Michael Dawson has admitted he was shocked to see Eric Dier miss out on the starting XI for Tottenham Hotspur today.
Speaking on Sky Sports, the former Spurs player says he was surprised to see Ange Postecoglou opt to play two full-backs at centre-back.
Tottenham fell to a disappointing 2-1 defeat at home to Aston Villa on Sunday afternoon after dominating for large periods of the game.
Spurs were ultimately undone by some poor defending on the day, with Pau Torres and Ollie Watkins getting on the scoresheet for Villa after Giovani Lo Celso bagged the opener.
Many expected Postecoglou to continue with Eric Dier in defence after he started alongside Ben Davies last time out against Wolves.
But the Aussie boss opted to play a back four consisting of full-backs, with Emerson Royal and Davies at centre-back.
And the decision certainly left Michael Dawson surprised.
Dawson surprised by Postecoglou’s Dier decision
Speaking ahead of kick-off today, Dawson was asked about the centre-back pairing of Royal and Davies.
“I would’ve liked to see Romero and Van de Ven,” Dawson joked. “You look at Spurs, they’ve got suspensions and injuries but that’s football.
“You have to deal with it. Ange Postecoglou spoke about it there, it gives people an opportunity.
“I was surprised it wasn’t Eric Dier [who started]. The only reason I can think of is because of the pace of Watkins and Diaby, so he’s gone with a little bit more pace.
“I don’t think Emerson is lightning quick but I think that can be the only reason. I watched them against Wolves, Davies and Dier did okay.
“They lost 2-1 but it’s hard for Spurs at the moment.”
Of course, Spurs are currently without Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, with the latter out with a hamstring injury.
Postecoglou was boosted by the return of Destiny Udogie at left-back today after Royal filled the position against Wolves.
Dier hardly pulled up any trees at Molineux and was caught out of position for Wolves’ winner on the day.
But Spurs weren’t exactly at their best defensively today either, with two poor defensive moments costing them the three points.
Postecoglou faces a difficult trip to Manchester City next time out and will be without Romero and Van de Ven once again.