Even in face of disheartening defeat, Tottenham’s manager backs flawed decision

Even after a disheartening 2-3 defeat at home to Wolves, Tottenham’s Jose Mourinho remains steadfast on defending his decision to start Eric Dier and Japhet Tanganga beside one another. 

In his post-match press conference, Mourinho said the following:

"“Eric [Dier] played very well. I think Eric played very well. So I think if Eric’s performance was not as good I would understand the question but I think it was very good,” he said.“The thinking was simple, the thinking was Davinson [Sanchez] and [Japhet] Tanganga are the two fastest central defenders that we have.“Eric is the one who by nature is a midfield player so playing in the middle between those centre backs is the one who is normally more comfortable to step up, he’s more comfortable with reading the game and passing.“So it was a mixture of giving security but at the same time keeping fast people at the back. I think they played well, especially Eric was very, very good and sometimes you concede goals and you blame goalkeepers and defenders. Other times you concede goals and it is a global situation and I think it was when it comes from a transition. Sometimes when it comes from behind midfield I think it’s not about them.”"

I’m starting to wonder if Jose is delusional or entrenched in a deep state of denial. And I’m not sure which is worse. I understand his desire to employ a speedy, fleet of foot back line. I’m unsure, though, how Mourinho believes that Dier “played very well”. He made a few great tackles in the first, but was a liability otherwise.

Too slow and encumbered, Dier missed the cross completely on Matthew Doherty’s opening goal. His lack of pace cost Spurs on Wolves second and third. Raúl Jiménez, Diogo Jota and Adama Traore cut through Spurs back line like Son Hueng-Min did against Burnley earlier in the season.

While that might be a slight exaggeration, surely Jose doesn’t honestly believe Dier enjoyed a strong outing. The Englishman didn’t provide Japhet Tanganga with the leadership the impressionable 20-year-old so obviously required.

Mourinho’s denial only makes matters worse. It both excuses his decision while incorrectly crediting Dier with a performance that, in actuality, fell well below Tottenham Hotspur standards. How the gaffer thinks anything to the contrary is beyond me.