The Sheffield Wednesday boss has defended this one under-fire Owls man after the Cardiff City defeat.
Sheffield Wednesday welcomed Cardiff City to Hillsborough yesterday afternoon.
And the Owls looked like they were on their way to victory after Anthony Musaba netted his fourth Championship goal of the season during the first half.
Cardiff were barely in it throughout, but they found a route back into the game midway through the second half when Karlan Grant saw his cross deflected into the Wednesday goal.
And with minutes to go, Cameron Dawson fumbled an effort into the path of Kion Etete, who managed to fumble the ball into Akin Famewo, with an own goal sealing a Cardiff win.
Cameron Dawson under-fire
Dawson has been a key talking point among Sheffield Wednesday fans this season,
He’s managed to cement his place in the XI under Danny Rohl, but he continues to divide opinion with his performance yesterday causing quite a stir on social media.
Many fans continue to call for Devis Vasquez to be reinstated as the starting goalkeeper. But Rohl has defended the 28-year-old Dawson.
Rohl said after the game:
“For the goalkeeper, it’s not easy. I think all the goals started from another area of the pitch. We can block the shot, we can be online, we can help our goalkeeper as well. It happens in football. For me, it’s more of a disappointment, for sure the two conceded goals but more that we take nothing. If you control like this, the game, then it’s harder to accept.”
The Star also rated Dawson’s performance vs Cardiff as 4/10.
Should Devis Vasquez start against Coventry City?
Dawson has potentially given Rohl a very tough decision to make ahead of the Boxing Day clash vs Coventry City.
Dawson arguably cost Sheffield Wednesday the win yesterday; for the first goal, he could maybe have reacted faster, and the second was definitely avoidable.
There’s growing pressure on Rohl to drop Dawson and bring back Vasquez, but Rohl clearly favours Dawson over the AC Milan loan man as he’s stuck with Dawson since coming in.
Vasquez is a good shot-stopper. He showed that in games against Leeds United and Ipswich Town earlier in the season, but he’s vastly inexperienced.
Coming into the XI at such a crucial time of the season may be difficult for Vasquez, and the pressure would be on him to perform given Dawson’s contested performances of late.
With January around the corner though, giving Vasquez a run out in the final two games of 2023 may be a shrewd move for Rohl, as it’ll give him a clearer indication of whether he needs a new goalkeeper next month.