see this one has reared its ugly head again in several forms.

SKY reporting Fergie to get Dyer in the summer along with Thuran. Sunday People likewise with 'sources' being friends of young Kieron - and say Fat Freddie is furious as the news breaking will coincide with season ticket renewals.

Will he stay or will he go? How many more denials will we get from within SJP

-- Anonymous, June 03, 2001

Answers

and of course Dwight Yorke is makeweight in the deal - coz he loves the Quayside so much.

Tosh

-- Anonymous, June 03, 2001

I had heard that there was a massive rumour going around that the club were going to wait until the season ticket money is in before announcing the sale of Dyer. At the time I didn't believe that they would be that stupid - it would be seen to be so cynical that the reprecussions would be worse than the News of the World sting on Hall and Shepherd.

Now I'm not so sure.

£10m cash plus £10m worth(!) of Dwight Yorke might seem like good business to them, and who but the top brass at NUFC could forget the depth of feeling the last time our prize asset went to Old Trafford with a highly dubious 'makeweight' coming the other way?

I've a feeling we're all about to get mugged again.

-- Anonymous, June 03, 2001

If we could get £20 Million for Dyer AND we knew that we were certain to be able to buy Carrick, Clarke and Yorke with that money then I would renew my season ticket and think it was a good deal.

-- Anonymous, June 03, 2001

This stinks. It's a cynical manipulation and gives off hideous messages about our ambition.

-- Anonymous, June 03, 2001

Why are you expressing surprise at this suggested cynicism? This is football - you are fans - when have we ever been treated with anything other than contempt by the powers-that-be? And I'm not just talking about NUFC here. The other club I follow has a chairman who is so fan friendly that, when he was asked on one occasion why he didn't sell off some of his enormous shareholding to the fans, reportedly replied "I wouldn't give them the dirt from under me fingernails".

We are mere cannon fodder. The only serious weapon we have in our armoury is to withdraw our support and hit the bar stewards in their bank balance. As most of us cannot bring oursleves to do this we have to accept that until David Sheepshank becomes a Geordie, we are stuck with cynicism.

-- Anonymous, June 03, 2001

Not bothered. 1 player with potential for the money to buy 3 proven players is too good to turn down.

The alternative is to hang onto a player who needs everyone around him to play their socks off to allow him the time and space to shine. The cold light of day shows a bunch of journeymen and geriatrics around him and only enough money to add more crap to the mixture.

Ask yourself the real question: why would Dyer extend his contract with us next Summer after we add a couple of freebies and some nobody from Division 2? We'll be lucky to get 10mil for him then as we'll have to sell him. Bottom line is we are a selling club now. We made a net gain on player trading since Robson came. We're a mid-table pile of bobbins and need to get some foundations in because piling crap on top of crap will just make the whole thing topple.

-- Anonymous, June 03, 2001

Given the cacophony of reassuring noises that have emanted from SJP over Dyer's immediate future, if an announcement regarding his sale were now made following the ST deadline it would be the final straw for me regarding Toon Management.

I can't actually believe they could be so crass and disingenuous, and I don't want to speculate what my reaction would be, or what could be done - indeed that would require very careful consideration.

In my mind this would have nothing whatsoever to do with the desirability of keeping YKD. However, it would be the final confirmation of the sort of people who are running our Club, and I for one would regard it as entirely unacceptable behaviour.

-- Anonymous, June 03, 2001

We have to keep Dyer.

I reckon on the right wing, he's be less dependant on the other players and has some defensive qualities as well which would help the team out enormously (how many times does Nobby get back to make a saving tackle?)

I wouldn't really want Yorke to be perfectly honest. He is the type of player who is great on his day, but doesn't have too many of good days.

Just wondering as well, where would Dyer fit in at Manure? If he is seen as a right winger or centre midfielder, Keane, Scholes or Beckham aren't really going to sit on the bench every week, unless one of them is going to another club.

Why would he go to Manure anyway? Their manager is about to leave, the media are on their backs after discovering Liverpool might be the new favourite team and the night life is crap compared to here.

He is slightly overrated in my opinion, but we have to keep him.

-- Anonymous, June 03, 2001

He wouldn't become worth £10million next summer. He is class, only 22 and teams would fight over having him and the price would stay high.

It is very different from say having a nearly 32 year old in your team. If his contract was up in a year's time he'd be worthless, touching 33 and no one would want to pay good money for him. In this scenario we have given an improved contract for an extra two years to ensure he stays.

We must not sell Dyer. If we sell him we are down to one player that other teams covet, in Solano, and we're not really convinced about him. We would have all the pulling power of Derby or Leicester or Sunderland.

-- Anonymous, June 03, 2001

A 'mid-table pile of bobbins'. Yes, very good! But I really think there are more classifications than 'good' and 'bobbin'. We have some bobbins, sure. BUt we do have some intermediate type players and I don't think we NEED to sell Dyer to finance the purchase of more of the same. We do need players of Dyer's ability. We won games last year basically because of his influence, which was very marked when we doing well at the start of last season. We have to keep him.

-- Anonymous, June 03, 2001

Think I'll write a letter to Mr Cushing / Stonehouse telling them that I will gladly renew my season tickets for next season if they can assure me that I will get a refund if Dyer is sold before the start of the season as watching his skillful play was the only thing good about last season and without him MY SON AND I WOULD NOT BE KEEN TO ATTEND NEXT SEASONS GAMES

-- Anonymous, June 03, 2001

Yeh, that should solve the problem Rik.

-- Anonymous, June 03, 2001

Well, if a few hundred of us did the same, then we would get the truth out of them .... or board members would be forced to resign for telling us lies.

-- Anonymous, June 03, 2001

Sorry Rik, I was being rather flippant.
Your suggestion isn't a bad one, however, I'm afraid you would simply would not get the committment you're looking for - they would either just ignore your letter, or send you a few weasle words saying something along the lines of "our overiding intention is to strengthen the playing squad overall, and while we don't wish to consider selling our best players it is simply not possible in the pro footy business to give firm committments on individual players".

As for Board members being forced to resign for telling us lies - you may think so, but I couldn't possibly comment........! ;-{)

-- Anonymous, June 03, 2001

Dyer's contract is up in June of 2003. Next Summer we either get him to sign an extension or sell him. I have serious doubts that anyone will bother making us an offer for a 23 year old when they know they can get him for free the next Summer (going on the idea that your peak is 24-29). Dyer will be after the kind of ridiculous fees all the top talent seem to expect so anyone offering us 20mil will need to also have the 5mil or so a year for wages. They would have to pay us the 20mil this Summer but would be told to wait by their own money men next Summer. 20mil for 12 months is a bad deal - 20mil for 2 years makes more sense.

If we manage to sell him next Summer it will be a case of us needing whatever we can get, and the kind of people offering the most will be the most desperate i.e. precisely the sort of clubs Dyer himself will be avoiding (after his experiences with us). He'll hold out for a club where he can guarantee trophies and they will be far less inclined to offer us silly money knowing that the player will be free in 12 months. Short of a bidding war between top clubs we can forget it.

-- Anonymous, June 03, 2001

Clarky - you've been on too many communication courses. That said, I think you could be right for once.

-- Anonymous, June 03, 2001

What's so great about Dyer anyway? Just because he's English and has creative ability, we all think he's gods gift. Is he better than De Canio? DC seems to turn more games than Dyer yet naver gets a mention. I tell you, if De Canio was English, he's be worth a mint. We're scared to lose Dyer because he's creative and we haven't signed a creative player since, well, Dyer. But there are creative players out there. The likes Hadji could do a job for us.

I'm reminded of something Swift said on here. Look at the way a guy treats him women, because they'll treat the company they work for the same way.

-- Anonymous, June 03, 2001

Well, certainly some home truths coming out here today! And, yes, Clarky should definitely be employed by NUFC!

I still think we should keep him. Despite Softie's rationalization of what his value would be next year and the year after that. Softie's argument sounds like the real defeatism. I think we could do very well next year - sure there are some problems to overcome. But I refuse to give up on our best player to take cash now particularly from the very team(s) (Puddings and Manure) that we should depose.

-- Anonymous, June 03, 2001

Not trying to be defeatist Sounder, but there's still no sign of any team spirit and this squad sem to look for excuses to be beaten. When we concede a goal it's usually game-over, if key players are injured the work rate goes down (not up the way it has to), we don't challenge in midfield, we can't/won't defend set pieces and less people are getting into goal-scoring opportunities.

The mini revival at the arse-end of the season was all about playing with a bit of balance at long last: the player we used to provide that balance isn't considered worth hanging onto - so don't expect balance next season.

I cannot see us being more than mid-table again. I'm certain that 2 of the promoted sides have a better chance than us next season to add to the 2 last season who did the same.

It's a painful dose of realism to me.

-- Anonymous, June 04, 2001

The depressing thing about this thread is the fact that we are ALL resigned to the fact that the lad won't be playing for us in a few years time.

Big club, my arse.

-- Anonymous, June 04, 2001

Unless we can get into the Champions League, possibly the UEFA cup, we have no chance of hanging on to any England international. Erikkson has urged Sol CAmpbell to further his career by picking a side with CL qualification and he'll urge Kieron to do the same.

Dyer must prove it against the best in the world to cement his England place, so unless he moves I can't see him getting that experience at this club.

We have to accept we are not in the big league any more, in fact we are probably in the third division of the Premiership looking to get into the Second, along with the likes of Leeds, Chelsea, Liverpool and Ipswich. It's going to take years to get to that standard again.

-- Anonymous, June 04, 2001

....it's going to take high-level leadership to get to that standard again. That's the vital ingredient, and the missing x-factor right now.

-- Anonymous, June 04, 2001

Agreed Clarky with your comments, the problem is getting to that level once there it will be a doddle staying there ,mark my words.

-- Anonymous, June 04, 2001

It's a load of Twaddle

According to reports today, Newcastle have turned down an offer of Dwight Yorke plus cash for £20million-rated England international Kieron Dyer. It was widely reported in yesterday's tabloids that Manchester United were preparing to offer £10million striker Yorke plus cash for Dyer. Yorke is expected to be the first big-name casualty of manager Sir Alex Ferguson's summer rebuilding plans at Old Trafford. The Premiership champions are hoping to offload Yorke, but could be forced to lower the £10million they want for him as the player has experienced a severe dip in form this season. Ferguson is also said to be unhappy with the Trinidad and Tobago star's constant presence on the front pages of the national press. Bobby Robson is known to be keen on boosting his strike force at St James' Park, but his decision to snub Yorke could be confirmation of the club's determination to hang on to their most valuable asset. Then again, Robson could also have been put off by Yorke's form and off-field problems, while the board would be more likely to hang on for the £20million in cash that it would take to prise Dyer away. It appears that at the moment the only way that Dyer will be allowed to leave Tyneside is if the player himself decides to go. It is understood that The Reds' offer matched Newcastle's valuation so it could be read that it will take something spectacular to tempt Dyer away.

-- Anonymous, June 04, 2001

The Chronicle are saying that Robson and Shepherd asked about the availability of Giggs, Butt and Gary Neville, whilst turning down the bid for Dyer!

Spin to improve season ticket sales or are we turning back into an ambitious club? £8million bid for Jeffers?

-- Anonymous, June 04, 2001

theorys on this questionable Dyer irony:

1. This talk was developed by a Manchester United agent who was frustrated we wont budge in our 30million valuation, he then goes to his journo mate, and get's him to print this story with the sole aim to turn the herd against the club at this critical season ticket renewal period?

2. Bob Murray has seen the demand of SAFC season tickets fall so he asks a jouno mate a favour. He basically cant stand the geordies selling out again????

3. A envious Journo extremely jealous of the power selling 43000 'full price' season tickets gives, decideds to have a sly dig to sabbotage our demand?

-- Anonymous, June 04, 2001

4. Dyer has had every slappa in the toon so wants to move to a new city . Therefore he starts the rumours himself to try to get a move.

-- Anonymous, June 04, 2001

5. Mr Dwight Yorke started the rumor as he wants a big money move to a club he see's as easy money, little play, unless its on the quayside!!!

-- Anonymous, June 04, 2001

6 . Taggart started the rumour to prove to his clubs fans that they are massive.... And to destabalise next seasons likely championship rivals.

-- Anonymous, June 04, 2001

7. Sunderland and Boro collaborated as they have a secret plan to join forces and become the North Easts primary club. They feel it would be to the smog/inbred alliance benefit if they can upset the Newcastle punters, thus force them not to renew their tickets.

-- Anonymous, June 04, 2001

8. Shepherd reckons he can negotiate the price up to £25million - cash!

-- Anonymous, June 04, 2001

Latest tittle-tattle, care of ZooFootball:

Newcastle United were at one point rumoured to have a whacking £100 million to spend on making their playing squad less boring this summer, but with persistent enquiries from Manchester United for Kieron Dyer, it looks like Bobby Robson will have to wave goodbye to his prize asset instead.

A part-exchange deal for Dwight Yorke was turned down by Newcastle at the weekend but Sir Alex Ferguson is due to re-open negotiations later this week in what promises to be an all-out assault on getting his man.

As Fergie reluctantly follows through on boardroom demands for him to slim down his playing squad, he is set to offer Bobby Robson the pick of all of his second-string players in part exchange for Dyer as he aims to meet the Magpies £20 million valuation.

Newcastle have already made vague enquiries about Nicky Butt, Gary Neville and perhaps more audaciously Ryan Giggs, but it seems more likely that they will only be able to have Quinton Fortune as a direct replacement for the right-footed Dyer.

Bobby Robson is also trying to gauge the mood at West Ham as he prepares to make another attempt to lure midfielder Michael Carrick away from Upton Park.

If he fails - as he probably will - he is set to renew his interest in two of the Nationwide League's hottest properties. Tranmere's Jason Koumas is known to want away from Prenton Park while Nottingham Forest can't realistically afford to keep England Under-21 star David Prutton, and both have been closely watched by the Magpies in recent weeks.

-- Anonymous, June 06, 2001

Oh no, Gary Neville for Kieron Dyer, that one is going to give me nightmares for weeks to come.

-- Anonymous, June 06, 2001

don't go there

-- Anonymous, June 07, 2001

GO FOR KOUMAS! Cash strapped Division Two Tranmere cannot realistically hold onto this lad. Skilful with a good free kick on him and he plays left midfield!! Wouldn't cost that much, say £3million and would add a great balance to our side, if Glass is going to leave.

-- Anonymous, June 07, 2001

Does anybody really think we can keep Dyer if he is starting to put this sh*t about? If the the club says no, he'll just go into a big sulk, not bother playing except when anybody is watching him, and keep spreading negative stuff around. You've seen it dozens of times with other players around the premiership. Result, poor morale all round. On the other hand, if the club offers him a new contract worth even more to buy him off, there will be a queue of players outside the door the next day doing the same thing. More poor morale. And all the time his likely value to us goes down as his contract gets nearer the end.

Let's get real - this has nothing to do with ambition or being a selling club. Players like this have the clubs over a barrel.

-- Anonymous, June 08, 2001