Hammill, Adam

[TLW]

ADAM HAMMILL PROFILE Date of Birth - 25/01/88 Nationality - English Position - Winger Squad Number - Cost - Club Hons (Lpool) - FA Youth Cup 2006 Club Hons (Other) - None Intnl Hons - England U18/19 Other Clubs - Dunfermline (loan), Southampton (loan)

A lavishly gifted but often frustrating attacking midfielder from Seaforth, Adam can delight and infuriate in equal measures. Blessed with great balance, quick feet, pace and a repertoire of tricks that would not be out of place on a beach in Rio, Adam has the potential to be a star. Whether he fulfills that potential will depend on how much he matures and improves his decision making.

Equally at home on either flank or even in a striking role, Adam was a prominent figure in the side that lifted the FA Youth Cup in 2006. He was outstanding on the road to the final, scoring one amazing goal at Anfield from inside the centre circle, and producing some dazzling displays. It was all going well for him until the final. He did ok in the first leg at Anfield, but was far from his best and was outshone on the night by the likes of Paul Anderson as the reds ran out 3-0 winners over Man City.

However, it was the 2nd leg at the City of Manchester Stadium that was the real low point for Adam, as he struggled to get into the game and threw a strop when he was substituted. The game was being shown live on sky, and his petulance towards Steve Heighway was witnessed by tens of thousands of Liverpool fans, not to mention the senior squad who were watching the game from their team hotel. Apparently Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher were less than impressed with the disrespect shown towards their former mentor Heighway.

Adam put that incident behind him, and put in some good performances for Gary Ablett's reserve side. He was somewhat unfortunate not to get a first team call up for the Champions League game in Galatasaray. He was the player in form, but it was Paul Anderson who made the 18 man squad.

The setback didn't affect his form, and he was one of the second string's best players in the first half of the 2006/07 season. Unfortunately, the reserves fixture list is sporadic, and it was tough for him to get many games under his belt.

When the opportunity arose to go on loan to Dunfermline, Adam packed his bags and headed north of the border. He made an instant impression, and the Pars fans took to him immediately. Any hopes they had of securing him on a permanent transfer looked to have been dashed with the news that he had put pen to paper on a new four year contract shortly before heading up to Scotland.

He was a revelation for Dunfermline, almost helping them to an unlikely escape from relegation, and playing a key role as they reached the Scottish Cup Final. They lost to Celtic that day, but to many observers Adam was the best player on the pitch and his reputation had been enhanced greatly by his time in Scotland. He seemed to have matured, and his decision making on the field had improved greatly.

Rafa Benitez opted to send him out on loan again for the 2007-08 season, and there were numerous clubs interested. Celtic were rumoured to be very keen, but Benitez elected to send Adam to Southampton, a club where Danny Guthrie had enjoyed a successful loan the previous season, and a club that Benitez felt play the right kind of football for his players.

It didn't work out that way however, as Adam fell out with Saints' boss George Burley, who later left. In many ways it was a wasted season for Hamill, but he has another opportunity to impress this year with a loan spell at Blackpool.

With the right attitude, Adam Hammill could be a really important player for the reds in years to come, as he is the most naturally talented player to emerge from the Academy since Steven Gerrard (albeit a completely different type of player).


Video Clips of Adam Hammill in action