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February 28, 2003
(Friday)
Touch Wood
KIERON DYER believes
Jonathan Woodgate has helped Newcastle become
a "top-two club" and is ready to prove he is one of the world's best
defenders when he makes his debut tomorrow.
The £9million man has not even kicked a ball for the club yet but
Dyer says the United squad was given a boost by his arrival.
Woodgate is set for a hero's welcome at St James' Park when he faces
Chelsea in a crunch match with Champions League qualification at
stake.
Dyer says his close friend Woodgate has settled in well on Tyneside
and is ready to prove that Sir Bobby Robson's January signing was
spot on.
The 23-year-old England midfielder reckons the Newcastle squad have
upped their game since Woodgate arrived, producing six wins from the
last seven matches.
Robson's side take on Chelsea after their 3-1 demolition of Bayer
Leverkusen in the Champions League on Wednesday night, which kept
alive their hopes of a quarter-final place.
Dyer was in top form and impressed England coach Sven Goran Eriksson,
as Alan Shearer bagged a first-half hat-trick.
"It was great management to buy Woodgate," said Dyer. "He hasn't even
played yet but the defence has been given a huge lift.
"We feel like a top-two side. We have a game in hand and we can catch
Man United if we win it - and they still have to come to St James'.
"I think Woody, when he is fully fit, will expect to play but it up
to the boss to make that decision."
Newcastle's much-maligned defence has conceded only three goals in
the last seven matches, leaving Robson to ponder with whom to pair
Woodgate on Saturday. Andy O'Brien was rested against Leverkusen and
Titus Bramble had another excellent game.
Dyer said: "Woody's arrival has put pressure on the defence and they
have all responded. I want to play with the best players. I spoke to
Rio Ferdinand about Woody and he says he is one of the best he has
ever played with.
"The lads can't wait for him to be in the squad. Woody has fitted in
so well because he already knows a lot of the young lads at the club.
He is quality but so is everyone in our squad. That's why we are
doing so well."
Woodgate has struck up a close bond with Dyer and Craig Bellamy since
his move from Leeds.
Now Robson wants everything to be right if he is to make his debut in
such a high-profile match asChelsea. Dyer added: "We are in the
middle of a a tough run of games but the way we are playing, we are a
match for anyone.
"We could have beaten Arsenal with a bit of luck. Confidence is sky
high and everything is falling into place.
"I am delighted that Alan came back and scored his goals. He is
always in the right place at the right time.
"We really wanted Barcelona to beat Milan, but at least it is in our
own hands now. If we beat them in the San Siro, and beat Barcelona at
home, we will be through.
"By the time we play Barca, they could have qualified and could rest
a few players, which could help us.
"But you can't say we're better than Arsenal yet. They are in a class
of their own.
"Man United have their critics but they went to Juventus and won 3-0.
We are still a bit short in terms of them.
"To get to the quarter-finals of this competition would be an amazing
achievement. And, of course, it will be hard to win the league but we
will give it our best shot."
Robson fears he will have to rest Dyer soon because he has been
suffering from sore shins again. "It is a worry," said Robson. I may
have to take him out for a game at some point. He has not been
training much.
"If we have Jermaine Jenas back and Hugo Viana, too, we may be able
to afford Dyer a break. It would be a pity because defenders can't
live with him."
Gary Speed is as upbeat as Dyer. "I am sure the Champions League is a
competition that we could win one day," he said.
Meanwhile, Shearer has an unusual reason for celebrating his hat-
trick. He said: "My good pal Mike Newell, who is boss at Hartlepool,
kept reminding me that he scored a hat-trick in the Champions League
against Rosenborg when we were team-mates at Blackburn.
"He used to point out that I had not, but he can't throw that one at
me any more."
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