JULIAN Dicks steps straight into the cauldron of a Merseyside derby

with instructions from his new manager not to change his style.

The former West Ham full-back, who was swapped for Mike Marsh and

David Burrows in a deal worth #2.5m, takes his place in a formidable

defence alongside Graeme Souness's other hard-man signing, Neil Ruddock.

Dicks, 25, is not worried about his reputation -- he has been sent off

eight times -- nor the fact that the majority of the 40,000 Goodison

Park crowd will be on his back.

He said: ''I'm not worried at all. When I was at Birmingham, I was

only 17 when I made my debut against Aston Villa, so I know what derbies

are all about.'' Dicks revealed that Souness has warned him about his

lack of self discipline, but hasn't ordered him to change his style.

''He said go out and play the way you usually play. Obviously we

talked about my disciplinary record, but that's all over and done with

now.'' Meanwhile, Souness tried to avoid comparisons with Ruddock who

also joined the club with a ''wild man'' reputation.

''I think -- like those who have witnessed Ruddock since he's been

here -- he's a very good footballer. He's just got a reputation for

getting into trouble which he feels he's gone some way to sorting out,''

said Souness.

''He's a good footballer, the same as Ruddock, and sometimes people

forget to write about that bit.''

Meanwhile, Portsmouth striker Lee Chapman has joined the Hammers in a

#250,000 deal.

Chapman, 33, completed his surprise move last night. The former Leeds

striker rejected the London side in the summer in favour of Portsmouth

-- but is believed to have been unhappy about travelling to the south

coast from Yorkshire.