WHUFC.com
Having performed well on his last two outings, Kieron Dyer is ready to play
a part in the final eight games
01.04.2009
Kieron Dyer has expressed his delight at getting through more action in the
past couple of weeks and is slowly and surely looking to step it up between
now and the end of the season.
The 30-year-old England midfielder came on as a late second-half substitute
in the 1-1 draw against Blackburn on 21 March and followed that up with an
hour in a friendly game against Chelsea last week. "It's been good for me,"
he said. "The friendly game against Chelsea in particular was very pleasing,
because I played 60 minutes and didn't feel any effects afterwards. I had no
aches or pains at all, which was a great sign for me.
"Before, after games, I would be throwing ice on my shins because they would
be throbbing, but now for the first time, that didn't happen and it feels
good. When I came back earlier in the year, [against Barnsley in the FA Cup
third round and then in a reserve game against Fulham] I could hardly move
for the next couple of days, but I didn't get that this time around.
"I feel so much better now. In the Chelsea game I did a lot of running and
it's the fittest I have felt for a long time, but I thought I might have to
get a crane to lift me out of bed the next day! But, when I woke up, it was
all good and it showed my legs are, finally after what has been a very long
lay-off, getting used to the workload again."
As well as working hard on his rehabilitation schedule and then throwing
himself back into full training, Dyer has also been putting in the
additional hours in his determination to get back in action. "Lately I have
been doing some extra work with Steve Clarke after training, getting my legs
accustomed again to that workload that is needed in football and it seems to
be doing the job."
Supporters up at Ewood Park were delighted to see Dyer take the game to
Blackburn when he came on and he is hoping that he can get more chances to
impress between now and the end of the season. "It is nice to hear that, for
me it has been frustrating because they haven't been able to see me play
much, if at all. They have certainly not seen me at my best yet.
"These things happen in football and I honestly believe I can bring some
more pace to the side. If I can get a few more run-outs before the end of
this season, then next season will hopefully be the one where everyone will
see the real me."
While he only had a few minutes against Blackburn, Dyer showed a little of
just what West Ham fans have missed and was involved pretty much straight
away.
"I am nowhere near match fit yet, I haven't played 90 minutes in nearly two
years but I spoke with the manager and said I would like to be on the bench
[against Blackburn] and if am needed, I am here, put me on and see what I
can get through. That was the case and it worked, I should have got a
penalty as well when I came on, so it could have worked out even better."
As well as getting back on the pitch, Dyer has been making sure he is back
among the banter that echoes around the training ground. He confessed he is
not good at watching games. "That is part and parcel of football," he said.
"One of the worst things, apart from missing games, is not being with the
rest of the team everyday and training, so you miss all the banter.
"So it is good to be out there and amongst that again with the lads - being
one of the jokers in the pack, which I like to be. It has been frustrating
so a lot of the time, I kept my distance. I'm not good at watching games
because I just want to be out there. The rest of the lads have helped, they
are a good lot and on the pitch I think it is testament to their spirit and
how good they all are as to where we are in the league. I think we have had
a great season and done really well.
"Hopefully I can get a few more minutes on the pitch maybe this weekend
against Sunderland and then matches here and there, perhaps doing a full 90
minutes in the last couple of games. That would really gear me up and then
if I can get a good pre-season under my belt and, touch wood - I think I am
due some luck - have a good run in the team next season."
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Internationals in spotlight
WHUFC.com
Six West Ham United players could be playing international football on
Wednesday
01.04.2009
It promises to be a buy day for the West Ham United players representing
their countries around the world.
Robert Green and Matthew Upson will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of
the four young West Ham players that wore England's Three Lions on Tuesday
evening, when the senior side take in Ukraine in a FIFA World Cup qualifier
at Wembley. David James is expected to start in goal, with Green likely to
provide cover on the bench. Matthew Upson, after impressing against Slovakia
on Saturday, may join Green on the bench if Rio Ferdinand has recovered from
a back injury in time.
Fabio Capello's England team have enjoyed a successful start to their
campaign thus far and a win will see them stay at least five points clear at
the top of FIFA World Cup European Qualifying Group Six.
James Collins is set to line up for Wales in a tricky-looking World Cup
qualifier with Germany in Cardiff. The home side look to have an uphill
struggle to qualify and will need to win tonight to stand any chance of
making the finals in South Africa. Collins made a successful comeback from a
hamstring injury in Saturday's game with Finland, but could do nothing to
stop the Welsh losing 2-0.
Radoslav Kovac is expected to start for the Czech Republic in central
defence when they play host to Slovakia in Prague. Kovac is likely to take
the place of the injured Tomas Ujfalusi for the key World Cup qualifier,
which could go a long way to determining both sides' chances of securing a
place in South Africa. Victory for either team could send them top of
qualifying Group Three.
Further afield, Jonathan Spector is with the USA squad preparing to take on
Trinidad and Tobago in Nashville. Spector sat out the United States' 2-2
draw with El Salvador on Friday - a result which sent them top of their 2010
FIFA World Cup qualifying group. Trinidad and Tobago sit fourth in the group
after two draws from their first two matches. If Spector if selected he
could well come up against the Soca Warriors' Kenwyne Jones, a duel that
could be repeated this Saturday when Jones' Sunderland visit the Boleyn
Ground.
Finally, Lucas Neill led Australia to a 2-0 win over Uzbekistan. For more on
that game, click here.
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Neill nearly there
WHUFC.com
Lucas Neill captained Australia as they took a big step towards
qualification for the 2010 World Cup
01.04.2009
Lucas Neill's Australia are on the brink of qualifying for their second
consecutive FIFA World Cup finals after beating Uzbekistan 2-0 in Sydney.
The West Ham United captain led the Socceroos to a comfortable victory over
the Uzbeks at Stadium Australia, with the home side securing their success
through second half goals from Karlsruher SC striker Joshua Kennedy and
Galatasaray forward Harry Kewell.
After a goalless first half, Kennedy broke the deadlock on 66 minutes with a
powerful header from Marco Bresciano's cross before former Liverpool man
Kewell doubled the hosts' advantage from the penalty spot seven minutes
later.
Pim Verbeek's side have now won four and drawn one of their five Asian
qualifying round four matches without conceding a single goal and sit nine
points clear of Bahrian, Uzbekistan and Qatar with three matches remaining.
The win means Australia will head for next summer's finals in South Africa
should the fixture between Bahrain and Qatar, which will be played later on
Wednesday, end in a draw.
Neill earned his 48th cap for his country in his home city in front of a
crowd of 57,292. The only blemish to what was a fine morning for the
Australia skipper was the yellow card he received five minutes after
half-time.
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Blake happy with young Hammers
WHUFC.com
England Under-20 manager Noel Blake praised the three West Ham United
players in his side
01.04.2009
England U20 manager Noel Blake was pleased with the performances of West
Ham's trio of youngsters that all played an important part in a 2-0 victory
against Italy.
James Tomkins and Freddie Sears both started, with Junior Stanislas joining
the fray a second-half substitute. Tomkins was in typically composed mood in
a 45 minute run-out, and was responsible for several crucial interceptions
when the game was goalless to help keep England in the game.
"Tomka played very well first half before we took him off as he's in the
first team," Blake said. "We were very pleased with him and his heading was
immense as were his balls from back to front. He showed a lot of leadership
qualities out there."
Sears got a valuable 90 minutes under his belt, playing in a slightly more
withdrawn role just off his fellow striker Daniel Sturridge. It was a task
he took to well and, as well as providing the link between midfield and
attack, he won the corner from which England took the lead.
"Freddie knows where the little pockets are and he was unlucky not to get on
the scoresheet tonight I felt. He's a clever little player and is quicker
than he looks," Blake said.
"[Sears and Sturridge] link up quite well and their movement is quite good.
Freddie likes to find the little holes and he picks up quite well, while
Danny's an out and out goalscorer."
Stanislas replaced Chelsea's Scott Sinclair on the left of midfield and
immediately set about testing the Italians with a series of dribbles and
crosses. One particularly dangerous ball in found Sturridge in acres of
space, but he could only direct his header wide of the post. Blake was
pleased with the winger's contribution, saying: "Junior came on for the
second-half at a time when we needed to quicken up a little bit and Junior
added a new dimension to the team.
"He can play centrally or he can play wide and give that little bit of
spark. He got into good scoring positions but only last ditch tackle stopped
him scoring. We're pleased with all three of them."
All three of the Hammers' representatives are now fully-fledged members of
the West Ham first-team squad after Stanislas made his debut against West
Bromwich Albion last month. Blake admits that he has already noticed the
benefits of the youngsters training and playing with seasoned
internationals.
"When they're in and around the first team it's a big boost for them and
their game has to rise. You can see the guys have been around the first team
and it showed up against Italy."
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Mascots to sue?
KUMB.com
Filed: Wednesday, 1st April 2009
By: A Different Staff Writer
Well no, though it appears more than a few of you forgot what date it was!
Much as we wouldn't put it past them to plumb such depths, I'm afraid that
Mr Higginthorpe was merely a figment of the warped imaginations we have here
at Kumb Towers. Ian Firth does exist, but he won't be available to help any
Blades in their so called quest for justice for another four years or so,
following a bit of a run in with the authorities over irregularities in the
way he and his firm handled miners' compensation claims.
Happy April Fools Day!
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Dyer ready for run-in
Hammers ace raring to go after lengthy lay-off
By Chris Burton Last updated: 1st April 2009
SSN
Kieron Dyer insists he is back to full fitness and ready to play a part in
West Ham's European push. The injury-prone Hammers ace has recently
recovered from a spell on the sidelines with a calf problem. He was used as
a late substitute by Gianfranco Zola during West Ham's 1-1 draw at Blackburn
last time out and came through an hour of a friendly contest with Chelsea
last week. The 30-year-old England midfielder is adamant that he is now
ready to become a first-team regular once again and believes his injury
nightmare can finally be laid to rest. "The friendly game against Chelsea in
particular was very pleasing, because I played 60 minutes and didn't feel
any problems afterwards. I had no aches or pains at all, which was a great
sign for me," Dyer told the club's official website. "Before, after games, I
would be throwing ice on my shins because they would be throbbing, but now
for the first time, that didn't happen and it feels good. "When I came back
earlier in the year (against Barnsley in the FA Cup) I could hardly move for
the next couple of days, but I didn't get that this time around. "I feel so
much better now. In the Chelsea game I did a lot of running and it's the
fittest I have felt for a long time. It showed my legs are, finally after
what has been a very long lay-off, getting used to the workload again."
Dyer accepts he may be restricted to a cameo role in the Hammers' pursuit of
a top-seven finish this season, but has already set his sights on having a
major impact next term. "These things happen in football and I honestly
believe I can bring some more pace to the side," he added. "If I can get a
few more run-outs before the end of the season, then next season will
hopefully be the one were everyone will see the real me."
The news that Dyer is closing in on full fitness has come as a welcome boost
to Zola during a period of mixed fortunes on the injury front. Carlton Cole,
who suffered a groin strain while on England duty against Slovakia on
Saturday, could be set to miss the rest of the season, but requires further
tests on his knock. On a more positive note, exciting playmaker Savio came
through a recent run-out for Germany's U20 side unscathed and has returned
to full training following his return to Upton Park.
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Interest mounts in Di Vaio
Arab and English sides want Italian
Last updated: 1st April 2009
SSN
Bologna star Marco Di Vaio has been offered a big money move to the United
Arab Emirates, but there is also believed to be Premier League interest.
The 32-year-old is currently on loan at Bologna from Genoa and he has had a
stunning season, grabbing 19 goals in Serie A. Bologna are currently
hovering just above the relegation zone and with his contract set to expire
in the summer, Di Vaio has plenty of options available to him. Bologna would
like him to sign a permanent deal, but now a massive three-year offer from
the Middle East is understood to have been received. But it remains to be
seen if Di Vaio, tipped for a recall to the Italian national side for whom
he has played 14 times, is ready to quit European football. Italian sources
claim that both West Ham and Fulham have registered an interest in Di Vaio,
who would represent an attractive proposition on a Bosman transfer.
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Chretien aware of interest
Moroccan defender focused on fitness for now
By Giscard Gourizro Last updated: 1st April 2009
SSN
Michael Chretien has revealed that he will make a decision regarding his
future at the end of the season. The highly-rated defender is currently on
the books of Nancy, but has attracted attention from elsewhere of late. The
Morocco international has been with his current employers since the age of
five, but at 24-years-old accepts that the time may be right to accept a new
challenge. Premier League trio Manchester City, West Ham and Blackburn are
all believed to have expressed an interest in the past and could come
knocking again this summer. Chretien insists that forcing his way back into
the fold at Nancy following a recent injury remains his priority for now,
but he has hinted that he would be willing to listen to offers at the end of
the current campaign. "I am fine and I should be back to 100 per cent soon,"
the full-back told skysports.com.
"I am aware of the interest from clubs in Europe, but I need to start
playing again first. "We will see what happens at the end of the season."
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Injuries threaten to derail Hammers' European dream
8:00am Thursday 2nd April 2009
Guardian Series
WEST HAM'S squad will be stretched to the limit once again for the visit of
Sunderland on Saturday as an injury crisis threatens to derail their quest
for a Europa League place. Striker Carlton Cole is a major doubt for the
Hammers ahead of the weekend's crucial game with the Black Cats, after he
limped out of England's friendly match against Slovakia last week with a
suspected groin injury. A lack of firepower has been a prevalent feature of
West Ham's last two Premier League games, with the various strike
partnerships experimented with by Gianfranco Zola all failing to to deliver
when the chips were down. The pairing of youngster Freddie Sears and Italian
veteran forward David Di Michele in attack against West Brom yielded few
chances, as the Irons struggled to breach the league's leakiest defence. The
omens were better against Blackburn Rovers two weeks ago, as Zola employed a
three-pronged attack, comprised of Luis Boa Morte, Di Michele and misfit
Diego Tristan. After plenty of encouraging forward forays in the first half,
the team still had to rely on a terrific strike from midfielder Mark Noble
on his 100th appearance for the club to break the deadlock. The team were
preparing to welcome back Cole from a two-game suspension against
Sunderland, but his likely absence will force Zola into another re-think.
Add that to long-term injury victims Jack Collison, Valon Behrami, Dean
Ashton and Danny Gabbidon and the Italian maestro may be tempted to pull on
the boots once again in an attempt to breathe some creativity into a team
dominated by grafters. In contrast to the misfiring frontline, the defensive
unit have coped admirably with a series of injuries, with James Tomkins and
Lucas Neill stepping in to fill the void left by James Collins and Matthew
Upson in recent weeks. And with the first-choice centre-backs now fighting
fit, that will be one much-needed fillip for Zola. The former Chelsea star
can now call upon Kieron Dyer, who has returned to action after a calf
injury kept him out for two months. However, he will be reluctant to throw
him in at the deep end and risk losing him for the crucial season run-in.
Wigan Athletic have usurped West Ham into seventh – the final Europa League
spot – while the likes of Fulham, Manchester City and Tottenham are also
breathing heavily down their necks, meaning the team can ill-afford any
slip-ups as they approach the last few hurdles. It is in these remaining
eight games that Zola will earn his corn.
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Man City, West Ham target Chretien aware of growing interest
02.04.09 | tribalfootball.com
Nancy fullback Michael Chretien is aware of interest from the Premier
League. Premier League trio Manchester City, West Ham and Blackburn are all
keen and Chretien told skysports.com: "I am aware of the interest from clubs
in Europe, but I need to start playing again first. "We will see what
happens at the end of the season."
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England U20 boss Blake impressed by West Ham striker Sears
02.04.09 | tribalfootball.com
England U20 boss Noel Blake is impressed by West Ham striker Freddie Sears.
"Freddie knows where the little pockets are and he was unlucky not to get on
the scoresheet tonight I felt. He's a clever little player and is quicker
than he looks," Blake said. "[Sears and Manchester City striker Danny
Sturridge] link up quite well and their movement is quite good. Freddie
likes to find the little holes and he picks up quite well, while Danny's an
out and out goalscorer."
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Stanislas pleased West Ham breakthrough led to England chance
02.04.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United winger Junior Stanislas says his Premiership breakthrough
has helped him earn a spot with the England U20s. "Just to get on and play
for your country is always good," he said. "I have been given my chance for
West Ham and hopefully I will get more chances to come."
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Dyer confident he can add something different to West Ham
02.04.09 | tribalfootball.com
Kieron Dyer is convinced he can add something new to West Ham United's play.
Supporters up at Ewood Park were delighted to see Dyer take the game to
Blackburn when he came on and he is hoping that he can get more chances to
impress between now and the end of the season. He told whufc.com: "It is
nice to hear that, for me it has been frustrating because they haven't been
able to see me play much, if at all. They have certainly not seen me at my
best yet. "These things happen in football and I honestly believe I can
bring some more pace to the side. If I can get a few more run-outs before
the end of this season, then next season will hopefully be the one where
everyone will see the real me."
While he only had a few minutes against Blackburn, Dyer showed a little of
just what West Ham fans have missed and was involved pretty much straight
away. "I am nowhere near match fit yet, I haven't played 90 minutes in
nearly two years but I spoke with the manager and said I would like to be on
the bench [against Blackburn] and if am needed, I am here, put me on and see
what I can get through. That was the case and it worked, I should have got a
penalty as well when I came on, so it could have worked out even better."
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Hammers fear Carlton Cole could be out for weeks
Ken Dyer
01.04.09
Evening Standard
West Ham striker Carlton Cole faces a long lay-off after injuring a groin in
England's friendly international against Slovakia. Cole, who would have been
favourite replace the injured Emile Heskey in Fabio Capello's line-up for
England's World Cup qualifier against Ukraine at Wembley tonight, faced
further scans on the injury today. West Ham fear that Cole has ruptured a
groin muscle which could put him out for weeks, possibly ending his season.
Cole's injury is a big blow for the Hammers, who have lost Valon Behrami and
Jack Collison recently. Behrami is out for at least six months after
damaging knee ligaments while Collison, who dislocated his knee, could also
be out until next season.
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West Ham striker Cole fears he will miss the rest of the season with groin
injury
By Sportsmail Reporter
Last updated at 11:43 AM on 01st April 2009
Daily Mail
West Ham striker Carlton Cole fears he could be out for the season after
injuring his groin in England's friendly against Slovakia. Cole, who would
have been favourite to replace the injured Emile Heskey in Fabio Capello's
line-up for England's World Cup qualifier against Ukraine at Wembley
tonight, faced further scans on the injury today. But Cole the ruptured
groin muscle could mean his misses last eight games of the season for the
Hammers.
West Ham have already lost Valon Behrami and Jack Collison to
injuries.Behrami is out for at least six months after damaging knee
ligaments while Collison, who dislocated his knee, could also be out until
next season.
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West Ham, Fulham battling for Bologna striker Di Vaio
01.04.09 | tribalfootball.com
West Ham United boss Gianfranco Zola is eyeing Bologna striker Marco di
Vaio. The veteran forward has a been a revelation this season for struggling
Bologna and there is a push for him to earn an Italy recall. Corriere dello
Sport says West Ham's Zola and Fulham boss Roy Hodgson are both keen to take
Di Vaio to England at the end of the season.
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Do West Ham United owe you money over the Carlos Tevez affair?
01.04.09
Championshipmanager.co.uk
First Sheffield United sued, then Neil Warnock chipped in, now the players
want their slice of the pie from the never-ending Carlos Tevez mess. Talking
about the whole affair has wasting hours of our lives; hours we'll never get
back. Time costs money, so is it okay if we sue too? That question, is of
course, slightly tongue-in-cheek, but at the same time there's a lingering
question of where do us, the football supporters, come into all this. As
daft as it frankly is, the ruling that West Ham owe Sheffield United because
the supposedly-illegal Argentine kept them up (and put The Blades down) has
robbed us all of a fair Premier League. Through TV packages, broadband
services, petrol, pies, tickets, kits and beer, we all spend thousands of
pounds of our hard earned wages every year following our teams. We have now,
by default of that judgement, been robbed of the "proper order of the
league". We've invested our emotions in everything being fair. If an
injustice was done to Sheffield United, it was done to us all – no matter
what colour strip we wear. Sheffield United fans obviously have the biggest
claim. They're the ones who've had to pay out on tickets to Doncaster, and
watch their side lose to Sheffield Wednesday, when they could have been
buying tickets to Old Trafford and seeing their side lose to Arsenal. So are
their season ticket holders owed a rebate too? It'd work out to a few
hundred pounds per season ticket holder based on the £5 million compensation
package the team are reportedly pursuing. That might sound daft, but frankly
it's less daft than well-earning players getting the cash. "The fact is we
lost considerable sums of money as a result of being relegated to the
Championship because our wages dropped as a consequence," claims Lincoln
Jeffrey. "It is nothing personal or about being bitter, but about justice."
That's the kind of justice we'd all like a slice of but surely if the
players had just played a little better over nine months, they'd have stayed
up and the Hammers would have gone down anyway.
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West Ham v Sunderland preview
11:34am Wednesday 1st April 2009
Echo
West Ham United v Sunderland
Barclays Premier League, Saturday April 4, 3pm
LAST MEETING: Sunderland 0-1 West Ham (23-11-08) A Valon Behrami strike in
the 20th minute was enough to see the Hammers past the Black Cats earlier in
the season.
LAST TIME AT UPTON PARK: West Ham 3-1 Sunderland (21-10-07) A Craig Gordon
own goal and a last-minute Craig Bellamy goal secured victory for the Irons.
HEAD TO HEAD: West Ham 29 wins, Sunderland 28 wins, 19 draws.
FORM: Ricky Sbragia's first managerial post has proved a tough one, as
Sunderland have managed just two points from their last five games, leaving
them precariously placed, three points above the relegation zone.
DANGER MAN: While Kenwyne Jones will provide a significant aerial threat to
the Hammers' defence, it could be the pace and guile of his strike partner
Djibril Cisse that causes the most problems. A proven international striker,
Cisse will be a handful for Matthew Upson and co. at Upton Park.
FUN FACT: Sunderland's fans were recorded as the loudest supporters in the
Premier League last season, topping the charts with a cheer of 129.3
decibels.
MATCH ODDS: West Ham Evs, Sunderland 13/5, Draw 12/5.
PREDICTION: West Ham 1 Sunderland 0.
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West Ham United's Kieron Dyer: I'm Nearing Full Fitness
After a lengthy lay-off due to injury, the midfielder hopes to be back to
his best by the start of next season...
1 Apr 2009 13:43:03
Goal.com
West Ham United midfielder Kieron Dyer has targeted an extended run in the
first team as he believes he is close to returning to full fitness. The
33-time capped England international completed a £6 million transfer to the
Hammers in the summer of 2007 from Newcastle United but has since made just
six appearances after breaking his leg in two places. The 30-year-old
recently returned to action against Blackburn Rovers on March 21 and, after
playing 60 minutes of a specially arranged friendly against Chelsea
recently, he feels he is almost fully fit. "It's been good for me," Dyer
told the club's official website. "The friendly game against Chelsea in
particular was very pleasing. I played 60 minutes and didn't feel any
effects afterwards. "I had no aches or pains at all, which was a great sign
for me. Before, after games, I would be throwing ice on my shins because
they would be throbbing, but now for the first time, that didn't happen and
it feels good. "When I came back earlier in the year, [against Barnsley in
the FA Cup third round and then in a reserve game against Fulham] I could
hardly move for the next couple of days but I didn't get that this time
around. "I feel so much better now. In the Chelsea game I did a lot of
running and it's the fittest I have felt for a long time. I thought I might
have to get a crane to lift me out of bed the next day! "But, when I woke
up, it was all good and it showed my legs are finally - after what has been
a very long lay-off - getting used to the workload again."
Although the former Newcastle United and Ipswich Town star is hoping to get
some more first-team minutes under his belt from this campaign's remaining
eight fixtures, Dyer says next season is when he hopes to return to
somewhere near his best. After learning that supporters cheered him when he
took to the field against Blackburn, he replied, "It is nice to hear that.
"For me it has been frustrating because they haven't been able to see me
play much, if at all. They have certainly not seen me at my best yet. "These
things happen in football and I honestly believe I can bring some more pace
to the side. If I can get a few more run-outs before the end of this season,
then next season will hopefully be the one where everyone will see the real
me. "Hopefully I can get a few more minutes on the pitch maybe this weekend
against Sunderland and then matches here and there, perhaps doing a full 90
minutes in the last couple of games. "That would really gear me up and then,
if I can get a good pre-season under my belt, and, touch wood - I think I am
due some luck - have a good run in the team next season."
Ricky Brooks, Goal.com
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Kieron Dying to make Hammers impact
by Joseph Caron Dawe , 01 April 2009
setanta.co.uk
Kieron Dyer is aiming to use the final eight games of the season to help him
prepare to make a telling impact with West Ham next season. The 30-year-old
has made just three first-team appearances for The Hammers this season,
having seen his season ravaged by injury as he first continued his recovery
from a broken leg and then suffered a calf problem. Dyer recently came on as
a late substitute against Blackburn and stepped up his comeback with a
friendly outing against Chelsea. "I feel so much better now," Dyer told West
Ham's official website. "In the Chelsea game I did a lot of running and it's
the fittest I have felt for a long time. When I woke up (the next day), it
was all good and it showed my legs are, finally after what has been a very
long lay-off, getting used to the workload again. "Lately I have been doing
some extra work with Steve Clarke after training, getting my legs accustomed
again to that workload that is needed in football and it seems to be doing
the job."
Dyer continued: "I am nowhere near match fit yet, I haven't played 90
minutes in nearly two years but I spoke with the manager and said I would
like to be on the bench (against Blackburn) and if needed, I am here, put me
on and see what I can get through. That was the case and it worked, I should
have got a penalty as well when I came on, so it could have worked out even
better."
Hammers fans present at Ewood Park expressed their pleasure at seeing the
former Newcastle and Ipswich man make his return for the club. "It is nice
to hear that, for me it has been frustrating because they haven't been able
to see me play much, if at all. They have certainly not seen me at my best
yet," said Dyer. "Hopefully I can get a few more minutes on the pitch maybe
this weekend against Sunderland and then matches here and there, perhaps
doing a full 90 minutes in the last couple of games. That would really gear
me up and then if I can get a good pre-season under my belt and, touch wood
- I think I am due some luck - have a good run in the team next season.
"These things happen in football and I honestly believe I can bring some
more pace to the side. If I can get a few more run-outs before the end of
this season, then next season will hopefully be the one where everyone will
see the real me."
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Tevez saga set to rumble on for West Ham
11:35am Wednesday 1st April 2009
Guardian Series
IT SEEMS West Ham's worst fears of 'legal anarchy' are coming true after
Fulham waded in with a law suit of their own over the Carlos Tevez saga.
Premier League side Fulham have submitted a claim for £700,000 in
compensation from West Ham after finishing a place below the Hammers in
2007, when it was ruled that Tevez's goals had played a decisive role in
keeping the team up. The fee relates to the 'merit money' they would have
received for finishing a place higher. Leeds United may also sue for a loss
of earnings on three players that were sold to Sheffield United, with the
club entitled to add-ons had the Blades stayed up.
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