Brammer’s Blog

It has been interesting to see that football agents have already moved into top gear in readiness for the Summer transfer market – especially in relation to two on-loan Reds players.

Sky Sports’ website has produced a couple of stories this week, both of which would appear to have been planted by the respective players’ agents. 

Firstly, Andranik is quoted as saying that ”My contract runs out next year and I would like to return to Fulham.” The probable story here is that Barnsley have told him they don’t require his services beyond the end of the season, therefore he has to try and rebuild bridges at The Cottage. As one bloke who sits behind me at Oakwell sagely observed, Andranik is ‘a rich man’s Togwell’, referring to the fact that he runs around a lot with little end product yet probably earns significantly more than poor Sam ever did. Andranik then goes on to contradict his statement of loyalty to Fulham by saying that “(my) contract allows me a transfer to a different club if I have an offer. I would consider other offers.” Which – in agent speak – means ‘please come and get me’.

Meanwhile ‘Sky Sports understands’ (i.e. his agent rang them) that Adam Hammill is being tracked by ‘a plethora of clubs …thought to include Bolton, West Brom and Wolves.’ Again, the likely truth behind this is that Hammill has realised he has no future at Anfield and his agent wants to put pressure on Barnsley to make an offer (and therefore prompt a bidding war for his services).

I’m sure that the Oakwell hierarchy are wise enough not to fall for all this propaganda. Due to the parlous financial state of most clubs at present it is likely that there will be plenty of players available for transfer over the Summer and the Reds don’t need to be hasty in their recruitment policy. We need to concentrate on quality – not quantity – of signings. Although it would be nice if we could recruit Adam Hammill who has been ‘earning rave reviews’ and been a ’shining light’ for the Reds, so much so that he has ‘alerted the England U-21 coaching staff’ to quote the words of his agent…sorry, I mean Sky Sports!