What Eric Dier and Tottenham team told Bryan Gil after…

What Eric Dier and Tottenham team told Bryan Gil after Harry Kane penalty miss vs Frankfurt

Eric Dier believes Harry Kane is "getting better and better" after his fine start to the 2022/23 campaign for Tottenham. Registering ten goals and two assists in his first 14 games of the season, the England captain scored for the third game in a row on Saturday evening with a penalty in the 2-0 win over Everton.

Kane has missed a couple of glorious opportunities to add to his tally for the season, however, with penalty misses in the Nottingham Forest and Eintracht Frankfurt victories. Following his failure against the German opponents, Dier revealed that the Tottenham team told Bryan Gil, who won the penalty after a mazy run, that he should have taken the ball off his teammate instead.

“I think he’s getting better and better every game," admitted the centre-back. "I think it’s nine goals in ten games. He doesn’t really get too fussed about what’s going on outside of him and keeps performing."

But was Kane in fact fussed after the game about his late penalty miss in Wednesday's 3-2 Champions League win over Eintracht Frankfurt?

“I don’t know. I haven’t spoken to him about it," added Dier. "We told Bryan Gil he should have taken the ball off him!"

The best way for Kane to get over his penalty miss was by scoring his next attempt from 12 yards. Luckily he got the chance to do so in the triumph over Everton after Jordan Pickford fouled him in the area.

“Of course, he’s one of the best penalty takers in the world," outlined the defender. "The more you take, there’s always a chance he might miss one. But he’s one of the best at it.”

Tottenham's win over the Toffees saw them keep pace with Arsenal and Man City at the top of the Premier League and also keep up the pressure on the early pacesetters. Winning all of their games at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium so far this campaign, the England international feels that Spurs' new home is starting to become a real fortress.

“Yeah, I think so. I think there’s a really good connection at the moment between us and the fans," admitted the 28-year-old. "With the new stadium it takes a bit of time to get used to it all, and I think we’re really creating a nice atmosphere here for us and a not so nice one for people who come to play here."

Dier has been a mainstay at the back for Tottenham this season, starting all 14 games for the club in all competitions. Whereas Antonio Conte has at times switched his centre-backs either side of Dier in matches, the boss has so far resisted the temptation of dropping Spurs' No.15 out of the team.

A tough time for all the Tottenham squad at present with the games coming thick and fast due to their punishing schedule, Dier has admitted that lots of sleep has helped him maintain his fitness levels.

“I just to try to sleep a lot! Eat well, lots of water. I try to do everything in the right way," he revealed. “Everything is there for us to recover and be in the best possible shape at the training ground. The club cover all our needs, it’s up to us to take advantage of it."

He added: “I love a nap, I nap every day! 45 minutes or something. I get eight or nine hours (at night) and 45 minutes in the afternoon. I do it straight after training.

"I like it. It makes me feel better for the rest of the day. I think it’s good for me."

Dier isn't the only one at Tottenham who loves a nap, with the South American contingent also very favourable to a bit of shut-eye.

“I think some do it more than me. The South Americans, they love it," he joked. “I don’t have kids, so it’s easy for me. People with kids I’ve heard it’s a little different at night. But for me I can sleep whenever I want."

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