Eric Dier has claimed that analysis of his defensive errors has been unfair at times this season, with people treating one mistake as if it were four or five.
The English centre-half has endured an up-and-down campaign so far, coming in and out of Jose Mourinho’s consistent XI depending on his form.
Dier was arguably Tottenham’s best defender in the early weeks of the season as Spurs climbed their way to the summit of the Premier League table.
However, he was eventually displaced by the likes of Davinson Sanchez and Joe Rodon, forced to spend a period on the sidelines.
Now that Ryan Mason is in charge of the Lilywhites until the end of the season, Dier is back in the starting line-up, having played at centre-back for all three of Mason’s games.
During this time, the central defender has performed admirably, especially in the match against Southampton and the Carabao Cup Final against Man City.
Dier had this to say on his season so far (Yahoo): “I’m really happy to have played the last three.
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“I’ve felt good in those games. I want to be playing, I want to be performing to a level I know I can.
“I believe I can still perform to a much higher level. I’m happy to be playing, obviously, and I’ve just got to keep working hard and improving.
“I’ve got mixed emotions towards it really. At times, I feel like it’s a bit unfair and a bit… I’m trying to think of the right words… but sometimes I’ve made a mistake or something has led to a goal and one mistake is talked about like it’s four or five. I’ve felt that at times.
“As defenders, you’re always going to make mistakes at times and the most important thing is how you react to them.
“I think fans have seen what I can do in glimpses, especially at the beginning of the season. I think I had a very good first six months and it dropped a little bit for a few games. But I feel like I’ve been back to a good place for a couple of months now.
“Just the narrative I see that is painted of me, at times. It doesn’t really bother me too much. I just think it’s a bit unfair at times. It’s football.
“I just need to worry about myself and keep trying to do better. But I’m my own biggest critic and I know where I can improve and when I can improve.”
On his chances of going to the Euros with England, he added: “I’ve always said the most important thing is focusing on the present, game by game, constantly trying to perform at a good level,” he said.
“But obviously I want to be going to the Euros, so I have to keep performing well in order to give myself that opportunity.”
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