Hammonds contract

[The Large One]

Would still rather have Hammond than O'Callaghan at this stage.

Although George has looked great, not really been a goal threat...which we know Hammond can be

Actually, for all that I have been moaning about Hammond this season, I agree. I do rate him, which makes it all the more frustrating when he has anonymous games.

O'Callaghan, on the other hand, although is a highly decent player, I don't know - I'm still in two minds about him. I can't put my finger on it right now, but there is something not quite right with the team when he is in it, and I think it is mainly down to him.

To my mind, he comes across as moody, stroppy, selfish - almost overbearing on the pitch (perhaps we need that - I don't know), and he doesn't seem overly enamoured about being at Brighton in the first place. It's an opinion of mine that can easily be blasted away with a simple argument, and I'm sure someone can put me right, but there's lots of small niggly things about him which makes me think Brighton might not be the best place for him - that he doesn't fit in, or doesn't want to fit in.

But this is a perception from afar and I have no evidence for it, and the truth could well be different and he is the consumate professional, and a highly popular member of the squad.

 

[Da Man Clay]

Actually, for all that I have been moaning about Hammond this season, I agree. I do rate him, which makes it all the more frustrating when he has anonymous games.

O'Callaghan, on the other hand, although is a highly decent player, I don't know - I'm still in two minds about him. I can't put my finger on it right now, but there is something not quite right with the team when he is in it, and I think it is mainly down to him.

To my mind, he comes across as moody, stroppy, selfish - almost overbearing on the pitch (perhaps we need that - I don't know), and he doesn't seem overly enamoured about being at Brighton in the first place. It's an opinion of mine that can easily be blasted away with a simple argument, and I'm sure someone can put me right, but there's lots of small niggly things about him which makes me think Brighton might not be the best place for him - that he doesn't fit in, or doesn't want to fit in.

But this is a perception from afar and I have no evidence for it, and the truth could well be different and he is the consumate professional, and a highly popular member of the squad.

I think he is being made to play a more defensive game than he is used to. He started as a striker for Port Vale and Cork, then moved into attacking midfield later on at Cork and then Ipswich and is now being shoved in defensive midfield here. I think he would be a much much better option going forward than Hammond but he doesn't get the chance to.

 

[blockhseagull]

I think the arguement maybe a fruitless one anyway.

I agree with TLO's point that he doesn't actually seem overjoyed to be here.

Also, regarding the point about George being more likely to improve than Hammond..... i would argue the other way. Hammond is still only 24 ? which IMHO gives him much more time to improve than O'Callaghan

 

[BigGully]

Guys to progress you dont lose one and keep another.....!!!

You keep them both and try to add....easier said than done, granted but its should not be the case of losing Hammond and keeping O'Callaghan.

The club would have to replace Hammond............. not easy to find an established scoring mid-fielder, who would probably move on to a Championship team irrespective of current form.

It would be a classic case of 'not realising what you got until they've gone' !!!!

 

[Da Man Clay]

Disagree, think Hammond and O'Callaghan cant play together. Need a defensive midfielder to partner either one (I.e Fraser, who if can keep up performances like Saturday deserves to be that player)

Doubt very much that Hammond would get in to a Championship squad.

 

[Scotty Mac]

Doubt very much that Hammond would get in to a Championship squad.

depends which hammond turns up - the hammond of last season could do a job in the teams near the foot of the table or the smaller clubs. he did a decent job in the year we stayed up, the home game against west ham being a classic example

if its the hammond of this season or the relegation season, then obviously he would not get into any championship side

 

[BigGully]

Disagree, think Hammond and O'Callaghan cant play together. Need a defensive midfielder to partner either one (I.e Fraser, who if can keep up performances like Saturday deserves to be that player)

Doubt very much that Hammond would get in to a Championship squad.

Both Hammond or O'Callaghan are capable of being that in vogue 'defensive midfielder' at any time during the game surely.

They are both intelligent players, if one attacks the other can surely drop a little deeper and protect that area.

I was as happy as anyone about Fraser on Saturday, however we can't now say that he is the answer and goodbye Hammond on that one display.

Jeeeeez thats a massive leap of faith

 

[algie]

O'Callaghan offers more all round in my opinion and is a player more likley to improve in future.

Very much doubt that at 28 years of age.He can't even score.Hammond is a better player overall

 

[BigGully]

Look guys.......

I agree that Hammond is not at full throttle...but

I think you would be surprised how highly he is thought of in the Championship, its the same old story where we watch him every week and like most footballers he isnt brilliant all the time no one is............

We then watch highlites of other players and many are never quite as good as we originally thought from those snippets of games when we see them regularly either.

Hammond is an excellent League 1 Midfielder and possibly higher, we need him with us.

 

[Les Biehn]

Very much doubt that at 28 years of age.He can't even score.Hammond is a better player overall

Yes, because the amount of goals (or should that be penalties) is how we judge midfielders isn't it.

I think to see the best from Hammond you need a defensive midfielder and Hammond needs to be told to push forward and forget about being the 'playmaker'.

 

[Stumpy Tim]

Hammond out-wide with Fraser & O'Callaghan is the answer I tell you. Hammond-Fraser-GoC-Cox is the best we have

 

[hans kraay fan club]

Cox right / Hammond left. Fraser / O'C middle. Been saying this for days.

Cox will be 110% better on teh right where he will be able to beat players and cross the ball, without having to cut inside EVERY time he gets the ball.

 

[Yorkie]

Not forgetting that Reidy is a goal scoring midfielder and getting back to full fitness now.

 

[saltash seagull]

Not forgetting that Reidy is a goal scoring midfielder and getting back to full fitness now.

he has never shown enough in midfield for the 1st team

 

[Yorkie]

he has never shown enough in midfield for the 1st team

I'll beg to differ with you there. I've seen great play from Reidy in the Championship, ie Sheff Utd away, Palace away and including Tottenham in the cup. Those are games which immediately spring to mind.
Unfortunately McGhee switched him to right back and I think people have forgotten what a good midfielder he was.

 

[saltash seagull]

he played right back at tottenham and sheff utd

can't remember where he played at selhurst

he's ok out wide and at full back but not in the middle

 

[mona]

Why oh why are home-produced players so under-rated?
We were told by NSC experts how bad Dan Harding was and yet he is highly rated by a respected championship team.
The obviously more talented Hammond will now no doubt be tempted away by a club like Charlton.

Thanks lads. Your cynical street cred is so touchingly naiive.

 

[mona]

depends which hammond turns up - the hammond of last season could do a job in the teams near the foot of the table or the smaller clubs. he did a decent job in the year we stayed up, the home game against west ham being a classic example

if its the hammond of this season or the relegation season, then obviously he would not get into any championship side

Might be interesting to quote this a year from now.

 

[saltash seagull]

Why oh why are home-produced players so under-rated?
We were told by NSC experts how bad Dan Harding was and yet he is highly rated by a respected championship team.
The obviously more talented Hammond will now no doubt be tempted away by a club like Charlton.

Thanks lads. Your cynical street cred is so touchingly naiive.

totally agree as i said earlier today

hammond will have intrest from the championship where he will get a lot more money

why sign a new contract?

 

[Yorkie]

he played right back at tottenham and sheff utd

can't remember where he played at selhurst

he's ok out wide and at full back but not in the middle

We played 3-5-2 at Bramall Lane with Reid as part of a 5 man midfield (cant be bothered to post other links)

http://www.seagulls.premiumtv.co.uk/page/MatchReportOld/0,,10433~27595,00.html