"Our season has been derailed, we have suffered a major wound," Hammam told Terry Phillips of the Echo.
"The fact that this tragedy is happening means we can almost draw a line under this season. It's a wasted year.
"If we signed the best player in the world now he is not going to change us into a promotion winning team and even if we got into the play offs there is a 25% chance of failure.
"That's now an outside chance and it's time to calm down and look at where we are, re-examine what we are doing in all areas.
"We lost this season and I'm heartbroken about that. Will that faze us? Of course not, we are men and will work on the future. We will use this stumbling block as a stepping stone."
Hammams comments come on his return from his holidays in America. City have lost the last 4 league games played and have dropped from 6th to 12th in the table. We are still only 7 points away from the play offs but it seems as though plans are being made for investment into the squad ready for next season with loan signings due in January to ensure we finish this season in Division 1.
Hammam gave his manager his full backing. "I think the world of Lennie Lawrence. He is the man to lead us to the promised land".
Lennie has admitted himself that he is under pressure and is demanding 4 points from the next two league games. City entertain Rotherham before travelling to Bradford. The Bantams looking odds on to get relegated.
Sam's comments have sent the City fans into a huge debate. Should we write off this season? Is Lennie the man for the job? Are we just not good enough? Are the players up to it?
Match reporter NigelBlues and Echo columnist Terry Phillips have both offered their full and frank thoughts on the matter.
NigelBlues
Now that the dust is settling on City’s self-inflicted wounds and appalling end to 2003 followed by Sam’s words. I think it’s time to take a cold look at the situation.
Unless Sam refused to fund new or loan signings before Xmas, and every comment by Lennie and Sam indicate that funds were available and we could have moved if we wanted, then, at the highest level anyway, I blame Lennie for this losing run because of his complacency and misplaced tight-fistedness.
With a smaller squad than any leading side, players missing and no width whilst every rival were making positives moves and additions, he knew to had to move but he stalled so it‘s no surprise that‘s Cardiff‘s season stalled with it. I think Lennie although he may have had genuine intentions did himself, Sam, City and the fans a great disservice at a critical time of the season. Lennie was additionally let down by several players, including the experienced ones and those we should have looked to in a struggle, but the slide had already started. The time to build and fix this side was then not now. I said it a month ago and sadly, it’s been proved to be right.
Regardless of that, facts have to be faced and let‘s not be naive about City‘s present situation resulting from the recent mess. We’re 12th, mid-table, we’re 11 points off auto-promotion and 7 points of the play-offs which, although we won them last season, is nothing more than a lottery. There’s only 20 games left.
As defeatist as it may sound, I tend to believe our season as Premiership challengers is over too. The only way we can get back into contention is with 5 or 6 straight wins, something like a 10 to 12 match unbeaten run and average over 2 points per game for the rest of the season for promotion and 2 points per game for the play-offs. New faces or not, I believe that’s now beyond us. It‘s not impossible but very unlikely. We’ve allowed too big a gap to open and I just don’t see the leading sides collapse in the fashion that we have.
Sam’s words, as hard hitting and hurtful as they sound, are right I’m afraid. Our season has been dealt a mortal blow, not even huge financing now would be likely to rescue us at this stage and, even if it did, it would be no better than those play-offs and you have to ask is it really worth significant investment right now to do that?
Sam’s weighed it up and obviously thought no. Others will argue whether the money is there or not, my honest opinion is that if we were still in the Top 6 now and a win or so off an automatic promotion spot, then we’d see Sam and City go for it.
Realistically though, the season’s not over by any means but success is remote. He's still talking about quality loans but if we’re going to bring in big money players on big money wages, then it’s probably best to wait until summer rather than starting paying now for all of it.
Besides, would that type of player even wnat to come here in our present position?
And reading Sam’s quotes, that’s more or less what he’s said.
I still hope Lennie answers if his hands were tied or not and explains why he didn’t move for any players and I share your hopes that Sam tones down his public comments. He is the best thing that ever happened to this club and always will be but when he drives momentum and fervour with his “I want promotion this season“ rallying calls, he really has to back it up in actions not words or best say nothing at all.
Terry Phillips (SW Echo)