agree with those who say he was quite good on Saturday. He has the skillset to be a DM, but he needs some more game time there to get used to it. I also liked how he often dropped back into the middle of the defense when one or two of our back four made runs forward. Lots of fluidity, which was really nice to see, and our defense wasn't nearly as all over the place as we'd seen it at times last season.

I think he'll get time at CB, but I have no problem with him being that DM that we crave.

 

[TaoistMonkey]

Dier and Ali FTW!

 

[TaoistMonkey]

#cultofdier

 

[Mr-T]

He did well at Old Trafford and if Poch thinks he's good to play there then that's good enough for me.

I think perhaps the problem we have with the DM position is we expect too much from one role - we want a combative, tough tackler to break up opposition attacks, cover the full-backs and shield the defence, who can read the game well - but who also has a quarterback pass, a turn of speed to carry the ball forward and a decent long-range shot. Apart from possibly Gerrard in his prime I struggle to think of a DM who can do all of these.

 

[LexingtonSpurs]

If we could get Berahino in, I think our best formation might be a 4-4-2, diamond midfield

Lloris
Walker Toby Jan Rose
Dier
Alli....... Bentaleb
Eriksen
Kane Berahino
​

Obviously Trippier could be in for Walker, Lamela in for Eriksen, etc.

But I digress, since I know we will fit everyone into the 4231

 

[THOWIG]

What if people stopped looking at him as a defensive midfielder and instead as a third defender?

Similar to Bielsa's famous 3313 formation aka:

Lloris

Alderweireld
Vertonghen
Dier

Walker
Rose
Bentaleb

Eriksen

Dembele
Chadli
Kane

 

[idontgetit]

This has been a common phobia seen throughout SC for the last few weeks.

"Dier is a CB not a CM"

"Pochettino has lost the plot starting Dier away at OT"

"We can't go into the season with Dier as a CM"

"Please Poch, no Dier in midfield."

"Dier in midfield is pathetic."

Its time to come together as a group and discuss these irrational fears. Lets start with the obvious, the sky is not going to fall if Dier plays CM.

As we all know (or should know by now) Eric Dier is more than just a "proper CB", he is a proper footballer. He came up though Sporting as a DM. He showed enough athleticism last season as a RB, for everyone to know he is not as immobile as Fazio. He showed enough ability last season as a RB to know he can pick out a pass, and he can move the ball forward.

If you went back to last season's match threads, almost every one would include multiple posts about how the defense would be better if we had a proper DM to shield the back four. Guess what? Dier can shield the back four. He reads the game well enough, and he knows a thing or two about putting a foot into a tackle.

Consider this - in the game at OT, Spurs held United to a single shot on goal. Do you think that was an accident? For all the things you think Dier is not, he will put in a shift, and he will protect the back line. United will end up as one of the highest scoring teams in the league this season, yet we held them to a single shot on goal. With Dier as a CM, and with most considering Bentaleb having a mare.

Was he perfect? No, of course not. It was his first game in the PL as a CM, away at OT - if you expected perfect, perhaps you also expect Levy to turn water into wine.

Is he the ideal CM for Poch's system? No. But that does not make him a poor CM - his role is simply more defensive than a typical CM in a true double pivot.

Should we continue to look for a CM in the transfer window? Sure, but no reason to break the budget. Among Dier, Bentaleb, Alli, Mason, Winks, and even Veljkovic we have enough options to play this year at the same or higher level than last year.

Compare that to our attacking options - where we currently have no viable back-up to Kane, and no pace on the team. Those are more pressing needs for this team, this season, than CM. Fill those holes first, adn then see if there is money left over for a CM.

As the transfer window winds down, and we don't bring in a new CM, remember if we can't be with the one we love, we should love the one we are with. Don' be angry - don't be sad; Don't sit crying over good times you've had. There's a girl right next to you, and she's just waiting for something to do.

Before we close this meeting, let me remind you of Spurs motto: To Dier, is to do. So it is written, so it shall be done.

Why the fuck are we playing a CB in midfield? Of course it's an issue

 

[LexingtonSpurs]

Why the fuck are we playing a CB in midfield? Of course it's an issue

Well, obviously, udontgetit