Another reason I think he agrees to the Cov deal, is that I don't think another Prem side comes in for him. I think this is the highest level offer he'll receive, which when coupled with the sentiment means it'll be the most compelling offer. That or a new deal with the Bleds.
I do think we hold some aces here.
I’m not aware that Coventry have particularly big backing.
So it’s mainly the tv money they will spend.
Finishing in first spot doesn’t always guarantee you’ll adapt to the division higher up better than those finishing below you. Sunderland a case in point.
Much like with youth football, you're sometimes better not being the best team collectively but having some individual stars.
In the case of youth football it’s those that then kick on to ‘make it’; it’s seldom the ‘team’ all come through. Man U’s class of 92 is a bit of an example.
In this case when you go up you can selectively upgrade those who are not the stars. It’s far harder or at least more expensive to upgrade the lot.
So Coventry in my view will not recruit beyond a certain pool. That pool has its limits. For that reason, Hamer will be coveted by them as one of the few with top level experience already who would come to them. Plenty more won’t go there and plenty more that would lack any more experience than their current players.
If he does show interest then I’d say scope to squeeze them is there if we hold firm. They will offer 5m. I’d tell them come back with the 15m we paid you and we’ll talk. Get a deal at the 10-12.5m level. He’ll be good for a 3-4 year deal for them, next year in the Championship. Yes he doesn’t have the premium of being 26 when he joined us, but he has some proven ability at the top level which he didn’t have before. So if he’s good enough to help their PL survival campaign he’s good enough to be rated at eight figures. Otherwise, are they simply saying they don’t rate him that highly? They just see him as a bargain bin deal? Can’t have it both ways.