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Eric Dier

Was one half of the best midfield we've had in a very long time.

We played well in spite of Dier’s brain dead play not because of it.

Keen to get your take on the stone wall pen he should have given away if not for an inept refereeing display.

He’s not the quality required to start for us anymore. He’s a backup level player and a utility player.
 
That second tackle is silly even if he gets the ball. On a yellow you need to be certain to get the ball before making a tackle like that. If he felt certain he was wrong.

Clear penalty, which also should have been a yellow. Very lucky yesterday and a long way from form.
 
Dier is the weakest of our defensive midfield options imo he needs to return to Centre half or right back and develop there. He has all the attributes to be a fine defender, he just needs to improve his decision making and concentration. Should be learning from Verts and Toby.
 
Haha you’re unreal mate. He really didn’t. He crossed the line twice and got lucky.

The dogs abuse you give Sissoko and you defend Diers performance today?

That can be flipped you know

The unwavering support you have given Sissoko regardless of how bad he has played and yet you castigate a player who made up one half of out most successful midfields under Poch who has not had regular football due to illness and needs time to get back to full match sharpness

Just think how upset he’s mum will be read all the nasty things you’ve said about him, shame on you
 
That can be flipped you know

The unwavering support you have given Sissoko regardless of how bad he has played and yet you castigate a player who made up one half of out most successful midfields under Poch who has not had regular football due to illness and needs time to get back to full match sharpness

Just think how upset he’s mum will be read all the nasty things you’ve said about him, shame on you
He is not abusing Dier or failing to acknowledge good performances from him.
 
Dier is the weakest of our defensive midfield options imo he needs to return to Centre half or right back and develop there. He has all the attributes to be a fine defender, he just needs to improve his decision making and concentration. Should be learning from Verts and Toby.

He lacks concentration and decision making? Then put him in defence?
 
He lacks concentration and decision making? Then put him in defence?
My preference is Right back where he has played well. He doesn't lack it he needs to improve it. Put him in a three next to Verts and Toby and he will be fine.
 
He was so, so bad. The joking around on the bench when we were losing a few weeks ago makes me question his commitment overall.

Wouldn't be sad to see him leave in the summer as I think he's reached the limits of his potential already.
 
That can be flipped you know

The unwavering support you have given Sissoko regardless of how bad he has played and yet you castigate a player who made up one half of out most successful midfields under Poch who has not had regular football due to illness and needs time to get back to full match sharpness

Just think how upset he’s mum will be read all the nasty things you’ve said about him, shame on you

It could be flipped if I was a massive Sissoko supporter but I’m not. The comment above was tongue in cheek. Scara’s double standard on Dier and Sissoko has now reached parody levels.
 
Dier is the weakest of our defensive midfield options imo he needs to return to Centre half or right back and develop there. He has all the attributes to be a fine defender, he just needs to improve his decision making and concentration. Should be learning from Verts and Toby.
I agree that he has a lot to learn from those two, as they have formed their play to compensate for their lack of pace. Vertonghen in particular is exceptional at "running the angles". Dier is clearly best with the game in front of him, he's no chaser, if you pass him he's out. A weakness he shares with another young defender. Which is why I think Dier's best as the 1 and not a 4 in a 4-1 -> 5. His main strength, or at least it used to be his composure, being a buffer, stopping attacks and redistribute the ball quickly and sharply. If none of this comes off then he's not very useful. He's also susceptible to overconfidence, I think maybe a bit much happened a little too fast for him, which could explain his decline. IMO.
 
My apologies then @DeanoAustin

Agree on Scara, he’s views on these two are truly entertaining

No need to apologise. Like many I think Sissoko has improved hugely to a level I never thought possible and has been vital for us this season. But he's limited and I think when you get players who have been pilloried for so long and they improve, sometimes the reaction the other way is completely over the top.

I probably land somewhere around where @nayimfromthehalfwayline is on Sissoko but maybe I rate him a bit higher.

Dier worries me. He hasn't pushed on since 15-16 and just looks like a centre back in midfield. We're probably not helping him either by putting him in when he's clearly not right. But in Poch's defence, he's been left with little option.
 
I think his best position is as a dm in a 3 man midfield shielding two cbs-he’s not mobile enough to be in a 2 man midfield.

I can see him moving on- poch wants him to be willing to be versatile but he just wants to focus on being a midfielder.
 
I've never really been as big of a Dier fan as many of you, but I wouldn't judge him after the Bournemouth game. He's been injured a lot this season, it's not easy to come back in and hit the ground running.

IMO, the best football we have played was when he was part of a back 3 with Toby and Vert, with Dembele and Wanyama infront. Rose and Walker dominated the flanks, Dele, Eriksen and Kane dominated the forward areas. And I think Dier played better in defence that season than Sanchez has overall for us.
 
I've never really been as big of a Dier fan as many of you, but I wouldn't judge him after the Bournemouth game. He's been injured a lot this season, it's not easy to come back in and hit the ground running.

IMO, the best football we have played was when he was part of a back 3 with Toby and Vert, with Dembele and Wanyama infront. Rose and Walker dominated the flanks, Dele, Eriksen and Kane dominated the forward areas. And I think Dier played better in defence that season than Sanchez has overall for us.
I disagree about the formation. I think we've looked far better in a 4-2-3-1 with him and Dembele in the middle.

That also frees up space for Eriksen, Alli and Son to move freely in front of them.
 
I disagree about the formation. I think we've looked far better in a 4-2-3-1 with him and Dembele in the middle.

That also frees up space for Eriksen, Alli and Son to move freely in front of them.

For me, the 3421 we played for most of the season we finished 2nd to Chelsea is the best we have played. We haven't looked as strong since that season. Dele in particular has never looked so good, he was magnificent that season (18 league goals, 22 in all comps). That system was perfect for him.
 
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