By Stockers
May 8 2002

I've got the tin hat and flak jacket on but can I appeal on behalf of the defence of one Matthew Dawson against some of the "complaints" being made on the COYSDC message board. Daws has been a loyal and committed servant of this club since before professional rugby began. OK, he appears on the media rather too often for some peoples liking but I'd rather see Daws than some of the talking heads on the telly at the moment. I agree that he seems a bit troubled at the moment. After Smudger's arrival and by his own admission, Matt seemed to be reborn as a scrum half par excellence. But his recent performances have been below his own high standards. At least he had the guts to admit as much after the huge disappointment that was the Powergen final. The question is though, how do we as "supporters" respond? Do we, as some have done on the message board say "Passed the sell by date, get rid of him....and anyone else who had a bad game" forgetting the fantastic performances we have seen from him this season. Semi final against Newcastle ring any bells? Or do we say, "Well that wasn't much cop as a performance Daws, but we are still behind you, you'll get through this bad patch, we still want you to be part of this great club, we want you to stay a Saint and be the best 9 in England" Wayne Smith will sort out any leadership issues within the squad, not us as supporters. Ask yourself these questions. Do we think we could bear to see Matt Dawson playing for any other Premiership or European club? Can we not, as the much vaunted "family" of Saints fans, relate to our own experiences? Would we, as members of that "family" cast out an errant member of the family who was going through a bit of a bad patch without trying to help? Matt will know only too well that he is underperforming, not least when measured against his own high standards. Surely it is up to us as supporters to be supportive, rather than condemnatory. Leave the counselling and coaching to the coach and lets stick to what Saints fans do best. Stockers