Dawson: Contract decision was easy

01 October 2014 09:46

Craig Dawson has described his West Brom U-turn as "easy" after signing a new contract.

The defender has penned a deal until 2017 to draw a line under his summer of uncertainty.

The 24-year-old handed in a transfer request and Albion rejected three bids from Burnley for the player.

Dawson had previously struggled to make an impact at The Hawthorns after moving from Rochdale in 2010.

But after scoring his first goal for the Baggies in their 4-0 win over Burnley on Sunday, Dawson insisted all he wanted was a fair chance.

"It (the contract) was an easy decision to make for me, especially as I was playing games," he said.

"It's hard when you don't play. You work hard in the week, don't get the chance to play, and it affects your fitness and confidence. Everything grows when you play - your confidence, your fitness.

"You never get a promise of football but I was told if I work hard, do the right things, then I would get an opportunity to play.

"It was obviously a tough time in the summer. Speaking to the gaffer it was important for me to play games. That was the main thing really."

Dawson has started all six Barclays Premier League games under head coach Alan Irvine.

The former England Under-21 international is in the best form of his Baggies career and credited Irvine with his rise.

"I had a good chat with the gaffer in the summer," he told the club's official site.

"He has been unbelievable since he came in. He's put in a lot of time and effort with me.

"I needed to play football, the gaffer knew that and I got that opportunity with a few injuries we had in pre-season. The gaffer has put in a lot work with me and it's good to have that opportunity."

Source: PA