Newcastle line up Hooper, but are there any more hidden gems in The Championship?
Posted on July 21st, 2010 | 276 Comments |
Hooper scored 30 goals last season, which has obviously alerted clubs to the lads ability and prompted all this speculation as Scunthorpe look to cash in on their biggest asset. Can Hooper make the step up to the Premier League though? Or are there any other players in The Championship who could cut the mustard at the next level?
My main worry about signing Championship players is that we will end up with a Championship team. I understand some players will make the step up and we have this new policy of “building for the future” by signing younger players, but on the other hand, a lot of the players in The Championship just aren’t good enough.
For every Kieron Dyer and Jermaine Jenas there are one or two Des Hamilton’s and Carl Serrant’s, which is why it is important to choose wisely when delving into the lower leagues. Here are a few faces who I believe can make the step up.
Gary Hooper – I suppose it’s only fair that I start with Hooper as it is the rumour involving him that has got people talking about it. As mentioned earlier, Hooper scored 30 goals for Scunthorpe last season, which is a hell of a return, especially as all of those goals came whilst he was playing in a struggling team. Given his goalscoring record I would say he stands a chance of making at the next level. I’ll mark him down as a possibility who perhaps deserves the chance to prove himself at a higher level.
Peter Whittingham – Another player who has been tentatively linked with a move to us, and a player that I am fairly certain can play in the Premier League. I was a little surprised when he left Aston Villa a few years back as he looked like decent prospect whenever I had seen him play. Predominantly a left winger, who can also play in the middle, Whittingham managed 25 goals last season, which for a wide player is superb. I would say he would be a capable player in the Premier League.
Ashley Willams – I was going to include Williams in my list anyway but I will let fellow ‘blogger, Northern_Jedi, roughly echo what I was going to say;
“Welsh international, strong and quick, made The Championship Team of the Season last year. Wouldn’t cost the world at £2 million and is about 25/26 if I’m not mistaken. I think that would be a better bit of business than Sol Campbell on a free with the difference in wages likely to be demanded.”
I pretty much agree with that and believe he would be a decent bet to make the step up in divisions.
Nicky Maynard – Managed 25 goals for Bristol City last time out and has impressed enough to be linked with a move to the Premier League anyway. In some ways he could be the perfect foil for Andy Carroll as he has a bit of pace, something I feel is lacking at Newcastle. He can also hit a ball, as evidenced by his cracker against us at Ashton Gate, and also has the ability to do this. Would certainly be worth a punt in my opinion although a reported price tag of £4.5 million could repel any bids for him.
So there are four players who I think can make the step up. Can you think of anymore? I would have put Charlie Adam and Graham Dorrans in the list aswell had they not won promotion with Blackpool and West Brom respectively.
Interestingly, James Perch wouldn’t have made my list yet we now have him as our player. I guess it gives him the chance to prove me wrong though eh? There is talent out there, it is just about choosing it wisely and ensuring we end up with the players who can actually make it.
More Kieron Dyer’s (without the attitude) and less Des Hamilton’s would do nicely.
NUFCBlog Author: toonsy
toonsy has written 643 articles on this blog.
why not? – he stil young and can improve – if he is not upto it then move him on to a Championship club.
wouldnt pay more than £1.5m – but could ne be another Andy Cole??