Michael Martin, editor of Newcastle United fanzine True Faith, offers his point of view on the Kieron Dyer situation.
For all the angst, expense and aggravation that comes with following Newcastle United, there was the same spring in the step of those of us fortunate enough to get our hands on tickets for the away enclosure at Middlesbrough.
To my knowledge, there aren't many millionaires who shelled out for match-day tickets and travel who count among NUFC's regular away following but they still have an optimism and fervour which does the heart good to be a part of.
It isn't cheap following United and many make considerable sacrifices to give 100% unconditional support to our club. The salt of the earth!
Which brings us to Kieron Dyer. Surely this kid is finished at Newcastle United. Sir Bobby Robson is doing the right thing by attempting to keep the lid on the furore but, if it is true this player has refused to do his job because he's not suited to the task given to him, then he has no place at Newcastle United Football Club.
His attitude jars dramatically with supporters, many of whom would give certain reproductive organs in exchange to have pulled on a black-and-white shirt in anger, but also his team-mates.
Aaron Hughes has his limitations as a player, though not as greatly as some suggest, but where he excels is in his obvious relish to do a job for United. The lad has played right across the back line and on occasion even gone into midfield to perform man-man marking jobs for our cause. Not a word of complaint. Hats off to the lad.
Likewise Robbie Elliott. Apparently discarded by Robson, Robbie was asked to do an unfamiliar job because his club needed him to. He did and he gave his best.
Hughes and Elliott - good professionals. Good men.
Dyer? It is alleged our own King of Bling - I do hope he doesn't think this nickname is in any way affectionate - refused to play to the manager's instructions down the right-hand side at Boro. If true, then this can only be interpreted as a gross insult to NUFC, the manager, team-mates, directors and supporters.
Having seen pictures of his entry to the match on Saturday, he appeared to be completely ignoring his manager, and his disdain for the captain's armband when handed it by the departing Alan Shearer was simply offensive.
If logic determines our manager's tactics, it appeared Dyer had been requested to act as a direct replacement for the departing James Milner. He did nothing to fulfil that task, seemingly hell-bent on the usual ill-disciplined, headless chicken impression with no end product.
His slip and lacklustre attempt to chase back to cover Zenden before the typical last-minute equaliser are only worsened in light of the supposed spat he has had with the manager.
The other galling aspect to this alleged abuse of his position at United is that Dyer is not that good anyway. He's hardly a player to be mentioned in the same breath as Gascoigne, Beardsley, Green or McDermott, is he?
He is frequently injured and in only one of his five seasons at United has he featured in more than 30 games. His goalscoring record for a time largely spent in his favoured attacking central midfield role is abysmal. In 150 Premiership matches over five seasons he has scored a pitiful 14 goals. He has scored only three times in his last 65 matches.
That is what has ruined his England prospects, not his manager, Robson, who in my opinion should have sold this overrated, self-regarding wannabe long before now.
Sadly, the Dyer episode has overshadowed some very positive elements of last Saturday's opening performance. Nicky Butt looked every inch the championship-winning player he is and patrolled our midfield with class and determination, which has already won him many friends among the faithful.
Milner had a promising debut, as did Stephen Carr. Jermaine Jenas played well for an hour but appeared to tire badly towards the end. Craig Bellamy was exceptional and his fitness could prove pivotal over the coming season. Shay Given again proved he is the best Newcastle goalkeeper many of us have ever seen.
There is much the manager and supporters should be encouraged about but we can only move on from this result if everyone connected with United is giving everything for our cause.
