Hooper

[(S)(U)(F)(C)]

I reckon Hooper deserves a start very soon, everytime he has come on as sub this season he has looked dangerous. His touch looks superb and we always look more of a threat up front when he comes on.

In my opinion he changed the game when he came on last night, and also was part of the triple change tht turned us round agaisnt Norwich.

I thought this season might be a bit too early for him to step up into the first team, but he looks to have proved me wrong and settled in very well, and adapted to The Championship extremely well.

IF Paynter is to be dropped anyimte soon, Hooper should be the man to replace him IMO.

 

[prittlewellshrimper]

Agree  to a point  he looks lively and talented . Saw him in the reseves v Northampton and although he scored a goal that showed he was one move ahead of the rest  he did give the ball away to often and too cheaply and in dangerous areas for him  to be cosidered a starter so soon .  I see him more as an understudy to Fred than a partner.

 

[sufcintheprem]

He certainly looks to have prodigious potential. His mental strength is excellent and physically he looks well developed for a youngster. It seems that he is only lacking experience.

Frankly, if Tilly has been using him in important games, that shows the amount of faith Tilly has in him. I would expect him to be an important part of the squad this season.

 

[TrueBlue]

I would say Harrold after his goal at West Brom would be higher in the pecking order at the moment

 

[shrimper_sam]

i was a wee bit surprised when we didn't play him agaisnt brighton as he shows hunger and Flair -

 

[DTS]

Quote[/b] (TrueBlue @ Sep. 21 2006,06:48)]I would say Harrold after his goal at West Brom would be higher in the pecking order at the moment

Spot on for me....

Harrold is an obvious choice but clearly Billy is going to start again havign scored in mid-week.

Also as we ******* £250k on him I think he will start when fit unless he is bang out of form.

 

[Hong Kong Blue]

I think Hooper has a bit about him, but I also think he is incredibly raw and not ready yet to start in the Championship.

He has impressed in patches, but the game has also by-passed him in patches. I think he'd struggle starting, and would be best served by learning his trade in the reserves, supplemented by the odd 15 minutes here and there. Its one thing to look sharp on as sub, its a completely different thing to impress over 90 minutes. In the meantime, he'll be a handy player to introduce off the bench.

 

[Murkey_Mouse]

Hooper got more talent than Lawson at same ages, so I do feel for Lawson after what he did last season, so I reckon he now behind Freddy, Rickett, Paynter, Harrold & Hooper. Lawson need more experince so he can go out on loans to like of Orient & Notts County.

 

[Shrimper2thecore]

Quote[/b] ((S)(U)(F)(C) @ Sep. 20 2006,22:10)]I reckon Hooper deserves a start very soon, everytime he has come on as sub this season he has looked dangerous. His touch looks superb and we always look more of a threat up front when he comes on.

In my opinion he changed the game when he came on last night, and also was part of the triple change tht turned us round agaisnt Norwich.

I thought this season might be a bit too early for him to step up into the first team, but he looks to have proved me wrong and settled in very well, and adapted to The Championship extremely well.

IF Paynter is to be dropped anyimte soon, Hooper should be the man to replace him IMO.

I could not agree more, think he looks superb!!

Has not put a foot wrong in a southend shirt, except for me, should have gone alone witht the space he had on tue, but decided to try and square it!

 

[Bromley Blue]

Quote[/b] (Hong Kong Blue @ Sep. 21 2006,11:48)]I think Hooper has a bit about him, but I also think he is incredibly raw and not ready yet to start in the Championship.

He has impressed in patches, but the game has also by-passed him in patches. I think he'd struggle starting, and would be best served by learning his trade in the reserves, supplemented by the odd 15 minutes here and there. Its one thing to look sharp on as sub, its a completely different thing to impress over 90 minutes. In the meantime, he'll be a handy player to introduce off the bench.

I tend to agree with you here that Hooper's performances could be affected should he start but I still think at such a young age he offers more than Paynter. This is not meant as a dig at BP but I like the look of Hooper. I couldnt make the Norwich game, but was at West Brom so I'm in full support for the start Matt Harold campaign.

 

[Jam_Man]

Would Hooper be a good partner for Freddy though ?

I was very disappointed in the Harrold signing and still havent seen him although heard promising reviews that sound like his style may compliment Eastwood.

 

[Jai]

Quote[/b] (Jam_Man @ Sep. 21 2006,19:42)]Would Hooper be a good partner for Freddy though ?

I was very disappointed in the Harrold signing and still havent seen him although heard promising reviews that sound like his style may compliment Eastwood.

Making an impact as sub is not the same as playing from the start, the game is different with 70 odd minutes on the clock, there is more urgency and the pace is generally quicker. I think a start would perhaps show up the flaws in Hoopers game more than the odd cameo appearance, so therefore I think we should keep him as an impact sub for now until T & B think he is ready.

I think there are two main problems with having Paynter upfront with Freddy - firstly he looks low on confidence, partly brought about by signing right on the eve of the season and not having time to get to know his new team mates, and partly because he hasn't had the best of starts and he will know that more than anyone.

Secondly, having watched every minute of this season, I feel he and Freddy just do not work together, principally because they both like to come deep and look for the ball. Ergo we've had times when JCR has beaten his man, looked up and has seen nobody in the box to cross to.

This is resulting in JCR getting stick (although he put noticeably more crosses in on Tuesday) for having no end product. The one thing you can't deny about Billy is that he links play very well, when the ball goes up to the front men it tends to stick with those two playing up front together.

Harrold looks more direct, someone who will get in the box and will make life difficult. Personally I think he should start alongside Eastwood, and see how he gets on with 90 minutes.