Hooper should have been released this month and replaced, we over paid for a bum that gets injured from headaches and is so unfit he struggles after the 20min mark. He might get in good areas for around the goal mouth but so would any forward from our bench.
Half way into the season already and I cant see any improvements going forward.
At worst, the fact that he played the full 90 in unpleasant conditions is a credit to Hooper. I will not complain if he hits form late in the season. At best, he played well in the role he was assigned to do.
And Hooper did not singlehandedly lose the game for us, so I do not know what the hate is all about. There were 10 other guys on the park. I would agree that we struggle without Ball and Piscopo but we still managed to play excellent passing game with a couple of really close calls. Another day these close calls might have gone in, or we might have got the nod for a handball penalty as well. This was not the day and that's football. I am really happy to see how we play right now and am grateful for Talay's recruitment.
And, all kudos to Brisbane for not giving up despite their season looking like a struggle street for them. We've been there too.