Michael Dawson: One Tottenham player will ‘be proud’ despite difficult season
Tottenham have had a difficult season, but some players can hold their heads up high despite the circumstances.
Spurs could salvage something from this campaign if they win the Europa League final against Manchester United, but it has been a miserable season.
Ange Postecoglou has had to cope with a lot of injuries, and this saw several players forced to play out of position at various points in the season.
Former Tottenham captain Michael Dawson has now praised one player, and claimed that he can hold his head up high despite the difficulties he faced.
Dawson praises Archie Gray after debut Tottenham season
Archie Gray was one of several young signings for Tottenham last summer, and he was thrust into the deep end this season.
Gray joined as a top prospect from Leeds United, but has had an inconsistent season, and the midfielder was even forced to play at centre-back.
Dawson was talking to Gambling.com as he heaped praise on the teenager, and claimed that there is plenty more to come from him.
“It’s been really hard for Archie [Gray] in his first season as a young player coming in [at Tottenham],” Dawson stated.
“He’s probably been chucked in at the deep end with the injuries that Spurs had in that centre-half position, but I thought he did himself an awful lot of credit. We know that’s not his position; he’s never going to be a centre-half in the long run, but he’s still so young.”
Dawson has also claimed that this experience will help Gray develop.
“That experience, when he looks back in four or five years’ time when he’s played more Premier League games, will stand to him,” he added.
| Tottenham | Premier League | FA Cup | EFL Cup | Europa League |
| Gray appearances | 25 | 2 | 5 | 10 |
“It would have been challenging because no one likes losing football matches.
“He can be proud of his first season [ at Tottenham]. He would like to have played more games in midfield.
“And he would have liked to have been at the top end of the table and challenging, rather than losing so many games, but I think it will be an experience that he’ll grow and be better from.”
Gray will continue to improve at Spurs
Gray has shown flashes of his brilliance at Spurs, but found himself in difficult circumstances as he was forced to fill in at centre-back.
Despite lacking in physical dominance, Gray was tasked with manning a defence which played high up the pitch, and was often left exposed by the midfield.
The 19-year-old now has a season of Premier League and Europa League football under his belt, and this difficult start could actually aid him in his development.
Tottenham are also reportedly interested in signing his younger brother Harry Gray from Leeds, and having both top prospects in North London could help them both develop well.