Chris Coleman noticed the discussions in the Tottenham Hotspur camp on the pitch yesterday, as they failed to beat Aston Villa, while on commentary duty for Sky Sports.
Tottenham were abject against Villa, as they fell to a defeat, despite taking an early lead through Steven Bergwijn.
Almost immediately after going ahead, Spurs were put on the back foot and quickly it became apparent that all wasn’t well.
Even when Spurs were 1-0 up, Jack Grealish was finding far too much room in pockets.
And in the 17th minute, when Grealish dragged a shot just wide, Coleman spotted Dier’s unhappiness with the role that Winks played.
“You can see there. Eric Dier is having words with Harry Winks,” he said.
“He’s saying that the shield in front of himself and Toby Alderweireld is not good enough. Grealish is getting in the space in front of the centre-backs and you don’t want that to happen. Eric Dier is asking for a bit more protection.”
Winks never really did offer the protection for Tottenham that they needed.
The midfielder was eventually hooked for Tanguy Ndombele, when Ryan Mason’s side were 2-1 down, and Spurs improved slightly after that.
Mason’s decision to start Winks over Ndombele looks highly questionable, given the England international’s poor form this season.
And it would be a surprise if Winks was given the nod to start again at the weekend, when Spurs are under pressure to beat Leicester City, if they are to have a chance of qualifying for the Europa League.
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