Eric Dier bluntly details Tottenham dressing room reaction to Newcastle hammering

Tottenham defender Eric Dier has opened up on the dressing room discussion during Spurs’ 6-1 hammering by Newcastle on Sunday. The visitors at St James’ Park found themselves 5-0 down after 20 minutes and interim boss Cristian Stellini was swiftly dismissed after the embarrassment, while the team offered to reimburse travelling supporters.

Dier explained to BT Sport in a blunt interview that he and his Spurs team-mates had an “open and honest conversation about where we are at” behind closed doors in the dressing room as they reflected on the disappointment at the hands of Newcastle as he described the game as one of his worst experiences as a footballer.

“Yeah [I think we can still finish in the top four], I think we have to win every game that we can and obviously first and foremost beat Man United on Thursday and try and gather some momentum,” Dier said. “All that we can do is our best and give our best and then in the Tottenham vs Man United game anything can happen.”

Spurs then asked Ryan Mason to take over from Stellini, as Dier explained what he will bring to the club. “He knows the club inside-out,” Dier added. “I think he knows the players very well and I think it will just bring something completely new and fresh, hopefully that translates onto the pitch as well.”

He described the Newcastle defeat as his “worst footballing experience” and described it as an “embarrassment” before continuing to detail the experience of shipping so many early goals.

Dier explained that he was aware of the decision to sack Stellini shortly before the news broke, but refused to reveal the extent of his conversation with club chief Daniel Levy. “[I found out] just before, we’ve let Cristian down and we have let ourselves down but at the same time now we have to move on and draw a line in the sand.”

Former Spurs midfielder Jermaine Jenas explained how the club’s next managerial decision could help restore them to their best, having previously urged them to get the next Mauricio Pochettino.

“That [backroom] structure is important and you want to get that right,” Jenas told BT Sport. “All those fans care about is what’s happening on that football pitch, so the next manager that comes in here has to be one that plays a certain type of football.

“This stadium’s not really lit up since it’s been built and I think it’s time to get somebody in here that plays a certain type of football that they can enjoy – even if that’s to settle things down so they can start to build, add and go again really.”

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