---
title: "Tottenham Hotspur: Frank McAvennie slams Eric Dier"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tottenham-hotspur-frank-mcavennie-slams-eric-dier/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Emilio Galantini"
section: "Tottenham Hotspur News"
published: "2022-03-09T21:35:59Z"
modified: "2022-03-09T21:35:59Z"
---

# Tottenham Hotspur: Frank McAvennie slams Eric Dier

**Speaking to [Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/eric-dier-pundit-slams-tottenham-star-dont-kid-yourself-youre-not-a-defender/), pundit Frank McAvennie has slammed makeshift Tottenham Hotspur defender Eric Dier for his performances this season.**

### The Lowdown: Dier preferred by Conte…

The Englishman has been a regular under manager Antonio Conte since his appointment in early November, starting every Premier League game barring his spell on the sidelines with a thigh problem ([Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/eric-dier/leistungsdaten/spieler/175722)).

[Tottenham latest developments!](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/tottenham-latest-news-copy/)

Dier, proving to be a untouchable in Conte’s eleven, has also been praised in parts for his form in the Italian’s back three with club legend Glenn Hoddle particularly singing the international’s [praises in December.](https://tbrfootball.com/glenn-hoddle-praises-eric-dier-for-tottenham-displays-under-conte/)

There have even been murmurs of a potential England re-call thanks to some of his performances but McAvennie appears to have a different view.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”383375″\]

### The Latest: McAvennie takes aim…

Speaking to[FI](https://www.footballinsider247.com/eric-dier-pundit-slams-tottenham-star-dont-kid-yourself-youre-not-a-defender/), the former West Ham and Celtic striker claims he would love to play against Dier and insists he is not a defender – going on to say Premier League attackers are dominating him.

*“Why is Dier still playing as a defender?,”* asked McAvennie.

*“Don’t kid yourself, you are not good enough. You are not a defender. No wonder Tottenham aren’t keeping clean sheets.*

*“He’s a midfielder and you can tell whenever he’s trying to defend. He doesn’t have that awareness.*

*“Look at it this way, if he’s a defender then as a striker I would happily play against him.*

*“I would fancy my chances up against him now. What must Premier League strikers think?*

*“They are dominating him, it’s not even close. I don’t know why Tottenham haven’t replaced him.*

*“No wonder they can’t beat anyone at the moment.”*

### The Verdict: Justified?

Going by the numbers, a case could be made for criticism aimed at Dier, but McAvennie’s brutal verdict is perhaps slightly harsh.

The 28-year-old ranks outside Tottenham’s top ten performers in terms of average match rating (6.73) and only manages around 0.3 tackles per 90 – the second-lowest out of their entire current squad ([WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/30/Show/England-Tottenham)).

However, Dier has averaged more blocks than any Spurs player with more than 15 Premier League starts whilst also making a higher number of clearances per 90 (4) than all of Tottenham’s regulars ([WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/30/Show/England-Tottenham)).

While there is room for improvement on his part, McAvennie’s words potentially come as a bit too much.

***In other news: Tottenham official sent to club as Conte now eyes ‘monster’ player who wanted to join in 2020, find out more [here.](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tottenham-transfer-rumours/tottenham-hotspur-fenerbache-pedro-sepulveda-kim-min-jae-update-latest-thfc-transfer-news/)***