Dean Hammond

[the right footed denilson]

Just a quick one-

He struggled a little last year but was very good in the run-in 2 years ago. Anyone thinking (or hoping) he might turn out to be one of the best players in this fairly average league?

 

[parks]

Hoping!!! About as good as it gets...........

 

[Barrel of Fun]

I think/hope we will see a good season from him. I think the championship standard football came too early for him and he was struggling, particularly last season (as with everyone!!).

I am confident he can get back on track. He always gives 100% and you can't ask for more than that!

 

[Simon Morgan]

I'm thinking Hammond could have a real impact this season. He was great in the second half of the 2004-5 season, mainly because he wasn't being relied on. League 1 is not less pressured, but it is a different kind of pressure and seeing as he is probably among the better players in the league, I can't see him having any trouble at all.

 

[the right footed denilson]

me too

 

[Basil Fawlty]

If Hammond can put away good chances this season then I think he could be the big impact player, to many times last season he would miss big opportunities to score. He couldn't hit a cows arse with a banjo.

 

[modell]

If he gets a rest. Look knackered a lot last season, slower and slower as it wore on. Reckon that's why he had one of the worst disciplinary records in the Championship, cos he was always stretching for tackles. He can get goals so i'd like to see him play further up the pitch too.

 

[Simon Morgan]

If he gets a rest. Look knackered a lot last season, slower and slower as it wore on. Reckon that's why he had one of the worst disciplinary records in the Championship, cos he was always stretching for tackles. He can get goals so i'd like to see him play further up the pitch too.

good call

 

[London Irish]

He has looked a bit average this pre-season. I would like to see him freed up from his heavier responsibilities in the centre and put back on the left.

 

[Les Biehn]

I still believe with Hammond it was a combination of first full season jitters, exhaustion, covering for others and a role he is unsuited for that meant he didn't perform last year.

I think he was probably feeling the pressure of having something to lose because the season before he probably thought he was on the way out so any games he got were a bonus and meant he could play without fear. However last year the pressure was on to prove he wasn't a one hit wonder and those early misses were indicitive of and contrbuted to a player who was feeling the pressure a bit and was perhaps feeling a bit inhibited on the field. He was knackered by Christmas because it was his first full season and having to cover for Chippy didn't help. He is a David Platt type player who makes intelligent offensive runs, gets in behind defences and can finish well. He is not a Paul Ince/Dennis Wise type who gets stuck in and spreads play.

I think this year if he is freed up to play the role he does well he could be a great goalscoring midfielder for us. This coupled with his effort and drive should help him to hold down a role in the centre. However if he is asked to do the role he did last year then I don't think we will se the best of him.

 

[dunno]

He has looked a bit average this pre-season. I would like to see him freed up from his heavier responsibilities in the centre and put back on the left.

I've been thinking that - no one seemed to pick him up on the left - hence he managed to steal in a get those 4 goals at the end of the season b4 last

 

[British Bulldog]

He has looked a bit average this pre-season. I would like to see him freed up from his heavier responsibilities in the centre and put back on the left.

Yeah i have to agree with that. He seemed at his most dangerous playing on the left

 

[West Hoathly Seagull]

So, who to play in the middle? Chippy and Reid?

 

[West Hoathly Seagull]

Following on from my point above, I thought Hammond had his best game at Palace last season, so perhaps the left is the best position for him. Where does that leave Frutos though?

 

[hans kraay fan club]

Yeah i have to agree with that. He seemed at his most dangerous playing on the left

You're dropping Fruity then?

 

[British Bulldog]

You're dropping Fruity then?

Straight choice between Hammond or Frutos on the left I'd go for Hammond. That's not to say I think Frutos is a bad player.

 

[Silent Bob]

Following on from my point above, I thought Hammond had his best game at Palace last season, so perhaps the left is the best position for him. Where does that leave Frutos though?

Hammond didn't spend long on the left in that game, he moved into the centre when Frutos came on for Chippy after about 20 minutes. And I'd much rather have Frutos out there than Hammond.

Hammond has played well in the centre when he's been more free, alongside a fitter/better Chippy and the defensive workhorses of MAyo and Oatway. That is what suits him, he doesn't have to busy himself trying to win the ball and protect the defence, he had to do that due to Chippy's poor form last season, which contributed to his own poor form.

I think Chippy is key. He WAS out best midfielder, he was poor last season and if he performs at the same level again the central midfield will be poor again - and that affects the whole team. I just hope he can recover something like form.

 

[Napper]

he certainly had chances last year to easily of got to double figures . . .if he can sort this out then he could be great

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

Lets hope it was just the second season curse.

 

[Tom Bombadil]

Hammond was dire last year. Lunges into tackles, so always likely to get sent off and finishing was poor. I lost count of the number of chances made for him (usually by Carole, but hey ho Carole couldn't cross could he ) that were wasted.