West Ham United fans have reacted with delight at a late transfer twist involving the signing of defender Craig Dawson.
Italian journalist explains why Spurs are to blame for unpopular West Ham transfer
The Hammers had been heavily linked with the Watford defender over the course of the window.
Speculation did not go down well with fans who expect a higher calibre of player after leaving their beloved Upton Park on the promise of a new era for the club when it comes to competing with the elite in the transfer market.
But West Ham pressed ahead and signed Dawson anyway.
There was a late twist in the deal, though, as the 30-year-old only joined on loan for the season rather than the permanent two or three-year deal they had been expecting (whufc.com).
Relief after late twist in Dawson deal
The fact West Ham fans were delighted by that news sums up the feeling surrounding the Dawson move.
West Ham fans feel a loan move makes much more sense given David Moyes’s admission the club has struggled in a host of much-publicised moves for some top young defenders (whufc.com).
Dawson will effectively be fourth or fifth choice cover for the season. Presumably until West Ham can go back into the market in January or next summer and get a top target.
It is easy to see why West Ham supporters are wary over the signing of Dawson.
Firstly the centre-back is not the quickest or most agile of defenders in an increasingly athletic Premier League.
Supporter concerns understandable
Then there is the fact he has suffered back-to-back relegations with West Brom and Watford.
Throw in that Watford fans could not wait – or believe it possible – to offload him and the verdict is somewhat damning.
West Ham fans have connected the dots over the deal and spotted that Dawson is a client of Will Salthouse – reportedly the preferred agent of Hammers co-owner David Sullivan (Football Insider).
There were some savage reactions from fans to the announcement of Dawson’s signing.
But credit where it is due to West Ham fans. The growing numbers who want the owners out have a motto ‘Support the team, not the regime’.
And there was proof that is just what fans intend to do with some of the messages to Dawson following his controversial arrival.
West Ham fans rally around new boy despite disappointment
Here are a selection of West Ham fans rallying behind the new boy on Twitter.
Welcome Craig, give your all and we’ll give you our full support! ⚒⚒⚒
— Jamie Main (@MplaysJM) October 12, 2020
Blokes getting abuse from fans for absolutely no reason, it’s embarrassing 😔 Good luck Craig 👏🏽⚒
— Luke Marley (@LukeMarley8) October 12, 2020
On a loan this is sensible for all parties. Good luck Craig. The custodians of this club now have a duty to fulfill the most recent promises they made when they sold an upcoming academy youngster in September
— Andy (@andyaustin67) October 12, 2020
Craig Dawson receiving a lot of criticism upon signing for the year-long loan at West Ham – not the players fault by any means; fans should vent frustration at the Board if they are disgruntled at the signing as opposed to the new player.
— Josh Verrills (@WestHamJoshV) October 12, 2020
Beleive me, the fans ain’t disgruntled with him, we will back him. We hate the board, every season, they go for an unrealistic target and then end up with tosh either on loan or a free or low value…the frustration is that there is no plan.
— Dom (@coachdom1) October 12, 2020
I wish him well and hope he is a massive success but let’s be honest he is at the club because he is cheap and Salthouse is his agent. He is the culmination of no scouting network and the way Sullivan runs the club. If we had ambition he would not have been considered #GSBOUT
— Adam Lewis (@AdamL1979) October 12, 2020
Support the team, not the regime. #GSBOUT Welcome Dawson ⚒⚒⚒
— WHU #GSBOUT (@RokasWHU) October 12, 2020
‘Play with pride and the fans will embrace you’
Loan I can live with now prove yourself worthy of the Mighty WHU shirt..
— Ⓟⓗⓘⓛⓘⓟ 父 Ⓦⓘⓛⓚⓘⓝⓢⓞⓝ 父 (@PW57WHU) October 12, 2020
Welcome to west ham mr Dawson. I hope ur season goes well with. Please except our apologise for the board you now work for. #GSBOUT
— Steve (@49whufc_smh) October 12, 2020
Decent move. Loan with time to prove his worth if he does we can make it permanent👏🏼👍🏼⚒
— Tommy Smith (@tommyseadog) October 12, 2020
Welcome Craig – hopefully either the board, Stuart Pearson, David Moyes, Alan Irvine or someone has told you that, when you get the opportunity to play, play with the pride the shirt deserves and the fans will embrace you. ⚒⚒⚒
— David Jordan (@davidrjordan1) October 12, 2020
I will back this guy 100% just like with any other West Ham player. I want him to do well here and play his part
— Zaq S. (@Sahota_xcv) October 12, 2020
Good Luck Craig & welcome to the Hammers. #COYI ⚒
— ⚒Adrian Smith⚒ (@adiesmith64) October 12, 2020
Not the signing we were hoping for, but back up for our CBs at the moment, will back the player without a doubt. Best of luck Dawson
— Sam Hunty’⚒ (@Hunty_S92) October 12, 2020
Good luck Craig we will support you and back you, the team and the managers but as for the owners never again! #GSBOUT
— Wil Field 🏴⚒ (@wilfield71) October 12, 2020