The merits (or otherwise) of Tom Hopper

[JB Shrimper]

Results have improved since Hopper's return but things always seem to improve when Bonne and Parrilon came on. Coincidence? I think not

 

[NZamba Legend]

Surely its ok to not rate a player and voice your opinion?

Definitely. People will always have different views on a player. You'll always get disagreement. Especially with forwards like Bonne and Hopper. They don't score many goals, which of course is their main role, but actually they are quite good players and bring a lot to the team. Both sides to this are true. It's easy to see why people are split on them.

 

[londonblue]

Results have improved since Hopper's return but things always seem to improve when Bonne and Parrilon came on. Coincidence? I think not

That's very simplistic.

 

[Hampshire Shrimp]

Of course it is, and everyone does it, including me. It's also ok to comment in the way that I did.

You called one persons opinion on Hopper a witch hunt. It`s not a witch hunt, it`s people expressing their opinions. No need to call it a witch hunt because it goes against what you want to hear. It happens a lot on here, if you are negative against players like Walker, Hopper and Bonne who haven`t really done what they were brought in to do, score goals. If a post doesn`t agree to your own thoughts on players, either scroll on or post your own thoughts, but it`s not a witch hunt.

 

[danbowen]

Looks like the Hopper witch hunt is starting early this pre season.

Everyone slates Bonne but Hopper has scored 3 goals in 22 games. Performances may have improved since Hopper was signed but I don’t recall Hopper actually being a game changer for us. He runs around lots but rarely wins the ball back (Bonne in my opinion does a better job of pressuring defenders). If you think Hopper is anywhere near good enough getting us out of this league then that is your opinion but he is never getting us the goals we need and should be moved on asap. It wasn’t great business by us at all giving him an 18 month contract.

 

[SUFCGoals]

You called one persons opinion on Hopper a witch hunt. It`s not a witch hunt, it`s people expressing their opinions. No need to call it a witch hunt because it goes against what you want to hear. It happens a lot on here, if you are negative against players like Walker, Hopper and Bonne who haven`t really done what they were brought in to do, score goals. If a post doesn`t agree to your own thoughts on players, either scroll on or post your own thoughts, but it`s not a witch hunt.

The fact is Hopper has done what he was brought in to do. He was never signed to score 20 goals. He was signed to help us keep the ball further up the pitch and to bring others in to play.

I’m sure his defensive ability from set pieces was a reason he was signed too, and conceding goals from set pieces has dried up too since he signed.

 

[tallboyblue]

The fact is Hopper has done what he was brought in to do. He was never signed to score 20 goals. He was signed to help us keep the ball further up the pitch and to bring others in to play.

I’m sure his defensive ability from set pieces was a reason he was signed too, and conceding goals from set pieces has dried up too since he signed.

Problem is though you have to score goals to win matches,

 

[gatecrasher]

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

 

[dusterman]

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

Hopper does and can score. He was a good finisher in League One. Like all players he is a confidence player, Walker be the same. Look at the difference in Kendall. We just need to become a team that creates more chances then we’ll score more.

 

[Leigh_Seasider]

Hopper does and can score. He was a good finisher in League One. Like all players he is a confidence player, Walker be the same. Look at the difference in Kendall. We just need to become a team that creates more chances then we’ll score more.

The most league goals Hopper has ever scored in a season was 8. The season he was flying with us might've been the exception, we sadly will never know. That injury cost him .. and us .. a lot. Most recently he scored 5 in 68 appearances for Col U in L2 ..

 

[Rob1920]

Thanks for that. I think it's time for me to take a break from the Zone as it's starting to feel like commenting against the flow is no longer allowed. Bye for now.

For what it’s worth I agree with you certainly about Hopper. As Kev says he does so much work for the team and some just can’t see it because he doesn’t bang in 20 goals a season. Not every forward does, obviously.

 

[dusterman]

The most league goals Hopper has ever scored in a season was 8. The season he was flying with us might've been the exception, we sadly will never know. That injury cost him .. and us .. a lot. Most recently he scored 5 in 68 appearances for Col U in L2 ..

Tovide got 7 for them last season and he was linked with a move to the championship. Hopper has good all round attributes so 10 would be a good return. I still think it’s more about the team getting better at creating chances will make the difference.

 

[londonblue]

Everyone slates Bonne but Hopper has scored 3 goals in 22 games. Performances may have improved since Hopper was signed but I don’t recall Hopper actually being a game changer for us. He runs around lots but rarely wins the ball back (Bonne in my opinion does a better job of pressuring defenders). If you think Hopper is anywhere near good enough getting us out of this league then that is your opinion but he is never getting us the goals we need and should be moved on asap. It wasn’t great business by us at all giving him an 18 month contract.

Except for the 2nd goal against Rochdale.

 

[SUFCGoals]

Problem is though you have to score goals to win matches,

Go and take that up with Kevin Maher rather than blaming Tom Hopper then?

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

You called one persons opinion on Hopper a witch hunt. It`s not a witch hunt, it`s people expressing their opinions. No need to call it a witch hunt because it goes against what you want to hear. It happens a lot on here, if you are negative against players like Walker, Hopper and Bonne who haven`t really done what they were brought in to do, score goals. If a post doesn`t agree to your own thoughts on players, either scroll on or post your own thoughts, but it`s not a witch hunt.

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 does and can score. He was a good finisher in League One. Like all players he is a confidence player, Walker be the same. Look at the difference in Kendall. We just need to become a team that creates more chances then we’ll score more.

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.

 

[londonblue]

Tovide got 7 for them last season and he was linked with a move to the championship. Hopper has good all round attributes so 10 would be a good return. I still think it’s more about the team getting better at creating chances will make the difference.

I would say Hopper plays a more Emile Heskey-type role. Over his career EH scored about 1 in 5 which is a reasonable return, but he was never the main striker. If I recall, Michael Owen said he was the best strike partner he played with.

You could also liken him to Teddy Sherringham, who had a better return, but was mainly seen as the player who brought others into the match. Jurgen Klinsmann also said he was the most intelligent strike partner he ever had, and he played with some good (and more prolific) players in his time.

 

[Bazza the dog]

I would say Hopper plays a more Emile Heskey-type role. Over his career EH scored about 1 in 5 which is a reasonable return, but he was never the main striker. If I recall, Michael Owen said he was the best strike partner he played with.

You could also liken him to Teddy Sherringham, who had a better return, but was mainly seen as the player who brought others into the match. Jurgen Klinsmann also said he was the most intelligent strike partner he ever had, and he played with some good (and more prolific) players in his time.

I would say that he is more of a Maradona type player, who drives through the heart of the other team or Ronaldo, doing the hard graft whilst coming in with an occasional worldey and dare I say it Sir Bobby Moore, with the way he leads on the field of play.

 

[onceknownasrab]

Hopper has contributed but, has he contributed enough as a striker? Forget goals scored, Hopper is a help in defence but, when we switch the play forward at pace, he is nowhere near where a striker needs to be. In essence he is working hard deep and helping. So why not play an extra deep mid, with more pace, and stop pretending we have two up front when Hopper is selected? Preferably just have two up that can keep up with play and win the odd foot race.
Oldham missed a hatful but played to the percentages. Height, strength and pace through the middle and the ability to get beyond our defenders in key areas of the box.
Our upturn in form this season, not coincidentally, came when we got the ball forward quicker and reduced the number of passes in the last third. Ample crosses but, to whom? Hopper nearer the centre circle, Bonne out on the right, and no disruptor in and around the box to collect/connect/score or bring others into play.
Against most defences we lack the height and the bulk to edge the percentages and our general presence in the box is limited.
Having a go at the title next season means being realistic and, for me, it does not make Hopper anything more than a bench warming squad player.

 

[Supershrimper]

OOOooooo is he this seasons whipping boy?

Would be good to have a poll and see who we think this years scapegoat should be. Just so we can all get on the same page when the time comes to complain about their performances

 

[Liam AAS]

Hopper has improved the team, no doubt. As others have mentioned, he is out best option in the air and he really stretches the opposition.

He's a decent player but I think we only have 1 space for someone that doesn't score regularly in a squad where 4 strikers (and maybe a loanee) is probably enough. The club has a strong hand when it comes to offering Bonne a deal and Walker will need to improve or find another club next summer.