The pair played together at Bolton Wanderers during the 2012/13 campaign, with Dawson a youngster at the time, and on Sunday the defender made Molineux his new home, joining from West Ham United. Speaking to Matchday Live Extra ahead of the clash with Manchester City, Ricketts spoke of his former team mate's hunger to succeed in old gold and backs him to settle instantly and start helping his new club with his knowledge of the division.
On Wolves bringing in Dawson
“Craig is a player I know well and know personally. I know it’s been going on for six months or so, going back to the last transfer window. He was desperate to come, he was desperate to come last transfer window, and I know he’s really pleased to be there now.
“I think if you look at the Wolves side, certainly at the start of the year, I think the reason they were after him was because we had two very young centre backs, and he just brings a level of experience in, but also knows the league, so can settle in straight away.
“We’ve signed very good players from abroad, but if you bring someone in who knows the Premier League very well, he’ll be important, the next six month certainly, for Wolves.”
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On his experience and leadership
“’Daws’ is a good lad, he’ll commit to training every day. I can imagine, looking in from afar, he’ll bring a bit of the Conor Coady effect to be honest. ‘Coads’ galvanised the team and I think hopefully Daws can bring that to the team.
“He’ll bring a bit of competitiveness and experience, and confidence to the team, from a defensive aspect anyway, because he’s a defender, he’s not as good as other players will be on the ball, and I know he won’t mind me saying that, but he’s a defender, he will block, he will head, and he can score a few goals as well.”
On his defensive playing style
“He’s not terrible on the ball, I’m probably digging him down a bit, but what he is very good at – he’s been at West Ham and playing very well – is giving it to the players who can play. He’ll know his limitations and if Ruben Neves is free, he’ll give him the ball. He’ll do the tackling, the heading and put his had in where it hurts and get kicked and shoved, then keep it simple.”
