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Tottenham Hotspur Links: Eric Dier Wants a Strong Performance Against Newcastle United

By Alexander Balano

Jul 29, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Tottenham Hotspur defender Eric Dier (15) plays the ball during the first half of the 2015 MLS All Star Game against the MLS All Stars at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 29, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Tottenham Hotspur defender Eric Dier (15) plays the ball during the first half of the 2015 MLS All Star Game against the MLS All Stars at Dick's Sporting Goods Park. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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It’s a light edition of Tottenham Hotspur Links today.

There will only be two stories for today’s edition of Tottenham Hotspur Links. But as all of you know, the less stories, the more in-depth each article will be. So with that said, let’s find out what these stories are. Up first, Eric Dier wants to start strong against Newcastle United. It’s an obvious statement to make but one that can’t be taken lightly with the Magpies having an increase of confidence after beating Liverpool last week.

The last article describes Tottenham’s plans to send out an early bid to try and sign 22-year-old Belgian striker, Michy Batshuayi. But there’s a slight problem with this. A bidding war with Arsenal will commence, and the allure of regularly competing in the Champions League could persuade the young striker to join the red half of north London. These are the links, so time to get more in-depth analysis below.

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A comfortable 4-1 win over AS Monaco in the Europa League on Thursday night should bring even more confidence to Tottenham who have yet to record another win in the Premier League since November 22nd against West Ham United. Drawing two consecutive matches against Chelsea and West Bromwich Albion, plus today’s (Saturday, December 12) result that saw Manchester United lose 2-1 against AFC Bounremouth at the Vitality Stadium will help Spurs push for a crucial win.

Based on goal difference (GD), Tottenham who will enter Sunday’s game at a plus-13 GD, would need at least one goal to secure fourth place before the New Year by leapfrogging the Red Devils (+9 GD). Here’s Eric Dier discussing what he and his teammates have to do against Newcastle United.

"“It’s really important that we win this game,” said the 21-year-old. “I think we have to start strong like we did against Monaco, try to be on the front foot straight from the off and kill any momentum Newcastle may have from last week.”“We want to win every game so it would be great to get three points at the Lane and try to climb up the table. I think it helps as well that it’s a second home game in a row for us so we’ve got a great chance.”“We just have to make sure we play well so we can start turning draws into wins.”"

The Magpies only have one road win this season, a 1-0 victory over Bournemouth on November 7th, so theoretically speaking Tottenham should win at home. Although, Newcastle have the slight edge at White Hart Lane with two wins from the past two seasons: a 1-0 victory (on 11/10/13 and a 2-1 win (on 10/26/14). Granted, that was when Alan Pardew was still the manager.

With Steve McClaren as coach, the Toons’ away form hasn’t been good.

They’ve conceded 18 goals in seven matches — two of which were blowouts to Manchester City (6-1) and Crystal Palace (5-1). There were only two games that Newcastle didn’t concede a goal on the road, a 0-0 draw against Manchester United and a 1-0 win over Bournemouth.

What does this all mean? It means that the Magpies will concede at least one goal when they’re the visitors more times than not — oh and potentially lose. As their away record this year shows: one win, one draw, five losses.

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The 22-year-old Belgian striker, Michy Batshuayi, is currently valued at £15 million which is doable for Tottenham. Compared to West Brom striker, Saido Berahino, Olympique Marseille’s valuation is £10 million cheaper, although that won’t last long unfortunately.

Spurs aren’t the only one interested in the Belgian international as Arsène Wenger is eyeing Batshuayi to help bolster his team’s options up front. A bidding war against Arsenal won’t last long if Michy Batshuayi is adamant on playing in the Champions League should he leave Marseille.

Champions League football is what Morgan Schneiderlin wanted so Spurs couldn’t sign the French midfielder this past summer, hence transferring to Manchester United. That is until they dropped out of the competition after a 3-2 loss to VfL Wolfsburg. Anyways, moving on.

The fact that Arsenal are able to regularly guarantee Champions League football for players who have never experienced it or want to play in it again after a while, is a big draw. It’s something that footballers choose if their only three choices were Champions League, Europa League or not playing in Europe at all.

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Should Tottenham sign Michy Batshuayi, it would be a good signing but, questions will remain. Outside of the Europa League and FA Cup, how many times will Harry Kane rest? Put in another way, how many appearances will a backup striker make? And lastly, how long will a backup striker play or when should Harry Kane be subbed out?

Until these questions are answered, bidding and signing backup strikers is fine. Finding the right one, who might not even play that much will be hard to do. Saido Berahino and Michy Batshuayi are talented footballers but could potentially be bench-warmers.

Especially if Pochettino’s formation features only one striker up top and Christian Eriksen, Son Heung-min and Erik Lamela have to start too. Perhaps one defensive midfielder (Eric Dier) and a four-man attacking midfield? Who knows.