11:15am Wednesday 10th March 2010
KIERON DYER has vowed to prove his worth to West Ham after being singled out as an example of the club's 'ill-judged' spending.
The midfielder has made only a handful of appearances for the Hammers since his £6million arrival from Newcastle, following a broken leg and a series of hamstring problems.
His experience prompted the club's finance director Nick Igoe to point to the signing as a case in study of the previous owners' reckless spending in the club's accounts, which has left the club in up to £110m debt, according to new owner David Sullivan.
Sullivan and business partner David Gold have attempted to cut costs at Upton Park, with the former even suggesting Dyer 'might have to accept retirement'.
However, the former England star, who made his first home appearance in three months during the 2-1 defeat against Bolton on Saturday, is determined to prove his critics wrong.
“If you buy a football club and you are the owners, you can say what you want and do what you want,” he said. “It's your business and they are entitled to their opinion.
“People forget I probably had a worse leg break than Aaron Ramsey. I've had four operations to try and get it right. I've given everything I can to get fit for this club, but it's not enough for some people.
“All I can do is get my head down. I have the backing of the manager and hopefully I can get there.”
Dyer's warm reception from the West Ham faithful appeared to suggest he still has their support.
“That's good to hear,” he said. “Hopefully I can change some other people's minds.”
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