Source: Telegraph
Kieron Dyer lifts gloom hanging over West Ham
An unmistakeable whiff of anxiety permeates West Ham, despite the recent upturn in results. This routine win over last season's FA Cup giant-killers Barnsley – a third in succession for Gianfranco Zola's side – could not dispel talk of Icelandic banking crises, looming administration and possible fire sales. [LNB]"There is nothing we can do about it," said assistant manager Steve Clarke. "I just get paid to coach the players that are here."[LNB]Clarke denied there was anything sinister in the absence of Matthew Upson, who he said was suffering the after-effects of flu rather than avoiding being Cup-tied, and that he expected Craig Bellamy "to be here next week," although he did admit the squad needed paring down. [LNB]Kieron Dyer provided one chink of light. After 17 months out injured, Dyer looked electric in his brief cameo and nearly scored with his second touch. He will play in tonight's reserve match against Aston Villa. "It's like a new signing for the club," said striker Carlton Cole, who scored his third in three games after Herita Ilunga and a Mark Noble penalty had put West Ham 2-0 up at the break. "He has been training brilliantly and is going to be a great asset for the club." [LNB]
