First Team Squad
Player profile and performance records.
Craig Dawson (Defender)
Craig Dawson
RochdalePosition: Defender
Born: 6th May 1990 (Rochdale)
Signed: 12th Oct 2020 (£0)
Contract: 2 years
Previous Club: Watford
KUMB Awards: None.
Prior to joining West Ham on loan from Watford, central defender Dawson had represented Radcliffe Borough, Bolton Wanderers, Rochdale and West Bromwich Albion.
Prior to becoming a professional footballer, Dawson worked as a glass collector at his local pub while playing for a local team called Rochdale St Clements.
He started his football career at Northern Premier League side Radcliffe Borough in the 2007/08 season, and in the two seasons he was at the club made 95 appearances and scored 15 goals.
Dawson signed for Rochdale in February 2009 on a two-year contract. On 31 August 2010, Dawson signed for Premier League club West Bromwich Albion for an undisclosed fee on a three-year contract.
On 23 January 2013, despite interest from Blackburn Rovers, Leicester City, Leeds United and Nottingham Forest, championship club Bolton Wanderers won the race to sign Dawson on loan for the rest of the season. On 1 July 2019, Dawson signed for Premier League club Watford for an undisclosed fee on a four-year contract.
In October 2020 David Moyes swooped to land Dawson on a season-long loan. Following a successful season at the club, Dawson signed a two-year-contract.
Following a successful spell at the club, Dawson joined Wolves in January 2023 having requested a move in order to be closer to his family, who live in the North West.
vs Brentford
1-0: Saturday, 7th January(Played 90 minutes)
Hard to know what to say, really. There was an issue with pace on the break and also his use of the ball as that spare wide centre-back, but it's hard to know whether the defensive weaknesses were to be fully exploited because the attacking play was so bad.
vs Leeds United
2-2: Wednesday, 4th January(Played 90 minutes)
Did not enjoy the running of Rodrigo, Summerville and Gnonto. Was done like a kipper for the first, reacting to a pass that hadn't happened, and was exploited too often with passes in behind.
vs Arsenal
1-3: Monday, 26th December(Played 90 minutes)
Defended the box really well, passed quite well, too. He may force us to play deep, but he can then go out there and play very well.
vs Leicester City
0-2: Saturday, 12th November(Played 90 minutes)
All the bad sides to his game, all the parts you were worried about when he signed, they were on show today.
vs Crystal Palace
1-2: Sunday, 6th November(Played 90 minutes)
The mistake for the goal would leave you to think he is about to get slaughtered here. But, actually, he made some very important interventions in both halves. Had he not first lost the ball and then been beaten by Zaha, he probably gets a 7 or 8. But that's a life that didn?EUR(TM)t happen.
vs Manchester United
0-1: Sunday, 30th October(Played 90 minutes)
Decent job without being too tested.
vs Anderlecht
2-1: Thursday, 13th October(Played 68 minutes, sub)
(Replaced Ogbonna 22) Did his job comfortably and calmly until he injured himself smashing into Downes in the air.
vs Fulham
3-1: Sunday, 9th October(Played 90 minutes)
Did all his defensive work well, calmly, and then won a penalty. Simple.
vs RSC Anderlecht
1-0: Thursday, 6th October(Played 90 minutes)
Other than the chance at the end, the defence was under control. Dawson played well, stepping out on occasion when he just seemed sick of the other team having the ball.
vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
2-0: Saturday, 1st October(Played 90 minutes)
Wolves' lack of a real striker made it an easy day for the central defensive pair. Will be disappointed to have been so easily beaten when Costa headed just wide. Not sure bringing Dawson in helped the progression of the ball from defence at all, but he is a good defender to have if you're going to sit deep.
vs Everton
0-1: Sunday, 18th SeptemberDid not play.
vs Silkeborg
3-2: Thursday, 15th September(Played 90 minutes)
Big Daws back with headed goals in Europe, but some sloppy defending in there.
vs FCSB
3-1: Thursday, 8th September(Replaced Ogbonna 90) BIG DAWS IS BACK.
Servette FC
2-0: Friday, 8th JulyAs the game wore on, it was too easy to get through West Ham. Brighton should have had 6, and whilst them missing chances isn't new, West Ham going to pieces is not as common.
Brighton & Hove Albion
1-3: Sunday, 22nd MayAs the game wore on, it was too easy to get through West Ham. Brighton should have had 6, and whilst them missing chances isn't new, West Ham going to pieces is not as common.
Manchester City
2-2: Sunday, 15th MayA decent and solid performance until the last. That's a sloppy penalty to give away.
Norwich City
4-0: Saturday, 7th MayWon the penalty with his brave attempt to score. Wasn't challenged much at the back, but did make one exceptional block.
Eintracht Frankfurt
0-1: Thursday, 5th MayJust lost too easily for the goal. He doesn't need to stop with him, he has angles to cover, but he overcommits and makes it easy for Knauff and Borre.
Eintracht Frankfurt
1-2: Thursday, 28th AprilPlayed reasonably well, making a few crucial defensive interventions, but there were one-on-one moments where the speed Frankfurt attacked at definitely caught him out.
Chelsea
0-1: Sunday, 24th AprilEasily man of the match until the red card, but it was a sloppy error and confounded by the pull. It would have been a big chance for Lukaku, but not bigger than the penalty and not worth leaving his side without a centre back for the last few minutes and next weekend.
Burnley
1-1: Sunday, 17th AprilComfortable against Burnley, and his passing remained impressive.
Lyon
3-0: Thursday, 14th AprilThe Ballon D'awson. His defending was exemplary, his goal perfect. Harsher critics will mark him down for his passing, but not this reporter. Superb. Man of the match.
Brentford
0-2: Sunday, 10th AprilThe only one who came out of the game with any credit. He has been the best player in this West Ham side for at least a month, if not two or three.
Lyon
1-1: Thursday, 7th AprilStrong in defence, big booming tackles, fantastic range of passing. It is nowhere near an easy task to find a better centre back than him in the summer.
Everton
2-1: Sunday, 3rd AprilWas given an incredibly easy game. Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin kept the defence honest, making runs and offering for the ball, but there was no quality to find or create.
Tottenham
1-3: Sunday, 20th MarchDidn't really look like he knew his role. Kane was allowed to drift away from the defence too easily. Remembering the 3-3 comeback game, the first half was a lesson in why you don't allow Kane to drift off your centre backs when there is space. He punished West Ham brutally, yet again, for giving him the opportunity to play how he wanted to play.
Seville
2-0: Thursday, 17th MarchOne nice, cynical foul early on was the most Dawson seemed to be stretched. Sevilla did have chances, but when the Spaniards really stepped up and tried to put concerted pressure on the West Ham backline, they stood up to it well.
Aston Villa
2-1: Sunday, 13th MarchIn a game where the centre backs were rarely tested, it’s Dawson’s passing that stands out. He managed Watkins well, using some crafty and experienced old tactics to stop him using his pace to expose Dawson. But the passes, Craig. The passes.
Seville
0-1: Thursday, 10th MarchA little bit short of the required quality, or so it felt. He's one of those at the back post for the freekick, so can take some fault, whilst sloppy passes and a lack of pace were exposed a couple of times.
Liverpool
0-1: Saturday, 5th MarchFrustratingly just beaten on his shoulder by Mane for the goal, but otherwise made some incredible interventions to halt chances and stop what looked set to be goals.
Southampton
1-3: Wednesday, 2nd MarchEven if it was a foul, it was not clear and obvious. The inability to use VAR to help the game is now beyond a VAR issue, it is entirely the appalling use of a system to help referees. Dawson will feel not only was he fouled, but he actually did really well to get back and stop the shot. The header for the last goal was a touch weak, but not awful and he won't take the blame.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
1-0: Sunday, 27th FebruaryOne header that could have let Silva in needlessly aside, Dawson was solid and got to defend in the way he likes. Sit him deep and let him defend his area and there’s few better at the basics.
Newcastle United
1-1: Saturday, 19th FebruaryAbsolutely perfect header for the goal. Couldn’t have been placed any better and the power was brilliant. Defended excellently too, winning headers all game and in the right place over and over. Chris Wood might be the perfect opponent for him.
Leicester City
2-2: Sunday, 13th FebruarySaved the day, but did the day job well too. The centre backs did not look unduly concerned by Daka's pace and managed to be proactive defensively and organised to react to danger too. They were let down by their full-backs.
Watford
1-0: Tuesday, 8th FebruaryThe central defenders had a very good game, dealing with most things and reacting well to moments of danger.
Kidderminster Harriers
2-1: Saturday, 5th February(Replaced Diop, 45) The only one defensively who did not look overawed by people working hard and the pitch not being pristine. Are you surprised?
Manchester United
0-1: Saturday, 22nd JanuaryOne sloppy mistake aside - and he’ll usually make one - Dawson defended very well.
Leeds United
2-3: Sunday, 16th JanuaryAs ever with Dawson, the errors you get don't negate him from doing some good defending. His lunge forward on the James chance in the first half was the most exposed he was individually, but he was also part of a defence that looked nothing like a unit that will have been coached and drilled on the training ground.
Norwich
2-0: Wednesday, 12th JanuaryIn amongst a lot of no-nonsense, Craig Dawson defending was a moment where he took down a dropping ball from a corner, flicked it up and volleyed at goal. It came to nothing, but it needs to be remembered.
Leeds United
2-0: Sunday, 9th JanuaryDiop and Dawson were not really tested as the young forward Greenwood never got any change of our Dawson and makeshift forward Dan James didn’t offer anything in the second half.
Crystal Palace
3-2: Saturday, 1st JanuaryNot altogether a great performance from Dawson, but you get much more good than bad with his inconsistency. Was eased out of the way too easily by Mateta at the end, but will argue he forced the striker into the hardest of efforts, whilst should have done better to be on Edouard for the first goal. But some decisive blocks in the first half and dealt with Benteke well when crosses were being thrown in.
Watford
4-1: Tuesday, 28th DecemberRarely tested but not great when he was. Sloppy errors that could have been costly. An absolute bruiser in the air, though.
Southampton
2-3: Sunday, 26th DecemberHis presence in the box and skill in the air hands Antonio a much-needed goal on a plate, but will be disappointed with how he dealt with Broja on the penalty. Maybe give Ward-Prowse credit for the third goal, his delivery is as good as there is and landed perfectly.
Tottenham Hotspur
1-2: Wednesday, 22nd DecemberMarshalled Kane well throughout, the striker's lack of pace and love of a bit of a grapple an absolute joy for a defender like Dawson who is a bit of a throwback and lacks for pace. Defended his box very well.
Arsenal
0-2: Wednesday, 15th DecemberThis will seem harsh, but the eye-catching fantastic challenges do not mean the weaker sides of his game were not there. There are times where you feel he wishes he didn't have to leave his penalty area, because in there he is usually king. Outside of it, backing away from forwards, he is often clumsy.
Burnley
0-0: Saturday, 11th DecemberWill feel he did his job today, one notable block aside it was done how you want it done too. The best performances mean the centre backs don't have to be good, so he can be pleased that he wasn't needed at his best today.
Chelsea
3-2: Saturday, 4th DecemberDefended well, especially so when Lukaku came on. Having to shift to a back four didn’t change how he played. Just contained Lukaku with ease.
Brighton & Hove Albion
1-1: Wednesday, 1st DecemberNot good today. That goal was poor defending, the defence was poor on corners and Brighton had chances to win that game.
Manchester City
1-2: Saturday, 27th NovemberGood in the air and his basics, although sloppy on the ball. Protected well by a good midfield and whole-team defensive performance.
Rapid Vienna
2-0: Thursday, 25th NovemberSloppy on the ball a few times, the work in defence was easy and he handled it all as such, but then threw in his unnecessary errors.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
0-1: Saturday, 20th NovemberSome indefensible mistakes could and should have been punished. His aerial basics were fine, but the defence looked disorganised and his sloppy defending was a big part of it.
Liverpool
3-2: Saturday, 6th November(Replaced Ogbonna, 22) It’s undeniably tough to get into the pace of a game like that, especially as Liverpool had forced us back. Dawson adapted well, was unlucky not to score with a header and defended well.
Genk
2-2: Thursday, 4th NovemberHis aerial threat was all that stood out. In fact, he made two fouls and no tackles, interceptions or clearances. Still, he was not the mess his partner was.
Aston Villa
4-1: Sunday, 31st OctoberDid not play.
Manchester City
0-0: Wednesday, 27th OctoberA good defensive performance and not particularly bothered by the movement and pace of Manchester City. Good penalty.
Tottenham Hotspur
1-0: Sunday, 24th October(Replaced Bowen, 90) Only on for minutes.
KRC Genk
3-0: Thursday, 21st OctoberThe defence was a touch shakier than anyone would have liked, but Dawson’s threat on set pieces began to lift West Ham out of a rut even before he scored.
Everton
1-0: Sunday, 17th October(Replaced Soucek, 79) Didn't have a lot to do, but did his work solidly and in a way that showed he would impose himself physically on his opponents. He came on and played in a way that told Everton he was up for the battle.
Brentford
1-2: Sunday, 3rd OctoberDid not play.
Rapid Vienna
2-0: Thursday, 30th SeptemberUnlucky not to score, especially when he hit the post, and made multiple blocks and headers when called upon.
Leeds United
2-1: Saturday, 25th September(Replaced Bowen 90+2) On for only a few minutes.
Manchester United
1-0: Wednesday, 22nd SeptemberLooked practically bored by the job as he calmly dealt with everything a desperate Manchester United threw at him and his defence. Very calm, stepping in with physical but fair defending to keep the clean sheet he deserved.
Manchester United
1-2: Sunday, 19th SeptemberDid not play.
Southampton
0-0: Saturday, 11th SeptemberThe block on Djenepo’s shot was vital, but his basics were poor again. Some errant passing, whilst the challenge to try rob Broja in the middle was abysmal defending. Not just because he was rolled so easily, but he also left Ogbonna to face a man who had only moments before beat him for pace.
Crystal Palace
2-2: Saturday, 28th AugustSloppy mistake for the goal was sadly expected too. You could see he’d taken too long. The mistake lead indirectly to the goal, and Benteke had control of him all game.
Leicester City
4-1: Monday, 23rd AugustWhilst the defending for their goal was poor, it was not really down to the defence, more the gaps left by the midfield and attack. Threatening in the air from set pieces, he also made a couple of timely interventions that stopped attacks building. The centre backs managed Vardy very well.
Newcastle United
4-2: Sunday, 15th AugustHis decision making was poor all game. The basics of defending were ignored on the first goal, the whole defence was a mess on the second and he looked poor under pressure on every occasion.
Celtic
6-2: Saturday, 24th JulyA good enough performance but Moyes should be concerned that the former Watford man is now his most senior fit centre half - and one of only two.
Celtic
6-2: Saturday, 24th JulyA good enough performance but Moyes should be concerned that the former Watford man is now his most senior fit centre half - and one of only two.
Southampton
3-0: Sunday, 23rd MayThat first half tackle was so good for something so simple and not mentioned again on commentary. Good to see him sign permanently, although it can only be hoped that another centre back of quality is brought in to at least challenge his place.
West Bromwich Albion
3-1: Wednesday, 19th MayGive Craig Dawson a game against Hal Robson-Kanu and he is going to swagger through the game. A big lump of a forward won’t have fun with Dawson, who is as old-fashioned a centre back as there is in the league, short of a broken nose.
Brighton & Hove Albion
1-1: Saturday, 15th MayHad some fine moments, a couple of tackles that may well have saved chances on goal. But he is so easily beaten by a turn of pace and should have scored too.
Everton
0-1: Saturday, 8th MayAgainst real quality, his limitations are exposed. He was slow and ponderous whilst Calvert-Lewin was fast and ready. As a pair, he and Diop seem to only unsettle each other.
Burnley
2-1: Saturday, 1st MayNot always quite in control, and not the presence of Ogbonna who would have been a better presence besides Diop, but a couple crucial interventions when things looked their worst and stood strong against a barrage as the game wore on.
Newcastle United
2-3: Saturday, 17th AprilIt was the kind of performance West Ham fans expected to be regular a occurrence from Dawson, and it was a complete horror show. The first yellow was an unnecessary and lumbering challenge of a defender who had no awareness of his surroundings. The second was as pointless too, throwing himself into it when he had players behind him and was very late.
Leicester City
3-2: Sunday, 11th AprilBrave performance and clearly in more control of the defence than last week. Not the leader Angelo Ogbonna is, but solid.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
3-2: Monday, 5th AprilWon a good amount of headers but he didn’t seem to have the control of his other defenders that Ogbonna would. He needs to lead, especially with Diop, and I am not sure he has been.
Arsenal
3-3: Saturday, 20th MarchThe defence was never settled and he couldn’t do anything to stop the work in front of the defence, whilst three goals from inside the area showed we never dominated our own box.
Manchester United
0-1: Sunday, 14th MarchHe was doing ok until the goal, which was arguably a situation caused by him and then a little unlucky to head it into his own net.
Leeds United
2-0: Monday, 8th MarchThe defence may be a little concerned about the amount of chances Leeds had, but the two big interventions at either end settled the game, and it was Dawson once more proving a vital cog.
Manchester City
1-2: Saturday, 27th FebruaryHe was defensively fine, comfortably average, but it was excellent to see him stepping out and pinging diagonal passes to allow the press to be beaten.
Tottenham Hotspur
2-1: Saturday, 20th FebruaryAs Kane remained in the striker position more than the reverse fixture earlier in the season, Dawson was good in close quarters. He made less desperate challenges than he maybe usually does, but led the defence well.
Sheffield United
3-0: Monday, 15th FebruaryNo fuss, definitely not the kind of defender who is going to be bothered by someone like Billy Sharp. Will have been the leader at the back today and the defence was organised well.
Manchester United
0-1: Tuesday, 9th FebruaryDawson was excellent, making tackles, blocks, interceptions and adapting to lead a defence where of the five of them, four were full backs. Had he scored the header, we’d be through and he would have gone into folklore.
Fulham
0-0: Saturday, 6th FebruaryDesperate defending and throwing your body at blocks is very much in Dawson’s strengths column. Blocks early on saved us from going behind. With the midfield struggling, he stood up to the task.
Aston Villa
3-1: Wednesday, 3rd FebruaryA couple of sloppy moments on the ball, and he did not look too comfortable against the Villa press, were a worry but as the game went on, he does the less attractive, less coveted parts of defending very well. Solid again.
Liverpool
1-3: Sunday, 31st JanuaryThere were moments when his lack of pace and his limitations were exposed. But he also made a couple of very good and powerful challenges that the side had not put in, whilst he took his goal well.
Crystal Palace
3-2: Tuesday, 26th JanuaryFor the first time, Dawson outshone Ogbonna. The goal was excellent, but it was the last ditch defending that kept his side on top. Barely missed a tackle and was as comfortable dealing with Benteke as he was Ayew, Zaha and the rest.
Doncaster Rovers
4-0: Saturday, 23rd JanuaryDid not play.
West Bromwich Albion
2-1: Tuesday, 19th JanuaryMaybe a touch harsh to blame him for the goal, but the lack of pressure on Pereira’s shot was very poor. Dealt with the aerial threat well and was otherwise untroubled.
Burnley
1-0: Saturday, 16th JanuaryNot much with the ball at his feet, but there’s something of the James Collins about how he defends. The type of defender who probably relished the bloody nose he was given in his work.
Stockport County
1-0: Monday, 11th JanuaryThere were a couple of moments he looked nowhere near a Premier League player, but one possibly vital block and the winning goal kicked that into the past and put a shine on his performance.
Everton
1-0: Friday, 1st JanuaryDid his job comfortably, wasn't as actively involved as the defenders around him. His forward passing is quite poor, which is an issue, but when we defend deep, it suits him.
Southampton
0-0: Tuesday, 29th DecemberThere will be very few debuts greeted with less excitement for West Ham, but Dawson belied expectations with strong defending in the air and on the deck. The deep line definitely suits what he is about, but to perform that well when his debut was in December is to his credit as a professional.
Brighton & Hove Albion
2-2: Saturday, 26th DecemberDid not play.
Chelsea
0-3: Monday, 21st DecemberDid not play. Other unused subs: Robert Snodgrass, Andriy Yarmolenko.
Crystal Palace
1-1: Tuesday, 15th DecemberDid not play.
Leeds United
2-1: Friday, 11th DecemberDid not play.
Craig Dawson did not play for West Ham during this season.
Craig Dawson did not play for West Ham during this season.
Craig Dawson did not play for West Ham during this season.
Craig Dawson did not play for West Ham during this season.
Craig Dawson did not play for West Ham during this season.
Craig Dawson did not play for West Ham during this season.
Craig Dawson did not play for West Ham during this season.
Craig Dawson did not play for West Ham during this season.
Craig Dawson did not play for West Ham during this season.
Craig Dawson did not play for West Ham during this season.
Craig Dawson did not play for West Ham during this season.
Craig Dawson did not play for West Ham during this season.
Craig Dawson did not play for West Ham during this season.
Craig Dawson did not play for West Ham during this season.
Craig Dawson did not play for West Ham during this season.
Craig Dawson did not play for West Ham during this season.
Craig Dawson did not play for West Ham during this season.
Craig Dawson did not play for West Ham during this season.
Craig Dawson did not play for West Ham during this season.
Craig Dawson did not play for West Ham during this season.