First Team Squad
210
·
1.4K
·
about 17 years

JayJay wrote:

from a source within the playing group...

It's Hooper.

According to the interwebs his move to Iran has just fallen through which would coincide with this timing....

Now that would be something to get excited about.

WeeNix
640
·
750
·
over 7 years

JayJay wrote:

from a source within the playing group...

It's Hooper.


big if true 

valeo
·
Legend
4.6K
·
18K
·
over 17 years

JayJay wrote:

from a source within the playing group...

It's Hooper.


Finally, I call something right. Once in 11 years or so is pretty decent.

We must've moved really quickly if true.

FC
Trialist
15
·
11
·
almost 5 years

Nelfoos wrote:

I reckon they’re announcing a Nix W-League team

Could be why Football Central were the first to post about it here - wleague kits?

Or they've had to print a new player's name and number onto the kit for the photo op?

And the winner of the Chocolate Fish goes to.........................:)

Phoenix Academy
640
·
470
·
over 9 years

A month or so ago The Covert Agent tweeted that we were gonna sign another ENGLISH striker to partner Ball. Could have been Hooper but fell through. And now that his Iran move also fell through maybe he came back and asked if we were still interested? 

First Team Squad
2.2K
·
1.3K
·
over 5 years

If its the Japanese guy i'm going to be gutted fingers crossed its Hooper his record is v good and only 31 so still got a bit to give can imagine him having a Ross McCormack impact when he first came without the sharkty attitude hopefully.

First Team Squad
3K
·
1.9K
·
almost 7 years

Should it turn out to be Hooper, this is massive. He is an Adam Le Fondre/Ross McCormack level striker

Chant Savant
2.5K
·
12K
·
about 17 years

Posh Spice is a slapper

She lives it up the pooper...

valeo
·
Legend
4.6K
·
18K
·
over 17 years

Hooper would suit our system perfectly, though may mean less chances for McCowatt.

Trialist
20
·
83
·
about 6 years

valeo wrote:

Hooper would suit our system perfectly, though may mean less chances for McCowatt.

Ufie did play McCowatt in CAM but definetly not his best position

Marquee
5.3K
·
9.5K
·
almost 13 years

valeo wrote:

Hooper would suit our system perfectly, though may mean less chances for McCowatt.

Good player for McCowatt to learn off though
valeo
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Legend
4.6K
·
18K
·
over 17 years

Yep, I don't think McCowatt could sustain it over a whole season (and shouldn't be expected to) anyway. We need more depth there. I also think we should've signed Lewis to play the role McCowatt was tasked with, but hey.

Headocunt
460
·
990
·
almost 10 years

Heard from a players Wife's lover that Smeltz was coming back out of retirement due getting garunteed starts for the team with no other option

Trialist
38
·
60
·
about 17 years

Will be a great coup is we can get Hooper. Doesn't seem like there is any other names being floated around with any substance. 

WeeNix
440
·
800
·
almost 9 years

You know what, with the signing of Hooper I think we have a handy squad, might be Top 6 worthy

Trialist
3
·
19
·
about 5 years

Covert Agent on twitter just tweeted out that it's Hooper

Trialist
7
·
24
·
about 5 years

Great signing, but is Hooper a target man, only 5ft9....

Phoenix Academy
1K
·
460
·
almost 17 years

NZZG24 wrote:

Covert Agent on twitter just tweeted out that it's Hooper

So covert agent reads the forums? 

Starting XI
3.2K
·
3.1K
·
about 7 years

valeo wrote:

Yep, I don't think McCowatt could sustain it over a whole season (and shouldn't be expected to) anyway. We need more depth there. I also think we should've signed Lewis to play the role McCowatt was tasked with, but hey.

could chuck Ball in one of the attacking midfield roles, that's where he played at Rotherham. McCowatt paired with Hooper

valeo
·
Legend
4.6K
·
18K
·
over 17 years

mrsmiis wrote:

valeo wrote:

Yep, I don't think McCowatt could sustain it over a whole season (and shouldn't be expected to) anyway. We need more depth there. I also think we should've signed Lewis to play the role McCowatt was tasked with, but hey.

could chuck Ball in one of the attacking midfield roles, that's where he played at Rotherham. McCowatt paired with Hooper

In this formation, Ball will mostly be dropping back to receive anyway - Hooper + Ball up front looks like a potentially exciting combo, but it will really rely on Davila hitting his straps.

RR
·
Bossi Insider
10K
·
34K
·
almost 16 years

Maaaaaaatt wrote:

NZZG24 wrote:

Covert Agent on twitter just tweeted out that it's Hooper

So covert agent reads the forums? 

Nah, Tony Rallis is an actual agent. Guess this isn't a deal he has been involved with, otherwise it would have leaked ages ago.
First Team Squad
2.2K
·
1.3K
·
over 5 years

cfeint wrote:

Great signing, but is Hooper a target man, only 5ft9....

He's v similar to ross McCormack whos the same height but quite bulky so can definitely hold up the ball and can header the ball well just if he'll be able to outjump people is the question. But he'll defo bring a bit of physical prescene to our team the main thing tho will just be the clinical finishing and the awareness to be in the right position.

Jag
Not Elite enough
730
·
8K
·
about 17 years

He's a striker with a proven goalscoring record at a good level. Which we've, arguably, never had before. You don't need to be the same height as Peter Crouch to score goals, especially in the A League, for example Fornalori is 5' 9" and McLaren is 5' 10".

Good signing, if it's true.

First Team Squad
1.5K
·
1.2K
·
over 5 years

valeo wrote:

Yep, I don't think McCowatt could sustain it over a whole season (and shouldn't be expected to) anyway. We need more depth there. I also think we should've signed Lewis to play the role McCowatt was tasked with, but hey.

Hooper will spend some of the time injured anyway. But, ignoring that fact, this is a huge signing. Exactly the kind of proven goalscorer that we've been crying out for. Shame we couldn't get it done before the first game.

First Team Squad
1.6K
·
1.8K
·
over 13 years

Any word if Hooper has been training with a club since his release? Trying to figure out if he'll be able to hit the ground running

Trialist
38
·
60
·
about 17 years

Anyone think it could be double announcment of Clayton Lewis and Hooper?

Trialist
20
·
83
·
about 6 years

NZFA wrote:

Anyone think it could be double announcment of Clayton Lewis and Hooper?

What a dream!!!, I sure hope so

Marquee
2.1K
·
8.2K
·
over 17 years

game changer for this squad

valeo
·
Legend
4.6K
·
18K
·
over 17 years

This is arguably the best signing since Ifill, if true.

Almost the same height as Le Fondre, wouldn't worry about that - he looks like a stocky guy who can hold up the ball well.

Jag
Not Elite enough
730
·
8K
·
about 17 years

He played in the SPFL, the physical stuff won't be a problem for him. lol

Marquee
2.1K
·
8.2K
·
over 17 years

Good age, good record, speaks English, won't care about Wellington weather.  Seems perfect.  Only question is why he's leaving the UK when there must be plenty of interest in him still.  I can see him and Ball as a classic front two in a 4-4-2.  Just hope he won't take too long to get up to match fitness

valeo
·
Legend
4.6K
·
18K
·
over 17 years

james dean wrote:

Good age, good record, speaks English, won't care about Wellington weather.  Seems perfect.  Only question is why he's leaving the UK when there must be plenty of interest in him still.  I can see him and Ball as a classic front two in a 4-4-2.  Just hope he won't take too long to get up to match fitness

It seems like a lot of players who go through the Scottish/English league grind get to their early thirties and just want something different - he may be similar.

My only concern is around injuries and fitness. He recently (`9 months ago) had recurring injuries and surgery. I remember Ifill came with similar issues and he did OK though.

Phoenix Academy
510
·
290
·
about 15 years

NZFA wrote:

Anyone think it could be double announcment of Clayton Lewis and Hooper?

What a dream!!!, I sure hope so

Yep two ex Scunny players!

UTIFTM

Marquee
2.1K
·
8.2K
·
over 17 years

valeo wrote:

james dean wrote:

Good age, good record, speaks English, won't care about Wellington weather.  Seems perfect.  Only question is why he's leaving the UK when there must be plenty of interest in him still.  I can see him and Ball as a classic front two in a 4-4-2.  Just hope he won't take too long to get up to match fitness

It seems like a lot of players who go through the Scottish/English league grind get to their early thirties and just want something different - he may be similar.

My only concern is around injuries and fitness. He recently (`9 months ago) had recurring injuries and surgery. I remember Ifill came with similar issues and he did OK though.

Yes it's basically two games a week in England/Scotland and the season is much longer

valeo
·
Legend
4.6K
·
18K
·
over 17 years

As of the article I found in early 2019, he hadn't played a competitive game since December 17. Not sure if true, or if he's played one since.

RR
·
Bossi Insider
10K
·
34K
·
almost 16 years

valeo wrote:

As of the article I found in early 2019, he hadn't played a competitive game since December 17. Not sure if true, or if he's played one since.

5/5/19 https://us.soccerway.com/players/gary-hooper/50797/
First Team Squad
2.2K
·
1.3K
·
over 5 years

valeo wrote:

As of the article I found in early 2019, he hadn't played a competitive game since December 17. Not sure if true, or if he's played one since.

Thats wrong, says he played 6 games last season and the season before 24.

Marquee
1.3K
·
5.3K
·
almost 17 years

NZFA wrote:

Anyone think it could be double announcment of Clayton Lewis and Hooper?

I like the idea of Lewis also signing, puts a lot of pressure on Davila and gives us another option of left footer that can cut in.
Starting XI
2.5K
·
3.2K
·
almost 12 years

Watching video of Hooper, if he does only half as good as on this videos, our season is saved! He can score from every freaking position and situation. Fingers crossed.

Jag
Not Elite enough
730
·
8K
·
about 17 years

So if it does turn out to be Hooper, which on paper is a great signing, I'm wondering if all the "We haven't got a decent striker. Dome, Morrison, the Club, Talay have all failed. It's an absolute disgrace. Shambles of a Club" brigade will be popping in to comment...

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