Gary Hooper (Norwich player)

He is quality.

Id say he is the best finisher in the UK easily when presented a chance. He hits the target 8/10 times and 9/10 times he will score when 1 on 1 with a goalkeeper.

If you look up his stats for us he on average scored 1 goal every less than 3 shots at goal, I think its something like 1 goal every 2.7 shots. If you dont know normally strikers only score 1 goal from every 4/5/6/7/8 shots. Hooper is as good infront of goal as anyone you'll see anywhere.

For us he was the central figure up front, his awareness of whats around him is excellent and his first touch and passing is very good. He often drops deep into midfield and recieves the ball turns passes and is on the move in the blink of an eye. His link-up play up front is great, hes the only player in our squad who everyone can link-up with as he's always in the right spot, his touch is always spot on and he can play at speed, pass and move.

He will be a great signing for you, hes better than Van Wolfswinkel imo, a better striker, goalscorer and footballer. I imagine you will use him in behind Van Wolfswinkel but in bigger games he will replace Van Wolfswinkel as the lone striker.

His only weakness is he is poor in the air, he rarely even jumps to challenge for high balls, usually he anticipates the defender missing it but they rarely do.

If I was to compare his style of play to other players you will know id say players like Aguero, Rooney and Jovetic who can play as the main striker but they can also play in the hole behind a striker and are good footballers.

Some people saying he doesnt score often from outside the box - thats because he doesnt shoot often from outside the box, when he's outside the box on the ball he will always look to pass the ball and move and wait until theres a chance to score or set someone else up. He's a very unselfish player, really never shoots unless he thinks he'll score, he'd rather keep the ball and recycle possession - probably why he is so clinical when he does shoot.

 

I've always thought of him as a poor man's Rooney. They're quite similar in style, only Rooney is a bit better all round.

 

Good luck Hooper, glad he's going to a top tier team, particularly one that I don't mind. Was never his biggest fan but he did do a good job.

 

Great post mate summed him up perfectly. I'm still sad he's going ! Some folk don't realise how important and good he was for us, will be missed immensely.

 

Even though he was by far our top scorer in the 3 years he was here...



He scored 35 goals more than our 2nd top scorer during his time. He was also our 3rd top Assister, assisting 33 goals.

 

As a lot of the other guys have said, he is a finisher. Deadly in the box. Likes to drop deep and start moves, not lightning fast but has a tremendous burst of pace. His first touch can buy him the yard of space he needs to get the shot away and his awareness of what's going on around him is fantastic. Check the goals in the videos below. Any excuse to post these goals....

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXKc_E6W9rI"]Rangers Vs Celtic 3-0 at Celtic Park - YouTube[/ame]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXwLKboQxb4"]Gary Hooper Scores With Sublime Control And Lob, Dundee 0-2 Celtic, 26/12/2012 - YouTube[/ame]

He isn't renowned for his heading. He'd rather rely on the the defender missing the ball that challenge for a header. For £5m, Norwich have got a very good striker. Van Wolfswinkel and Hooper will be a great partnership

 

His touch is also evident in this goal

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgSjXcxZnVA"]hibernian v celtic 15 january 2011 - YouTube[/ame]

He's scored quite a few goals due to a quality first touch. I remember he scored 1 at Easter Road and 1 at Fir Park - both similar goals where he pulled the ball our the air and ran through 1 on 1 with the keeper and 1 at home to Aberdeen where he pulled it out the air the exact same as those two goals only he played a 1-2 at the edge of the box(with Forrest I think) then scored.

Heres the Motherwell one

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PaxCAXo0fpY"]Gary Hooper Goal, Motherwell 0-2 Celtic, 29/09/2012 - YouTube[/ame]

 

Thanks a lot for the great reviews guys.

A lot of indepth stuff there. Our main issue last year was finishing off (and creating to some extent) chances. Sounds like Hooperman could be the answer to our prayers in that respect.

£5m for a proven English goalscorer is a top deal. He's only about 25 as well isnt he?

 

Fantastic finisher, I'm not his biggest fan by any means but he's arguably the best finisher since Larsson. Incredibly strong for his height, can hold the ball up quite well. Despite being a * idiot (allegedly) he is incredibly intelligent especially in relation to using his body and making up for a lack of height.

Negatives are that sometimes he just can't be arsed, I've repeatedly seen him standing still while Anthony Stokes or Tony Watt runs by him to chase the ball down. This could probably change in the Premiership actually because he'll know he can't afford to be lazy. Not great in the air either but he's not horrendous. He's not going to win any sprinting competitions either but I don't think his pace is a major problem.

He'll not get you 15 league goals next year, don't listen to anyone on here who says that. He'll probably get 7 or 8. Worth a gamble especially compared to some of the ridiculous fees down there.

 

Why couldnt he get 15 goals?

He is better than players like Le Fondre, Lambert, S.Fletcher, Odemwingie, Long, Jelavic and Holt who all score more than 7 or 8.

 

Absolutely spot on

 

medical passed.


And yes Canary, only 25 and a born finisher. Telling ye, he'll could score 20 next season.
I probably rate Hooper more than some. Gutted he's leaving.

 

Can we now start posting our goodbyes and pretend he'll read them?

 

Failed his medical? Is this true.

 

No says passed on SSN

 

Hes worth much more he just wouldnt sign a new deal and he only has a year left on his contract thats how its an absolute steal. Hope he scores a barrel load for yous infact im positive he will.

Ps yous should sign Bangura he would do a job for yous

 

So is he still hinting about staying.

 

How long is it acceptable to cry for when he eventually leaves?