Spurs: Michael Dawson - Tottenham's Unsung Hero

A lot of praise has gone to the Welsh wizard that is Gareth Bale for Tottenham's recent run of impressive form and, while I have long been an advocate of the fact that Spurs are so much more than a one man team, I would like to take a look at an individual whose contribution has been somewhat overlooked but is an absolutely crucial part of the Spurs team.

Michael Dawson; A man who is a model professional on the field and a gentleman off it. In a sport/industry in which very few individuals can truly be looked up to as role models, Dawson is one of those who can genuinely say he is one. Not that the unassuming man ever would. His contribution this season has been fantastic. After having nearly been sold in the summer of 2012 (and, bizarrely, in January 2013 despite his performances) Dawson has put his head down and worked his way back in to the Spurs team, where he is now the captain and an integral part of the defence.

In Dawson's 13 league starts this season, Spurs haven't lost a single game and it's no coincidence that in Spurs' last league defeat (against Everton way back on December 16th of last year) Dawson was not playing. Had he been playing, the two late, late goals that condemned his team-mates to a 2-1 defeat might not have happened.

Dawson has also improved the style of his game somewhat. Sure, he can still be a 'hoofer' when necessary and he does still frustratingly play those long, diagonal balls that rarely work on the odd occasion, but most of the time he is playing simple passes along the ground and keeping possession - perhaps having been influenced by the very cultured play of Jan Vertonghen - while still being a dominant force in the air and a very hard man to get past. Surely it won't be long before the likeable 29 year old adds to his 4 England caps? National manager Roy Hodgson was present at White Hart Lane for the North London derby on Sunday - a match in which Dawson was immense alongside man of the match Jan Vertonghen. What do you think? Have you been impressed with Michael Dawson? Who else deserves praise in the Tottenham team, apart from Gareth Bale? Let us know in the comments!