For me, Eric has been one of our best players this season, probably just behind Toby, Mousa and Harry. Yet I've noticed in England team discussions, many teams are quick to write him off as an option and criticise various aspects of his game such as passing and discipline.
So simple question, do we overhype Eric, blinded by our inherent club bias or are we seeing something the others aren't?
For me, he has to, has to, has to start for England in the Euro's. I look at the England midfield options out there and I don't see anyone capable of the levels of discipline to protect a fairly inexperienced and underwhelming back four that we'll likely see put out. The likes of Wilshere, Henderson, Drinkwater have all proven to be good players at what they do, but would you have any confidence in two of these paired together to break up the play of the German or Spanish midfield? I'm not saying Dier would, but I'd certainly have more trust and faith.
I think there's a snobbery around Dier that needs to be addressed. Many seem to think he's a big lump who puts himself about a bit, but there's much more to his game than that. He might not pass a ball like Xavi but I think he's fairly comfortable on the ball, a honed trait from his time in the famed Sporting academy.
For all of his yellow card misdemeanors, he's also yet to pick up a red card in his time at Spurs. This suggests he makes the necessary challenge when needed but has the self-awareness to realise he needs to pull that aspect of his game back a bit when walking that fine line.
I'm not too disheartened that people are writing off Dier, I'd like him to stay with us for a long time, but I'd be interested to know what others think with regards to Eric. Are we just biased, or do the others just not realise what an asset England have at their disposal here?
Are we blind to Eric Dier?
posted on 24/3/16
comment by Son, Son, Son, Here he comes (U8011)
posted 6 minutes ago
Hi Ibe
Do you not fear like me that a Wilshere/Henderson, Alli and Barkley midfield is too open? I'm one of the few who actually quite likes Henderson, but I feel you'll get the most out of both him and Wilshere if their defensive duties are lessened and they're given freedom to roam. It doesn't mean they won't get back and tackle but you utilise their skill sets better with protection, in my opinion of course.
People said we shouldn't drop Bentaleb after having a pretty impressive season last year. Dier stepped in, has revolutionized the deeper midfield role for us and played a major part in taking the side forward. I'm not saying this would happen with England, but it can't be said with certainty that it won't.
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It's a risk certainly but I don't think we'll be defensively sound whoever we play. Our defenders just aren't at that level IMO. I think we need goals, at least a couple each game and having offensively minded ball-players in the middle isn't a bad thing for me.
Let's face it, Roy will be defensive enough by default so I'm not sure we need a 100% defensive midfielder in there. Again, I might be being harsh on Dier in seeing him that way but haven't seen enough to think any differently I'm afraid.
posted on 24/3/16
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posted on 24/3/16
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posted on 24/3/16
I hope that Dier, along with every other spurs player, doesn't play international football
posted on 24/3/16
Dier is absolutely perfect for England, we've lacked a true DM for years. Scott Parker and Owen Hargeaves are the only true DMs I can remember playing.
All the top international sides play with a DM - Germany (Kramer), Argentina (Mascherano), Spain (Busquets). I can't understand people who want to play with Wilshere, a deeper lying playmaker, instead.
Ibe-Wan, your comment is nonsense. You admit that England are not great defensively, and your solution is to play more attacking players. Why not solve the root cause and play an anchor man?
When it comes to Roy, he likes players he knows and trusts. Dier, with just 2 caps, is currently very unlikely to start. It will be interesting to observe these next two friendlies - 2 starts for Dier and he may well play a key role in the summer.
Regardless, he will definitely be on the plane, in part for his versatility at DM, CB and RB. With a squad of just 23 men, players who can cover a number of positions are very valuable. I just hope he starts, because he is the best DM England have got, and we need one.
posted on 24/3/16
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posted on 24/3/16
England have a massive weakness at CB, we just don't have any international quality in that position so we DO need a defensive mid to protect the defense. Wilshire has never that good playing deep, he needs to be further forward.
posted on 24/3/16
Dier should play, when Wilshere plays who shouldn't be anywhere near the middle anyhow. He's repeatedly shown that he's not made for it, with his repeated injuries. He should play in an attacking position.
posted on 24/3/16
comment by WorcesterSpur (U1678)
posted 1 hour, 49 minutes ago
Ibe-Wan, your comment is nonsense. You admit that England are not great defensively, and your solution is to play more attacking players. Why not solve the root cause and play an anchor man?
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Nonsense in your opinion.
England will play defensively, men behind the ball and sat relatively deep. That's how Roy plays.
In that scenario a DM seems like belt and braces to me. Argentina, for example, will play with a DM but what are the defensive responsibilities of Messi, of Di Maria, Aguero? Fairly limited I'd say. Spain as well, very attacking team.
Now if Roy is planning to release the shackles a bit and afford our attacking talent less defensive responsibility then great - play a specialist DM. It would be absolutely essential. However we've seen no evidence of that for England under Roy.
posted on 24/3/16
Dier is vital for us. A good defensive midfield player that is also a centre back is a godsend. Especially if you gave two footballing centrebacks.
You can switch up formations on the fly. 4231 becomes 343 in an instant when you break. The fullbacks are far less exposed
If England want to go with Dier, they must also go with Walker and Rose. And vice versa. The best two footballing centrebacks too - id say thats Cahill and Stones.