BBC pundit Garth Crooks has included Wolves defender Craig Dawson in his latest Premier League Team of the Week.
Dawson started once again for Wanderers against Southampton.
After producing a fantastic performance against Liverpool the weekend before, which saw him score on his debut, Julen Lopetegui decided to stick with the 32-year-old alongside Max Kilman.
That meant Nathan Collins again had to contend with a place on the bench.
And Dawson again repaid his manager’s faith and was rock-solid at the back for Wolves on the south coast.
He made a string of important blocks, including one very early one from Romain Perraud.
Dawson’s contributions helped to keep Wolves in the contest.
Ultimately, they were able to come from a goal down, and a man down, to win the game 2-1.
Crooks said of Dawson (BBC Sport): “For the second consecutive week, I find myself singing the praises of Dawson and selecting him in my team. The former West Ham defender seems to have taken total responsibility for Wolverhampton Wanderers’ defending.
“Why Julen Lopetegui, the former Spain manager now in charge at Wolves, would go for such a typical no nonsense English defender like Dawson is of real interest.”
The reason Julen Lopetegui signed Craig Dawson for Wolves is clear, as Garth Crook ponders club’s January swoop
Crooks appears to suggest he isn’t really sure why Lopetegui signed Dawson.
The reason is that Wolves lost Conor Coady, Willy Boly and Romain Saiss last season.
These were three players with huge experience playing in the Premier League, and Wanderers arguably suffered in the first half of the season after losing them.
Lopetegui wanted a vocal and commanding presence at the back.
Dawson was a player who had six months left on his contract in January. And it was reported he was keen to move back up north to be with his family.
It was a no-brainer really. And his first two games so far for Wolves have been absolutely fantastic. He might prove to be Lopetegui’s most important January addition.