Michael Dawson admitted that he was left ‘very surprised’ when Antonio Conte left Eric Dier out of Tottenham Hotspur’s XI that beat Bournemouth 3-2 on Saturday.
With Spurs travelling to France on Tuesday night for what will effectively be a knockout Champions League game against Marseille, Dawson expected changes, but he didn’t think Dier would be the one to make way, especially with Dejan Kuluseveki and Richarlison already out.
In the end, Conte needed the likes of Rodrigo Bentancur and Dier to come off the bench and overturn a 2-0 deficit because things could have been a lot worse for the north London club had those changes not been made.
Bournemouth striker Kieffer Moore was causing them all sorts of problems, even after the break and a few harsh words from Conte in the dressing room.
The Wales striker bulled Emerson Royal to win a thunderous header to put his side 2-0 up – and Alan Shearer was critical of the Spurs defender.
Dawson’s comments about expecting Dier to start came before yesterday’s game, and in truth, he read the situation pretty well because, given Bournemouth and Moore’s aerial threat, it probably would have been dealt with a lot better had Dier started, as he told Soccer Saturday on Sky Sports (29/10/22 at 2:40 pm).
“I’m not surprised he’s made changes,” said Dawson. “However, I am very surprised that there is no Eric Dier, who has been the rock at the back in recent weeks.
“You are going to Bournemouth, yes they are on the back of two bad results after Gary O’Neil was unbeaten in his first six.
“With Kieffer Moore, the ball will be coming in your box. That’s why I mentioned Eric Dier. Kieffer Moore is a big boy. They might play more direct.”
TOTTENHAM’S BENCH STRENGTH… OR LACK OF IT
When Conte has to make changes, whether it’s because key players are out injured or he is rotating, then the quality difference is evident.
For some, such as Oliver Skipp and Lucas Moura, the duo have been back-up options this term, but they will argue that they can only perform at their very best if they are handed those regular starts, if not, then they will continue to look rusty.
Moura did back a difference when brought on from the bench yesterday and the versatile Spurs forward was praised by Ian Wright, so at least he is starting to show some life from Tottenham’s perspective.
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