Dawson

[Ironskullll]

I cannot understand with all the limitations he clearly has and how he struggles with this, that and the other, just how on earth he is playing in a team for a manager almost everyone said he couldn't do. Slow on the turn, no pace, can't read a game etc etc playing in a team adopting a high line, somethings not right

Mind you, actually I reckon he CAN read a game pretty well, and that's what redeems him. Bobby Moore was like that though he could play a pass and turn a tackle into a pass as well etc etc, and in many respects there's no comparison, but the key was reading the game.

 

[jimtheyid]

I'm not being racist, but on telly I often get Vertonghen and Dawson mixed up.

 

[pablo73]

I'm not being racist, but on telly I often get Vertonghen and Dawson mixed up.

racist

 

[Schoolboys' Own Stuff]

The longer we can keep Daws in and around the squad, the more we'll benefit from him just being himself. He clearly has a strong posiitve presence in the squad and the players seem to react well to him. An incredibly important commodity for any team.

He's basically the closest we've got to having one of us out there as he just really, really couldn't care more. Outstanding.

 

[Yid-ol]

I'm not being racist, but on telly I often get Vertonghen and Dawson mixed up.

Is it cos they iz b...... oth similar looking

 

[RobboforPM]

Dont post much but wanted to bring another angle to this thread.

I agree MD is absolutely key to us finishing well this season, and has proven to be (in my eyes anyway) our best defender overall. However how much of his development do we owe to Mr Spurs, Ledley King? Its my opinion that MD has now started to utilise, and pass on to other defenders, the knowledge and sheer class Ledders had/has.

Everyone has said that AVB's tictac's are the reason, to which yes I agree, but again my opinion is that Ledders has had a massive effect on MD's growth as a defender, which in turn is proving oh so fruitful for spurs now.

Just my 2 dollars worth.

 

[Misfit]

Can't believe he's been here for so long. Hope he sees his career out with us too. Not quite a one club man but the closest thing to it.

 

[brendanb50]

The longer we can keep Daws in and around the squad, the more we'll benefit from him just being himself. He clearly has a strong posiitve presence in the squad and the players seem to react well to him. An incredibly important commodity for any team.

He's basically the closest we've got to having one of us out there as he just really, really couldn't care more. Outstanding.

Agree massively with your second point, something which all teams need are players with heart and desire. Daws has that in spades. Massive credit to him given the state of things for him when AVB first arrived and playing hard for his place in the team.

I've long stood up for MD, despite a lot of knocks he's had over the past season/18months i think now he's fully fit and has the faith of AVB, he's showing what a good player he is.

 

[StanSpur]

A lot of man love on this thread. I agree with a couple of posters about his ability to read the game being the reason he is doing so well. I think he is tainted with how he was as a young defender, it certainly was the case when he first came that he had a lot of puff and effort but made fundemental errors that often cost goalscoring oportunities. That is not uncommon with young defenders and Caulker could be seen in the same light. What has happened though over the years is that he has gradually learnt the game more and more and now when i watch him play from behind the goal you see him marshal the defence, track the runs of the opposition at set pieces and time interceptions, tackles and blocks perfectly. He is now a very good reader of the game who still puts in 100% effort in every single game. Yes he lacks pace but he has learnt the tricks to mitigate against that. As for a poetntial england recall, had he not had that seriious injury (whilst playing for england) a few years back, i think he would have been a regular in the squad. That time out coupled with a lack of faith from AVB at the start of the season has delayed the inevatable in my opinion. I would pick him over Cahill any day personally. Man love over and out.

 

[Flightrisker]

Love him, just wish they'd limit him to two Hollywood Daws passes per game

 

[thetallaghttiger]

5 and half minutes in during the 9am - 9.30am part of the Alan Brazil Breakfast show here;

http://www.talksport.co.uk/radio/listen-again/episode/107372

 

[CowInAComa]

The standout English defender of the last few months.

Sadly, should the Sky4 have a CB amongst them who is available for selection he wont get a sniff.

'In contention'. Condescending wank. fuck off England.

 

[jimtheyid]

I fucking love Daws.

 

[markt]

A lot of man love on this thread. I agree with a couple of posters about his ability to read the game being the reason he is doing so well. I think he is tainted with how he was as a young defender, it certainly was the case when he first came that he had a lot of puff and effort but made fundemental errors that often cost goalscoring oportunities. That is not uncommon with young defenders and Caulker could be seen in the same light. What has happened though over the years is that he has gradually learnt the game more and more and now when i watch him play from behind the goal you see him marshal the defence, track the runs of the opposition at set pieces and time interceptions, tackles and blocks perfectly. He is now a very good reader of the game who still puts in 100% effort in every single game. Yes he lacks pace but he has learnt the tricks to mitigate against that. As for a poetntial england recall, had he not had that seriious injury (whilst playing for england) a few years back, i think he would have been a regular in the squad. That time out coupled with a lack of faith from AVB at the start of the season has delayed the inevatable in my opinion. I would pick him over Cahill any day personally. Man love over and out.

Excellent post. Dawson does have some very good attributes, his blocking and aerial ability for example, but certain mistakes when he was younger emphasised his limitations. It is a credit to him that he has improved his ability to read the game so well and reduced the number of mistakes, that his lack of pace and agility is no longer as noticeable. Also his attitude is exemplary and shows everyone at spurs can get a chance if they work hard enough and this can only help the team in the long run. AVB made a mistake accepting an offer for him, but he has admitted that and helped Dawson become integral to our recent success.

Agree with that about Caulker as well. If he can develop his reading of the game and footballing awareness he can become a top class defender as he certainly doesn't lack the technical attributes.

 

[Blackcanary]

Is he still club captain?

Yes, he is - it was mentioned in a recent match programme, I think.

 

[Luka Van der Bale]

Quite simply, he is the best centre back England have available when fit.

 

[stevespurs]

He is starting to reach Gary Mabbutt status.

Daws form pre-injury was outstanding too. His single-mindedness is something that I'm sure AVB respects, and Spurs are lucky to have retained. The defensive "squad" are looking very miserly, a great combination of styles and there is obviously an understanding growing between them. Although Das wears the armband, Lloris and Verts are both leaders too. COYS

 

[murichej]

I see Daws best English CB in few years..

 

[lennon4england]

What I like about Dawson is that every time he has been written off or we have bought other centre backs that are supposed upgrades, he always seems to up his game to become first choice again. Obviously the situation with AVB writing him off has highlighted this again.

I hope his attitude rubs off on the other players, and I think it is great that AVB has been prepared to admit that it was a mistake to look to move Dawson on. Hopefully some of the others who are struggling to get into the team will use Dawson as their motivation to work hard and bring themselves back into contention...

 

[Misfit]

I said last summer that Daws would win AVB round. Looked a proper Charlie when he was quickly being given the "get out and stay out" treatment. His qualities outweigh his limitations. If he could only cut out those wanky floated diagonal punt he's so fond of.

Glad he's here and I hope he's one of the quartet of CBs next season.