This was a game that, on paper, Tottenham ought to have won, and perhaps by some margin. Our hosts have been low-scoring and on the losing side for most of the season. Yet we faltered, just as we did against Southampton.
Of course, Spurs won, but it took us 96 minutes to summon up an action that was worthy of victory. The problem lies in the squad Conte has been assessing, not just in terms of offence but defense. We are a side that struggles to create and defend.
We’ve already cast an eye over Emerson Royal’s situation, and here we have another example of what ‘lurks beneath’ Eric Dier’s first-team regular status.
What sort of top-flight footballer shanks the ball into the middle of his own penalty area like this? Dearie me.
A question you should be aiming at Conte, who has a far wiser football head than me.
As to the whole midfield thing, my recollection is that he came to us as a defender and Poch moved him into midfield because at the time we needed a defensive midfielder.
I’m not convinced by Dier, but Conte and, to a lesser extent Mourinho, seem to like him and pick him regularly.
Have you ever actually watched him play ? Seriously! He’s far too prone to mistakes. We can all forgive the odd one but in Diers case they happen far too often. Reason being he’s playing in a position he doesn’t understand. He doesn’t understand it because he’s not a defender.
Dier looked around him. Saw what we had in MF he knew Toby & Jan were out the door so he figured he had more chance playing at CH than CM.
Exactly, Dier is not a good defender.
He not consistent enough to be professional defender.
He makes to much mistakes which has really cost us in the past.
He needs to be binned to Newcastle or a relegation team. Not go enough to play for us
I 1000% agree with you, he makes me nervous when he has the ball
Dier needs to be sold asap, he is a walking mistake, and I had seen enough of him
You say only Dier thinks he’s a defender, yet Conte recently said he has the wherewithal to be a top centre back. As for the miskick, a defender making a hash of a clearance under pressure is hardly the end of the world.
Antonio hit the nail on the head when he said 29 crosses and not a single goal. Most, if not all those crosses either over hit or don’t get past the first man.
Training this week will concentrate on crosses and finishing said crosses. If it doesn’t then we’re doomed Mr Mainwarring.
As for Dier. It’s only Dier who thinks he’s a defender. He wasn’t that good in MF and now it’s clear he’s not much cop defending either.
Dier started off really well under Jose and then the brain-farts, loss of concentration and finger pointing kicked in. I see a similar trend emerging under Conte.
Rodon is a mystery, he’s highly thought of outside of this club but that counts for nothing sadly.
One wonders what the managers don’t like about Rodon as if he can’t get a game ahead of the three current incumbents, he must be pretty poor. We need upgrades in so many areas, it’s frightening.
Always indeed, and yet he’s first choice.
Even at his best, he always has a mistake in him.
Pointed this out at the time, breathtakingly bad.
No defender is perfect but Dier has made some more mistakes recently after playing really well for awhile. I think he can use a game off to refresh.
😁
If Dier was to wear brightly coloured tights would it help his brain realise where his feet are .?
Dier never was and never will be a top flight defender.