Moyes facing a Dawson problem

By CandH’s top blogger Allen Cummings

It’s always a difficult task for any manager to convince a player he’s still an important member of the first team squad when he’s unlikely to continue to feature as a regular starter.

That’s particularly true of course  if the player concerned has just enjoyed such a fine season at the club, been the star performer in more than a few games – and has become something of a cult hero among the supporters into the bargain.

That could be the task about to face David Moyes as he shapes his team, and in particular his vitally important central defensive partnership, for the up-coming 2022-23 season.

Craig Dawson was superb last term – an  absolute rock at the heart of the West Ham defence, a true warrior when under fire – prepared to put his body on the line whenever it was called for.

With Angelo Ogbonna missing for a large part of the season after suffering his cruciate ligament injury and then new arrival Kurt Zouma suffering his own injury woe, the one constant at the heart of the West Ham defence was Craig Dawson.

Big Daws positively thrived on the responsibility thrust upon him, turning in outstanding performances on a regular basis.

Not only did Dawson prove his value at the back – he was also a constant threat to any opposition at set pieces – scoring some valuable and important goals at the other end for the Hammers, too.

But now with the arrival of Nayef Aguerd from Rennes, Craig’s time as a first team regular could be about to end. Moyes’ preferred partnership will surely be £31.5m Zouma alongside £30m Aguerd. which means Dawson and Ogbonna are likely to be the manager’s go to back-up duo.

Of course no-one knows how well 34 year old Oggy will handle his return to competitive action after such a serious injury – but Dawson, who is two years younger than the Italian, is still in excellent physical shape.

There were plenty who scoffed when Moyes first brought Dawson to the club from Watford in October 2020, initially on a short term loan.

But such was his impact following his arrival there was no question the boss was happy to agree a permanent £2m transfer in July 2021.

The doubters were left to wipe the egg from their faces and forced to agree we’d got ourselves a bargain. Now events have moved on and the question is whether Dawson will be happy to bide his time in the background – if that’s what it comes to.

Recently there was some talk he was maybe looking to return to his native north of the country for family reasons – which if true could have a bearing on his decision to stay or go.

There would surely be no shortage of takers willing to make use of his experience – and ready to off him guaranteed first team football.

With Issa Diop’s much talked about switch to Fulham now appearing to have stalled – Moyes could find himself with an array of centre backs at his disposal come the big kick-off!