Wasn't Grant Holt only League 1 standard once upon a time? Then magically became a prolific Championship striker then incredibly was the 2nd highest English scorer in the PL last season! That would suggest that other "League 1 standard" striker may be able to flourish given the opportunity and Norwich fans, of all clubs should not be "bashing" a player who has not played in the top flight before - we have survived two seasons (nearly) with practically what were all League 1 players just a few years ago.
But he was playing against championship defenders! I actually rate him, and wanted town to buy him when he was at scunthorpe. I reckon given the right service could do very well in the premiership.
I understand where you're coming from Thai, personally, I'm not convinced Hooper is the answer! Also, a lot of people who obviously don't understand the game, are saying Holty has had a poor season because he hasn't scored a million goals, they fail to notice all the hard work he puts in, holding up the ball at the front end, and far too many times being the one who hacks out a clearance that our defenders have missed!
He has also been a liability with his tackles, which could have caused you boys to play with 10 men when you didn't need to.
Neither am I Dave but if not him, then who? We are not going to buy a real proven PL striker as it would cost far too much, so it kind of leaves a handful of "questionable" alternatives, among them a player that scores for fun in their domestic league, which is basically what RVW is and yet we are mostly somewhat excited about his signature.
Holt, Hoolahoops, Rusty, Jackson (for Gillingham), and the "Leeds Four" (should that be "Leeds Three and a Quarter with Becchio ) were all regularly playing in L1 three seasons ago - we seem to forget that....
I don't think the league 1 argument is fair really. The same could be levelled at the majority of our players who've made the step up, and Rickie Lambert is another example. When in the championship with Scunthorpe, he was playing against Championship defences but only getting league 1 service, and he scored plenty. If we give him championship service (which frankly is probably more than we're currently offering), I think he could do a job in the Prem. He's played in the Champion's League, and just because the SPL isn't a particularly competitive league at times, doesn't mean he won't have improved as a player in that time. If we sent Becchio (or maybe Holt) to Celtic and threw in £3-4m, I'd be happy with that as a deal. He's younger than the pair of them, and if interest from other clubs is a mark of quality, then Spurs have shown interest in Hooper, which is more than they've ever done in Becchio or Holt.
What you say about our players is true, but because they have now played nearly two seasons in the Prem, we KNOW they can step up, the point I'm making with Hooper is, he's an unknown quantity who Celtic want an awful lot of money for
The Premier League is thought of as being the toughest league on the planet, can RvW step up from the Portuguese leagues? Every signing from abroad or a lower division is going to be a gamble, and we've got to trust that the management have thoroughly scouted each player we sign, and they haven't been wrong too often recently. Players we'd actually want from another PL side are going to be significantly more pricey, although they'd be more of a known quality. If Celtic want £6-7m for him, you could argue that's a very fair price. Would you rather have Hooper, Rhodes or Rodriguez? Last summer the latter 2 were the hot property in the championship, and both went for £7m+. Hooper has succeeded in the championship, but also has the European, big game experience neither of the others do. Looking into this summer, there's really nobody in the championship who would excite me. Perhaps Charlie Austin, but he'd easily cost just as much. I'm guessing you're argument is that we should be looking further afield for new signings, and look for more steals like Tettey, and hopefully RvW. I agree, and some of the rhetoric and rumours coming out of the club suggest we're thinking similarly. That's what I'd hope to happen, but if nobody fits the bill, £6-7m for Hooper is pretty reasonable to me.
I suspect Hooper could well be available for less than £6m now. By the summer he'll have only a year left on his contract and is apparently keen to leave, so I could see him being available for £4m-£5m
See, when you say £6-£7mil is alot of money for a striker from celtic. We paid £3mil for a striker from Crewe 8 years ago and how much have prices inflated for players since then? and as Rob says he only has a year left on his contract and if he wants to leave i cant see Celtic standing in his way and i would expect a bid of £4-5mil to be accepted. With the current strikers we have, he can't be any worse thats for sure but he would need the service which is just as poor!
Service is going to be the key this summer. If we can get Snodgrass, a CAM and a LW to provide it, and a DM to help spread the play, we're going to look an awful lot better next season. (Not that I want to return to that eternal topic!) I think Hooper is a step up on the strikers we currently have, and would certainly make me feel a lot more comfortable in the event of an injury to RvW than having Kamara, Becchio or probably Holt on the bench.
Hughton will sign Hooper. More long ball to come I'm afraid. Hughton will be doing his best to sign tall quick wingers and burly strikers. Guarantee it.
Ha! He's 5'9" and less than eleven stone. He's best described as stocky, similar to Wilshere. He rides a challenge well and likes it at his feet. Claridge specifically said he is not good enough with long balls... It's not his style. Don't get me wrong, I don't want us to sign him, but you're making a fool of yourself here Carrabuh. You need to stop jumping to conclusions and actually logically work through a reasoning.
