JJ Hooper

I'm surprised at how many people are writing off a player who has got such a good goal difference in only the division below. Surely, considering our current striking options, he's worth a punt next season in his actual position. We keep saying it's hard to find a goal scorer at any level, yet we have one on our books with nearly 20 goals in not many more games. I know he hasn't previously impressed, but it takes some players until their mid twenties to finally click, Nolan being a great example.

I'd class it as (a still very impressive) 13 in 19. Goals in the Kent Senior Cup don't bloody count  

Quoted from Mariner93er

I'm surprised at how many people are writing off a player who has got such a good goal difference in only the division below. Surely, considering our current striking options, he's worth a punt next season in his actual position. We keep saying it's hard to find a goal scorer at any level, yet we have one on our books with nearly 20 goals in not many more games. I know he hasn't previously impressed, but it takes some players until their mid twenties to finally click, Nolan being a great example.

Hooper may well be able to cut it at this level again, I just can't see it with us.  Too much water passed under the bridge and he'll be remembered as a bit of a floundering player.  I can't imagine he'll be desperate to stay with us either.

He ended last season well but didn't carry on the form this season. It probably didn't help him that we were very poor at the start of the season (and many times since!) with pretty much no service for the forwards, but I agree with DHM that too much water has passed under the bridge for him here.

Hooper strikes me as a player with some ability but not one who can generally make something out of nothing. He'd probably do pretty well at this level as part of a team on the up, but then the same could be said for most half-decent strikers. Overall, the Conference is probably his correct level and he'll no doubt be happier down south as he's from that neck of the woods.

Hooper’s problem is that he neither creates chances for himself, nor is he clinical when they come along - and in this division, with our record of creating chances, you can’t afford to be wasteful.

Another two goals on Saturday but just look at where they came from -

[youtube]b2TQgIhDcfI[/youtube]


You don’t get those kind of chances, twice a game, in League 2. Comparisons with Amond and Bogle are ridiculous and this is why clubs have networks of scouts watching games and don’t just buy players on their scoring records.

Quoted from ska face

Another two goals on Saturday but just look at where they came from -

oh dear, assist from the opposition keeper then an assist from the opposition CB... at least he was was in the right position to take advantage both times....

Some people are good enough to make the step up, but some not...

Dayle Southwell scored 52 in 74 for Boston according to wiki, and just didn't work in the league

Quoted from pizzzza

oh dear, assist from the opposition keeper then an assist from the opposition CB... at least he was was in the right position to take advantage both times....

and he didn't need to put them in with his hand unlike our 'star' striker

Anyway if I recall some posters on here were recommending / suggesting that we look at strikers with a good scoring record from the Conference (and below) Hoopers record is as good as anyone's at that level

Hooper for me was at his best when we played the 4-5-1 system and he was wide left, he worked hard on that side in front of Fox.

Quoted from moosey_club

Hooper for me was at his best when we played the 4-5-1 system and he was wide left, he worked hard on that side in front of Fox.

Yes, he really terrorised the Notts County defence in that crucial game, and created several good chances, including the one that lead to the corner from which we scored.

Then at Forest Green the following week he banged in a good hat trick from the same position.  At that point I thought we had a real gem on our hands, but for some reason it just did not work out this season??