BBC Radio Sheffield broadcaster Rob Staton has defended Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Cameron Dawson. The Owls stopper was left on the bench last night as Wednesday defeated Stockport County on penalties in the Carabao Cup.
Now, speaking on Football Heaven, the journalist has jumped to the defence of the Sheffield-born goalkeeper. After he saved two penalties last night, many fans have been calling for Devis Vasquez to keep the gloves for the trip to Hull on Saturday.
Dawson was the number-one custodian last season at Hillsborough. He made 33 appearances for the Owls and kept a pretty impressive 17 clean sheets for the club he supported as a youngster.
It was the second promotion in succession for Dawson. The year previous he had been on loan with Exeter in League Two as they won promotion to the third tier.
It does seem as though Dawson comes in for a certain level of criticism. Staton doesn’t believe that much of it is justified and has now said his piece on the debate surrounding the Wednesday goalkeeper.
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He told Football Heaven: “I do not understand some of the stick that people give Cameron Dawson. It’s remarkable. Not just because he’s a local lad and a great guy. I just don’t get it. He’s done nothing wrong apart from that one goal against Peterborough and because of the Miracle of Hillsborough that didn’t matter anyway. Where is this evidence that he’s not good enough.”
Wednesday goalkeeper Dawson defended by Staton
This was a nice touch from Staton and in fairness, he’s got a point. Dawson has always given his all for Wednesday and he certainly couldn’t do anything about the Southampton goals that were scored on Friday night.
The performance of Vasquez last night wasn’t bad. He couldn’t do anything with the goal and he did manage to save two penalties during the shootout to guide Wednesday through to the next round.
Still, the Owls were playing League Two opposition. It’s hardly a great barometer for what he’s capable of and Dawson will surely remain as the club’s number one goalkeeper for now.
The 28-year-old deserves this opportunity at Wednesday. He’s done the hard yards out on loan and Xisco Munoz would be wise to keep faith with Dawson moving forwards.