Craig Dawson looks set to stay at West Ham after a Wolves move collapsed but it doesn’t sit right with some fans.
West Ham fans had been sharing emotional goodbyes to Dawson on social media ahead of an expected move to Wolverhampton Wanderers on deadline day.
Fan favourite Dawson is said to have asked to leave for family reasons as he seeks a move further north.
The likes of Wolves, Aston Villa and a number of other clubs were linked with a move for the dependable 32-year-old, who is said to have been commuting down to West Ham from Manchester.
David Moyes conceded Dawson may indeed leave the club before Thursday’s deadline.
“Ideally, we wouldn’t (lose Dawson) but it’s probably a much more complicated situation that he has,” Moyes said in his pre-Spurs presser (Football.London).
West Ham seemed to have a replacement lined up in the form of Jan Bednarek from Southampton or longstanding Moyes target Duje Caleta Car.
But those two defenders look set for Villa and Saints respectively.
Now cult hero Dawson looks set to stay at West Ham after his collapsed Wolves move but it doesn’t sit right with some fans.
The Daily Mail claims Dawson is now staying with West Ham due to Bednarek signing for Villa instead.
While some Hammers fans are delighted at the prospect of Dawson staying, for others it just does not sit right.
When Dawson arrived at West Ham there was an almost unanimous condemnation of Moyes’ decision to bring the twice relegated centre-back to east London.
How wrong most were, though, as the quiet, unassuming, no-nonsense Dawson became a man mountain for the Hammers.
West Ham fans have been reluctantly bidding farewell to Dawson.
But claims he will now have to stay despite his personal issues are leaving a bitter taste for many.
If a player is facing challenging circumstances in their home life it is counter productive for all not to seek a resolution.
Dawson has given West Ham two unexpectedly brilliant years of service and earned the respect of what is a demanding fanbase.
Many Hammers fans feel it is only right to let him leave, especially as Moyes has Thilo Kehrer, Kurt Zouma, Angelo Ogbonna and Nayef Aguerd – when he returns from injury as centre-back options.
West Ham also have Ben Johnson, Aaron Cresswell and Declan Rice as options to play there if desperate.
Others of course would argue that Dawson was happy to sign his West Ham contract and should honour it.
But when talking about honour, Big Daws has it in spades and perhaps we should show some to grant his wish.
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