Leadership: Bringing the Team Closer Together

[BigDub]

Many things have gone right for Spurs this season, and there are many reasons why. One might sight Harry Redknapp as a significant factor, or our chairman's willingness to improve the side, or even the ability of our squad to cope with the injuries we have had. One important factor that I think often goes overlooked for the successes of Spurs this season has been the solid leadership that we have seemed to be getting from various sources.

It was certainly time for Robbie Keane to be sent away to re-find himself as a footballer. But, I will admit, when he left I was worried, not so much because we couldn't replace his skill, but because he has been the face of our club for so long. I worried that we would have trouble finding someone to step in and motivate our players the way Keane seemed to be able to.

Obviously Ledley King would be one of the first people to come to mind when we talk about veteran leadership on our side. But his inability to play every week (and now his more significant injury) makes consistency (a quality that is very important for a captain) in leading a team quite difficult. Ledley will always be a Spurs legend for everything he has done, but he just has proven unable to consistently be around.

Enter Michael Dawson: It is great when leadership can come from such unlikely places. At the start of the season, Michael found himself on the outside looking in: he wasn't a regular starter and, at best, was seen only as cover for King and Woodgate. But, like many of our players this year, when injuries came around, he stepped up. I don't think enough can be said about Michael and the job he has done for us this season. Yes he has been immense on the pitch with his skill as a defender, but what he has brought as a leader and as a captain is even more vital.

One of the biggest reasons, IMO, that we are having such a successful season is that our players have gelled, they play together as one unit and work well in such a setting. I think Dawson deserves a ton of credit for ensuring that this fact has firmly established itself in our side. For a 26 year old, without a single cap for his country's top side, to come in and fill the shoes of a Spurs (and Ireland) legend with over 280 appearances and more than 110 goals in all competitions for his club, speaks volumes. Dawson deserves so much credit, not only for his leadership, but for the overall success of this team

Leadership is vital to the success of any organization, sports team or otherwise. Spurs should consider themselves lucky that they have found somebody who has been able to step in and provide this vital service for them. Yes, leadership starts at the top with the owners, and then to Harry, but the most important person for team morale and togetherness is the captain. Togetherness and a high morale are two things that we seem to have by the truckload this season, and our clubs leaders are a big reason why.

COYS!

[richh]

Get's my vote!

[Tottenham-ManU]

as always gr8 points bigdub keep it going

[berby999]

Good thread Bigdub, I think Palacios and Dawson lead by example and take no prisoners.

Dawson really has steped up and imo he is always first on the teamsheet as he gives us not only leadership but consistancy. To have the both of these at the back is essential to a good team and consistancy is something we have missed with King and Woodgates injurys.

[424style]

Agreed. Dawson is massive.

[THFC6061]

Dawson has been simply immense for us this season and he well deserves to be considered for England's World Cup squad, in my opinion.

Woodgate aside, Spurs have conceded less goals when Dawson has played this season than any other player...

[Tottenham-ManU]

thats a good stat..but like everybody know dawson really showed his gr8 form n i think as a captain hes good positive n solid

[nickGT]

Dawson is a warrior for spurs. His play this season has been inspiring.