‘Joe Rodon must be furious!’ Tottenham fans fume as Eric Dier is preferred for Wolves clash after Leeds United nightmare
Dier #Dier
Tottenham fans were left flummoxed once again by Joe Rodon’s omission for the clash with Wolves on Sunday afternoon.
Despite starting to quietly impress in a Spurs shirt under Jose Mourinho, the Wales international has been involved in none of Ryan Mason’s four matches in charge of the north London club.
On the surface, it appears a somewhat perplexing decision, more so in light of Spurs’ capitulation against Leeds United last weekend.
Indeed, Spurs correspondent Alasdair Gold wrote for our sister title Football.London that Dier was in fact at a “lucky man” after his display in the 3-1 defeat by Leeds.
“Eric Dier is a lucky man,” Gold wrote in his team news verdict before the 2pm kick-off.
“Involved in all three of Leeds’ goals last weekend, how he has been given another start over Davinson Sanchez or Joe Rodon is tough to explain.”
The fact Rodon is not even on the bench is a real bafflement.
The 23-year-old has shown at his former club Swansea City, at international level with Wales and in glimpses under Mourinho this season that he is a supreme talent with a bright future ahead.
And Spurs fans, it is fair to say, subscribe to a similar school of thought.
Wayne Goddard wrote: “And this is why Mason is out of his depth. Lo Celso over Tanguy [Ndombele] absolute Joke. Dier playing again. How do we know if Rodon is the long term solution if he doesn’t play? Linked with every player going yet we have no manager. Who makes these selections? Club in trouble.”
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While Spurs fan Martin said: “Dier is a liability. Yet walks into team. Rodon must be furious.”
Tony Roberts chipped in with: “Mason well out of his depth tactically naive. Lo Celso and Dier shouldn’t be playing I would have Ndombele and Rodon in!!”
Olly weighed in by saying: “Can’t believe Dier is in there considering that he was part of all the Leeds goals. And also can’t believe Rodon isn’t in the squad.”
Another fan went in two-footed by saying: “Dier but no Rodon? Embarrassing. No Ndombele again? Embarrassing. Mason just picking his mates! Embarrassing. Our club at the moment! Embarrassing.”
Another said: “Why Dier?? Why not Rodon who is miles better?”
And Christopher George said: “Ryan Mason sticking with Dier after his horror show against Leeds and not playing Rodon is baffling.”
It comes after Mason was quizzed over Rodon’s seemingly inexplicable absences leading up to this game on Friday.
“Joe was unfortunate in terms of timing,” Mason said.
“He was cup-tied for the cup final so the first game I felt it was probably right to have the group consistent for what it was going to be in the next game.
“He’s trained well, done well. All the 21 outfield players have competed in training and it’s made it difficult to pick a team and a squad.
“But I’ve been happy with everyone, I think the defence and team has done well. So it’s difficult. But when you play at a club like this, there’s always going to be disappointed players.
“The most important thing for me is he’s remained professional, he’s worked hard, he’s trained well and he’s been good around the club so that’s a massive tick from me.”
Fellow Wales international Gareth Bale was given a starting berth, however, named to start on the right of a front three alongside Harry Kane and Son Heung-min.