With Wolverhampton Wanderers firing blanks at one end, the last thing caretaker Steve Davis needed was to see his charges start shooting themselves in the foot at the other. The burgeoning centre-half partnership of Nathan Collins and Max Kilman was, at one point, a rare ray of sunshine piercing through the pitch-black clouds casting Molineux into shadow.
During their last four games, however, Wolves have conceded 10 goals; including three during Saturday’s demoralising home defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion.
Collins and Kilman, aged 21 and 25 respectively, could still become one of the Premier League’s most watertight partnerships at some point in their Old Gold careers. But with the pressure on Wolves reaching unbearable levels, with the threat of relegation rising, some serious questions are now being asked about the logic of letting Conor Coady join top-flight rivals Everton on loan in the summer.
Coady was not only Wolves’ captain. He was also, at 29, the most consistent, experienced member of the backline. Coady has more Premier League games under his belt than Kilman and Collins combined.
What’s more, the England international is showing his parent club what they’re missing at Goodison Park too. Everton have conceded an average of one goal a game with Coady in the XI. Wolves, meanwhile, are currently letting in 1.5 per game.
West Ham United’s Craig Dawson can be the Conor Coady replacement Wolves need
Reports suggesting that West Ham are looking to bring in New York Red Bulls skipper and USA international Aaron Long on a free transfer in the January transfer window, then, potentially hands Wolves an opportunity that simply cannot pass them by (TEAMtalk). Not if they are to stave off the very real threat of a return to those midweek trips to Preston, Bristol and co.
It is no secret that Craig Dawson, formerly of West Brom, wants to return to the Midlands for personal reasons (Sky Sports). Wolves were set to sign the veteran defender on the final day of the summer window too, only for West Ham to back out of negotiations after failing to bring in a replacement.
Jan Bednarek, after talks with the Hammers, chose Aston Villa instead.
“Wolves had made an offer,” David Moyes tells The Standard of the £7 million-rated Dawson. “I think it came quite close but it didn’t get over the line.”
Dawson’s contract expires next summer. And, according to Give Me Sport, West Ham are unlikely to stand in his way in the New Year. Especially with soon-to-be-free-agent Long (another right-sided centre-half) potentially on his way to the London Stadium.
‘He’s unbelievable’
Now, 32-year-old Dawson would hardly be the most glamorous first signing of the Julen Lopetegui era at Molineux. But he could be the most important; providing some much-needed experience and consistency to a Wolves side badly lacking in both areas.
“He’s been unbelievable,” West Ham team-mate Michail Antonio says of arguably the Premier Leauge’s most underrated centre-half.
“He’s been a rock at the back. (Dawson is) like an old-school centre-half. He’s tough, he fights, he’s solid, he’s not scared to (fight). He’s been quality and he’s been solid for us.”
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