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Breaking News Tom Hopper Signs

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Vitally important to get a target man in.

It might be the single most important position in football at the lower levels. It helps the defence (by providing an outlet, by retaining possession, by defending set pieces) and it helps the attack (by allowing quality possession further up the pitch, by occupying defenders and creating space).

It’s great that Bonne finally scored and that should do wonders for his confidence but we needed another option up there who could play that role because it’s a role that will require fresh legs.

Tom Hopper was an outstanding mobile targetman for us. He’d run the channels, he’d close down defenders, he’d win flick ons and he’d score goals. I doubt he’ll be as prolific this stage of his career but I hope he can do the other stuff still.

The big question mark is how mobile he still is. Losing half a yard of pace is the difference to getting to the ball first or clattering your opponent and playing the rest of the game on a yellow card. It’s the difference between rushing the centre-half into a mistake and him having the time to clear. It’s the difference between getting in behind the defence and being denied by a last ditch tackle. It can be the difference between being effective and ineffective. The more intelligent players are able to still contribute without it but it’s typically a hard adjustment for someone whose game was based around workrate and mobility. The hope is that Hopper has matured like an Ian Benjamin or Shaun Goater. I guess we’ll find out about 21:15 tonight.
 
Evening Echo said:
TOM Hopper has returned to Southend United from Colchester United.

Read more on this story


Help with Echo links
Click to expand...
TOM Hopper has returned to Southend United from Colchester United.

By Chris Phillips. Chief sports reporter.

Hopper said: “I’m delighted to be back and I’m really looking forward to it.

“It’s a chance to get back enjoying my football at a place where I really did enjoy my football before, and where I played some of my best football.

“When I left it was under a bit of a cloud. I wasn’t going thinking it was amazing to be leaving, I really loved it here.

"There’s a chance now to try and carry on where I left off and play a part in the upward trajectory of the club, having been here as it was going through a bit of a struggle.”

MORE TO FOLLOW
 
THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK said:
Not sure about that. The Colchester fans in general aren't too unhappy he's gone. They say he didn't score much, and didn't create much. But we'll see. Maybe dropping down a League, and a place where he's happy, might bring out the best in him.
Click to expand...
Think the colchester fans in general are doing that 'didnt like him anyway' now he has left. if you see what the couple of Col Utd lads that come on here say he will do ok for us. What we lack is someone who is good in the air but also who can hold a ball up and bring others in to play. Bonne has done ok but wouldnt say its his strength where as Hopper will bring that to the table
 
Yorkshire Blue said:
Vitally important to get a target man in.

It might be the single most important position in football at the lower levels. It helps the defence (by providing an outlet, by retaining possession, by defending set pieces) and it helps the attack (by allowing quality possession further up the pitch, by occupying defenders and creating space).

It’s great that Bonne finally scored and that should do wonders for his confidence but we needed another option up there who could play that role because it’s a role that will require fresh legs.

Tom Hopper was an outstanding mobile targetman for us. He’d run the channels, he’d close down defenders, he’d win flick ons and he’d score goals. I doubt he’ll be as prolific this stage of his career but I hope he can do the other stuff still.

The big question mark is how mobile he still is. Losing half a yard of pace is the difference to getting to the ball first or clattering your opponent and playing the rest of the game on a yellow card. It’s the difference between rushing the centre-half into a mistake and him having the time to clear. It’s the difference between getting in behind the defence and being denied by a last ditch tackle. It can be the difference between being effective and ineffective. The more intelligent players are able to still contribute without it but it’s typically a hard adjustment for someone whose game was based around workrate and mobility. The hope is that Hopper has matured like an Ian Benjamin or Shaun Goater. I guess we’ll find out about 21:15 tonight.
Click to expand...
Hold on, you said in Nov '23 on the Hopper thread he was great with us but you wouldnt go back 😄😄
 
THE SEVENTIES NORTH BANK said:
Not sure about that. The Colchester fans in general aren't too unhappy he's gone. They say he didn't score much, and didn't create much. But we'll see. Maybe dropping down a League, and a place where he's happy, might bring out the best in him.
Click to expand...
Hmm
Not seeing much of that although a Col poster on here mentioned goals and assists

The comments on the Col U announcement seem to reflect the general opinions unless there is somewhere else I should be looking

https://twitter.com/x/status/1884232747763524072
 
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