The defender-turned midfielder says Spurs’ unbeaten record in the Premier League shows they have nothing to worry about despite their indifferent form.
Tottenham’s Hugo Lloris with Eric Dier after the match
Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Eric Dier has played down the club’s winless run, quoted by Hampstead and Highgate, saying suggestions that the club is in a crisis are over the top.
Spurs are currently on a run of seven games without a win which included Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal in the North London derby.
Five draws and two defeats since besting Manchester City 2-0 at White Hart Lane a month ago suggests Mauricio Pochettino’s men are struggling to recapture their best form, while it was defeat at Wembley Stadium to Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League on Wednesday that raised serious questions over Tottenham’s credentials.
A lacklustre performance filled with mistakes saw many question the ambition and mentality of the team and the timing of the trip to the Emirates didn’t seem the most ideal fixture to get Spurs back on track.
Tottenham’s Eric Dier in action with Arsenal’s Alex Iwobi
Yet a solid, if unspectacular performance against The Gunners indicates Spurs appear to have turned a corner and Dier knows their unbeaten run of 11 straight Premier League games is testament to the quality within the squad.
“People started talking about Tottenham being in crisis during the week – we haven’t lost yet in the Premier League,” said Dier to Ham and High.
“Obviously the Champions League was very disappointing but I think it’s a funny crisis if you’re unbeaten in the league.
“The manager doesn’t need to say anything to us – as players we understand and know that on Wednesday we were nowhere near good enough.
“Everyone knows that and when you play Arsenal away three days later it isn’t nice, but you have to move on from it, forget about it and go again.
Tottenham’s Harry Kane celebrates scoring their first goal from the penalty spot
“There isn’t time to sulk or cry over it. We know we weren’t good enough and it’s very disappointing – we worked so hard last year to be in the Champions League and our performances haven’t been good enough.
“We’re all disappointed about that but this is football and there’s no point dwelling on the past. We have just got to look forward now.”
Harry Kane’s penalty ensured Spurs left the Emirates with a point after Dier’s defensive partner Kevin Wimmer turned the ball into his own net from Mesut Ozil’s free kick.
Wimmer’s first league start was part of a surprising three-man defence for Tottenham which saw Danny Rose and Kyle Walker play as wingbacks and Heung-Min Son partner Kane up top.
The system worked for long periods as a frustrated Arsenal couldn’t cut through Spurs who subdued Alexis Sanchez and kept Ozil’s influence to a minimum.
Tottenham’s Son Heung-min in action with Arsenal’s Petr Cech
Although a three-man system is nothing really new for Tottenham with Dier often dropping in-between Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen when playing in midfield last season, it’s the first time under Pochettino they’ve set it up from the start and the former Sporting man says they were only told about the tactical switch on the day before the match.
“The first time we knew about it was Saturday,” said Dier. “We worked on it in training and we went there and played it. It was probably a good thing because we didn’t think too much about it and we just got on with it.
“The manager thought it was best to play this formation and I think it was a risk that shows our character and our attitude – we’re not afraid to do anything and try anything.
“We did that and I think it paid off. Sometimes it’s nice to freshen it up, do something different and try something new.
“We enjoyed it and I think it worked well.”
Tottenham’s Jan Vertonghen clashes with Arsenal’s Theo Walcott
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
