It took the defender just 12 minutes to make his mark at Wolves, with Dawson popping up to give his new team a two-goal advantage at home to Liverpool 19 days ago. But having fallen to Bournemouth in their latest Premier League outing, the former West Ham United man insists head coach Julen Lopetegui does not allow the players to let the positive or negative results affect their moods and will be trying all they can to get back to winning ways against Fulham on Friday evening.
On bouncing back at Fulham
“It was a tough game and a difficult one to take against Bournemouth. A 1-0 loss at home after the results we’ve had recently was tough to take. But in the two previous games we had two great results, so it was a little bit of a setback for us.
“But we know we’re going to have those moments, it’s about what we do after that which counts. We’re going to learn from that game, and we’ve had a good week on the training pitch, so hopefully we’re going to put that right against Fulham.
“Fulham are a great team. If you go through their squad, they’ve got a brilliant team, so it’s going to be a tough game – we know that.
“We know that we’re going to have to be at our best, but we’ve had a good week on the training pitch so we’re well prepared and hopefully we can get a good result. We’ve got some tough games coming up, but they’re games we’re looking forward to.”
On first month at Wolves
“The move was talked about in the summer and it didn’t quite happen, but we got there in the end. The January window doesn’t give you much time to settle in, but I was delighted that we were able to get it over the line and get started straight away.
“Settling in was quite easy and the first game against Liverpool, 3-0, it makes everything a lot easier. It’s been a good start and it’s a great group to be part of – one that wants to work hard and has a top, top quality manager as well, bur the lads have all been great
“It’s a really good group, a really tight-knit group and they all welcomed me very well and have been really helpful. But that’s the spirit we need now for the rest of the season. We need to stick together as a group, no matter what the results, we keep focused and working hard together as a team.”
On working under Lopetegui
“He’s obviously a top manager. He’s been at some great clubs and has some great experience. I played against him in the quarter-final of the Europa League and I remember playing against his team and seeing the passion that he had at the side of the pitch.
“When Wolves came in for me in January, I obviously wanted to work for him and come to the club, so I was really excited to do that.
“I’m really enjoying working with him so far and look forward to learning a lot more from him. He’s very passionate, very hard working and he keeps everybody on their toes.”
On scoring on his debut
“You always look at that first game and Liverpool at home is not an easy game, but we started the game well, so to get a goal just 12 minutes into it settled me down and gave me a good start.
“But being a defender, you need to keep clean sheets because that’s what you’re paid to do, but it’s always nice to pop up with a goal and luckily in my career, whatever club I’ve been at I’ve managed to get a couple of goals, so they’re a bonus really.
“It was a good start and one that we’ll be looking to build on. We know we’ve got great challenges this season, but one that we’re all looking forward to.”
On giving advice to his younger teammates
“You’ve just got to enjoy every moment. Work hard, but you need to enjoy it and remain grounded. Don’t take the highs too high and don’t take the lows too low.
“There’s always ups and downs in football, that’s the way it is. You can be up one week and down the next, but you just have to stay focused throughout, not take them either way and enjoy the moment. We’re lucky enough to play in this league – the best league in the world, so it’s all about enjoying it, but staying focused.”
On his aims for the season
“For me personally, I just take each game as it comes. Obviously, you want to play every game and you want to win every game, but as a group and a team, we just have to focus on every game right to the end, work hard every week and hopefully we can get a positive result.
“I want to enjoy the experience and use my experience to help others in the team and we’ll see where it takes us. We’ve been working hard, so if we take every game as it comes, hopefully we can start a run.”
