Among a number of talking points at Sheffield Wednesday this season, the goalkeeping spot has been one.
Sheffield Wednesday brought in a new goalkeeper in Devis Vasquez in the summer.
The Colombian international joined on loan from AC Milan and looked set to be the Owls‘ no.1 throughout this campaign, but that hasn’t been the case so far.
Vasquez has featured nine times in the Championship with Danny Rohl opting for Cameron Dawson since his arrival, and much to the concern of Sheffield Wednesday fans.
Many feel like Vasquez should be reinstated as the no.1 goalkeeper but Dawson continues to keep his spot in the XI.
Sheffield Wednesday fans told Cameron Dawson deserves ‘bit more respect’
Dawson is a Sheffield-born player who rose through the ranks at Hillsborough, having so far racked up 120 total appearances for Sheffield Wednesday, with 44 clean sheets to his name.
But he’s never truly held down the no.1 spot having always been fighting for the starting berth.
And amid this season’s struggles, and indeed some individual mistakes in certain games, Dawson has come under quite heavy scrutiny.
But speaking in the latest Football Heaven podcast, reporters Rob Staton and Joe Crann discussed the criticism on Dawson’s head this season, with Staton saying:
“There are other people you can point a finger at long before Cameron Dawson, who had a fantastic season last year, made some critical saves at the end of the season, especially at Wembley, and deserves a bit more respect from certain fans, in my opinion, then he’s getting.”
Crann added:
“I think there’s a little bit of a hangover from before. There’s still that element of, the last time we were in the Championship and people say, ‘oh, he’s not improved’, which is nonsense. He’s won back-to-back promotions. Cam has done well.”
The Dawson vs Vasquez debate
It’s a tricky one with no clear answer.
But Rohl has so far opted for Dawson, despite the criticism he’s faced, and in the last two games he’s proved his worth.
He made a vital save towards the end of the Leicester City game and also played his part in the win over Blackburn, and Rohl will be delighted to see his faith repaid.
And in Rohl, Sheffield Wednesday have a clearly talented manager and tactician, so if he opts for Dawson over Vasquez then it could be safe to assume that Dawson is the better option.
But in Vasquez, Rohl has a decent no.2, and the Colombian will be keeping Dawson on his toes going forward.
Sheffield Wednesday are back on the road next weekend, with a trip to Stoke City on the agenda.