Dean Hammond

[William Henry Foulkes]

Does anyone have an inkling what all his unseen work is?

Because his seen work is utter shit.

I disagree with our tactics yesterday, but did Long have save to make when Hammond was on? And they scored after he went off. It might genuinely be that all his good work is unseen: in particular closing down options - at one point he came racing across the pitch towards us when they had space in midfield, and the end result was they had nowhere to go. I suspect this happens a lot: they can't find a way through because Hammond is there organised and organising.

The thing is his seen work yesterday was extremely poor: for instance he lost possession to younger, faster, hungrier players several times.

So there you have it Hammond would have won us the game.

 

[Smirth]

I think he's a decent player, and whilst yesterday was a poor game for him he's been better in the last couple of months then when he first arrived with us, however I can't help but think that for the large amount of money we are undoubtedly paying him he doesn't do enough to justify either that, or our lengthy pursuit of him.

He's out of contract in the summer, the board need to use this time to stand up to Adkins and tell him that if he wants him again next season that is his decision but he won't be given anything more than 1 year contract. He will be 33 by the time he is out of contract in the summer, we have to stop giving these players contracts for anything more than 1 year. If we proceed to give him anything more than that I'll be close to breaking point with the stupidity of our 'technical board.'

 

[PokerBlade]

Instead of just telling me I don't see it Adkins could tell me what I'm supposed to be looking for.

He does do a lot of defensive graft but he also gets shrugged off the ball, loses possession, or is simply beaten by the man on the ball far far too often for what I was told is a Premiership midfielder.

It was easy to see how much weaker we looked without a defensive midfielder on Saturday, so it's a given that they're contributing a lot of good work, but I can think of at least three occasions where Hammond cocked up and nearly got us in a lot of trouble in that game. So while we obviously need a defensive midfielder, is Hammond really the quality we need? Being better than nothing isn't good enough for a side that claims it wants promotion.

 

[metalblade]

I don't doubt he has a football brain and know how sadly his body looks far too slow as does his speed of thought, seeing him lose the ball continuously (every second touch is a tackle) reminds me of Monty but a far less mobile version. Send him back to Leicester.

 

[TonyAgana]

at one point he came racing across the pitch towards us when they had space in midfield, and the end result was they had nowhere to go.

I know exactly the bit you're referring to. He came racing over, and then stood off him. The ball was then played forward. Again, he looked like he was doing a job but didn't actually do it.

 

[grafikhaus]

I think it's becoming increasingly evident that Adkins himself isn't very football minded.

Like Hammond, he was probably OK 2-3 years ago, but time has moved on.

Spot on. They'll blindly back the manager because not one of them has a clue themselves.

No, they 'back the manager' because they need a yes-man to deflect criticism from themselves.

That's what they look for in a manager. Are we to believe that these prospective managers, at interview stage, don't ask questions such as 'What's the transfer budget?' or 'Tell me it won't be made up by selling our better players?' or 'Describe the scouting network. How many gems have they spotted from lower-league clubs in the last 3-5 years? You know, like teams such as Peterborough, Walsall, Gillingham, Burton etc. have no problem doing.'

 

[Bladepicker]

Still dont understand why we signed him. He may have the brain to be in the right positions but his body is still to slow to react when the ball is near him. When he has the ball he loses possession easily to the nimble footed players. My patience for him has run out

He is not good enough and agree with those above that say Doyle did the job Hammond does better than he does. However I can understand why we signed him, as 'sans Doyle' we were desperate for a nasty defensive midfielder to break up play and bolster the back four. I just wish we had been able to go out and find someone better than him to do the job.

 

[Bladepicker]

No, they 'back the manager' because they need a yes-man to deflect criticism from themselves.

That's what they look for in a manager. Are we to believe that these prospective managers, at interview stage, don't ask questions such as 'What's the transfer budget?' or 'Tell me it won't be made up by selling our better players?' or 'Describe the scouting network. How many gems have they spotted from lower-league clubs in the last 3-5 years? You know, like teams such as Peterborough, Walsall, Gillingham, Burton etc. have no problem doing.'

I seriously doubt our board think 'let's appoint a manager who will spend our resource (however small) and shit, ageing players on the wane who won't improve the side and leave us stuck in the division.' They may do it - but it isn't their MO.

 

[Grecian2000]

The fact that the board have seen what Hammond can do in his first loan spell and then let Adkins sign him up for the rest of the season, shows everything which is wrong with this board.

I am far from Hammonds biggest fan, to the point I rarely join in any thread with his name prominent because I really can't think of anything I actually like about his play. However, I can't agree with the quote.
Having appointed a manger the board has no business in then interfering with his recruitment/tactics et al. HE'S the football expert and you have to trust him to do his job.

Fwiw, once a manger has to start defending players with the "1st name on the sheet/lots of hidden work" type stuff it usually means he's going to play him whatever just to prove himself right or die trying.

 

[CarlMcBlade]

The reason Hammond is catching so much flak is because we were all hoped he was going to solve all our problems at once.
With all the hype when he came I half expected him to run out onto the field with a tight blue suit a red Cape and red pants.

 

[TonyAgana]

The reason Hammond is catching so much flak is because we were all hoped he was going to solve all our problems at once.
With all the hype when he came I half expected him to run out onto the field with a tight blue suit a red Cape and red pants.

Nope. It's because he's practically ineffective.

 

[Treeton Blade]

It would be the same with Burn, any mistake and it would be meltdown.

We need to be looking at players who never make any mistakes

 

[Grappler]

Does anyone have an inkling what all his unseen work is?

Because his seen work is utter shit.

bathroom tiling

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

I disagree with our tactics yesterday, but did Long have save to make when Hammond was on? And they scored after he went off. It might genuinely be that all his good work is unseen: in particular closing down options - at one point he came racing across the pitch towards us when they had space in midfield, and the end result was they had nowhere to go. I suspect this happens a lot: they can't find a way through because Hammond is there organised and organising.

The thing is his seen work yesterday was extremely poor: for instance he lost possession to younger, faster, hungrier players several times.

So there you have it Hammond would have won us the game.

The bloke Hammond is actually starting to grow on me . He may not be the fastest player on two legs , but he can organise and will only get better. I think there is some method in Adkins madness , and can see the "new " SUFC next season being built around Hammond , Billy and Brayford.

We still daft as it may seem , have a bloody good chance of the squad rebuilding being in the championship, with promotion by the playoffs .

It is important that whoever comes in via the JTW can hit the ground running and be added to the above 3 players.

Next Blackpool and again we are in a shit or bust situation for the fans , players and managers mentality, and state of mindset.

UTB

 

[jodman]

Instead of just telling me I don't see it Adkins could tell me what I'm supposed to be looking for.
He does do a lot of defensive graft but he also gets shrugged off the ball, loses possession, or is simply beaten by the man on the ball far far too often for what I was told is a Premiership midfielder.

My sentiments exactly, perhaps the fans would cut him a bit more slack if the manager qualified exactly what Hammond is doing that we cannot see. I have paid particular attention to him over the past few games, mainly due to the managers assurances that I cannot see what he is offering, but I still don't see him doing much besides remaining between our penalty area and the halfway line and making sideways passes.

My inference is that Hammond is one of Adkins generals; someone with whom he has an equal measure of respect and can help the manager control the dressing room. Same with Woolford. I can see why that would be needed, especially when Adkins first arrived and there may have been cliques within the playing staff. The problem is that he hasn't cut it on the pitch thus far, and the manager compounds this by saying that he is actually making a big difference but we just cant see it.

Maybe alongside better players who compliment his style he will reward the faith that Adkins has placed in him; I haven't given up hope just yet.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

My sentiments exactly, perhaps the fans would cut him a bit more slack if the manager qualified exactly what Hammond is doing that we cannot see. I have paid particular attention to him over the past few games, mainly due to the managers assurances that I cannot see what he is offering, but I still don't see him doing much besides remaining between our penalty area and the halfway line and making sideways passes.

My inference is that Hammond is one of Adkins generals; someone with whom he has an equal measure of respect and can help the manager control the dressing room. Same with Woolford. I can see why that would be needed, especially when Adkins first arrived and there may have been cliques within the playing staff. The problem is that he hasn't cut it on the pitch thus far, and the manager compounds this by saying that he is actually making a big difference but we just cant see it.

Maybe alongside better players who compliment his style he will reward the faith that Adkins has placed in him; I haven't given up hope just yet.

All I can see, or infer, is that although they had a huge amount of possession wbule he was on the pitch, they didn't actually even get in our box never mind get a save out of Long. (A few times, for an extra challenge, he actually gave them the ball to see what they could do. Still nothing.)

This might be the preventative work that Hammond does.

It's a lot less flashy than desperate last minute tackles but a lot more effective and professional.

Prevention is better than cure.

It's a profoundly effective but utterly thankless task.

My best guess.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

The bloke Hammond is actually starting to grow on me . He may not be the fastest player on two legs , but he can organise and will only get better. I think there is some method in Adkins madness , and can see the "new " SUFC next season being built around Hammond , Billy and Brayford.

We still daft as it may seem , have a bloody good chance of the squad rebuilding being in the championship, with promotion by the playoffs .

It is important that whoever comes in via the JTW can hit the ground running and be added to the above 3 players.

Next Blackpool and again we are in a shit or bust situation for the fans , players and managers mentality, and state of mindset.

UTB

I think hitting the ground jogging is more likely

 

[Wards]

We've certainly looked harder to break down with him and Basham in the middle but it limits us so much going the other way that there's often a gap of about 50 yards between our deep lying midfield and poacher type strikers.

Incidentally, I see there's been an enquiries from a League 1 club about Sam Morsey, that has to be us doesn't it?! Please tell me it's us! He'd do a pearling job being the anchor that neither of our two can seemingly do on their own.

 

[INTERUNITED]

We've certainly looked harder to break down with him and Basham in the middle but it limits us so much going the other way that there's often a gap of about 50 yards between our deep lying midfield and poacher type strikers.

Incidentally, I see there's been an enquiries from a League 1 club about Sam Morsey, that has to be us doesn't it?! Please tell me it's us! He'd do a pearling job being the anchor that neither of our two can seemingly do on their own.

Yes we've offered 6 figures (which I assume means Higdon as a straight swap)

 

[jodman]

All I can see, or infer, is that although they had a huge amount of possession wbule he was on the pitch, they didn't actually even get in our box never mind get a save out of Long. (A few times, for an extra challenge, he actually gave them the ball to see what they could do. Still nothing.)

This might be the preventative work that Hammond does.

It's a lot less flashy than desperate last minute tackles but a lot more effective and professional.

Prevention is better than cure.

It's a profoundly effective but utterly thankless task.

My best guess.

So would you say that by simply being in his position and remaining in his position he is blocking passing lanes and therefore preventing teams from being able to break through?

Where as Baxter, for example, would drift around the pitch leaving gaps which the opposition can then play through?

 

[CarlMcBlade]

Hammond is a great illusionist. But more Ali Bongo than David Copperfield.

bathroom tiling[/QUOTE

 

[jt64]

He's got to be very near a ban, surely? Ignoring that he's avoided two stonewall reds so far this season, he seems to get booked at least every other game

 

[HighfieldBlade]

Mr Adkins, you're forever telling us all the good work we don't see Hammond do.

It's for charidee. He doesn't like to talk about it, mate.

 

[William Henry Foulkes]

So would you say that by simply being in his position and remaining in his position he is blocking passing lanes and therefore preventing teams from being able to break through?

Where as Baxter, for example, would drift around the pitch leaving gaps which the opposition can then play through?

(Tbf to Baxter I don't necessarily think he'd wander off, I've generally been very impressed with his commitment this season - he'd just have a slightly different role in the team.)

I really am guessing but here goes:

Playing through two banks of four can be very hard - as has been demonstrated time and time again in the world game - but only if those two banks of four organise and compress space in the correct way.

To do this takes

• fitness - it's tiring chasing after the ball
• concentration and discipline for 90+ minutes - hard and why goals are often conceded late on - mental exhaustion
• understanding of the dynamics of the job at hand - ie how it changes as the opposition try different angles and approaches
• organisation as players know their roles

and other stuff as well.

The Keystone Cops defending on their goal highlights how what had been made to look like a simple job quickly descended into farce.

If Hammond is on the pitch everyone is in the right place, the situation never arises, we go on and win 1-0 and as far as anyone is concerned apart from the players and the manager his most noticeable contribution is conceding possession in dangerous areas. This might well be the unseen work talked about by Adkins and others.

Prevention is better than cure...or death, well, conceding a goal.

I'm not saying this is what happens - just thinking out loud trying to figure out the Dark Matter of Dean Hammond.

 

[ShockingBadBuy]

Well I agree with Len Shackleton when he wrote this chapter in his book

Am I inventing this, or did Brian Clough once famously refer in public to exactly this chapter in exactly this book ? Might be misremembering.

Imagine the media hysteria, instant meltdown and weeks of hyperbolic fallout that would accompany a chapter like this in a book by the equivalent of Len Shackleton today ...

 

[Keen Blade]

Higdon as a six figure swap ? 19st 12lbs 15oz ?

 

[Keen Blade]

So would you say that by simply being in his position and remaining in his position he is blocking passing lanes and therefore preventing teams from being able to break through?

Where as Baxter, for example, would drift around the pitch leaving gaps which the opposition can then play through?

Hammond remaining in his position ? You mean completely immobile ? A cardboard cut-out would not get booked as much and be a lot cheaper !

 

[Keen Blade]

(Tbf to Baxter I don't necessarily think he'd wander off, I've generally been very impressed with his commitment this season - he'd just have a slightly different role in the team.)

I really am guessing but here goes:

Playing through two banks of four can be very hard - as has been demonstrated time and time again in the world game - but only if those two banks of four organise and compress space in the correct way.

To do this takes

• fitness - it's tiring chasing after the ball
• concentration and discipline for 90+ minutes - hard and why goals are often conceded late on - mental exhaustion
• understanding of the dynamics of the job at hand - ie how it changes as the opposition try different angles and approaches
• organisation as players know their roles

and other stuff as well.

The Keystone Cops defending on their goal highlights how what had been made to look like a simple job quickly descended into farce.

If Hammond is on the pitch everyone is in the right place, the situation never arises, we go on and win 1-0 and as far as anyone is concerned apart from the players and the manager his most noticeable contribution is conceding possession in dangerous areas. This might well be the unseen work talked about by Adkins and others.

Prevention is better than cure...or death, well, conceding a goal.

I'm not saying this is what happens - just thinking out loud trying to figure out the Dark Matter of Dean Hammond.

Yes big member , you really are guessing !

Never mind dark matter ,
Just think of the monolith in '2001- a space odyssey' appearing somewhere between the edge of our box and the halfway line
But claiming to be a physically active midfielder , fast-moving enough to be a professional footballer !

 

[BushBlade]

Everything said on here was said about Doyle, until he left, then he became Patrick Viera.

 

[TonyAgana]

Everything said on here was said about Doyle, until he left, then he became Patrick Viera.

We never had to guess at Doyle's role.