The merits (or otherwise) of Tom Hopper

[in the know]

Thought hayes had already secured whipping boy position☺
Don't think hopper will be going anywhere. Negotiations with FGR about cards have stopped and I believe bonne is the only existing player still to be decided upon. He wants to stay and it's about on what deal is mutually acceptable.

 

[Supershrimper]

Thought hayes had already secured whipping boy position☺
Don't think hopper will be going anywhere. Negotiations with FGR about cards have stopped and I believe bonne is the only existing player still to be decided upon. He wants to stay and it's about on what deal is mutually acceptable.

Was we looking at bringing him back then?

 

[Fairport]

Plusses re Tom Hopper are excellent work rate, and an added bonus of being very useful defending corners and free kicks.
Downside.....Doesn't score often enough.
If Tom Hopper plays regularly then it is very important that goals come from other players wether they are strikers, midfielders, wingbacks or defenders. This has been our problem for a long while. If we can rectify that then yes Tom Hopper deserves a place in the team.

 

[Barling Magna]

Was we looking at bringing him back then?

I can see FGR being happy to.move Harry on - he hasn't exactly set the world alight in that Cotswold village - but surely unlikely to want him to return to a major competitor like us. I doubt we could match his agent's demands either....

 

[Supershrimper]

I can see FGR being happy to.move Harry on - he hasn't exactly set the world alight in that Cotswold village - but surely unlikely to want him to return to a major competitor like us. I doubt we could match his agent's demands either....

I long suspected that one of the only reasons FGR purchased him in the first place was to remove him from us leaving us light up top and then just use him as a squad player thus hopefully taking us out of the equation come the end of the season.

That worked out well for them.

 

[stewart]

People keep on saying Hopper was bought in to score goals, I dont think so ,Maher knew about Hopper ,he has never been a major goal scorer in all his career , my thinking is Hopper was bought in to run the line ,hold the ball up and give opportunities to others ,also to help in defence which he has done admirably. A bit like Cardwell if you think about it.

 

[Shrimper4lifeCBS]

Hopper has a similar profile to a Cardwell/ MAF/ Corr - a mobile target man - the difference is Cardwell and Corr scored reasonably regularly and MAF had played at a much higher level and his cleverness was there - Hopper does not pose either of those threats - he's good at helping defend set pieces, that's about it.

We badly need an upgrade on him and Bonne

I’ve heard the reason we signed Hopper is our manager wanted him for Defensive set pieces!!

Totally sums up Maher!!

 

[* ORM *]

Roy McDonough 186 appearances and 30 goals in his second spell with us. Ask David Crown 61 goals in 113 appearances whether the fault lies in Hopper’s goal scoring prowess or elsewhere and how many of his goals were as a result of Donut’s contributuion in the game. Hopper’s signing was one of the many reasons we scraped into the play offs and then made Wembley.

And we’re barely into pre-season, haven’t even line up friendlies and yet we find next season’s scapegoat already. Laughable.

 

[stewart]

I’ve heard the reason we signed Hopper is our manager wanted him for Defensive set pieces!!

Totally sums up Maher!!

Cardwell only had that one good season with us where he scored 18 goals,i think his best before that was 10 goals ,But again he was very good at helping the defence. Even at his club before we signed him i dont think he was a prolific scorer.

 

[stewart]

Even Kane Englands all time record scorer and prolific wherever he plays goes back and helps in Midfield etc,etc etc , Its how the modern game is played now ,something that we need to accept .

 

[Pak Power]

Tom Hopper brings a lot to the team , and I for one am very pleased we have him to lead the front line.

 

[amsemp]

Similar in style to Dalby. Never going to score you 20 goals a season but once you accept that’s not really his game, you start appreciating his overall contribution a lot more.

 

[BEERMONSTER]

Hopper presses well, chases everything, proper grafter. He’s solid at holding the ball up and brings others into play, plus he's decent in the air in both boxes.
But let’s be honest – he’s not a natural finisher, and he lacks pace. Can go missing if isolated, especially when service is poor.
Obviously no where near a 20 goal striker, but works hard for the team and does the basics right.
A handy player to have in your squad but but the pros he brings in both forward and defensive aspects should already be covered by your starting forwards and CB's. A good addition to any NL squad but arguably not a first choice starter for a side who wants to really challenge for one automatic promotion spot.
Having said that it has to be said we became a better team with Tom in it and certainly played his part in getting us to the play off final. I hope my comments are taken in context, no way do I undervalue Tom Hopper we should respect his efforts for us this season but we also need to be in a position where his not an automatic starter.

 

[londonblue]

I can see FGR being happy to.move Harry on - he hasn't exactly set the world alight in that Cotswold village - but surely unlikely to want him to return to a major competitor like us. I doubt we could match his agent's demands either....

All we need to offer is a steak sandwich after training.

 

[londonblue]

I’ve heard the reason we signed Hopper is our manager wanted him for Defensive set pieces!!

Totally sums up Maher!!

Do you know the veracity of your source? If not, then I would argue it sums you up more than Maher.

 

[Chairman Trigg]

An Ian Benjamin type who adds more to the teams general performance.Will score a few goals ,holds the ball well , link ups the midfield,and heading wise is a plus when the defence is struggling.
More worried about Parillion being played out wide, which made him more ineffective and less of a threat

 

[londonblue]

An Ian Benjamin type who adds more to the teams general performance.Will score a few goals ,holds the ball well , link ups the midfield,and heading wise is a plus when the defence is struggling.
More worried about Parillion being played out wide, which made him more ineffective and less of a threat

I thought he was more effective out there than when he played in the middle. However, I would love to see him running at people from the middle.

 

[Wickford Blue]

I have just looked at the results after we signed Hopper and not sure if it is a coincidence but we only lost 3 league games between 28th January and end of season. My memory might be playing me tricks (I am 68!) but seem to remember we couldn't defend a Corner or set pieces if our lives depended on it until Hopper and Goodliffe arrived. Think he brings that to the team

 

[Shrimp and two veg]

Hopper was not brought into score goals. That’s not his role in the side. His role is to the hold ball up and to occupy and wear out defenders.

As I’ve pointed out many times Maher’s sides defend from the front and attack from the back. It’s how come we’ve a right back with 17 goals.


Hopper isn’t the same player he was in L1. He’s not going to be a prolific scorer.

We also as a team scored enough goals since Hopper was signed to get promoted. The bigger issue right now is the 8 goals we conceded in the playoffs.

Maybe, but this thread is about Hopper.
This team didnt look like ever getting higher than 7th in non league. No thanks to shot shy Mr H.

If we want to keep defenders busy, i'll let loose my 1year old Labrador, he's ****ing nuts and will run all day.
If we want to try and win the non league title, then please i'm begging, get shot of dear Tom.

Thankyou please.

 

[Shrimp and two veg]

I have just looked at the results after we signed Hopper and not sure if it is a coincidence but we only lost 3 league games between 28th January and end of season. My memory might be playing me tricks (I am 68!) but seem to remember we couldn't defend a Corner or set pieces if our lives depended on it until Hopper and Goodliffe arrived. Think he brings that to the team

It's actually despite having to play Hopper ! Was like playing with 10 men !

Dont worry, i'll be my positive self come August