Sky Sports pundit David Prutton has praised Nottingham Forest defender Michael Dawson for the huge impact he has made this season.
The long-time Tottenham Hotspur star has been a revelation since re-joining Forest this summer, making ten appearances and really coming on of late.
Prutton is a big fan: “I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Forest are defending well with him in the team,” he told the Nottingham Post. “He brings leadership, character and he has a connection with the Forest that has gone before.
“You can see how much Forest means to him given the way he reacted during that Leeds game when [Kemar] Roofe punched the ball in. The way he goes about his job leading the side is fantastic and he still looks like a fresh faced kid who is loving his football.”
OPINION
Prutton is spot on, here. Dawson made a slow start to his second spell at Forest, he wasn’t really able to get in the starting line up at first, but he has come on hugely in recent weeks. His impact has been huge and he’s such a reassuring presence at the heart of Aitor Karanka’s side. He’s clearly still enjoying doing what he’s doing and to do it with his first professional club has obviously given him a new lease of life. At 35 years of age you obviously need to surround him with pace at the back but Forest are doing a good job of maximising his strengths and negating his weaknesses. His experience will be key for the team this campaign in the fast and furious Championship, and he will likely emerge as a key figure over the busy Christmas period. He’ll be able to come into the team every other game and provide an experienced, unflustered presence in the Forest backline.