DYER GIVEN NEWCASTLE COURT MARTIAL

Kieron Dyer has been told to concentrate on becoming a great player after facing a Newcastle "court martial" into his close-season antics. The 22-year-old England midfielder, the subject of lurid tabloid headlines over his holiday exploits, returned to training 24 hours early for a showdown with Newcastle boss Bobby Robson. And Dyer was told in no uncertain terms that he must modify his behaviour off the pitch. But Robson, who has seen the career of his one-time international prodigy Paul Gascoigne blighted by off-the-field problems, promised one of his brightest prospects all the help he needs to establish himself as a genuine world-class player after reading him the riot act. "We've actually court-martialled him, but he needs our support and our guidance and he will get that, absolutely 100%," said Robson. "He'll get that from the players, he'll get that from the management and he'll get that from the board of directors. "We've just got to get that kid back on track and being a great player, which he has the potential to do. "Kieron came in especially on Monday for a meeting with the chairman, the chief executive, myself and the player's agent. "He's been made fully aware of the whole situation and it's in the past. He knows he's got to change, just a little bit, his lifestyle and just concentrate on being a top-class player. "He's extremely remorseful. I want him to duck low and keep out of the limelight and just concentrate on achieving the great things in football we feel he can do." Robson's comments came as he officially unveiled new signings Carl Cort, Christian Bassedas and Daniel Cordone, the product of his summer's work and a combined #11.5million investment. And while he was keen to highlight the benefits of Cort's acquisition in particular, he insisted that the #7million he paid for the Wimbledon striker's signature does not necessarily signal the end of Duncan Ferguson's career at St James' Park. Ferguson's future has been the subject of intense speculation since frontmen Cort and Cordone were added to the ranks, and although Robson has always maintained that every player has his price, he played down talk that the Scot could soon be on his way. "I would say that Duncan Ferguson's future is as bright today as it was when he first came," he said. "If we're going to challenge in the Premiership - which is our duty - and qualify for Europe, and that's our intention and our hope, you've got to have now a strong squad of players. "We're not looking to sell any of our top-class players. We don't have to, and the acquisition of these boys was not dependent on the sale of any player. "We bought Duncan Ferguson not so long ago for a lot of money and at some stages last season, Alan Shearer and Duncan were an awesome pair, as good a combination of strikers as there is anywhere in Europe, let alone England. "Having Ferguson and Shearer at your throat in a Premier League match was not an easy thing to handle, and we've added Carl Cort to that as we wanted better options, a stronger pool and more quality. "In Ferguson, Shearer and Cort, we have, in my opinion, three top-class, great players, and we're not looking to sell any of them." Robson revealed that one of the 13 players transfer-listed at the end of last season could move on this week, but he scotched talk that Scottish international midfielder Stephen Glass may be on his way to newly-promoted Ipswich, the manager's former club. "I have had no contact at all," he said. "As a matter of fact, Stephen Glass handed me a written note personally from him asking to be removed from the transfer list, which we've done and I'm very happy to do. "He had a miserable year last year with injuries. He hardly did anything for the club or for himself and he regrets that now. "He wants to put his heart and soul behind Newcastle United and in view of that, I'm looking at the possibility and the thought of extending Glass' contract."

-- Anonymous, July 12, 2000

Answers

Good to hear about Glass- hes played some great football in the past especially at home with Domi behind. Glad to hear Dunc is staying- if the club are willing to pay his lofty wages then hes invaluable even if he does manage only 1/2 to 2/3 of the games. Hope Dyer takes things in his stride too- he seems a pleasant bloke whos trying to enjoy his youth(+money) but needs to be very careful considering his value to a big club and the media interest he will attract.

-- Anonymous, July 12, 2000

Yessss, just what I needed to hear after all of the Season Ticket goings on. I have always had a soft spot for glass and felt he only needed time to bed in and get an understanding with the forwards and he would be excellent. Ferguson too, I was resigned to the fact that he was going and was sad to think we hadn't seen everything he had to offer.

-- Anonymous, July 12, 2000

So nice to finally hear from Bobby himself! Good news about Glass. Hopefully things finally go right for him.

-- Anonymous, July 12, 2000

"I want him to duck low and keep out of the limelight and just concentrate on achieving the great things in football we feel he can do."

The downside to this is that the press will hear this and work even harder to churn up some crap.

-- Anonymous, July 13, 2000

I hope Glass regains his form from 2 seasons ago, and it would be good to see him playing in front of Domi again down the left. All we need then is for Dyer to secure the right wing spot in front of Barton. And Speed and Bassedas to form a partnership in the middle of the park and then our midfield is set.

-- Anonymous, July 13, 2000

It's a luxury problem but we have to have Solano in there when available due to his set piece delivery and general right midfield play. Shame we can't combine Dyer and Solano and we'd have one hell of a player who was available every week! :-)

I guess when Solano is away Dyer may fill that role. Making Gavilan left footed would be a good move, surely some surgeons could do this now...clone him for the left wing and while we're at it we'll have another Shearer!!

-- Anonymous, July 13, 2000

Quote Of The Day
People think Im flash, but I didnt just go out and buy my Porsche with straight cash"
The Ipswich Evening Star.
err, that's flash Kieron lad.

-- Anonymous, July 13, 2000

Just cleaning up after mesell

-- Anonymous, July 13, 2000

It is reported that part of Dyer's talk-down by Bobby involved him being told to talk to the press less. I hope it works, the holes just get bigger each time.

-- Anonymous, July 13, 2000