Yea that's really the question- was he worse than Royal in the same position?
I don't know but we seemed well outsized in set pieces today. Many people said Torres was not good enough to play for us, but today he stuffed in a very nice header. Dier might have been better in that situation.
I doubt Dier will feel any bit inclined to move in the Winter. Ange is probably hoping to do what he can to encourage him to accept a move- mainly keeping him on the bench unless absolutely necessary. I expect to see Dier sign a precontract agreement with some other club in the winter with a small chance of a nominal fee to accelerate his departure out of here.
If Dier is still interested in playing football regularly he'd do well to take a move now before his time away from the game or motivation for it starts being questioned.