I remember reading that Kieron Dyer might have joined West Ham from Ipswich Town in the 1990s! Apparently Redknapp had agreed personal terms with Dyer and all that remained was to negotiate a transfer fee with Ipswich. That’s where the deal got de-railed, we in effect lost the player for the sake of £500,000. Allegedly we bid £5m and Newcastle Utd came in with a counter bid of £5.5m, which we failed to match. The rest, as they say, is history!
When he finally joined us in 2007-08, I viewed the move with some mixed feelings. Yes, Dyer was a very talented England international midfielder, blessed with lighting pace, excellent technique and the ability to play in a variety of positions. However, he was also a player with a chequered injury record during his time with Newcastle Utd.
There was no denying his ability and the valuable attributes that he could bring to our first team squad. In addition, he appeared fit and in good form, so there was no reason why he could not make a positive impact. In cautiously welcoming the signing, I had assumed that Curbishley would pick & choose his games and prioritise the PL match programme. I well remember arguing before the fateful Bristol Rovers Carling Cup Tie that it was not the type of match he should have played in. I was to be proven right, as he sustained a double break of the leg playing against lower league opponents!
The injury although serious, was a clean break. With the right treatment and rehabilitation there was no reason why he should not made a full recovery within a reasonable time-scale. However, medical complications and a variety of collateral pulls and strains delayed his return and then continually kept him out of the first team frame. This must have been extremely frustrating for the player. It certainly was for the fans, some of whom become increasingly cynical about the player’s prolonged non-availability.
Personally, I never lost sight of the players ability and the attributes that he could bring to the team. It was just frustrating that the best efforts of the player and the medical team could not seem to secure the necessary fitness to challenge for a regular first team place.
Dyer remains an outstanding talent, who can improve our first XI and significantly strengthen the quality of our bench. His comeback game against Stoke City Reserves was certainly very impressive, as he scored a brace and provided a number of assists. In that match Dyer played in the hole, but has the versatility to play right across midfield or even as an auxiliary striker. Although now 30 years of age, the injuries do not seem to have undermined Dyer’s pace and, in addition, he has added greater experience to his many other fine qualities as a player.
Dyer now appears fit and in good form. And there is a suggestion that he could be in the selection mix for the forthcoming home fixture with Man Utd. Maybe, just maybe, now is the time for him to start bringing his undoubted ability to bare and make a major positive contribution to turning our season around?
SJ Chandos.
He's played 2 games, I suggest we put him in the shop window now! someones bound to take a gamble.
If he plays the four of five leading up to Jan, then yes, he could most certainly be picked up. Otherwise there's no hope of selling him as his wage bill is just too big for clubs to take on. I'm afraid we're stuck with him Chris! So let's hope he plays.
The Geordies were so glad to rid themselves of him 80 grand a week is a good wage but that tackle on him at Bristol was diabolical you wonder if that thug is still playing.
I think his body is not up to the demands in the top flight but he would have been a good weapon for us and England that is life!
I do agree with you SJ, and I do have sympathy for the him because of the injuries that have blighted his career.
If he's fit though it might be time to cash in on him while we have the opportunity. If we ever needed to reduce the wage bill, he's a prime candidate. Our ROI from him is very low and on previous history is unlikely to improve as he gets older.
Considering the injuries we have in the squad, it could be a timely return and if he gets in the first team against Man U then his pace and ability will be welcome for sure. Football, like rugby I guess, is a cruel sport unlike many others as the game itself is dangerous – we can all think of some of the more horrific tackles that have taken out talent for prolonged periods. Then again, there are players who seem to avoid these – Sherringham is an example, Giggs etc.. and they play a full and rewarding career. I do feel sorry for Dyer and from one view point he could be seen as an expensive waste, but from the players view – all of his talent and promise have been hindered by injury. If sport is your career and that is what you have invested yoursel into then it must be very hard to cope when you are injuryed for long periods, especially considering you only have 15 or less so years in which to play at a high level. My buisness head would say 'cash in on him' my sporting head says 'lets hope he can show us what he can do'.
good post, wavid.
Dyer's legs are made of balsa wood,he can't take a tackle,we should cash in when ever possible.
The broken leg was a one off incident which could have happened to anyone- it just so happened to be Dyer. It's his hamstrings whish are the real concern and he has suffered with these all his career. In my opinion they are shot and he will never string a season together. We should never have bought him and I feel sorry that he has not been able to prove his talent and the desire for the game he most definitely has.
Again, it's not his fault the club signed him on a massive wage. Take your anger out on the club, not Dyer! Hopefully I am wrong and he plays the rest of the season because if he did we would be challenging for Europe and he'd have ten or so goals by his name…
It is funny to see Lampard come out and say if he can win the world cup with England next year West ham fans will say great because he came through our academy Lamps Scott Parker may give you a run for your money!
Hi Aussie
On reflection I now think the stick Lamps gets is unjustified. I think any WHU supprter would be unhappy at the club if a member of their family was sacked in such a way, whatever you think of Redknapp. Unfortunately he didn't handle the reaction from the crowd very well or the politics around his departure.
Good luck to him, most of us underestimated him at the time and I'm pleased another ex hammer is doing so well.
I'll cheer him at this World Cup even if he doesn't score the winner. I haven't always felt like that though.
I'd love to see Parker make the squad and they are better suited to playing with each other than Lamps Gerrard.
COYI, Come on England.
Spot on, Elf72.
Like Ashton, Dyer has been very unlucky and I am sure both guys have worked very hard to regain fitness, however ………. they have been paid fanastically well during all this time, and I feel if Dyer can come back and impress ( a big ask) then we should sell him on for whatever we can get. We are a club in financial chaos and unless someone buys us off the banks within the next 6 months we could go into meltdown. We cannot afford players like Dyer who is a very poor return on investment. Give me any of the up and coming academy youngsters who are fully available and potentially equally talented.
I sincerely hope that Kieron Dyer returns to full fitness and terrorises opposition defences for us for the next 3-4 seasons. Injury has deprived him of several dozen England caps, as it did Alan Devonshire, which is, and was, a massive loss to our national team as well as our club.
http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,16368,18…
great news…
big johnny hartson on the mend !!!!
Brilliant, Brilliant news. A separate blog post for this please chaps?
Oh come on, we have the exact same conversation everytime he makes a comeback! I have sympathy for him, I really do. On his day, with no injuries and with full match fitness he is a top drawer player.
But those days will never return for him now! He will never be a top class Prem player again! He is made of glass and we all know he will out again for another few months in a game or 3.
He should just be laid to fallow now. Sorry but it's true.
And to be totally honest SJ, I'm quite surprised that you think the way you do about him. Are you grasping at straws becasue you so badly want someone to turn our season around?
Sorry but that person won't be Kieron Dyer.
More rumours than hot dinners: West Ham will let Matt Upson go to Man City for an un resistable sum. Rob Green will go to Tottenham in a part ex deal involving David Bently. Zola is counting on the much talked about takeover and has earmarked a surprise big name to come in and appease the fans, all be it at the later stages of his career. Like Upson & Green Dyer is now coming to the end of his contract 18mths/2yrs. So it could be that he may too be sold come the summer although the club say sales are not compulsory to bring in new blood.__We hope that Dyer will be able to offer at least a period of sustained fitness to help us to mid/top of table____
I wonder which club is that stupid they would buy an injury prone and high-paid player like Kieron Dyer
Man City springs to mind.
Well, if he goes he certainly won't get the money he is getting now. And if he got a "pay per play" deal he'll be down the job centre.
In all seriousness, a fit Dyer would be a great asset to us as he is a real quality player. With all the injuries, however, I can't see it happening. But a real bonus if it does.
Its hard not to think about what a fit Kieron Dyer could bring to the team but its like wondering what waking up on Christmas morning and finding Keeley waiting to be unwrapped, its a fun distraction but deep down you know its never going to happen.
We may have simply set light to £12M at least it could have kept us warm for a bit. Personally I dont feel in the least bit sorry for Dyer, not while he is picking up £80k a week for sitting on his arse. If he had handed back something to the club, either a portion of his wages or working with the youth team passing on advice then I would say fair enough. The same goes for Ashton, but to simply come in for treatment and pick up your wage really gets on my wick.
People can talk all the want about how unlucky Dyer is but recovery is 90% mental. You only have to look at the type of palyer who comes back from a career ending injury, the likes of Van Nystlerooy or Inzaghi fought back and went on to become even better players but Dyer and Ashton simply dont seem to have make up. Even Terry Dixon was told at 17 that his career was over before it had really started but he refused to accept it and will have a much bigger impact on WestHams future than either Dyer or Ashton.
If Dyer plays and plays well then fair enough but I wouldnt be planning around him.
Giving back some of his salary to the club?? That's a bit naive Celtic. I don't know anyone, in any profession, who would do that. It's not his fault that he was given the contract he was. Who in their right mind would turn down that sort of money?
And while I agree that there is an element of mental approach in getting over injuries it certainly isn't 90%. Sometimes, if a bone doesn't heal say, it's nearer 0%. Each one is different and comparing injuries is like comparing apples with carrots.
I have now read 3 seperate interviews with Scott Parkers since he assumed the armband. Talking about the team in an honest but upbeat way. His comments after Burnley were refreshingly open. I dont think I have read 3 interviews from that plank Upson all season, certainly not 3 about the club or the team.
At this point I would give Upson away just to have Scotty made full time captain.
On another point its fantastic news about Super Johnny Hartson winning his battle against cancer. It just goes to show what the right attitude can do in the face of massive adversity. Cancer made a big mistake in picking a fight with Big John!
Love Parkers belief and enthusiasm. Just what the squad needs.
Poor guy has been hit in the face with more balls than Rock Hudson!
With CC out for 6 weeks, who do you all want to replace him up-front?
Is it too early for Big Frank Nouble or perhaps Dixon could explode onto the scene?
Personally if Dixon is fit enough I would love to see him given 3 or games on the bounce to see what he has.
Our options are not good so it's either Hines, Nouble or Dixon playing with Franco
I'm in the "I hope Dyer stays fit for the rest of the season and contributes to our progress up the league" camp.
As I said on another thread, if he did stay fit for the rest of the season, it's not inconceivable for him to make the WC squad. Infinitely better than Barry, Carrick, Jenas & Huddlestone, only Parker could stop him!
Back to tomorrow; Someone posted that Cole being injured will work to our advantage as Hines will cause mayhem. Well, I suggest they watch last season's game again, whene Cole ran Rio & Vidic ragged!! Hines has promise but does look a little boy lost sometimes. I would play Franco up on his own tomorrow and strengthen the midfield. Let's keep the game tight and throw Stan & Hines on late on.
I might be cynical but I doubt his fitnes. If he really is fit he has the ability to produce some magic
Lets hope Kovac is on the bench or stays at home !! We surely have better than him available. Noble is head and shoulders better than this fella.
Kovac is rubbish! But Noble is no better!
Matt, it seems to me that you've declared Nobes doomed because of his lack of form in THIS season. Let me remember you, that our own academy graduate has shown what he can do. There is lot more to come out from him, lets be patient
Well, yes to be honest, I am basing my views on his form this season. His form last season is no good to us
In my opinion, his form this season is no better (or marginally better at best) than Kovac's form
He is out anyway. He does have a virus.
Midfield should be (in my opinion) Parker, Stan, Collison and DIaminti just in front.
Matt, if Stan is one of the three behind Diamanti we will get totally exposed. He's got potential but his biggest weakness is the defensive side of his game. If Man U turn it on your choice of midfield will be shredded.
Apparently, Noble may be over his virus and, if he is, I would play him despite his below-average season so far, although he has not been anywhere near as bad as a lot of people make out.
Gianfranco has confirmed that Carlton Cole will be out for a matter of weeks but is unable to confirm a date for his comeback at this time. So we look to the new year and end of January for his return.
Just heard end of Jan on SS.
I know we are scoring ok but if we dont sort something out in Jan, the next half of the season is going to be sooooooooo long!
[...] Is Kieron Dyer Finally Ready to Make a Major Contribution? | West …I remember reading that Kieron Dyer might have joined West Ham from Ipswich Town in the 1990s! Apparently Redknapp had agreed personal terms with Dyer and. [...]
If Dyer is ready to make a contribution I can't see this as being the best game for him to come back into the first team.
Talented though he may be, I think we should consider cashing in on him. It would save a fortune on wages – which could go toward the purchase of… who knows? perhaps Luca Toni?
Even if the fee is nominal we have to face the fact that it just hasn't worked for Kieron at West Ham.
Surely Zola has got his eye finally on someone who will settle in?Balotelli , Chamakh,Toni give us someone better than Savio!Lucky the younger players at the club are performing better or we would be in deep trouble.
This is one topic that has me completely split. Very recent reports suggest that Dyer is in top form but my head tells me that we are only the next game away from the next injury that'll put him out for another 6 months or so. I feel exactly the same for Dyer now as I do for Ashton. As sad and heartless as this may sound, these guys are raking it in but not delivering. In the 'real' world, we all are expected to do something to earn our salaries. We all live in hope, but if you were the employers , and especially in the current climate, could you afford these luxuries? We are due one hell of a return for the patience that has been granted to Kieron and Deano, but there has to come a time when enough is enough. Would love for either of them to eat my words, starting tomorrow, but being realistic, I really can't see it. I hope I'm wrong though. Rant over! COYI
The problem, Ray, is the structure of football as a whole which hands out contracts like confetti and you can't blame the players for accepting them. If a paid employee of an organisation doesn't deliver they can be appraised, warned and then removed. The terms of a players contract don't allow that and the only way a club can get shot is to sell which is very difficult if the player is injured or just pants.