Craig Dawson left West Ham over a year ago but a new revelation has emerged which makes Tim Steidten’s priority clear.
When it comes to great value signings they don’t get much better than Craig Dawson in the modern history of West Ham.
When David Moyes signed Dawson from relegated Watford on an initial loan with a £1.5m option, many Hammers fans were furious.
It was not the glamorous up-and-coming centre-back some craved.
Dawson started out as West Ham’s fourth or fifth choice centre-back that season.
But when injuries saw him get his chance a couple of months into his Hammers career, it was the birth of a cult hero.
Dawson departure being felt more than ever
When ‘Ballon Dawson’ departed West Ham for Wolves last January it left a big hole.
Not just for his performances on the pitch but his leadership and consistency as well.
Dawson was very much in the mould of the likes of James Collins before him – a powerful, no-nonsense warrior who wears his heart on his sleeve.
West Ham didn’t to too badly following his departure to Wolves last year, going on to lift their first trophy for 43 years.
Dawson is so well thought of at the club he was actually sent a medal for his part in that achievement.
The impact of Dawson’s departure has arguably been felt most acutely this season.
No case for the defence at West Ham this season
Captain Kurt Zouma is looking increasingly immobile. Nayef Aguerd has been really poor too and both look to be on their way out this summer.
Ageing Angelo Ogbonna is arguably West Ham’s best and most reliable defender but barely features now.
Konstantinos Mavropanos has looked like he will prove a good acquisition. And Thilo Kehrer has been shipped out to Monaco.
The woeful collapse to lose 4-3 at Newcastle on Saturday – as well as several heavy and embarrassing defeats this season have surprised fans given Moyes’ insistence on being solid at the back.
Shocking Dawson revelation makes Steidten priority clear
Only four teams have conceded more goals than West Ham’s 54 this season. The bottom three and Brentford (55).
If West Ham fans are scratching their heads as to why things have changed so dramatically then wonder no more.
Because a shocking Dawson revelation at West Ham makes Tim Steidten’s priority clear.
In 64 Premier League games with Dawson in the side, West Ham conceded 78 goals. That’s an average of just over one per game.
Without Dawson West Ham have played 48 Prem games but have shipped six more goals. That’s an average of just under two goals per game over 16 less matches.
In 87 appearances with Dawson in the side the Hammers never once conceded four or more goals.
But in 70 games without him, Moyes’ side has shipped four or more goals on EIGHT occasions.
The stats have been highlighted by Hammers Hub.
Alarming stats likely to result in big rebuild at the back
They will make alarming and informative reading for technical director Steidten.
And it surely makes his big summer priority abundantly clear – to sign not one but THREE new centre-backs.
Mavropanos looks like he can carve out similar cult hero status to Dawson.
But Steidten must bring in a new partner for the towering Greek. With Ogbonna likely in his last season and Aguerd and Zouma rumoured to be following Kehrer out of the Hammers exit door, a new starting centre-half is needed as well as back-ups.
That won’t come cheap. But if West Ham want to challenge for the European places again it is a must.
On the subject of Dawson, sit back and enjoy what was probably his finest hour in a West Ham shirt below.
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