Dyer Looking To Catch Up Former Team Mates

The Swansea City player of the year grew up with the likes of Tottenham's Gareth Bale and Arsenal's Theo Walcott at Southampton and tomorrow could reach the Premier League to meet back up with them again next season.

He told Wales on Sunday "I grew up with the likes of Gareth Bale, Theo Walcott, Leon Best and Kenwyne Jones at Southampton

“So there’s a few people there who have gone on and played in the Premier League.

“I speak to Gareth now and again and I like to keep in touch.

“Growing up with these guys I know how they can play and what their abilities are.

“I feel as a team we are ready for the Premier League and it would be amazing for us to play those top teams week-in, week-out.

“When I was on loan at Sheffield United before I came here Ian Harte was on trial there,” said Dyer.

“I came up against him in training there and I’ve played against him since he’s been at Reading, he’s got one of the best left-foots around.

“He’s a good player, a good professional and works hard, so I’ve got to make sure I’m on my game.

“I know that he’s going to want to stop me.

“There are a lot of ways to beat experience — if you’re clever you can exploit that – and I’ve got wiser as I’ve got older too.

“There are thousands of people that have had bigger problems than me so I put that to one side and concentrated on what I do best – and that’s play football,” he said.

“When I first came onto the scene I was doing well, then it slowed down and I drifted off a bit.

“Coming to Swansea, when Roberto Martinez was here and I was on loan, rejuvenated myself as a player and the way I think as well.

“I love playing here. Brendan’s coming in and made sure we play in the right way.

“Last year there was a different approach. I wouldn’t say I was a defender, but I was more defensive than I wanted to be.

“But the manager gives us a licence to express ourselves and he wants me to stay up and attack and that’s what I love doing.

“I’ll get back and help out when needed but my first job is to get forward and create. He knows how we can play and we need to be ruthless because we all know winning this game would change all our lives.”