Give me passion over pace

I am a 28 year old Spurs fan and I live with three other lads, two of whom support Liverpool and Woolwich, whilst the third will support whatever team has the best looking kit.

The harsh reality is that they go to watch their team about as frequently as a Spurs corner kick beats the first man, this doesn’t stop them from mocking our captain though.  “He’s rubbish, “he’s so slow” “I can’t believe I had him in my dream team,” are comments aimed at regularly at me.

They obviously don’t rate him, but I have to ask myself, do I rate Michael Dawson?

In recent weeks Dawson has suffered torture than even Mr Bond could have endured. Earlier this season i watched on in horror against City as Sergio Aguero, Alvaro Negrado, Samir Nasri and friends tore Dawson to shreds this season.

That 6-0 demolition does not lay solely on Dawson’s shoulders, AVB absorbed most of the flack that day, but in truth everyone looked like they had a few too many Stella’s the night before. The most painful thing for me though was that Dawson didn’t look like he had had any Stellas at all, in fact I think Dawson probably had a green tea and an early night.

The point I am getting at is that on that day Dawson played as well as Michael Dawson can play, he simply couldn’t cope with the movement, pace, passing or creativity of the relentless Man City attack. Now I am all too aware that we are now just one of a number of teams who have been destroyed by what is probably the best group of attacking players to ever play together in a Premiership team but then I watched Spurs v Liverpool.

[authquoteleft text=”Dawson played as well as Michael Dawson can play, he simply couldn’t cope with the movement, pace, passing or creativity of the relentless Man City attack[/linequote]

It was an exact repeat, of course no one played well and it was a game for which AVB took the ultimate blame and was shown the door. Despite all the fall out from that game it was still the destruction of Dawson that left me reeling the most, let alone the fact I had my gloating Liverpool house mate to deal with.

Luis Suarez is world class, that is one fact that Dawson totally understands, it must have taken him hours to untangle himself from the knots the Uruguayan left him in. No sooner would Suarez run at Dawson than he would be admiring the heels of his new boots.

I was going to start these examples by referring to the West Ham 3-0 but its too painful to recall. the fact that I was just a policeman away from the vile West Ham fans doesn’t help.

You might think this is simply over analyzing and that this was all down to the AVB regime. I have since seen us get clean sheets against Stoke and Crystal Palace but I cant help feeling it’s the lack of quality and pace in the opposition’s front line that lets us off.

I could still see the defensive frailties against Southampton, West Brom and even a lacklustre Man United as Danny Welbeck tore through our defence.

[linequote]Luis Suarez is world class that is one fact that Dawson totally understands[/linequote]

All of this makes me sound like I have a vendetta against Dawson. It’s actually quite the opposite. I absolutely worship Michael Dawson, you simply could not wish for a more passionate or dedicated captain.

On AVB’s arrival it looked like Dawson’s days were numbered but he isn’t the sort to throw his toys out the pram when things aren’t going his way. He pulled his socks up took a deep breath and knuckled down trusting that his own ability and commitment to the club would see him through.

Dawson has now started every Premier League game for us this season and was a first choice even for the once doubter AVB. Dawson is not a quick, or technical footballer and he is never going to stroll out of defence and play a few one twos, but what Dawson does have is that he is a fighter, a loyal fighter.

Our captain is a brilliant centre back in the old sense of the role, he will throw himself at anything, be it point blank range or a 30-yard screamer.

He is a fantastic tackler off-the-ball and when you’re under the cosh there is no one better to have leading your troops, take Man United away, the pressure was intense for the last 15 minutes after Welbeck made it 2-1. Dawson was flying through the crowd of red shirts to clear our lines from every cross played into our box he was rock solid.

[authquoteright text=”He is a fantastic tackler off the ball and when you’re under the cosh there is no one better to have leading your troops[/linequote]

I hate criticising the team and I always find it hard to stomach when people moan at the game but you have to wonder how many other players who pull on the Lilywhite shirt have the same desire or commitment as Dawson. I know that football these days is a results business and Spurs are a club under constant pressure to compete at the highest level but I wouldn’t change Dawson one bit.

I accept that against the more pacey and skilful players Dawson will suffer, but he is always the last one to give up and for me that’s what I want from a player.

There is nothing better than seeing a player love his team as much as I do and not just for the pay check. Only time will tell how long Dawson has left at the top level but I have loved every moment of him playing for Spurs.

When that day comes for him to step down I hope we find someone with at least half of Dawson’s passion to take on that armband.

[author name=”Sam Warman” avatar=”https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/378800000821949845/8690cd6473f7d6f84abb512e223b6972_bigger.jpeg” twitter=”muel18[/linequote]