I don't know if you felt it, but I made my feelings very clear early in the close season when I suggested that the Saints line-up was going to change radically over the next couple of seasons. It meant that we were going to be saying goodbye [or at least, see you later] to many/most of the players who had brought us from League One. The problem being, Saints had a great League One squad who won promotion from the Championship at the first attempt. It meant that if we were going to stay in the PL, with not too much strain, then the squad was going to have to be added to in terms of quality and quantity [depth]. This meant that a lot of faces that had found their ways into our hearts would be leaving, and that is often hard to take. Billy has been at Saints since January, so the attachment is much less involved, but Deano has pretty much been here for the entire journey. It's a great shame he isn't able to get off the bus at the last stop. Despite our PL intentions, I'm a little bit sadder this evening. I'm sure I'll get over it though. EDIT: Turn this thread into an article Mod-Chappies. I want to give Deano the best chance to know he was greatly appreciated at Southampton.
Great post!Sad to let these lads go and they'll never be forgotten. Thats progress for you. On a side note now the window is closed I see the chat has become more sensible again
Well put mate, it is always a shame when players like him are left behind. Sure he will do us proud at Brighton & can come back with a full seasons experience behind him Good Luck Deano
At least we have a great set of Saints players giving us a good excuse to tune into TFLS. I've loved the show for the last few seasons and I get a chance to continue the involvement.
Cannot believe the comments on Brighton board ! WOW I hope Deano doesnt read them. Thank you Dean for last 3 years, been fantastic and led by example. The one sad thing about evolution, people who have been integral get left behind. COYR
Good luck to him, and I agree he didn`t always get the credit he deserved. Doesn`t this leave us short of a ball-winning holding midfield player ?
Deano has been a top player for the Saints during our rise from the ashes - we certainly got our moneys worth out of him grafting away in midfield to win the ball back. Thanks for everything Deano and good luck in the rest of your career.
I think maybe Hammond just doesn't have the pace for the Premier League. Still a very good Championship player and will do well at Brighton again. I think Seagulls fans don't like him because he swore at the South Stand when he scored against them, but only a few fans seem to remember this, probably making something out of nothing. By the end of the season when he helps them finish in a decent position (I doubt play-offs, but maybe top 10?), this will all have been forgotton. I'm suprised Billy Sharp has been sent out on loan. He's the kind of player that's good to have on the Bench to be thrown on when you desperately need a goal. I don't really understand why he joined us at all if there was on intention of playing him in the PL.
Billy was brought in to get us promoted. If we'd stayed in the Championship he would still be with us. I'm sure the intention was to play him in the PL (and I think he would have got some games) but you don't know until you've got the player in what he is fully capable of. Our team dynamic has changed which would limit Billy's chances. Approached by Forest, Adkins was duty bound to pass the offer to Sharp and to be honest about his prospects at Saints. I think Billy would have got games, whereas regrettably Hammond would be limited to helping out the U21 team.
I would echo all the kind words from everyone, respect to Deano and a massive "thank you" for every bit of effort he has put into the progression through the leagues. It is just a shame he has gone to that nasty little club along the south cost with the most unpleasant little "Gobshite" manager
I don't think that was on the cards until we started buying players. Billy scored some valuable goals for us and that will be what I remember. Dean though I have been expecting to leave along with a couple that are still here. I hope that his grit is not something that we will miss though his lack of speed could have proved costly with bookings. Will always have a warm feeling when remembering him as our captain and what we achieved with us while he was here.
the only criticism i had of him was that he didnt score enough goals. i personally like midfielders which score 4 or 5 a season, taking the pressure off the strikers a little. however, was a great player and always gave his all. on a seperate note, find it a little strange we loaned players out in the transfer window, i thought we'd wait and name our 25 man squad then loan them. at least try and give sharp and hammond a go
The good thing about lending these guys out for the season is that if things go badly wrong this season and we get relegated then we have two players to come straight back into the team who we know are good Championship quality when our "stars" get snapped up I know that's not overly optimistic but could happen
Doubt they would want to return if it has gone well for them. I believe that Forest have an option on Billy.
Well said CBK. I think Hammond leaves Saints with fond memories which he'll cherish for the rest of his life. My favourite moment of his was when I saw him score from a corner away at Peterborough.
Very surprised this hasn't been made into an article yet. Dean Hammond epitomised the new drive that Saints needed to make two promotions in two seasons. A super Captain and unsung hero in many quarters. Including it appears, here.
