Dyer - "I wasted my talent and took football for granted"

[Scottish Mag 3]

ON the occasion of his rebirth, Kieron Dyer sends his regrets. Plenty of them. A long list.

 

Some of them still nag at him as he battles Aaron Lennon for a place in the England team to play Israel on Saturday.

 

But each regret spurs him on. And each one has made him a better man and a better player.

 

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Top of the pile is the way he behaved towards former Newcastle manager Sir Bobby Robson and the embarrassment he heaped upon him when he refused to play on the right side of midfield at Middlesbrough in August 2004.

 

"I still feel incredibly guilty about that," Dyer says. "The players at Newcastle used to call me 'Bobby's Son' because he would give me special treatment and the odd day off to go back home to Ipswich and I let him down massively.

 

"He was sacked soon after which made it all a hundred times worse. I should never have done it. I was just young and naive and stupid.

 

"It's something I will have to live with for the rest of my life and I'm thankful that when I rang him after he was fired, he accepted my apology.

 

"He said I was one of the only players from the club to have phoned him, but I still feel dreadful I did something like that to a man with his status.

 

"When I went out to the World Cup in Germany, I saw him at the England v Portugal game and sat with him for most of the match - and he still had all the old enthusiasm.

 

"I'm glad we're still on speaking terms. The way I acted, it would be fully deserved if he never spoke to me again. He has put the grudges behind him which goes to show what a great man he is."

 

There are other regrets, too. There are bound to be. For a long time, Dyer was the symbol of the out-of-control hedonism of a generation of players who had to cope with much too much, much too young. He was one of the Baby Bentley brigade before they made Baby Bentleys. He crashed his Ferrari on the Tyne Bridge, was caught urinating in the street, and was attacked on the pitch by team-mate Lee Bowyer. But there is something rare about Dyer that sets him apart from so many players who have allowed a precious talent to go to waste. Dyer learned his lesson before it was too late.

 

The 28-year-old midfielder has taken responsibility for his life on and off the pitch and, with the help of Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder, has turned things around.

 

He has had the mental strength to overcome a succession of hamstring injuries and conflicting diagnoses. Many began to believe he would never recover, but Dyer never doubted himself.

 

Now, he's the kind of man it's a pleasure to talk to, honest and frank and not afraid to discuss his mistakes, a bright spirit with a lively mind and a burning desire to put things right.

 

There was never anything malicious about him anyway. He was never a Joey Barton or a Bowyer. Just a kid who got carried away with wealth and fame.

 

"I'm a lad from Ipswich," Dyer says. "We were a poor family and then I moved to Newcastle and it's like a religion and suddenly you are doing well and everyone is saying how great you are.

 

"You have got money and you can buy anything you want and it seems that you are more worried about maintaining your status off the pitch than doing it for 90 minutes on the pitch. I believed the hype. I was rewarded with good wages and you do take your eye off the ball. You do get wrapped up in it. For two years I went stale. I wasted it. I had a couple of good games here and there but never had the consistency.

 

"Alan Curbishley came out with the Baby Bentley quote a couple of months ago and I do think what happened to me is happening to some of the West Ham players.

 

"When you're young, sometimes you have to learn the hard way. I have had to come full circle to get to where I am now.

 

"I was out of the game for 18 months with injuries and I want to make up for lost time. I want to be up there with the Stevie Gs and the Frank Lampards who do it week in and week out."

 

Dyer got his wake-up call from Roeder's predecessor Graeme Souness. Souness has a stock question he asks every pro and ex-pro: will you be able to say you got the most out of your career when it's over. Dyer smiles when he recalls the moment Souness asked him the question. There was a long silence, he says. Dyer was embarrassed. They both knew the answer.

 

"Since then, I have really got my head down," Dyer says. "I know I haven't played great every day but I have been working towards being more consistent and feel there is no limit to what I can achieve.

 

"I took football for granted. I thought it would go on forever. To be out for nearly two years, you itch to get back out there.

 

"The enthusiasm I have now, it feels like I am back at school. I just want to play all the time.

 

"I didn't used to like playing out wide because I was dependent on someone else giving me the ball and I wanted to be at the centre of things all the time.

 

"But because of all the injuries we have had at Newcastle, it's meant I haven't played in the same position for two games on the bounce. I learned the hard way that the team is more important than individuals."

 

Dyer took a hefty whack on the ankle in the defeat to Charlton on Sunday but is desperate to impress Steve McClaren in training this week.

 

Even when Newcastle have not played well, Dyer's effort and commitment have shone through and he has taken a different attitude with him to England training camps, too.

 

"Joey Barton got hammered for saying a lot of England players just go along for the ride and once they get in the squad they are happy," Dyer says, "but I recognised myself in what he said. Now, every time I get picked for the squad, that's not enough. I want to be in the England team.

 

"I want to reach the heights some people believe I can. I want to become an England regular. I've a lot to do. I'm making up for lost time."

 

'I have got my head down. It feels like I'm back at school. I want to play all the time'

[Gemmill 47361]

He'll no doubt get the usual "Yeah whatever, Kieron. Soundbites." response from a lot of people, but that was quite nice to read.

 

Where's it from Ritchie?

[Scottish Mag 3]

He'll no doubt get the usual "Yeah whatever, Kieron. Soundbites." response from a lot of people, but that was quite nice to read.

 

Where's it from Ritchie?

 

The Mirror

[Gemmill 47361]

Nice to see that it was [Cilla] our Graeme with a quick reminder [/Cilla] of what matters that put him back on the straight and narrow. Great man manager tbh.

[Scottish Mag 3]

Nice to see that it was [Cilla] our Graeme with a quick reminder [/Cilla] of what matters that put him back on the straight and narrow. Great man manager tbh.

 

Certainly shows signs of him being that "top boss" that Leazes Mag thought he was

[Guest alex]

Canny stuff and I think Dyer he has turned himself around this season. Also, a bit like Parker (only in a different way) some of the stick he gets in some quarters is unbelievable. He isn't a world-beater but he's one of our best players. He also gets blamed for the alleged wages he's on. As though that's his fault.

[Renton 22596]

He'll no doubt get the usual "Yeah whatever, Kieron. Soundbites." response from a lot of people, but that was quite nice to read.

 

Where's it from Ritchie?

 

Nicely pre-empted there. Doesn't mean that people being sceptical about that article are wrong though.

 

I could appreciate that article if he was in brilliant form and there was any real evidence his past is behind him, but there isn't really. He's looked better than some of his team mates for a few matches now but that's really not saying a lot, overall I think he has been a huge negative for this club and he was instrumental to Robson's downfall, which at least he admits, the little shit.

 

Still, at 28, he has his best years ahead of him apparently.......

[Gemmill 47361]

Canny stuff and I think Dyer he has turned himself around this season. Also, a bit like Parker (only in a different way) some of the stick he gets in some quarters is unbelievable. He isn't a world-beater but he's one of our best players. He also gets blamed for the alleged wages he's on. As though that's his fault.

 

Funny you should say that but the opening post for this article on NO slates him for what he says in the interview AND for accepting an improved contract from the club.

 

You can see how someone who didn't have their head screwed on would go down exactly the route he describes in the interview - come to Newcastle, get paid a fortune, get worshipped on nights out.....all of a sudden football seems secondary to everything else. I'm just glad he seems to have come to his senses, and this time it's not just soundbites - injuries look to have been sorted and he's never short of effort on the pitch. In fact, the two who get slated the most - him and Parker - are two of the players that look most like they give a shit imo.

[Guest alex]

Which players did show Robson respect towards the end? Not even the 'senior pros' if rumours are to be believed.

[Gemmill 47361]

He'll no doubt get the usual "Yeah whatever, Kieron. Soundbites." response from a lot of people, but that was quite nice to read.

 

Where's it from Ritchie?

 

Nicely pre-empted there. Doesn't mean that people being sceptical about that article are wrong though.

 

In the face of the evidence I would say so, yeah. If not wrong then unnecessarily sceptical. He's worked fucking hard to sort out his injury problems, and he's one of the few players who's looked arsed on the pitch this season. Will he ever get a break from the "haters" or does he need to turn into Pele first?

[Ketsbaia 0]

He's far from being St. Kieron but he has been better this season, especially when playing alongside Butt or Martins.

 

Nice to see he's finally admitting he was a complete prick. So many footballers would probably just carry on without a care but atleast he's trying to turn it around.

[Isegrim 10035]

He'll no doubt get the usual "Yeah whatever, Kieron. Soundbites." response from a lot of people, but that was quite nice to read.

 

Where's it from Ritchie?

 

Nicely pre-empted there. Doesn't mean that people being sceptical about that article are wrong though.

 

In the face of the evidence I would say so, yeah. If not wrong then unnecessarily sceptical. He's worked fucking hard to sort out his injury problems, and he's one of the few players who's looked arsed on the pitch this season. Will he ever get a break from the "haters" or does he need to turn into Pele first?

That is the reason why I would have never given him a new contract the last time - not even on same terms. There is a fair majority for whom Dyer will always remain a hate figure, whatever he does and says. Of course a lot of criticism is justified. But I think a fair share of the "negativity" Dyer brought to the club stems from the prejudices that nowadays are easily thrown at players.

 

Anyway, I'm off to perform my daily burning of an Emre-effigy...

[Renton 22596]

He'll no doubt get the usual "Yeah whatever, Kieron. Soundbites." response from a lot of people, but that was quite nice to read.

 

Where's it from Ritchie?

 

Nicely pre-empted there. Doesn't mean that people being sceptical about that article are wrong though.

 

In the face of the evidence I would say so, yeah. If not wrong then unnecessarily sceptical. He's worked fucking hard to sort out his injury problems, and he's one of the few players who's looked arsed on the pitch this season. Will he ever get a break from the "haters" or does he need to turn into Pele first?

 

He doesn't need a break from people like me, it's not like I've ever booed him or sent him hate mail. As the article says though, he admits he has pissed his career away. Well that's nice, unfortunately he damaged the club I support in the process, am I supposed to shake his hand?

 

He's played a bit better this season since coming back true, but if I am guilty of not giving him a break then I suspect ou are guilty of exaggerating his worth. For the money he's on, we should have a player like Lampard, but instead we get Dyer. It's not his fault he's overpaid of course but consider the contrast between him and Lampard since their infamous sex video. Dyer only has himself to blame and I'm not surprised many people feel short-changed.

[Gemmill 47361]

He'll no doubt get the usual "Yeah whatever, Kieron. Soundbites." response from a lot of people, but that was quite nice to read.

 

Where's it from Ritchie?

 

Nicely pre-empted there. Doesn't mean that people being sceptical about that article are wrong though.

 

In the face of the evidence I would say so, yeah. If not wrong then unnecessarily sceptical. He's worked fucking hard to sort out his injury problems, and he's one of the few players who's looked arsed on the pitch this season. Will he ever get a break from the "haters" or does he need to turn into Pele first?

 

He doesn't need a break from people like me, it's not like I've ever booed him or sent him hate mail. As the article says though, he admits he has pissed his career away. Well that's nice, unfortunately he damaged the club I support in the process, am I supposed to shake his hand?

 

He's played a bit better this season since coming back true, but if I am guilty of not giving him a break then I suspect ou are guilty of exaggerating his worth. For the money he's on, we should have a player like Lampard, but instead we get Dyer. It's not his fault he's overpaid of course but consider the contrast between him and Lampard since their infamous sex video. Dyer only has himself to blame and I'm not surprised many people feel short-changed.

 

You can't blame the lad for not being as good as Lampard. Just because they came into contact with one another's jizz it doesn't mean they have to share footballing skills too.

 

What did he do to damage the club btw? If you say pissed in the street I'm gonna hit you.

[Jusoda Kid 1]

Went up a little in my estimations for that article

[snakehips 0]

Maybe his and Lampard's lifestyle changed since the video episode is down to the fact that Lampard didn't live in Newcastle and wasn't surrounded by fawning, brain-dead idiots when he went out?

 

It's good to hear that Dyer seems to be maturing, but, personally, I would have preferred him to say nowt and let actions speak louder than words. Maybe if he had made these comments in another year's time people would have sat up and thought, 'hey, he has knuckled down, hasn't he.' as opposed to a fair few sceptical views today?

 

I still think NUFC needs a decent manager to galvanise both Dyer and the rest of the team to get the best out of him/them.

[Renton 22596]

You can't blame the lad for not being as good as Lampard. Just because they came into contact with one another's jizz it doesn't mean they have to share footballing skills too.

 

What did he do to damage the club btw? If you say pissed in the street I'm gonna hit you.

 

At the time Dyer was rated as highly as Lampard probably. But being a great footballer is about more than just skill, it's about working with what you've got and improving your game. Lampard had the right attitude and did improve, Dyer didn't learn any lessons and I think it's a bit late now really, but we'll see.

 

As for damaging the club, I was mainly referring to Robson, but obviously he has damaged the club fincancially by not fulfilling his promise (which he admits was his own fault) and he didn't do us any favours in the PR stakes either. But most of all he was a disruptive force in the dressing room imo. It's difficult to prove or quantify the effect the latter has had, but on balance, I wish we'd never signed him and I would have never given him a new contract.

[Scottish Mag 3]

He'll no doubt get the usual "Yeah whatever, Kieron. Soundbites." response from a lot of people, but that was quite nice to read.

 

Where's it from Ritchie?

 

Nicely pre-empted there. Doesn't mean that people being sceptical about that article are wrong though.

 

In the face of the evidence I would say so, yeah. If not wrong then unnecessarily sceptical. He's worked fucking hard to sort out his injury problems, and he's one of the few players who's looked arsed on the pitch this season. Will he ever get a break from the "haters" or does he need to turn into Pele first?

 

He doesn't need a break from people like me, it's not like I've ever booed him or sent him hate mail. As the article says though, he admits he has pissed his career away. Well that's nice, unfortunately he damaged the club I support in the process, am I supposed to shake his hand?

 

He's played a bit better this season since coming back true, but if I am guilty of not giving him a break then I suspect ou are guilty of exaggerating his worth. For the money he's on, we should have a player like Lampard, but instead we get Dyer. It's not his fault he's overpaid of course but consider the contrast between him and Lampard since their infamous sex video. Dyer only has himself to blame and I'm not surprised many people feel short-changed.

 

You can't blame the lad for not being as good as Lampard. Just because they came into contact with one another's jizz it doesn't mean they have to share footballing skills too.

 

What did he do to damage the club btw? If you say pissed in the street I'm gonna hit you.

 

You better make sure J69s not about or you'll be getting pointed out to the police..

[Guest alex]

More of a disruptive force in the dressing room than the rest of the team? I doubt he was the worst by any means. Robson's downfall was that he couldn't control the players and much as people like to think it was 'Uncle Bobby' being hard done to by the young bling brigade the simple fact of the matter is: you get young players at every club who need discipline and Robson failed miserably in instilling it.

[Renton 22596]

More of a disruptive force in the dressing room than the rest of the team? I doubt he was the worst by any means. Robson's downfall was that he couldn't control the players and much as people like to think it was 'Uncle Bobby' being hard done to by the young bling brigade the simple fact of the matter is: you get young players at every club who need discipline and Robson failed miserably in instilling it.

 

Aye, he wasn't the only one. Maybe it is a bit unfair he earned the reputation as the King of Bling more than his colleagues, I guess it's because he was the biggest let down on the pitch in comparison to his wages, and he got in the papers more.

 

Anyway like Snakey says I'd be more happy if he just let his football do the talking, for a few more months at least.

[Guest alex]

Aye, the main problem with an article like that is the last two games are a bit too fresh in the memory. Still good to hear though and if Roeder is true to his word and is going to clear out some of the 'dead wood', Dyer will be nowhere near being on that list and nor should he be.

[Jusoda Kid 1]

He'll no doubt get the usual "Yeah whatever, Kieron. Soundbites." response from a lot of people, but that was quite nice to read.

 

Where's it from Ritchie?

 

Nicely pre-empted there. Doesn't mean that people being sceptical about that article are wrong though.

 

In the face of the evidence I would say so, yeah. If not wrong then unnecessarily sceptical. He's worked fucking hard to sort out his injury problems, and he's one of the few players who's looked arsed on the pitch this season. Will he ever get a break from the "haters" or does he need to turn into Pele first?

 

He doesn't need a break from people like me, it's not like I've ever booed him or sent him hate mail. As the article says though, he admits he has pissed his career away. Well that's nice, unfortunately he damaged the club I support in the process, am I supposed to shake his hand?

 

He's played a bit better this season since coming back true, but if I am guilty of not giving him a break then I suspect ou are guilty of exaggerating his worth. For the money he's on, we should have a player like Lampard, but instead we get Dyer. It's not his fault he's overpaid of course but consider the contrast between him and Lampard since their infamous sex video. Dyer only has himself to blame and I'm not surprised many people feel short-changed.

 

You can't blame the lad for not being as good as Lampard. Just because they came into contact with one another's jizz it doesn't mean they have to share footballing skills too.

 

What did he do to damage the club btw? If you say pissed in the street I'm gonna hit you.

 

You better make sure J69s not about or you'll be getting pointed out to the police..

 

He's be spending a night in the cells as well then because no doubt he'd be hanging out of Dyers arse

Edited March 21, 2007 by Wacky Jnr

[Fop 1]

More of a disruptive force in the dressing room than the rest of the team? I doubt he was the worst by any means. Robson's downfall was that he couldn't control the players and much as people like to think it was 'Uncle Bobby' being hard done to by the young bling brigade the simple fact of the matter is: you get young players at every club who need discipline and Robson failed miserably in instilling it.

 

 

I dunno the NUFC brat pack was very numerous, very well paid and very full of themselves, I can't think of many clubs that have had all of that.

 

It was only "solved" by getting shot of several (at least one of which has continued to act in that manner), serious injuires that made them (allegedly) re-evaluate, being threatened with no renewal of contract and such.

 

And tbh I don't know how you'd do it, you can't ban them from ever going out or ever drinking (and if you tried there'd be a human rights lawsuit).

[Kid Dynamite 7336]

Barmble on the other hand is quite obviously happy being shit and wasting his money. He was on a par with rio and terry in his youth.

 

I wonder if its hit home yet that his wages are stopping in 4 or 5 months and hes chance to be moving to sheffield united or stoke or somewhere similiar?

[Guest alex]

More of a disruptive force in the dressing room than the rest of the team? I doubt he was the worst by any means. Robson's downfall was that he couldn't control the players and much as people like to think it was 'Uncle Bobby' being hard done to by the young bling brigade the simple fact of the matter is: you get young players at every club who need discipline and Robson failed miserably in instilling it.

 

 

I dunno the NUFC brat pack was very numerous, very well paid and very full of themselves, I can't think of many clubs that have had all of that.

 

It was only "solved" by getting shot of several (at least one of which has continued to act in that manner), serious injuires that made them (allegedly) re-evaluate, being threatened with no renewal of contract and such.

 

And tbh I don't know how you'd do it, you can't ban them from ever going out or ever drinking (and if you tried there'd be a human rights lawsuit).

Doesn't that proves my point about Robson not being able to discipline the young players properly?