Former Tottenham defender Alan Hutton has launched a strong defence of Eric Dier.
The midfielder has struggled this season, starting just one match for Mauricio Pochettino in the Premier League.
Dier has hardly been impressive when he has taken the field, with the England international coming in for criticism after his performance in the 3-0 loss against Brighton last time out.
It was the 25-year-old's first start of the season and Hutton admits he feels sorry for the playmaker, who was ultimately brought into a Tottenham side which was already under-performing.
"He came in and I kind of feel for him a little," Hutton told Football Insider. "Because he’s not played a lot, Spurs are really struggling let’s face it, 10 goals in two games, so to come in there…it’s like what are you supposed to do? To come in after not playing for such a long time, to be expected to fix everything is pretty much impossible.
"He did have a poor game but I don’t think they can really just put it down to him."
It's not just a form issue with Dier like many of the members of the squad as rumours about his future will also be playing a part.
Dier is one of five players to have been linked with a departure from Spurs of late, with the suggestion that he could leave in January.
It has been reported that Dier, Christian Eriksen, Danny Rose, Serge Aurier and Victor Wanyama could all be transfer listed in January.
