Outgoing? Hamer

[Bladesman]

Being realistic Hamer was always going to go this season. 1

I expected Hamer to leave when we got relegated to be honest.

 

[Blade56]

Do they replace them with Joe Rothwell?

Stupid argument.

As mattbianco1 sez BBD is the obvious replacement. Second spell with us was average at best but he played out of position ont right

 

[Swannyblade]

Selling our best creative player to replace him with expensive, injury prone defensive players is about a damning statement as you can make about the current set up at the club.

 

[Uganda Blade]

With the players currently on the books?

No, but income from the sale might help us get the ones we need (which, I appreciate, may be blind optimism!).

 

[blades_95]

Undoubtedly our most talented player, but he is a luxury who means we have to sacrifice some balance in the team and puts more pressure on the team defensively. He gets the numbers with goals and assists because he’s constantly trying things, but he does hinder the team in other ways & gives the ball away a lot. In our financial position now I’m not sure we can accommodate Hamer & O’Hare in the squad and risk losing him for nothing.

We’ve been shoehorning him and O’Hare into the team really. Obviously would prefer not to sell him but if we replaced him with a proper left winger and an athletic CM, we could be a more balanced team (which we were last season when he was out injured).

Peck/Blaster Jairo/athletic CM
Donovan/Chong O’Hare Tricky LW/BBD
Bamford

It does lack the spark of Hamer but it’s a clear system.

 

[Kozzy_is_my_Dad]

Hard disagree with those first two points.

Hamer and O'Hare are different players who don't play in the same position, and have different strengths.

Their link-up play has at often times over the past 2 seasons been part of our most promising attacking movements.

I've absolutely adored those moments when the two of them click, it's a joy to watch. Arguably most notably, the move into Campbell for 1-0...

As mattbianco1 sez BBD is the obvious replacement. Second spell with us was average at best but he played out of position ont right

Except the problem is, if sides sit in and we need to pick out a 'moment'. Hamer takes the ball, tries to dictate play and make something happen. He looks for a pass they very few others see.

BBD does not and cannot offer that. He's good in an attacking or counter-attacking side but largely ineffective in gradual build-up play against a low block.

 

[BrianTheBlade]

Undoubtedly our most talented player, but he is a luxury who means we have to sacrifice some balance in the team and puts more pressure on the team defensively. He gets the numbers with goals and assists because he’s constantly trying things, but he does hinder the team in other ways & gives the ball away a lot. In our financial position now I’m not sure we can accommodate Hamer & O’Hare in the squad and risk losing him for nothing.

We’ve been shoehorning him and O’Hare into the team really. Obviously would prefer not to sell him but if we replaced him with a proper left winger and an athletic CM, we could be a more balanced team (which we were last season when he was out injured).

Peck/Blaster Jairo/athletic CM
Donovan/Chong O’Hare Tricky LW/BBD
Bamford

It does lack the spark of Hamer but it’s a clear system.

Luxury player ........

Terrible players those luxury player like ndiaye and Gibbs White

What we need is a team of Nick Montgomerys

 

[jt64]

We will see if there has ever been any plan to replace hamer

We cannot replace Hamer. Thinking that is a possibility is insane. The only question is simple finance maths - does the cost of retaining him, i.e. not taking whatever transfer fee he would raise and paying his wages, minus the cost of ownership for his replacement for 26/27, improve our chances of promotion so much that it makes sense to retain him given the riches that the PL provides. As we are not (in my opinion at least) in a promotion window even if we retain Hamer, that is an overwhelming no

 

[coolasanidiot]

TT

We cannot replace Hamer. Thinking that is a possibility is insane. The only question is simple finance maths - does the cost of retaining him, i.e. not taking whatever transfer fee he would raise and paying his wages, minus the cost of ownership for his replacement for 26/27, improve our chances of promotion so much that it makes sense to retain him given the riches that the PL provides. As we are not (in my opinion at least) in a promotion window even if we retain Hamer, that is an overwhelming no

Top 8 is play offs. Keeping Gus drives us towards at least some ambition. If the offer is a measly 5 million I hope we have owners with the good sense to say not a chance you stay the rest of your contract and get us in the play offs we will reward you with a huge bonus. They didn’t pay 110 million to languish 12-18th in Championship. They need to stop making rash silly decisions.

 

[Thrice]

Will be a big test for Wilder with no Hamer to rely on tbh. If you have no difference maker on the pitch the manager has to be the difference maker with his tactics.

 

[TopBoy]

We've had Gus for 2 years longer than we really should have. We need the money; he's in the last year of his contract, and his fitness levels are debatable at best. It's been a pleasure to watch him, but it's probably time for him to move on. I just don't think he works at a Premier League side that will struggle.

 

[blades_95]

Luxury player ........

Terrible players those luxury player like ndiaye and Gibbs White

What we need is a team of Nick Montgomerys

Would you not call him a luxury player?

Gibbs White & Ndiaye were less of a ‘luxury’ as they both worked hard out of possession, could press & didn’t get yellow cards every game & silly suspensions.

He’s technically a fantastic player and I love watching him - but there’s a reason the other 2 are Premier League regulars and Hamer’s not.

 

[mattbianco1]

This is Brandon Thomas-Asante apparently commenting on, then deleting his comment on this instagram post:

 

[Cheeky Blade]

That's kind of fine if we're saying Hamer would have been no10 and O'Hare plays at no10 instead, but who's the competition/backup/rotation for O'Hare...? We've not got anyone in to play LW either - where Gus primarily played under Wilder.

Going by the rumours we’re looking at LW…ie: BBD.

As mentioned most of the games last season were either Hamer or O’Hare, not both.

 

[Kozzy_is_my_Dad]

We've had Gus for 2 years longer than we really should have. We need the money; he's in the last year of his contract, and his fitness levels are debatable at best. It's been a pleasure to watch him, but it's probably time for him to move on. I just don't think he works at a Premier League side that will struggle.

I'd resigned myself to him leaving either of the previous two summers, those scenarios made absolute sense to me.

It's this summer, that arguably, it makes less sense. He's 29, is in worse shape physically at present, and could have a much greater impact at this level with us.

 

[Drachblade]

This is Brandon Thomas-Asante apparently commenting on, then deleting his comment on this instagram post:

View attachment 241110

That’s both interesting and concerning If we get 8-10 mil for him then i won’t be too disheartened by it it’s just who we replace him with is my concern

 

[djbaldken]

He's in the last year of his contract.
Yes he has fantastic ability. But how many times have we seen this ability put to good use CONSISTENTLY?
He's been brilliant in flashes. Doing things few players can do. But not in every game. And generally he can't last much more than 60 minutes. His temperament is flakey. He gets daft yellows.
I think he's an exceptional player. I'd be delighted if he stays. He CAN change games. But we need more from him than he gave us last season.
In the Premier League you need 90 minute players. Every game. He won't manage this for Coventry.
If we get a bid of around five million for him it would be a mistake not to accept it.
In 12 months he goes for fuck all.

 

[Rudders]

Just looked at the player rating system. Notable facts:

• average rating last year was 5.52 (joint tenth with Brooks)
• worst discipline by miles
• season before he was the fifth highest ranked player on the squad .

So probably not going to be a huge miss over the season albeit the assists are very good.

However I am still astounded by blades fans who are okay with it on the basis we can replace with better. We generally don’t, we usually pay more for worse and often in a different position altogether that doesn’t need strengthening!
Players we still haven’t adequately replaced yet:
O’Connell
Souza
Anel
Berge
N’diaye

 

[KMC-1889]

That’s both interesting and concerning If we get 8-10 mil for him then i won’t be too disheartened by it it’s just who we replace him with is my concern

It’ll be a loan for LW (or O’Hare) and the money will be spent on the big names we’ve been linked with (Souttar, Phillips & BBD)

 

[cooperblade]

The window remains open, Gus hasn't gone yet and I don't think there's any need for panic right now.

But, I'd feel much better if the squad wasn't so one-paced, workmanlike and didn't have a glaring hole at CB.

 

[Drachblade]

It’ll be a loan for LW (or O’Hare) and the money will be spent on the big names we’ve been linked with (Souttar, Phillips & BBD)

Can the loan be for someone like Jack Clarke or Mcatee please

 

[Jan Age]

Luxury player ........

Terrible players those luxury player like ndiaye and Gibbs White

What we need is a team of Nick Montgomerys

Illy and Morgan worked far harder off the ball than Hamer I would put both above him in the pecking order

 

[ancientblade]

Can the loan be for someone like Jack Clarke or Mcatee please

i would prefer it to be jack clarke if hamer goes but looking more likely to be bbd in all honesty im non plussed if hamer is sold not consistent enough for me been overweight for 2 seasons now and similar to mcburnie gets booked far too much

 

[Sheffsteel]

Luxury player ........

Terrible players those luxury player like ndiaye and Gibbs White

What we need is a team of Nick Montgomerys

Seems you don’t understand the definition of a ”luxury player”

It’s a highly skilled player with creativity and flair who is usually great when they have the ball.
However their work rate is often poor. They don’t offer much when out of possession and are generally poor defensively.

You would say players like maybe Marcus Rashford, Lionel Messi, Neymar Jnr and even Alex Sabella are luxury players, brilliant in teams that see a lot of the ball
But a liability in other teams that are expected to defend and press the opposition. There were long spells in games last season where Hamer did nothing.
However agree he has the rare quality of producing moments of high quality scoring or creating a goal from nothing.
Sad to see him leave but our general play is likely to improve without him…but the question would be where is the creativity coming from? So it’s a risk.

N’Diaye and Gibbs-White weren’t luxury players due to their high work rate.
Even without the ball both players were hard working making runs demanding the ball and made tackles closing down the opposition.

 

[Bladeinleeds]

The game has moved well beyond the blades so we will never have true success - So We may as well enjoy flashes of true quality while they are here. Hamer has pulled off things most other people who have played for us in the past 30 years wouldn’t even attempt. He must have the best goal catalogue of anyone that has ever played for us (every one is a banger)

The potential to see something truly spectacular will be diminished by selling him even if it might be prudent financially. He might be the last player in the squad who can get people off their seats.

We’d only be adding him to the list of players we’ve never managed to replace. Anel, Ndaiye, Berge, JOC, Souza etc etc. we are not going to get in anyone with 1/2 the ability to replace him, so I’d be in favour of keeping him (flaws and all) to see if we might capture lighting in a bottle and have a shot at the play offs.

 

[CaptainMorgans]

Illy and Morgan worked far harder off the ball than Hamer I would put both above him in the pecking order

Ndiaye & MGW are £150m+ worth of talent. They are (and were) way, way clear of Hamer.

 

[Bladesman]

 

[MosboroughBlade]

TC came, Sabella came, Beagrie came, Hodges, MGW, Ndiaye, Norwood, Hamer etc...... It's a part of football, players leave. But exciting players come and go. There is always someone new that you don't realise that can get your off your seat. I'm ambivalent about it, if we can get money and either a better team game overall or another player that can turn a game, then fair enough. UTB.

 

[Slug]

I expected Gus to leave then started to believe we might keep him.
Our attack suffers horrendously if he goes. How do we even go about replacing a player like that, on this type of budget?

To add to the above. Potential left-sided players from the Championship last season:

• Mehmeti, Philogene & Clarke (Ipswich) - will any be available on loan?
• Mason-Clarke & Wright (Coventry) - will either be available on loan as part of the deal?
• Azeez (Millwall) - with Hamer money, can we tempt a purchase? Can play right or left
• Thomas (Stoke) - would love him. Looks like West Ham sniffing at >£10m
• Saito & Chair (QPR) - permanent with Hamer money?
• Murphy (Portsmouth) - had 2 great seasons for Pompey
• BBD (Southampton) - most like of the lot. Would like him competing with Hamer, not replacing
• Johnston (WBA) - Wilder wanted him before

Chakvetadze - Would have been an ideal replacement. Gone to Udinese for ~£5m

Potential PL loans?? Chelsea or Man City must have some available. Mayenda or Mundle at Sunderland maybe?

Fabio Carvalho on loan if Gus goes?

If he was a high value (as in fee) asset then so be it. But at 29, we’ll get 5m and that’s peanuts. If we were getting 10-12m then i can see the significance.

£10m would make it a good deal, on his last season. He's a really special player on his day but he can't do 90 mins, overweight, will no doubt miss at least 5, maybe 8 games through suspension and injury. But yes can change a game in a moment

If it is only £5m then I think we turn it down. Get close to £10m and he will be gone.

 

[Rob86]

Whichever way you look at it - was it how we played him, is he on the decline, has he just had enough of it here - he wasn’t very effective last year, so getting back £5m now when he’ll go for free next year makes sense. He won’t sign a new deal.

Having said all of the above I have zero faith we will replace him with anyone decent.