Hammond.....again

[Clarkey87]

It seems that despite fans making themselves clear about this guy, the fact he is everything opposite to what we need in the middle of the park, his woeful performances since signing etc etc........

His best mate is bigging him up once again and clearly preparing us as we aim to make him our marque signing this summer:

http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/foot...nager-makes-unsung-heroes-admission-1-7876572

Will we ever learn?
I can understand it if he plays a bit part on the pitch (as in just a tiny handful of first round cup games), reduces his wages to fit in with the other mediocres we will end up keeping/offering new contracts to and becomes a coach.
I mean if all his stuff is behind the scenes, then keep him there as a coach of Adkins is so determined to give his (clearly) mate a final payday.

On the bright side we haven't gone for Forte yet, who is another Adkins favourite.

 

[Clarkey87]

As a side, he does also mention Basham who has been playing well.

 

[Kev Gee]

The guy cant even manage 90 minutes & is subbed nearly every game. Hardly matches the 'rubust' player tag.

 

[Large Mendonca]

What are we missing ? surely a complete buffoon wouldn't achieve 3 promotions from League 1 ......would he ???

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

It seems that despite fans making themselves clear about this guy, the fact he is everything opposite to what we need in the middle of the park, his woeful performances since signing etc etc........

His best mate is bigging him up once again and clearly preparing us as we aim to make him our marque signing this summer:

http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/foot...nager-makes-unsung-heroes-admission-1-7876572

Will we ever learn?
I can understand it if he plays a bit part on the pitch (as in just a tiny handful of first round cup games), reduces his wages to fit in with the other mediocres we will end up keeping/offering new contracts to and becomes a coach.
I mean if all his stuff is behind the scenes, then keep him there as a coach of Adkins is so determined to give his (clearly) mate a final payday.

On the bright side we haven't gone for Forte yet, who is another Adkins favourite.

Cannot disagree we need model professionals to help and assist with the pathway of youth .

However we also need the model professional still to be fit and agile enough to play a important part on the field of play .

I can see him being offered a carrot as a player coach . However Adkins credibility rests upon who else he signs , and may be better off signing Charles or Rocco not Johnathan when it comes to Forte .

UTB

 

[Grecian2000]

I'm not sure it's a case of not getting the 90 because he isn't robust enough. Most of the time he gets the hook because he's in the last chance saloon card wise.

 

[SwissBlade]

Clarkey87 the game the other week (gillingham?), i'd say that Hammond was much better than i'd seen him previously. I'd almost go as far as to say he bossed the game.

So his fitness and overall contribution have improved massively, but does it mean we should sign him permanently? Absolutely not.

But we do need someone for that role as there isn't anyone else in the current squad that can fulfil it. So if he gets a good preseason under him then perhaps he might do...

The guy cant even manage 90 minutes & is subbed nearly every game. Hardly matches the 'rubust' player tag.

The guy can't manage 90 mins, but he's been subbed on extremely rare occasions. There were games that you thought he was nailed on for being subbed because he looked fooked, but Adkins took someone else off instead

 

[Trafford]

In the last few home games he has showed me what he could be capable of, if he were fully fit and a bit younger. We miss him when he's not there but his reactions are too slow - if that can be addressed through a summer training regime and he is willing to be reasonable on wages, he might have a role for us next year. But most on here will be aghast at that, they can only see the player that he was earlier in the season, not how he has improved.

 

[1danewhitehouse]

In the last few home games he has showed me what he could be capable of, if he were fully fit and a bit younger. We miss him when he's not there but his reactions are too slow - if that can be addressed through a summer training regime and he is willing to be reasonable on wages, he might have a role for us next year. But most on here will be aghast at that, they can only see the player that he was earlier in the season, not how he has improved.

I think he plays a very big part in the effectiveness of the current system. That said, he has some very clear limitations around speed and agility. I don't mind us signing him if the wages are reasonable and fitting of an ageing league 1 midfield destroyer as opposed to "Premier League player".

Adkins is going to need a dressing room that is behind him and responds to his methods. Having one player who backs him so strongly (along with Sharp and others) will help to harbour that environment.

 

[Clarkey87]

I have no issues of we pay wages to him that is fitting with our league one status at the minute and he primarily becomes a coach.

With his reported professional approach behind the scenes he would do a job of helping to bring through younger players and I have no problem with that.
What I don't want is for us to make him the cornerstone of our team on the pitch.

Granted he had improved in recent games (except against Barnsley as he went back to woeful) but unfortunately not enough to warrant playing every game next season when we do sign him.

 

[Clarkey87]

What are we missing ? surely a complete buffoon wouldn't achieve 3 promotions from League 1 ......would he ???

He did it when he was younger - he's hit that physical wall now where he isn't as good as he used to be. It's what happens.

 

[Baxter]

One part of a team with an upturn in fortunes in recent weeks. Granted, nothing spectacular either on his part or the teams.
Seems to have something of a positive effect in the dressing room and if signed may be used as a bit part/experienced head.
If we take the current form into the next two games and build upon it for next season I don't mind if Hammond is here or not. How about we give the guy a break for a week?!

 

[Esablade]

...I think it's as much about the clusterfuck Adkins has had to sort out behind the scenes regarding the culture at the club.

Someone(?) said it's very easy to be on the bench at a club like Sheffield United...and I can see what they mean, relative big time-Charlie's on relatively big wages....

I know people say 'they're playing for new contracts' ...I think it's as much sorting out the 'bad eggs', getting rid and stamping down exactly what is and isn't expected from professional footballers at SUFC.

UTB!

 

[Higgo's Belly]

Hammond would be a total disaster of a signing. He runs about like he's trying to fight his way through treacle. His legs have totally gone, which any fan can see, however our over paid and under performing manager appears to not see the truth, or does not wish to do so.
If Adkins seriously believes that Hammond has performed well, then he is even more deluded than I believed he was. If Hammond refuses a one year contract, It is not beyond the realms of possibility that Adkins will give him longer, as he loves and wants him that much. Hopefully the board will veto this proposed signing and if Adkins spits his dummy out, if not allowed to sign him, he will resign. I live in hope.

 

[Clarkey87]

I don't mind if Hammond is here or not.
How about we give the guy a break for a week?!

As I said, as long as it's in the right role at the right price. Otherwise we never learn from past mistakes.

And in response to the last part - The guy gets a break, he plays professional football for a living, making a tidy sum in the process.

Sorry to disappoint you but his isn't a Hammond hating thread, it's a "Adkins is indicating he will be signing him come what may" thread but it's here to highlight the type of role (I believe at least) he should be involved in/play when (not if) he does sign.

 

[GreasyChipBeattie]

“There are unsung heroes in the team,” Adkins added. “Players who sacrifice themselves for the cause and are ready to do the ugly stuff. They’re happy to make others look good, not themselves and you need that"

I think he's had a very effective season.
I didn't think anybody would be able to make the rest of the tripe look good.

 

[Revolution]

If we take Hammond, and we play Coutts, and we keep Flynn, and we play this formation, that's about 5 goals from 3 central midfielders next season.

And that will not result in promotion.

 

[HoodedClaw]

IMO, a lot depends on what formation Adkins is going to favour next season. Hammond doesn't work in a 442 formation in my book.

I'm also assuming the club have learnt a lesson with Clough and put a pay structure in place (I know, I know)

 

[BushBlade]

I'm glad Adkins is doing exactly what he thinks is right to get us promoted whether we like it or not. That's the sort of single minded approach I'd expect from someone who is confident in his abilities.

 

[sitwell]

We aren't privy to what goes on behind the scenes ,he may be a fantastic role model for the rest of the team ,and certainly takes some pressure off them. You do need that kind of person at the club ,didn't Howard Kendall bring John Bailey to do the same thing ? Warnock and Basset also wanted those type of characters. He has to improve ON the pitch though to win over the fans.

 

[Champagneblade]

I know you're not supposed to take things literally but what is "he's on the training pitch everyday" actually supposed to convey?

I don't go to my boss reminding them I come into work every day I'm paid to as if it's some sort of major achievement.

If you're going to big up his contribution by all means knock yourself out, but at least make some sense. That said if he's not doing enough on a Saturday all the rest is secondary.

 

[LoughboroBlade]

If we take Hammond, and we play Coutts, and we keep Flynn, and we play this formation, that's about 5 goals from 3 central midfielders next season.

And that will not result in promotion.

The key to that is if we retain those three in next season's squad, would they be the heart of the first team or simply be part of the squad and mostly back-up to a set of new signings? If it's the latter, that might be ok.

I think we all need to prepare for the fact that when that retained list is announced that's not going to be job done on next season's first team. I do think we will see a fair bit of change with new players coming in. That will likely mean that some players currently playing for their futures may be retained, on lower deals, as part of the broader squad.

 

[Revolution]

The key to that is if we retain those three in next season's squad, would they be the heart of the first team or simply be part of the squad and mostly back-up to a set of new signings? If it's the latter, that might be ok.

I think we all need to prepare for the fact that when that retained list is announced that's not going to be job done on next season's first team. I do think we will see a fair bit of change with new players coming in. That will likely mean that some players currently playing for their futures may be retained, on lower deals, as part of the broader squad.

Well, Coutts will be here as he's under contract.

But if you aren't going to start Hammond, why sign him at all?

One of our big failings as a club in recent years - it goes back to Blackwell - is that signings are made with no regard to the overall make up of the squad. People are making cases for signing Hammond and Flynn and playing Coutts. Well, fine, but if you do all those things, that's the same midfield, with the same results.

We need to move away from that and identify what was missing this season and go after players who might deliver it, not re-sign people who have proved they couldn't do what was asked of them.

If we go into next season with nobody in midfield with some sort of semi-decent scoring record, we have failed before we've begun.

And you sign back up players last, not first. Let Flynn and Hammond sweat a bit. They need us more than we need them.

 

[GRUMPY BLADE]

In the last few home games he has showed me what he could be capable of, if he were fully fit and a bit younger. We miss him when he's not there but his reactions are too slow - if that can be addressed through a summer training regime and he is willing to be reasonable on wages, he might have a role for us next year. But most on here will be aghast at that, they can only see the player that he was earlier in the season, not how he has improved.

Not going to be any quicker or younger next season.

Now if I was younger, fitter and any good I'd be a cracking signing.

 

[Harry's Game]

If Adkins stays as manager Hammond is going to be signed and is going to start the Majoriy of games next season, (when he's not suspended) this has been clear for a while.

As someone who wants Adkins to stay I do wish he would drop his obsession with Hammond, not only is it obviously a poor signing it could well Jepodise Adkins future here, I thinks it's clear Nigel Cloughs uninspired Derbyshire based Shopping list contributed to his sacking and this could be the same poison for Adkins.

 

[INTERUNITED]

"He's on the training ground everyday". Good job all managers aren't like Nigel or Paul McGrath would of had to retire at 25. I'm not bothered how good players are in training, its match days that count. Matt Le Tissier was renowned for being a shit trainer. Good managers see what players bring to the first team. As you may of guessed, I'm against resigning Hammond. Good player in his time, but now totally passed it. We could and should do better for the money he will be on/want next season.

 

[Champagneblade]

I'm glad Adkins is doing exactly what he thinks is right to get us promoted whether we like it or not. That's the sort of single minded approach I'd expect from someone who is confident in his abilities.

Applies equally to someone totally deluded.

You could apply this to both Napoleon and Hitler matching into Russia as winter beset.

How did those two work out?

 

[him behind you]

Cannot disagree we need model professionals to help and assist with the pathway of youth .

However we also need the model professional still to be fit and agile enough to play a important part on the field of play .

I can see him being offered a carrot as a player coach . However Adkins credibility rests upon who else he signs , and may be better off signing Charles or Rocco not Johnathan when it comes to Forte .

UTB

I disagree a little, Lord Boss. I think Adkins credibility with us rests on him building his team and getting us promoted rather than who he signs (assuming that the board allow him to do that without his hands tied of course)

 

[Clarkey87]

At the end of the day if we are to resign him - do it as a coach. Not as a player. If his 'abilities' now are demonstrated behind the scenes. Keep him there.

Adkins is going to sign him in any case - and that article of him blindly bigging him up pretty much indicates this is going to happen.

 

[Lord Bos of Eckington.]

At the end of the day if we are to resign him - do it as a coach. Not as a player. If his 'abilities' now are demonstrated behind the scenes. Keep him there.

Adkins is going to sign him in any case - and that article of him blindly bigging him up pretty much indicates this is going to happen.

The thing is , I cannot work out who Adkins is trying to convince , - us , board , McCabe or himself .

UTB