Hammond - how do you feel about him now?

[Buzzer]

The Withdean nonsense seems to have been forgotten, I don't hear anyone making reference to that anymore and he appears to be the preferred partner to Bridcutt over Crofts.

My view is that he is quietly getting more and more solid, giving some much needed big physical presence in the middle that we lacked last season and was so effective for Southampton. Perhaps Bridcutt has been so much better this season because of this. The comparison isn't quite correct but it's similar in some ways to what Kishishev gave us.

And let's not forget that he's a superb penalty taker. I'd have him as a backup over Barnes or CMS.

 

[kingcole]

It's odd - the write up's I have seen about him the last few games have been complimentary, but I don't rate him at all.

Looking at last night alone - it was a miracle that his sloppy mistakes didn't lead to them scoring at least 2 goals.

 

[Kalimantan Gull]

I always placed him in my best XI of the Withdean years. But then I wasn't there THAT day.

He has nous, I think its fair to say. Not the quickest, slows down possession at times, but he knows what he's doing out there and clearly does the manager's bidding. Considering how disappointing Crofts has been second time around, I'm pleased we have him.

 

[ali jenkins]

My view is the exact same as it was the day he signed... I like.

He has a good footballing brain and does the unsung leg work in the middle of the pitch. He wasn't signed to be rapid down the wings so the pace argument is not a valid one.

I hope he stays beyond this season.

 

[mccraque]

I always placed him in my best XI of the Withdean years. But then I wasn't there THAT day.

He has nous, I think its fair to say. Not the quickest, slows down possession at times, but he knows what he's doing out there and clearly does the manager's bidding. Considering how disappointing Crofts has been second time around, I'm pleased we have him.

The fat, thick, cock of a man that sits near me in East Upper doesn't rate him - as he voiciferously tells the rest of the stand for 90 mins each home game.

I however, think he's doing alright. Not spectacular. But solid.

what has happened to Crofts, btw? Assumed he must be injured? is he just out of sorts right now?

 

[Mellotron]

Played a lovely ball through to Lopez for the first goal.

 

[El Turi]

I think we could do a lot better. He's too slow to decide what to do when he's on the ball and this often slows up our attacks. His height comes in handy from set pieces but I'd rather see Dicker in there as he's a much better passer.

 

[Thunder Bolt]

The fat, thick, cock of a man that sits near me in East Upper doesn't rate him - as he voiciferously tells the rest of the stand for 90 mins each home game.

I however, think he's doing alright. Not spectacular. But solid.

what has happened to Crofts, btw? Assumed he must be injured? is he just out of sorts right now?

Crofts has been injured with hamstring problems for a few weeks.

 

[The Large One]

The Withdean nonsense has been forgotten. He as good as apologised when he re-joined here, and slightly unusually, most moved on from it.

For me, he slows play up. The other midfielders (Bridcutt, Lopez, Orlandi) appear to have it within them to see a couple of passes ahead and act accordingly. Hammond doesn't display those talents. He is a link man who pops up with the occasional goal.

I would normally say he rarely gives the ball away, but last night he (though he wasn't the only one) did it several times. It's one thing doing that with an ambitious pass, it's another thing when it's a ten-yard pass along the deck that goes astray.

Perversely, I'd say he's a better player when we don't have the ball.

 

[5mins-from-amex]

I have been very impressed with his commitment, its clear to see that wearing the stripes again really means something for him, happy he is here and playing well.

 

[Lady Whistledown]

Played a lovely ball through to Lopez for the first goal.

Also played a lovely through ball to Craig Bellamy.

Luckily for Hammond, Kuszczak saved his blushes.

 

[One Love]

Played a lovely ball through to Lopez for the first goal.

Really? Was that him?

I am surprised.

 

[Buzzer]

Nice to see that unlike CMS or Barnes he doesn't polarise opinion. Can I assume that I'm right then that the physical presence he gives us has given Bridcutt the freedom to express himself? FWIW I'd like to see him signed permanently.

 

[westy]

I think he's doing a great job and I hope he signs in the summer.
Bar his sloppy pass last night he has been fantastic since he's had a run in the team. Rarely gives the ball away, keeps the play ticking over, adds height and a bit of power AND gets in the box. Been a great signing. Forget that Withdean nonsense, its what he's doing now that matters.

 

[jamie (not that one)]

He's not setting the league alight but as mentioned, he's solid which is what we need right now. Should we, heaven forbid, get promoted then I can't see us signing him permanently.

 

[darters74]

You asked for my opinion - I think he's our worst player. Very slow (feet and brain), caught in possession, can't tackle, just not for me. Rather see Dicker replace him, and I'm not a massive fan of him either.
And I was there "that night" at Withdean, and for me it was all forgotten the following day, so I have nothing against Hammond, I just don't think he's good enough.

 

[The Large One]

Nice to see that unlike CMS or Barnes he doesn't polarise opinion. Can I assume that I'm right then that the physical presence he gives us has given Bridcutt the freedom to express himself? FWIW I'd like to see him signed permanently.

Not necessarily.

Hammond was dreadful against Hull, but Bridcutt still had a good game.

I'd say Bridcutt's physical presence is more impressive than Hammond's.

 

[Farehamseagull]

I like him. I always did when he was here the first time around, I thought he was extremely under rated then and do now.

He has got good positional sense, is a good passer and is a steady influence on the team. He has always made excellent late runs into the box, I remember this when he first broke into the team years ago and I thought he had the potential to be a Championship level Lampard/Platt then but he then seemed to go quite defensive in our team then. My only real criticism is his finishing. If he had taken just three or four of the very good chances that had fallen to him this season I think everyone would be talking highly of him.

All in all though with the experience he has now I think he was a very astute signing.

 

[BensGrandad]

I thin k that he has improved the team tremendously and think that he should be one of the first choices for midfield stability certainly far better than Croft has been.

 

[GingerBeerMan]

Really? Was that him?

I am surprised.

An absolutely beautiful ball, the kind that would have its own thread if Vicente done it.