A Progress Report on the Early-Season Form of Tottenham's Eric Dier

It was not quite as dramatic as Paul Stalteri's last-minute winner to cap a 4-3 comeback in 2007. Still, Eric Dier's similarly late winner against West Ham United in August was a heck of a way to introduce himself to Tottenham Hotspur supporters.

For the most part, Dier has not let them down since then. He has rode the few ups and downs that have come his way well, displaying an encouraging (if not quite fully realised) maturity for a 20-year-old that should stand him in good stead in the coming months.

Dier's backstory was recounted multiple times in the days following his signing from Sporting Lisbon—born in England, moved to Portugal, learned his trade as a defender there, his granddad Ted Croker used to run the Football Association. The part of his life most were keen to get know was his ability as a footballer.

Sang Tan/Associated Press

The extent to which we have already familiarised ourselves with him here was likely influenced by a refereeing decision on the aforementioned opening day at Upton Park.

His head coach Mauricio Pochettino had thrown him straight in the deep end with his selection at centre-back alongside Younes Kaboul. It was a tough start to life in the Premier League for Dier as West Ham soon put the Spurs defence under considerable pressure.

He and Kaboul struggled as the Hammers frequently delivered balls for attackers Carlton Cole and Ricardo Vaz Te. The latter almost punished the young defender for ball-watching when he went unmarked at one point.

But then came the intervention of ref Chris Foy. Right-back Kyle Naughton was sent off for handball, and Dier was switched there and given the chance to demonstrate his versatility. Etienne Capoue dropped back to cover for him in central defence.

Julian Finney/Getty Images

How much match time Dier would subsequently have received (up until this point) had he finished the game at right-back is intriguing to ponder. Pochettino already preferred him ahead of the soon-to-be-sold Michael Dawson. But with Jan Vertonghen back soon after following his late World Cup return, Vlad Chiriches becoming fit and the signing of Federico Fazio (not forgetting Kaboul, too), Dier might have been limited to a back-up role in cup games as the junior option among all these.

He certainly appeared to be optimistic of his placing chances after his transfer was announced.

As it was, he was allowed to settle into his debut at full-back as Spurs gradually turned the tables on West Ham. He defended capably for the game's remainder, and with his classy goal, highlighted his attacking abilities to his boss.

The latter would not have counted for much without the foundation of solid defensive work, but it was the attribute that would sustain Dier's place in the team for the campaign's first month.

Sang Tan/Associated Press

While his penalty-box presence was appreciated (seen a week after West Ham in his headed goal versus Queens Park Rangers), it was Dier's confident, powerful running style that will have mostly appealed to Pochettino. With a Tottenham attack designed to constrict in possession, width was needed from the full-backs. Dier bombing down that right flank was a frequent sight in those first few league games.

It worked a treat against QPR, and in the first-half of the 2-2 draw with Sunderland. Dier on one side, Danny Rose on the other, both getting forward to provide a passing option and help create something. It was not so effective in Spurs' 1-0 home loss to West Bromwich Albion

The risk of the approach was highlighted in between at home to Liverpool when Dier initiated a give-and-go with Andros Townsend. The winger was dispossessed by Alberto Moreno and, as the right-back had already vacated his defensive sentry, the Spaniard drove forward into the space and scored.

It proved to be Dier's worst game from a defensive perspective, too. He and Kaboul were caught ball-watching for Raheem Sterling's opener, then the full-back conceded a penalty when he pulled Joe Allen's shirt (not a good idea against the contact-allergic Reds).

Bryn Lennon/Getty Images

A 3-0 defeat to a top-four rival would have ideally been avoided, but in hindsight it was an experience that should benefit Dier. And maybe already has.

Perhaps with this performance in mind, Dier was replaced by Naughton for the north London derby. The latter's experience helped Spurs' defensive effort in the 1-1 draw with Arsenal; his greater restraint suited the tougher opponent.

Unfortunately for Naughton, he would be injured following a positive start against Southampton the following week. He was replaced by Dier who finished the game in a manner that suggested he is learning.

The England youth international looked to get forward on occasion, but his discipline keeping his position as Spurs held onto their 1-0 lead particularly stood out. He read the game well, made a couple of interceptions and won 80 per cent of his aerial duels as he bravely duked it out with the sizable Jose Fonte and Graziano Pelle—both over 6' (statistics per Squawka).

Julian Finney/Getty Images

Dier's defensive work—Liverpool aside (and even then there was a well-judged and memorable slide tackle on Mario Balotelli)—had been largely sound up until this point. But as noted, it had felt more on the back burner compared to what he was asked to do going forward. Against Southampton it came to the fore, something that bodes well as Spurs continue to try and improve at the back.

Despite immediately being handed a first-team role, any assessment of Dier should be tempered by his youth. Encouraged but not overexcited by his good work, keeping in perspective the bad. He is doing well in the present, but his true impact should be felt long-term.

In the autumn edition of the newsletter sent out to the club's One Hotspur members (subscription required), a profile on Dier details what "caught the eye of our scouts":

"

Well, he is a good size for a defender...tall, well built but mobile too. He's a good tackler, powerful in the air, reads the game well and can play off both feet, although he's more comfortable on his right. His versatility is an asset too because he can operate either as a centre-half or right-back.

"

Tottenham undoubtedly have a talented player on their hands. The early indications are, so long as he is carefully managed at this fledgling stage, he has what it takes to become one of England's top defenders.