Argus: Hammond wants to play in Championship

[Knotty]

My 'i am sure' comment was a figure of speech and not said within the context of 'i know' that you seem to be inferring.

We have 2 sides to our opinions:

Mine is that I think a deal could of been brokered and within any budget that the club might work within and Wilkins seemed to want it.

Yours is the players were demanding too much without any likelihood of movement on their part and anyway the club did not have the funds to broker this deal anyway.

Either might be right, but as you said unless I was in the negotiations then how could I know, I suspect you were also not there so your opinion is no more valid than any others on here.

I totally agree that my opinion is no more valid than anyone else's - when I don't know the facts and my opinion on this particular matter is totally neutral for that very reason.

It's no different to saying you think one beer is good and another bad when you haven't tasted them, you've only heard what others have to say and you don't even know if they've tasted them either. The praise of one and the criticism of the other would be unfounded.

 

[Jimmy Grimble]

Steve Claridge is a wank.

 

[Couldn't Be Hyypia]

This is a clear case of agent/player putting a gun to the Clubs head and trying to make out they are the good guys.

They know that he goes on a free at the end of the season if they don't get the deal they want.

They know that we only get money for him if we sell him by the end of January.

If his wage demands are unreasonable (and we don't know what he's been offered and what he is after), then the club will be forced to sell him this month - in order to get something for him on the assumption that if he drags the negotitation into Feb then he has them over a barrel.

Scenario 1 - Club sell him in Jan to get something - player "I didn't want to go - I love this club" and everyone calls DK a w@nker.

Scenario 2 - Club don't sell him in Jan and he walks at the end of his contract but he has a big bargaining chip with which to negotiate until the end of the season. He goes if the deal is not good enough for him ("Brighton just didn't want me enough" and DK has "let another one slip away") and stays if they meet his demands ("I love this club" but BHA get to over-pay for a player and DK gets a slagging off).

Scenario 2(a) - he leaves at the end of the season for free claiming he deserves Championship football, plus the reasons above - Dk in disgrace and player looking like he's totally reasonable.

This whole thing is about using the public domain to negotiate and threaten the club. It's typical agent activity which is why we all hate them. but if you were the player, what would you do?

 

[BigGully]

The other piece in the article that I find quite ominous is the way the agent is going over and over about Hammond not wanting to leave and not asking for to leave. This is obviously an attempt to position Hammond to collect on whatever options will be available should a transfer take place (ie a percentage of the money). I believe that if he asks for a transfer then he forfeits these things.

You dont automitically get percentages these days most deals are stand alone deals which of course can include percentages

Hammond I fear feels that Brighton have not shown a great desire to keep him especially with him being club captain and a key player within the squad.

There doesnt seem to have been much dialogue up until now and I think the only tool that the club may have now is the terms of his contract aka money.

 

[BigGully]

This is a clear case of agent/player putting a gun to the Clubs head and trying to make out they are the good guys.

They know that he goes on a free at the end of the season if they don't get the deal they want.

They know that we only get money for him if we sell him by the end of January.

If his wage demands are unreasonable (and we don't know what he's been offered and what he is after), then the club will be forced to sell him this month - in order to get something for him on the assumption that if he drags the negotitation into Feb then he has them over a barrel.

Scenario 1 - Club sell him in Jan to get something - player "I didn't want to go - I love this club" and everyone calls DK a w@nker.

Scenario 2 - Club don't sell him in Jan and he walks at the end of his contract but he has a big bargaining chip with which to negotiate until the end of the season. He goes if the deal is not good enough for him ("Brighton just didn't want me enough" and DK has "let another one slip away") and stays if they meet his demands ("I love this club" but BHA get to over-pay for a player and DK gets a slagging off).

Scenario 2(a) - he leaves at the end of the season for free claiming he deserves Championship football, plus the reasons above - Dk in disgrace and player looking like he's totally reasonable.

This whole thing is about using the public domain to negotiate and threaten the club. It's typical agent activity which is why we all hate them. but if you were the player, what would you do?

Yep your about right, the scenarios you have quoted are not unique though its called ...... Professional Football.

Its full of agents, players and egotistical Chairman.

And professional football clubs up and down the country are dealing with it on a daily basis with various success, I hope we too can cope.

 

[Jimmy Grimble]

This is a clear case of agent/player putting a gun to the Clubs head and trying to make out they are the good guys.

They know that he goes on a free at the end of the season if they don't get the deal they want.

They know that we only get money for him if we sell him by the end of January.

If his wage demands are unreasonable (and we don't know what he's been offered and what he is after), then the club will be forced to sell him this month - in order to get something for him on the assumption that if he drags the negotitation into Feb then he has them over a barrel.

Scenario 1 - Club sell him in Jan to get something - player "I didn't want to go - I love this club" and everyone calls DK a w@nker.

Scenario 2 - Club don't sell him in Jan and he walks at the end of his contract but he has a big bargaining chip with which to negotiate until the end of the season. He goes if the deal is not good enough for him ("Brighton just didn't want me enough" and DK has "let another one slip away") and stays if they meet his demands ("I love this club" but BHA get to over-pay for a player and DK gets a slagging off).

Scenario 2(a) - he leaves at the end of the season for free claiming he deserves Championship football, plus the reasons above - Dk in disgrace and player looking like he's totally reasonable.

This whole thing is about using the public domain to negotiate and threaten the club. It's typical agent activity which is why we all hate them. but if you were the player, what would you do?

Spot on

 

[BigGully]

I agree 100%.

If the club think a player is worth it AND they can afford it, why would they not want to sign that player?

But the decision has to be based on BOTH those criteria. Plenty of clubs have got themselves in deep financial trouble by throwing money at players they couldn't afford in the hope that they would bring them promotion or save them from relegation. It is a very dangerous and irresponsible game to play and I am glad we are not doing that.

If the player doesn't like the deal that is offered, fair enough, goodbye and good luck.

Knotty you aint neutral though, you have a view and have stated it.

You too have know inside knowledge to back your view up, your just like the rest of us, so stop banging on at other people not to air their own views. Its an open forum for you and for everyone else.

 

[The Oldman]

Just in case anyone missed Dick Knight on BBC SCR news at 1.0pm. He reiterated that he wants Hammond to stay. He made an offer last year to extend his contract which Hammond's agent has not accepted and wants more. Knight said he will not act with a pistol at his head.

Sounds fair enough.Either the Chairman and the board run the club or players' agents do. I'll stick with the board.

 

[Djmiles]

He made an offer last year to extend his contract which Hammond's agent has not accepted and wants more. Knight said he will not act with a pistol at his head.

Deja vu, anyone?

 

[Easy 10]

The other piece in the article that I find quite ominous is the way the agent is going over and over about Hammond not wanting to leave and not asking for to leave. This is obviously an attempt to position Hammond to collect on whatever options will be available should a transfer take place

No. This is obviously an attempt to absolve Hammond from any criticism from the fans for wanting out, and stiffing the club under a bosman.

 

[Couldn't Be Hyypia]

No. This is obviously an attempt to absolve Hammond from any criticism from the fans for wanting out, and stiffing the club under a bosman.

Bingo!

 

[BigGully]

Just in case anyone missed Dick Knight on BBC SCR news at 1.0pm. He reiterated that he wants Hammond to stay. He made an offer last year to extend his contract which Hammond's agent has not accepted and wants more. Knight said he will not act with a pistol at his head.

Sounds fair enough.Either the Chairman and the board run the club or players' agents do. I'll stick with the board.

I didnt hear that but I guess its par for the course for DK.

I would suggest that he is at a critical point in negotiations and the Chairman comes out and says an emotive phrase 'he will not act with a pistol at his head'.

Now of course he might get a lot of hoorays from some on here, putting player and agent in his place and all that.

But it has not helped one little bit, in fact it might now ensure that Hammond leaves.

Any chance of a quiet, private and a more inclusive negotiation rather than the them and us mentality, which inevitabley concludes with a player leaving our club.

 

[The Large One]

No. This is obviously an attempt to absolve Hammond from any criticism from the fans for wanting out, and stiffing the club under a bosman.

I'm not so sure. Really, I'm not.

Hammond DOES want to stay, but he wants to stay with a Brighton that's in the Championship. Seeing as that is something beyond his overall control, although something he can definitely influence, it's partially down to him to ensure both sets of circumstances are fulfilled before he signs.

It's getting more and more to the extremes. He's got to put himself in the shop window to get a different club's interest, which means playing out of his skin for the rest of the season. If, however, he does play out of his skin, it could be the difference between us reaching the play-offs or not. Paradoxical, innit?

What he wants now is a crystal ball to know whether to sign here now. Which is tough shit, really.

 

[Knotty]

Knotty you aint neutral though, you have a view and have stated it.

You too have know inside knowledge to back your view up, your just like the rest of us, so stop banging on at other people not to air their own views. Its an open forum for you and for everyone else.

Sorry BigGully, you have missed my point completely.

I am COMPLETELY neutral on this subject because I know very little of the facts. As I said before, if and when I do know the facts I will come down on one side or the other..or neither..or both!

I have never said that people should not air their views and of course it's an open forum. What I don't like is when people state their views as facts and use them to make unfounded judgements and criticisms.

Your critical views may be absolutely correct. I simply don't know. But what I don't understand is some people's desire to criticise when they have no idea if they are right or not.

 

[The Large One]

I didnt hear that but I guess its par for the course for DK.

I would suggest that he is at a critical point in negotiations and the Chairman comes out and says an emotive phrase 'he will not act with a pistol at his head'.

Now of course he might get a lot of hoorays from some on here, putting player and agent in his place and all that.

But it has not helped one little bit, in fact it might now ensure that Hammond leaves.

Any chance of a quiet, private and a more inclusive negotiation rather than the them and us mentality, which inevitabley concludes with a player leaving our club.

Yes, because the agent going public really helped didn't it?

 

[BigGully]

Yes, because the agent going public really helped didn't it?

But the agents comments did seem to infer that talks havent been as forthcoming as some on here have thought.

But I dont think any of the comments by Hammonds agent was derigotory to the club or necessarily to Knight himself.

He is the Chairman he seems to get so defensive if he feels he is being criticised in some way.

Maybe hes getting found out.....

 

[Knotty]

But the agents comments did seem to infer that talks havent been as forthcoming as some on here have thought.

But I dont think any of the comments by Hammonds agent was derigotory to the club or necessarily to Knight himself.

He is the Chairman he seems to get so defensive if he feels he is being criticised in some way.

Maybe hes getting found out.....

Found out about what?

 

[The Large One]

But the agents comments did seem to infer that talks havent been as forthcoming as some on here have thought.

But I dont think any of the comments by Hammonds agent was derigotory to the club or necessarily to Knight himself.

He is the Chairman he seems to get so defensive if he feels he is being criticised in some way.

Maybe hes getting found out.....

First, the word is 'imply', not 'infer'.

Secondly, you're right, none of the statements by Hammond's agent were derogatory, nor for that matter, were they necessarily incorrect, even though not all of the story is being told here. Nor does Dick's statement about heads and pistols seem derogatory. No-one is insulting anyone here.

My point is, nothing has ever been gained by going public with the story. For a start, it's no-one else's business. It makes you wonder why the agent went public with it. For me, Dick isn't getting defensive, he is merely stating (with an albeit glib remark) what he has always said - he won't pay over the top for anyone. He was asked for a comment, and gave one.

 

[Knotty]

First, the word is 'imply', not 'infer'.

Secondly, you're right, none of the statements by Hammond's agent were derogatory, nor for that matter, were they necessarily incorrect, even though not all of the story is being told here. Nor does Dick's statement about heads and pistols seem derogatory. No-one is insulting anyone here.

My point is, nothing has ever been gained by going public with the story. For a start, it's no-one else's business. It makes you wonder why the agent went public with it. For me, Dick isn't getting defensive, he is merely stating (with an albeit glib remark) what he has always said - he won't pay over the top for anyone. He was asked for a comment, and gave one.

Common sense and an obective view, TLO. It will never do on NSC!

 

[Easy 10]

I'm not so sure. Really, I'm not.

Hammond DOES want to stay, but he wants to stay with a Brighton that's in the Championship. Seeing as that is something beyond his overall control, although something he can definitely influence, it's partially down to him to ensure both sets of circumstances are fulfilled before he signs.

It's getting more and more to the extremes. He's got to put himself in the shop window to get a different club's interest, which means playing out of his skin for the rest of the season. If, however, he does play out of his skin, it could be the difference between us reaching the play-offs or not. Paradoxical, innit?

What he wants now is a crystal ball to know whether to sign here now. Which is tough shit, really.

Frankly...I'm not convinced.
Hammond will be 25 come this summer, and he's been at this club his entire career so far. He's of an age now where he probably feels his "stock" has gone up sufficiently for this to be the right time for a move. And if he does it under a bosman, he's going to make a packet on the deal. Why would he want to commit to another couple of years at our athletics track ?

I don't really BLAME him for wanting to cash in on a move now, or (more likely) in the summer. As I've said before, we'd probably all do exactly the same thing given the opportunity. Realistically, he knows as well as we do that the Albion are NOT going to be competing in the Championship next season, so any deal he signs right now is going to be another 3rd Division contract. He feels he's better than that now, and its his prerogative to let his contract run down and do whats best for himself. He doesn't OWE us anything, and I don't need to hear that he "wants to stay with Brighton" from his agent when, clearly, he doesn't or he'd have signed already.

A players loyalty is firstly and primarily to himself and his family. The grass isn't always greener, as others have found out to their cost. Hammond may or may not do well out of his move, but I'm not going to kid myself that he's desperate to stay at the club, whatever his agent may peddle.