David Moyes’s West Ham team is never about the individual over the collective, but there is perhaps one player who best sums up the group of players making history in claret and blue.
Craig Dawson was signed for just £2million from relegated Watford and has defied doubters to become a new Hammers cult hero who is being dubbed “Ballon D’awson”.
The 32-year-old was a colossus for West Ham in Lyon on Thursday night as West Ham stormed into the semi-finals of the Europa League.
It was not just his trademark header, which set West Ham on their way to a 3-0 win. Dawson was a rock for 45 minutes in the first leg when the Hammers went down to 10 men and, after a shaky start alongside Issa Diop without the injured Kurt Zouma in France, was a titan again in the second leg.
As West Ham fans have become accustom to, Dawson stood firm to repel Lyon, making more blocks (6) than anyone on the pitch. And having already taken a blow to his nose in the first leg, he twice stuck his face in front of efforts from Lyon winger Tete.
If things had gone to plan for Moyes and both Zouma and Angelo Ogbonna had been fit, Dawson would not even have been on the pitch.
But it would have been hard to find anyone more reliable in this squad.
Whenever there have been defensive problems at West Ham this season, and there have been a few, the no-nonsense centre-half has stood up, even if it meant playing through a long-running and nagging groin injury to ensure West Ham had a full back line.
West Ham captain Mark Noble was full of praise for Dawson after the historic win in Lyon.
"Big Daws, who has been so reliable for us and been fantastic," said Noble.
BALLON D'AWSON
— West Ham United (@WestHam) April 14, 2022
"He was incredible in the first leg and even better tonight so that is a big statement for him."
It is a statement many should take note of. Eyebrows were raised in many corners when West Ham signed Dawson, initially on loan, in 2020 after a £30million move for James Tarkowski fell through.
Some at Watford were happy to offload him. You can be sure those same people would pay a hefty cab fare to get him back to Vicarage Road now as they head towards relegation.
In comparison, Dawson is only looking up.
“It is incredible and we love those stories,” said Joe Cole while working as a pundit for BT Sport.
“I was interviewing him a few weeks ago and after they had done some defensive work he went and got the fitness coach and he did 15 minutes of fast feet by himself.
“As a 31-year-old, you can see the determination in him to be a footballer. That is all you want as a manger, a player with professionalism and a love... you know he is giving everything blood, seat and ears for the team. You have got to love him. Ballon D’awson!”
Carlton Cole added: “Credit to him. Everything that has been asked of him by David Moyes and the club, he has stood up tall. He has done himself proud.”
Fans will tout Dawson for individual awards and there have been a few tough-in-cheek calls for an England call-up, but that is of no concern to Dawson.
He is happy to continue impressing and proving doubters wrong for West Ham as he drives their European dream.
