“The supporters want success on the pitch and that means winning football matches. Stephen Dawson is 100% a winner, he’s an aggressive winner and I feel as though he’ll add to the balance of the squad that we’re creating." Keith Hill.
That's Stephen Dawson who has a career win percentage of 27%. Which beats his Barnsley percentage of 18%. #Winning He's aggressive, Keith. End of summary.
While we're here... “If I sense a swell of disbelief from people at the football club – the players, the supporters – then I will assess my own future. I am reasonably happy here but if people start putting negative pressure on the team then I will have to address my own situation." He dunt change. Bless him.
Despite what I think about him - Wilson played him, stood by him when all that betting crap kicked off and offered him a contract - and he buggered off. Good riddance if that's his approach.
He's right though. The fact that he's played in **** teams doesn't stop him being a winner individually. He may not be the best footballer in the world but he did give 100% in every game I saw him in and if some of the players more gifted than him (Mellis, Cywka etc) had the same attitude we might not be where we are now.
im sorry but a player can have all the talent in the world. if they aren't prepared to work hard for both themselves and team mates then i don't want them at oakwell
Difference is anyone has the capacity to give 100% and work hard, not everyone has the capacity to be a talented footballer. I will always have more time for someone who gives their all and fails through a lack of talent than someone who is gifted and fails through their own poor attitude.
Keith described him as a winner, stats suggest that's not true. The fact "he tried hard" doesn't make him a winner. That was my point. But as ever when Dawson is discussed, we get the comparison between his and others workrates. Last game I saw him play was at Boro the day we were relegated. If anyone who went to that game saw a lad giving 100% then we've differing views on what effort and work rate is. He was bang average, but yes, in the main he worked hard. Give me a talented lad with less effort any day of the week.
But there's no excuse for not putting effort in though. It's a choice someone is making and they will deservedly get stick for it. There's some brilliant quotes from Rodgers about workrate and attitude. The game has changed, the pace, athleticism, professionalism. You used to get loads of players at every level who survived on talent, but not so much anymore.
neither wasn't an option! i gave you a lad with oodles of talent v a lad who worked his nuts off.... obviously the 2 i picked are an extreme but they sum up the point i was trying rather badly to make.