DIER LOVING MO’S JOLLY MIXTURES

ERIC DIER reckons boss Jose Mourinho’s perfect mix of seriousness and smiles is a key factor in Tottenham’s earlyseason success.

The Spurs defender (right), who started his senior career at Sporting Lisbon, said: “It has been incredible to be able to work with one of the best managers of all time.

“Obviously, the connection we both have with Portugal is also special for me – and so in that sense it has been fantastic for me to learn from him and to work with him.

“We’re obviously just at the beginning of our journey but it has been fantastic. He’s extremely serious and professional when it comes to work and I’d say he’s the first to be serious when it’s the right time to be serious.

“But he’s also the first to have a laugh and a joke when it’s time for that as well.

“He can do both, and always at the right moment.

“Having someone who has been there and done it on so many occasions, on the biggest stages, obviously carries a lot of weight in the dressing room whenever he does speak and expresses his opinions towards how he feels we need to change to do better – and for us to be able to go to that next step.

“Obviously everyone’s ears are open because his resume speaks for itself.

“He also gives us a lot of confidence as well because he obviously has all the titles to back it up, so you really believe in it.”

Spurs are riding high in the Premier League and go into today’s clash with Arsenal full of confidence.

Dier added: “I’m very excited for the north London derby for many reasons — it’s the first of the season and to have fans back in the stadium for it couldn’t be better.

“Albeit only 2,000, but we’ll take what we can get. I’m very excited for the game, very confident that we’re going through a very good period and we want to keep that going.”

With so few fans allowed into Tottenham’s ground, Dier will still be able to hear everything Arsenal’s players are saying.

He said: “I find it very interesting to be able to hear the opposition players as well now, because you get a much better understanding of what their personality is on the pitch.”