Breaking News Tom Hopper Signs

ColinMorrisWalksOnWater · 2025-05-17T13:53:26+0100

RHB said:
IF, and this is a big if, Macauley Bonne were to start scoring freely, and Charley Kendall did the same, then would a trio of Bonne, Hopper and Kendall be a force to be reckoned with? Just a thought.

Too many "ifs" for me, sorry.

RHB · 2025-05-17T14:05:01+0100

ColinMorrisWalksOnWater said:
Too many "ifs" for me, sorry.

You may well be right, but without taking this too far off topic, Macauley looks like he is really loving being here with us, and that might just be the kick start he needs on the goals front. At one stage I didn't think he would reach the 5 he has now.

Holy Joe · 2025-05-17T15:27:47+0100

I written on here before that potentially we're one player away from being a top team - that player being a goal scoring centre forward.

However looking through the leagues top scorers on the BBC it strikes me that 18 of the 25 top scorers, and 3 of the top 4, aren't with teams in the playoffs/Barnet. Halifax haven't got anyone in top 25. 3 of the 4 relegated teams have a player in the top scorers, including Flyde with a top 3 scorer.

Maybe we are placing too much emphasis on a single player scoring lots of goals. Maybe total goals is far more important rather than any individual scoring.

12 goals would put a player in the top 25 - I can see Hopper getting into double figures next season which wouldn't be shabby at all.

ColinMorrisWalksOnWater · 2025-05-17T16:06:43+0100

RHB said:
You may well be right, but without taking this too far off topic, Macauley looks like he is really loving being here with us, and that might just be the kick start he needs on the goals front. At one stage I didn't think he would reach the 5 he has now.

I would keep Macauley Bonne at the drop of a hat, keep him happy and he will only get better. His fitness levels are top dollar and you can see he cares.

Charlie Kendall is also a definite keep for me / contract extension when ready to do. He will develop and has the pace to worry defences. Kev and team have already started working on his composure.

I would go for a younger more mobile big type target man to lead the line. On another thread I said I would try and get Will Davies of Sutton Utd, if there were any chance we were able to, failing him, that type of mobile target forward to lead the line, who also scores goals, with Hopper as cover.

That's just me as an individual though, obviously.

shrimpled · 2025-05-17T16:30:02+0100

I am hopeful Charley Kendall could be the 15 - 20 goal striker we have been looking for.

With a good pre season behind him I expect him to have an excellent season.

I also hope we keep Macca. He’s been excellent since the end of January and I would certainly hope for 10-12 from him next season.

Avl1983 · 2025-05-17T19:29:08+0100

RHB said:
The irony of that is the quickness of thought from Tom Hopper to grab our second goal, thus sparking our recovery on Thursday. Real goalscorer's instincts?

He had a big influence for sure and he works very hard but personally I can’t see him ever being a goalscorer for us as such, we may get double figures out of him in a full season which is still a good return but what we’d all give for an Ollie Pearce type player scoring 30+ goals.

lreed567 · 2025-05-17T19:32:47+0100

Shrimpers boss Maher has praise for unsung hero Hopper

SOUTHEND United boss Kevin Maher has praised the part unsung hero Tom Hopper has played in the Shrimpers’ push for promotion.

www.echo-news.co.uk

Maybe they've been reading this post

Holy Joe · 2025-05-17T19:33:57+0100

Avl1983 said:
He had a big influence for sure and he works very hard but personally I can’t see him ever being a goalscorer for us as such, we may get double figures out of him in a full season which is still a good return but what we’d all give for an Ollie Pearce type player scoring 30+ goals.

Obviously wouldn't turn that type of player down - but I think it's not essential - as I said look at the leagues top scorers - Pearce is streets ahead on 31, but that hasn't been enough to get automatic promotion. Next is 23 goals, next is 19 goals, for a relegated team. There's way too much emphasis on an individual player scoring goals. It really doesn't matter who scores them!

Holy Joe · 2025-05-17T19:36:15+0100

Holy Joe said:
Obviously wouldn't turn that type of player down - but I think it's not essential - as I said look at the leagues top scorers - Pearce is streets ahead on 31, but that hasn't been enough to get automatic promotion. Next is 23 goals, next is 19 goals, for a relegated team. There's way too much emphasis on an individual player scoring goals. It really doesn't matter who scores them!

Infact could take it further, the leagues lowest scorers was Halifax - got in the playoffs. Relegated daggers scored more than 2 of the top 7. Winning games 1 nil is enough.

overseas shrimper · 2025-05-17T19:36:48+0100

Holy Joe said:
I written on here before that potentially we're one player away from being a top team - that player being a goal scoring centre forward.

However looking through the leagues top scorers on the BBC it strikes me that 18 of the 25 top scorers, and 3 of the top 4, aren't with teams in the playoffs/Barnet. Halifax haven't got anyone in top 25. 3 of the 4 relegated teams have a player in the top scorers, including Flyde with a top 3 scorer.

Maybe we are placing too much emphasis on a single player scoring lots of goals. Maybe total goals is far more important rather than any individual scoring.

12 goals would put a player in the top 25 - I can see Hopper getting into double figures next season which wouldn't be shabby at all.

Rely on one player to score lots of goals, and that player gets injured... then what?

Avl1983 · 2025-05-17T19:41:47+0100

Holy Joe said:
Obviously wouldn't turn that type of player down - but I think it's not essential - as I said look at the leagues top scorers - Pearce is streets ahead on 31, but that hasn't been enough to get automatic promotion. Next is 23 goals, next is 19 goals, for a relegated team. There's way too much emphasis on an individual player scoring goals. It really doesn't matter who scores them!

Totally get your point and you’re not wrong. But then also I’d love a real goalscorer. It’s so exciting and entertaining having a player like that! We haven’t had that excitement since Freddy left!

I do agree that goals should come from the team as a whole though and I wasn’t suggesting we should rely on one player either.

RHB · 2025-05-17T20:38:31+0100

Well, whatever we may think of Mr Hopper, good, bad or indifferent, he is certainly up there in Kev's book, and contracted until summer 2026. So he will be part of our forward contingent, whatever our additions.

in the know · 2025-05-17T20:45:10+0100

I believe if we keep bonne as per the current option, it's an expensive option. Don't know if he'd accept less if negotiated based on being happy here.) Cost might be a hurdle.

shrimpled · 2025-05-17T20:52:17+0100

in the know said:
I believe if we keep bonne as per the current option, it's an expensive option. Don't know if he'd accept less if negotiated based on being happy here. Cost might be a hurdle.

I would hope there is some flexibility on both sides.

Blue Yonder · 2025-05-17T22:48:34+0100

Bonne looked like a Liam Ridgewell when he arrived. Now looks pretty bloody useful. Too good for NL.

Rattus Norvegicus · 2025-05-18T17:57:39+0100

Holy Joe said:
I written on here before that potentially we're one player away from being a top team - that player being a goal scoring centre forward.

Maybe we are placing too much emphasis on a single player scoring lots of goals. Maybe total goals is far more important rather than any individual scoring.

12 goals would put a player in the top 25 - I can see Hopper getting into double figures next season which wouldn't be shabby at all.

Yes - perhaps.

A high scoring striker is nice of course but getting goals from a range of players - so defenders & midfielders takes the strain for the whole team. Think we are getting towards that with perhaps our biggest weakness being a lack of goals from midfielders? [shoulder shrug]

Napster · 2025-05-18T18:23:56+0100

Avl1983 said:
Totally get your point and you’re not wrong. But then also I’d love a real goalscorer. It’s so exciting and entertaining having a player like that! We haven’t had that excitement since Freddy left!

I do agree that goals should come from the team as a whole though and I wasn’t suggesting we should rely on one player either.

Apart from Cox, Barnard and Moshni. And BBBC.

Leeboy · 2025-05-18T18:47:09+0100

in the know said:
I believe if we keep bonne as per the current option, it's an expensive option. Don't know if he'd accept less if negotiated based on being happy here.) Cost might be a hurdle.

well he said in his joining interview he was fed up being ‘pushed from pillar to post’ and was looking to find a home.
At 29 nearly 30 he must have made a few quid in his career so hopefully he won’t be greedy and stay on re-negotiated terms.
I’m sure even reduced terms would be decent at this level