Understanding Eric Dier’s march into the stands in Tottenham loss

Frustration for Eric Dier boiled over in the aftermath of Tottenham’s FA Cup loss to Norwich, as the Englishman jumped the barrier to confront an out-of-line spectator. 

Let’s for a moment put ourselves in his boots. It’s the end of yet another abject performance, one that sees your team ousted by an opponent perceived to be inferior on paper. Though recent outings in practicality contradict that assertion.

If you look back further, you’ll realize why the rush of blood to the head was, in that specific moment of madness, too much for Dier to cope with. In and out of the lineup more than a substitute teacher, Dier has endured a disproportionate amount of recent adversity. Plagued with injury and sickness, the 26-year-old went almost instantaneously from the highs of playing first team football with the Three Lions and Tottenham to not playing at all for months on end.

When he did return, it was clear he was a shadow of his former self. His gaffer gave him ample chance to redeem himself, to restore his status and influence in Spurs’ first team. But time and time again Dier wasn’t up to the task, his performances falling worryingly below expectations.

Imagine for a second being on top of the world, touted highly, venerated in all football circles before falling from grace like a stone that is dropped from the top of Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest skyscraper.

Now combine that with experiencing your team, who you’ve dedicated most of your professional career, unravel like a rhythmic gymnastic’s ribbon. Once you toss into the equation a moronic spectator denigrating and obscenely insulting his brother, you can start to understand Dier’s behaviour.

No professional has the right to jump into the stands, no matter the severity of incendiary comments or level of provocation. But Dier is only human. He has been through hell and back and, in the heat of the moment, lost his cool.

At a time like this we need to take into account all sides of the story. We need to show compassion for a player who, regardless of recent struggles, has bled, sweat and devoted his professional life to Tottenham. If the accusations are accurate, the unnamed supporter should be ashamed of himself. We all get frustrated. We all care deeply about our side. But at least have the common decency to realize the individuals on the pitch are human too. Highly paid humans, of course. But humans nonetheless.

Supporters pay exorbitantly high prices to watch Spurs play, which gives them the right to err criticism and grievances. But do it in a classy way and don’t ever get personal and no matter what do not deride, insult and shame a man’s family, especially one whose endured a year like Dier has.