10 Newcastle Players Who Really Weren't Worth The Hassle

3. Kieron Dyer

There is no doubting that Kieron Dyer was a top player for Newcastle United. Bristling with pace, fervour and invention, Dyer flummoxed Premier League defences in a black and white shirt, muscling his way into the England set-up. He was part of a youthful core of exciting talent emerging under Sir Bobby Robson, which guided the club to successive top four finishes. St. James' Park truly was the setting for the best part of his career. However, for all of his goals, illumination and flair, the former Ipswich man was often a stain on the good name of the club. As previously mentioned, he was part of the infamous on-pitch brawl with Lee Bowyer in April 2005 which dragged the sport into disrepute, and served only to embarrass the club. By his own admission, he played a part in the downfall of one of the most dignified men to take the reigns of the club, as he insolently refused to take to the pitch in an opening day clash with Middlesbrough in 2004. Sir Bobby Robson was shown the door within a fortnight, while Dyer's petulance continued to course through the club like a poison. There were other cases of unprofessionalism which decorated his Toon career, including his feeble attempt at clearing the ball off the line against Barcelona and allowing himself to be caught up in an assault allegation in 2003. His last four seasons at the club were dogged by injuries, as he struggled with hamstring and fitness problems. With his halo slipping, he was finally shipped out of the club after eight talented, but equally stressful, years.