West Ham thread

The only issue I have with Dyer is his fitness. I don't agree with most Hammers fans thats he's sh*t. I think he's exciting to watch when he takes on defenders (but hey, thats just me).

Hammers seal Dyer deal.

Kieron Dyer's on-off move from Newcastle to West Ham has finally been concluded after the two sides agreed terms.

The England midfielder, who has been keen to leave St James' Park to be closer to his family, looked like he had missed out on the chance to join the Hammers when the deal stalled.

West Ham had agreed a fee for the 28-year-old, who can play across the midfield or as a support striker, but the deal hit the buffers when the Magpies decided to up their valuation of the player from around �6million to nearer �8million.

However Dyer, who has earned 32 England caps since making his debut in 1999, will now link up with a clutch of former Newcastle team-mates including Scott Parker, Craig Bellamy and Lee Bowyer - with whom he had a infamous on-field scuffle in April 2005 - at Upton Park.

Hammers boss Alan Curbishley said: "We're trying to build a squad here; we are short in the middle, and Kieron can play that position.

"We're delighted to get the player. Newcastle changed it at the last minute before - when he was just walking in the door - so that was disappointing.

"But common sense has prevailed; Kieron is looking forward to joining us, and Newcastle go down their route.

"Every player you sign has risks - and he is no different. I hope he hits the ground running and shows everyone what a good player he is."

As for the relationship between Bowyer and Dyer, Curbishley does not anticipate any problems.

"I spoke to both players and have been assured that it was a one-off, and they both speak to each other regularly," said the manager.

"It was just two players desperate to do well; they were getting well beaten, and it just boiled over.

"Kieron's got to make up for a bit of lost time, and I hope he does. We're delighted to have him on board."

Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce confirmed Dyer's departure, saying: "The issue is now over and from the club's point of view and Kieron's point of view it's a satisfying result.

"We've all got what we wanted and we move on and I wish him all the best. I hope he has a successful career from now on and of course he is closer now to his family."

West Ham have slammed Sheffield United's intention to sue them for the cost of relegation as "desperate".

The Blades recently failed in their High Court bid to force a new Premier League action against West Ham over the Carlos Tevez affair.

However, they have now decided on a new course of action which they hope will lead to the award of considerable damages. They have estimated the cost of their relegation at between �30million and �50million.

The Blades are suing over a breach of contract and claim to have evidence which proves West Ham "misled" the original independent panel by failing to disclose vital information relating to their arrangement with Tevez's adviser Kia Joorabchian.

But the Hammers issued a statement which read: "We are extremely disappointed that Sheffield United have seen fit to embark on this latest desperate action.

"Not only does Sheffield United's claim lack legal merit, but it is also based on their incorrect belief that West Ham withheld an agreement from the Premier League and the April disciplinary commission.

"In fact, long before the disciplinary hearing, West Ham United made the Premier League fully aware of the existence and status of the agreement in question.

Earlier the Blades had themselves issued a statement which read: "Sheffield United announce that we are to issue proceedings against West Ham United in connection with the 'Tevez Affair'.

"The players, particularly Tevez, played a key role in West Ham's season, giving West Ham an unfair advantage at the expense of the other Premiership teams - including Sheffield United - all of which had played by the rules.

"Sheffield United are confident that sufficient remedies exist in law to ensure the Tevez affair cannot simply be brushed under the carpet."

The Blades have put the cost of relegation at between �30million and �50million.

West Ham were fined �5.5million by the Premier League over the Tevez affair in April.

Sheffield United believe they should have been docked points for such a serious breach of rules but failed in their attempts to have the original punishment changed or the hearing reconvened.

The Blades have been warned by sports litigation expert Peter Coyle that they are on a "hiding to nothing".

He said: "Proving West Ham have breached their duty of good faith is easy enough because they have admitted to breaking the rules, but to prove that has been the main cause of their (Sheffield United's) relegation is incredibly difficult to do.

"Sheffield United didn't beat Wigan on the last game of the season. That to me is a bigger reason for their relegation than Tevez, West Ham or anything else.

"It is difficult to advise people to drop anything worth �50million but legally I would be struggling to find a justification to say to Sheffield United 'let's keep banging on'."

Well they would say that wouldn't they?   

good news hammers... looks like ashton is fit to start tonight against bristol.

as much as i like zamora he dosnt seem to be finding the target. good squad player tho.

on the down side looks like bellamy could be out with a groin strain. we have the worst luck with injuries.

Have to admit I'm not too confident. I'm predicting 1-1 draw again. At least we finally get to see the boys play live this season. And Shorey will make a brilliant goal line save in the final minute to completely rub the salt in. 

I will be surprised if dyer ever comes back to be honest (tin hat on)

saying that tho Adriano wanted 125,000 pounds a week!! FFS thats to rich for our blood.

I finally got round to watching the game last night. 

Pleasing result for a number of reasons:

Nothing on any of the websites yet about Ballamy injury.  If he is going to be out for a few weeks he will miss Newcastle away, Arsenal at home and Villa away. But then we have about five game that we really do need to win, (not draw) if we can expect to be in the top 5 - 10., (Sunderland, Portsmouth, Bolton, Derby, Spurs plus another 6 months of football after that. We have to bite the bullet with injuries and not rush people back. I think that is what happened to Bellars on Saturday. OK, Camara had only arrived 24 hours earlier and Z Man is just back this week (knee), but we created enough chances to score three. It was the defence that was shaky. As for Carlton Cole, he can hardly be expected to have a great touch when he only plays 45 minutes now and then. Why dont the reserve team play every week, or does the official website not report all the games. Bowyer, boy does he want to play at the moment!!