Tony Adams: 'Spurs defender Eric Dier must defend better from set-plays'

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 03 December 2017

Arsenal legend Tony Adams says that Tottenham Hotspur defender Eric Dier must improve his defending from set pieces in order to become a better centre-back.

Arsenal legend Tony Adams has claimed that Eric Dier must make improvements to his defending in order to become a better centre-back.

Tottenham Hotspur head coach Mauricio Pochettino prefers to use Dier in midfield, but an injury to Toby Alderweireld has led to the England international being used in the middle of a back three.

Dier has impressed in general play, but Adams has suggested that the 23-year-old has been at fault for two goals from set pieces in recent weeks, including Christian Kabasele's header in the 1-1 draw with Watford on Saturday afternoon.

The 51-year-old told Goals on Sunday: "Maybe Eric has been playing in midfield too much. He's a great player, I like Eric a lot. He played most of his career with Sporting Lisbon in midfield and he has just recently gone back into the defence.

"Like against Arsenal from the set piece, he needs to do better. If he wants to be a top central defender, the ball is going to come into his box and he needs to defend it from set-plays"

Dier has made 19 starts in the Premier League and Champions League this season, with just seven of his appearances coming in defence.