I think Diers been alright. But he's obviously no Toby. We miss him in so many ways, even just down to his presence on the pitch. He brings the best out of everyone around him. When the goal went in tonight, heads dropped and you could see the confidence go. When we're looking to our experience players to keep spirits high.... Sissoko? No chance. Wanyama? Still pretty new. Vertonghen just isn't that kind of person. Hugo's all the way back in goal.It doesn't help that Walker isn't the best technically and Dier is most certainly not a centre half. We miss the coolness of Alderweireld at the back and his ability to find a team mate when under pressure. I think it will surprise a lot of people at just how much better will be when he's back.
Our problem all seems to come about when he got injured. When Kane got injured we smashed Middlesbrough and then battered Man City. We even dominated West Brom in the first half of the game and then when Alderweireld got injured in the second half, they obviously put us under a lot of pressure, scored their goal and ever since then we've struggled.
Actually now i think about it, Alderweireld, Lamela and Kane, even Dembele are all big losses in that respect. They all have that kind of influence, and that clap your hands together shouting COME ON kind of mentality. And that sort of, lead by example lets get a goal back kinda thing. Dembele on form would have been demanding the ball going past players. Lamela and Kane would be trying to make something happen.
I think we're just really unlucky in the timing of it all. Stick those 4 players in, instead of Dier, Sissoko Janssen and Son and Its a completely different team, if they're on form. Then we can afford Eriksen to have a bad run of games.
Bleurgh. It's been cathartic to think about it, and write it down. But it doesnt make Sunday any easier.