Former Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Paul Robinson has told Football Insider that he is ‘not convinced’ by Eric Dier’s merit in the team.
Dier has been Jose Mourinho’s preferred choice at the base of the midfield, starting four of the five games since the Special One became the gaffer.
A nice way of describing the 25-year-old’s form would be to say that he is lacking confidence and match fitness. An uncensored description might say that he is carrying weight and has forgotten how to pass the ball five yards.
There were signs of life in Dier in the 5-0 win over Burnley, but Robinson does not think that we should read too much into that performance.
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“I think he wasn’t really troubled against Burnley,” Robinson told Football Insider in an exclusive interview. I think it was a stroll in the park for Spurs as Burnley were poor defensively and offensively.
“I think it was an easy game for Eric Dier to get through, Jose clearly likes him by putting him in that defensive midfield role. But I’m yet to be convinced by his form this season.”
Central midfield continues to be an area that Mourinho is experimenting with, having already established a preferred front and back four.
According to The Telegraph, The Portuguese was a big fan of Dier’s before his arrival, and thus is likely to give him a run of games to try to rediscover the 2015-2017 form that made him a key figure for club and country.
When he does land on his favoured midfield combination – I’d be surprised if Dier is not in it. But he may need to pull his finger out soon to make sure because, at the moment, most fans share Robbo’s concerns.
From Fat to Phat, is how I like my Dier.