SoS, which top 6 team would Dawson get into? He's a great professional and has a good attitude and says all the right things but imo has never been that good. Playing alongside Ledley King makes any centre back look good but with Gallas or Kaboul he looks like a weak link and his lack of pace and long balls don't help the side Don't wanna sound harsh but that's my view.
I would definitely play Dawson ahead of Caulker ATM, assuming he's fit. I'm well pleased he's still with us.
Don't think you're being harsh at all KH, it's your opinion. Admittedly when paired with King, players always look better, even Bramble could look less error prone Of the top 6/7 teams CB's, I'd say he's better than Distin & Jagielka. On par with Mertesacker and Koscielny but not as good as Vermaelen. Wouldn't get into Utd's. I'm not a huge fan of Lescott so I see no reason why he couldn't partner Kompany (quite surprised City never bought another world class CB to partner him). Not better than Agger or Skrtel. Not better than Terry or Cahill but rate him higher than Luiz who seems to be starting over Cahill. Not better than Colocini but better than Taylor. So I'd reckon he'd definitely get in at some of the teams. Don't get me wrong, he's not even the best CB here but we're lucky to have some very good CB's in our ranks. Bassong was a player who was very unlucky too, with all respect to Norwich, he's too good for a team expected to fight relegation.
I can understand the rationale behind Daws and the style of play trying to be implemented, but as I've said I don't necessarily agree with that. Daws has other qualities important to the team at dressing room and morale level, it remains to be seen whether he can command the leadership thing like Ledders used too, but I think he has that air about him around the club. I feel AVB may have been a bit hasty in this respect, and with Daws determined response to this may put him in a different light with the new management. These players don't grow on trees. He does have a couple of shortcomings on the pitch, so does John Terry, but they work round that ok.
Per Mertesacker Joleon Lescott Steven Taylor Johnny Evans Gary Cahill John Terry That's six of last season's Top 6 he would get into!
I'm glad Dawson has decided to fight for his place. I rate him highly, and I think he is as good as any English CB out there. I hope he gets a chance to impress, at some stage during the season.
If Mertesacker can get into the Arsenal team, Dawson would easily be in their starting line-up. Wait, that doesn't sound like a vote of confidence, does it? Daws certainly has a lot of the non-racist, non-assholish traits of John Terry - no pace, lots of effort, blocks everything, will spend 90 minutes heading the ball of the six-yard line - so would certainly be in Cahill's place at the very least.
I'd like to either see Parker back or Dawson starting because those are the two who strike me as providing veteran, inspirational leadership. This is a team that looks like it could use a good, friendly kick to get it started...and either Parker or Dawson are likely to give it one.
I agree as much as we all love Benny's coolness, the guy needs to step it up and feel some pressure to keep him on his toes.
Love Dawson and I reckon that top teams need people like him around the fringes. And he's actually done the club a big favour by turning down that move and leaving Spurs two injuries/suspensions away from a crisis. I reckon if you asked SAF he'd say that players like O Shea, Butt etc are almost as important to a championship-winning team as the Ronaldos etc. Cos you need to know that, even if they're not going to make too many starts, when you need them they're there and they know what to do, they're committed, they're capable and they aren't going to go moaning to the papers if they're on the bench. Worth their weight in gold. Hang on - did I just imply that Nicky Butt is worth his weight in gold?! I'll have a sit-down and a deep breath.
