Nick(y) Hammond

[Pepe the Horseman]

He's outlived four managers, and the fifth one isn't exactly covering himself in glory at the moment. Not sure how much he had to do with Clarke coming in, but iirc he was heavily involved in the other appointments.

A lot of people slating our recent signings. We all know what a good job he does selling players, but not so much when it comes to buying players. The Murray deal in particular seems to have been one big fcuk up. And if his hands are tied over transfers, then what exactly does he do?

So, should we start escapegoating Squeaky?

[MmmMonsterMunch]

Nope. Hands are tied by FFP & stupid contracts given by AZ. Has always done well getting a good return on players we sell.

Keep.

(Also bear in mind since McD became mgr, have we had someone as good doing our scouting?) The new head of recruitment will hopefully go some way to solving this.

[Pepe the Horseman]

What does he do then? Doesn't/can't sign players. Not negotiating any new contracts.

[melonhead]

He's outlived four managers, and the fifth one isn't exactly covering himself in glory at the moment. Not sure how much he had to do with Clarke coming in, but iirc he was heavily involved in the other appointments.

A lot of people slating our recent signings. We all know what a good job he does selling players, but not so much when it comes to buying players. The Murray deal in particular seems to have been one big fcuk up. And if his hands are tied over transfers, then what exactly does he do?

So, should we start escapegoating Squeaky?

No

[MmmMonsterMunch]

What does he do then? Doesn't/can't sign players. Not negotiating any new contracts.

As I already said, gets good £ for players that leave. Deals with the contract / negotiation stuff well when he's left to get on with his job. Not his fault AZ started playing championship manager.

[Ian Royal]

What does he do then? Doesn't/can't sign players. Not negotiating any new contracts.

So far this season, we've signed
Norwood
Cox
Ferdinand
Yakubu
Travner

Plus Murray & Mackie on loan.

We've loaned out
Drenthe
Samuel
Tanner
Tshibola
Dickie
Hyam

Plus sold ALF, Morro, Cummings & Drenthe

We've extended contracts for Hector amongst several others.

I'd say that's plenty for him to do personally. Would we like better players? Absolutely. But we can't magic money out of thin air, so we'll have to rely on Hammond continuing to try to make what we've got go as far as possible. Something he's pretty good at. Although lots of people are involved in the signings business for the club, from the scouts, through Hammond to the coaching staff and board.

[SapperBRoyal]

For my money, Hammond is the only member of the executive consistently adding value for a decade. We will never fully understand the relationships he has had to build, the pride he has had to swallow, the wheeling and dealing he has had to accomplish in order to paper over the cracks. He's rarely in the limelight, rarely gets the credit, and yet two 'big' takeover organisations have quickly realised that his acumen, experience and network is too valuable to let go somewhere else. And make no mistake, should he and his big tin of turd polish ever get laid off, it would be to the advantage of another club in our division, possibly one looking to consolidate in the Prem. Hammond's headlines have come from selling well, because we are a selling club. Were the situation to ever change, who knows?

[AthleticoSpizz]

What did you vote Pepe?

[3points]

What does he do then? Doesn't/can't sign players. Not negotiating any new contracts.

So far this season, we've signed
Norwood
Cox
Ferdinand
Yakubu
Travner

Plus Murray & Mackie on loan.

We've loaned out
Drenthe
Samuel
Tanner
Tshibola
Dickie
Hyam

Plus sold ALF, Morro, Cummings & Drenthe

We've extended contracts for Hector amongst several others.

I'd say that's plenty for him to do personally. Would we like better players? Absolutely. But we can't magic money out of thin air, so we'll have to rely on Hammond continuing to try to make what we've got go as far as possible. Something he's pretty good at. Although lots of people are involved in the signings business for the club, from the scouts, through Hammond to the coaching staff and board.

And sold McCarthy

[Royal Rother]

For my money, Hammond is the only member of the executive consistently adding value for a decade. We will never fully understand the relationships he has had to build, the pride he has had to swallow, the wheeling and dealing he has had to accomplish in order to paper over the cracks. He's rarely in the limelight, rarely gets the credit, and yet two 'big' takeover organisations have quickly realised that his acumen, experience and network is too valuable to let go somewhere else. And make no mistake, should he and his big tin of turd polish ever get laid off, it would be to the advantage of another club in our division, possibly one looking to consolidate in the Prem. Hammond's headlines have come from selling well, because we are a selling club. Were the situation to ever change, who knows?

Good post.

[Pepe the Horseman]

What did you vote Pepe?

I haven't voted yet. I'm waiting to see who the majority go with, and then siding with them.

[AthleticoSpizz]

Phuket, I was going to suggest that you were having a mare etc etc

[Moonfish]

For me Steve Clarke is a first team coach, not a manager. He doesn't need to devote his time to negotiating contracts, buying and selling, talking to agents etc. That's not where his strenghths lie, and for that reason he needs someone with Hammond's experience at the club.

[Faithful Son]

I'm puzzled why people are criticising Squeaky and blaming him for our bad signings. I may be wrong but doesn't the manager choose the players we go for? I thought Hammond's job is to then do the negotiating on the club's behalf. Is this not the case? If it's not then I can finally understand why the club is in such a state. We have somebody buying players the manager doesn't want.

[sandman]

What does he do then? Doesn't/can't sign players. Not negotiating any new contracts.

So far this season, we've signed
Norwood
Cox
Ferdinand
Yakubu
Travner

Plus Murray & Mackie on loan.

We've loaned out
Drenthe
Samuel
Tanner
Tshibola
Dickie
Hyam

Plus sold ALF, Morro, Cummings & Drenthe

We've extended contracts for Hector amongst several others.

I'd say that's plenty for him to do personally. Would we like better players? Absolutely. But we can't magic money out of thin air, so we'll have to rely on Hammond continuing to try to make what we've got go as far as possible. Something he's pretty good at. Although lots of people are involved in the signings business for the club, from the scouts, through Hammond to the coaching staff and board.

And sold McCarthy

So Hammond is definitely worth keeping.

[SapperBRoyal]

I'm puzzled why people are criticising Squeaky and blaming him for our bad signings. I may be wrong but doesn't the manager choose the players we go for? I thought Hammond's job is to then do the negotiating on the club's behalf. Is this not the case? If it's not then I can finally understand why the club is in such a state. We have somebody buying players the manager doesn't want.

He does the best he can with what he has in terms of resource and direction. He does not make the policy. If we had a bit of money (enough to stand a chance of keeping our better players, and investment in potential where we found it) and some continuity, we could build again with Hammond in the picture. Throw peanuts and broken promises at this and the implosion could continue unabated, Hammond or not.

[Snowball]

What did you vote Pepe?

I haven't voted yet. I'm waiting to see who the majority go with, and then siding with them.

Good man!