29 March 2005    
Exclusive: Kieron Dyer interview

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It's been quite a few months for England midfielder Kieron Dyer. Prior to England's World Cup qualifier against Azerbaijan, we spoke with the Newcastle United midfielder.

TheFA.com: You came on as a substitute late in the game against Northern Ireland and showed a few good touches... 

"It was a great time to come on. The game was already won really. The gaffer told me to go out there and exploit the situation and I thought I did that in the twenty minutes I got."

TheFA.com: You look very sharp at the moment?

"Yes I feel sharp. It comes with games and confidence and, touch wood, I am managing to do that at the moment. I'm staying injury free and I think it is showing in my performance just now."

TheFA.com: It's been an eventful season for you... 

"Yes. It has been a roller-coaster. Massive highs and massive lows but there's so many highs at the moment and hopefully that will continue right through to the end of the season.

"The last time England played at St James' Park it was a tough night. When I first found out that we were playing the Ukraine at St James', I thought it was one that, if we had won, I might get a hero's welcome but I had my well-documented problems and it was a torrid time getting booed with every touch.

"Sven spoke to me before the game and said that I was going to come on at half time but I honestly don't think he expected me to get that kind of reaction. Maybe he would have kept me on the bench if he'd have known.

"It just goes to show what a funny game football is because I do believe that if I feature at some point on Wednesday the reaction will be very different."

TheFA.com: Did it have an impact on your game on the night?

"Yes it did. It affected me for the early part of the season really. But a new manager came in at Newcastle and had a chat with me and explained to me that I am part of his plans. He said that I have to start to win these people back over and I am starting to see that, which is a good sign.

"He told me a story about when he and Alan Hansen were getting booed when they were playing for Scotland by their own fans and he said that they came out for the second half and just got on the ball so many times that the fans just got fed up of booing them.

"He just said just get on the ball at all times and show them you are not afraid and they will see that you are a strong character and you will start to win them over and that's been the case really."

TheFA.com: But now it looks like you've put all that behind you and everything's going well?

"Yes - you do sometimes go to a game and feel so sharp and feel that you are on top of your game and I think that just comes from playing at consistent levels and this is probably the most consistent that I have played for a number of years now.

"Hopefully I will continue with that and keep injury free because that is the key.

"I was desperate to get on on Saturday and the gaffer gave me twenty minutes which I was thankful for and you have to, even with twenty minutes, show what you can do and keep yourself in the frame."

TheFA.com: You've had your fair share of injuries - why is it that they seem to have stopped?

"I had four hamstring tears last season which is incredible really. Obviously quick players do have their hamstring problems - Michael Owen has had them in the past.

"I went to see a top specialist who did a number of tests on me and found that the muscle that kept getting ripped is very weak and he gave me certain exercises which would strengthen that muscle up so it is as strong as my right side. I still do the exercises today and have not had a problem with the hamstring since."

TheFA.com: Did it affect you mentally?

"Yes of course because hamstrings, of all the muscles, are the most touchy to deal with and to have four in one season is a bit of a nightmare but I have overcome that now and am ready for action.

"Hopefully I am as quick now as ever, and hopefully I can get quicker. I have a good fitness coach at Newcastle and he does lots of exercises with the likes of myself and other quick players and it seems to be paying off."

TheFA.com: From the bench on Saturday, did you think Joe Cole had got quicker?

"I don't think he's got quicker: he's very sharp off the mark and his first two to five yards are very explosive and that gives him a yard on defenders which is obviously a great asset to have.

"I think Joe getting his chance gave us all heart. It has been in the past that when you turn up on Monday or Tuesday you can basically predict the starting eleven so it is great to see that if you are doing it for your club on a consistent level like Joe has been doing, that the gaffer is willing to give you a chance.

"For the rest of the squad and players on the bench you can take great heart from that.. We can see that the starting eleven is not a foregone conclusion and if you are doing it for your club then the manager will have not hesitate in putting you in."