Wrexham continue to be linked with signing experienced players as Phil Parkinson targets additions for the Championship.
Phil Parkinson has regularly called on experienced performers to help Wrexham move through the leagues.
Ben Tozer, James McClean, Steven Fletcher and Jay Rodriguez all spring to mind, with their know-how ultimately helping Wrexham on this journey.
Wrexham have been signing younger players alongside the experience, but rumours so far this summer have pointed towards more veteran additions.
34-year-old Tom Cairney has been linked with Wrexham and Parkinson has one eye on 35-year-old Aaron Cresswell.
Another experienced player was linked over the weekend as reports suggested Wrexham are keen on signing defender Craig Dawson.
Ben Foster’s past verdict on Wrexham target Craig Dawson
Dawson is leaving Wolverhampton Wanderers this summer and Parkinson could sign him on a free transfer.
The 35-year-old would bring bags of Premier League experience and could reunite with former West Bromwich Albion teammate McClean.
Dawson also played with former Wrexham goalkeeper Ben Foster; in fact, no player has made more appearances alongside Dawson, given that they played together at both West Brom and Watford.
Foster has previously explained Dawson’s mentality, not just in games but also in training sessions.
Speaking to TalkSPORT in 2022, Foster noted that Dawson is just as committed in training as he is on the pitch.
Foster suggested that Dawson ‘will kick people’s faces off’ in order to protect his goal, also praising him for running through tackles.
Foster added that Dawson is similarly ‘horrible’ in training, admitting that the defender’s mentality simply does not change.
“I’ve got to say Craig Dawson plays exactly the way he trains,” said Foster. “You see him on the pitch and he will kick people’s faces off, he would run through tackles and everything.
“He’s like that in training as well, he’s horrible. He’s a horrible man!” he added.
That fighting mentality may well appeal to Parkinson, and Foster would surely give a resounding verdict on the centre-back if asked by the Wrexham boss.
Ben Foster on Craig Dawson injuring goalkeepers
When Foster says Dawson is ‘horrible’, it’s all in a positive sense.
Goalkeepers love having defenders in front of them who will kick and head everything away, putting their body on the line for the cause.
That is great when defenders like Dawson are ploughing through opposition attackers, but Foster has also joked about goalkeepers being on the receiving end.
As quoted on the official Premier League website in 2019, Foster recalled a story of Dawson smashing into former West Brom goalkeeper Alex Palmer during a set-piece drill.
Foster even joked about warning Watford players of the damage Dawson can do in training, asking him to keep it for opponents.
“I remember there was a time with Alex Palmer, the young goalie,” said Foster.
“It was a Friday, the day before the game, and we were practising set-pieces. It was almost like a walk-through, not serious.
“Somebody whipped a ball in and Palmer came out to take it, all nice and easy, thinking, ‘It’s only a walk-through’. No, you went smash, absolutely wellied through him.
“I’ve already warned the goalies here. I’ve told them to stay away from you in training, that you’re like a walking injury. If you could just leave it for the games that would be brilliant,” he added.
Dawson may be coming towards the end of his career, but adding his mentality to this Wrexham squad could be very appealing.
Parkinson will want Wrexham to remain strong and secure defensively and a warrior like Dawson could be a valuable addition.
We can understand some scepticism given his age, but Dawson could be a brilliant influence on Max Cleworth and Lewis Brunt for the future – as long as there are no injuries in training!