Eric Dier says it’s time Tottenham delivered a trophy after FA Cup win over Aston Villa
Eric Dier has told his Tottenham team-mates they need to deliver the trophies their potential demands.
Tottenham have won only one major prize — the Carling Cup in 2008 — since the turn of the century. Before that, they collected the Worthington Cup in 1999 and the FA Cup in 1991.
With a group of talented players who have all extended their contracts at the club, Tottenham look to have a squad capable of challenging at the top end of the Premier League for many seasons to come.
But after moving into the fourth round of the FA Cup with a 2-0 win over Aston Villa yesterday, Dier underlined the importance of winning silverware soon.
Tottenham will start their Europa League campaign next month from the last-32 stage after they were knocked out of the Champions League, while they are also third in the Premier League.
“If in five years’ time we hadn’t won a trophy with this squad, everyone would be disappointed,” said Dier. “Football is about winning trophies.
“Look at the players we have now and the basis we have to win things. We have to keep working hard and improving but the whole squad is desperate to win things.
“We have a very good group of players, and lots of very good young players coming through the academy who are proving they deserve a chance.
“Challenging on all fronts is very difficult, but that is our aim. The FA Cup is hard. You play lower-league teams with nothing to lose, they will throw everything at you and in a one-off game, anything can happen.”
Tottenham will learn tonight who they will face in the fourth round of the FA Cup after second-half goals from Ben Davies — his first for the club — and Heung-min Son saw off Villa.
Manager Mauricio Pochettino made nine changes from the side who defeated Chelsea 2-0 last week, with only Dier and Toby Alderweireld retained in the starting XI.
Hugo Lloris, Kyle Walker, Mousa Dembele, Danny Rose and Harry Kane were left out of the squad altogether by Pochettino. Kane was out as his partner, Kate Goodland, gave birth to a girl, their first child.
Tottenham’s performance improved in the second half when Dele Alli replaced the struggling Vincent Janssen after an hour. As he did in the EFL Cup tie at Liverpool in October, Dier captained the side. He said: “We have some fantastic captains here but I’m still young, so hopefully one day I will maybe get that honour (being captain).
“I like to think it (leadership) comes naturally. It doesn’t affect me. When I was younger, going through the age groups at Sporting Lisbon, I was captain, so it’s not something new to me.”
Alli’s impact showed his importance to Spurs. In his previous four games, Alli scored seven goals but Dier still believes there is more to come.
He added: “He’s scoring a lot, which has put him in the headlines, but I’m not sure if it’s the best form he’s shown. Last season there were times when he was fantastic but he can do better as well.”
London Football! Find out who Tottenham get in Monday’s FA Cup fourth round draw on Standard Sport, from 7:10pm.
It’s time Tottenham delivered a trophy, says Eric DierEric DierTottenham HotspurFA CupMauricio PochettinoTottenham 2 Aston Villa 0: Eric Dier says it’s time Spurs delivered a trophy after FA Cup winIt’s time Tottenham delivered a trophy, says Eric DierIn Pictures | Tottenham vs Aston Villa | 08/01/2017
In Pictures | Tottenham vs Aston Villa | 08/01/2017
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