Hooper at the Ryder Cup today

[morty]

Would we have room on the coach to take the whole squad? Over 30 players plus multiple coaches, physios etc. 

Don't think we can expect the bloke to do a 10 hour round trip to Blackpool in his car to watch us, especially as he's recovering from injury. 

I'm not insisting he should have gone to see the match, its more of a general comment on his overall attitude. And isn't the journey to see the Ryder cup even longer lol?

 

[Safri15]

I'd hope if Hooper did cement his place in the starting 11 he wouldn't want to be off in January. You look at players leave the Championship to head for the lofty heights of the Prem just to be relegated all over again. IMO, the better route to the Prem would be to stick with us at Norwich, hang around to help us win promotion and then hopefully use the momentum to stay up for ever more...

Suppose this goes against my feelings of "all players are mercenaries" however!

 

[morty]

I'd hope if Hooper did cement his place in the starting 11 he wouldn't want to be off in January. You look at players leave the Championship to head for the lofty heights of the Prem just to be relegated all over again. IMO, the better route to the Prem would be to stick with us at Norwich, hang around to help us win promotion and then hopefully use the momentum to stay up for ever more...

Suppose this goes against my feelings of "all players are mercenaries" however!

Lets face it, we're both completely speculating as to what is going on in Gary Hoopers head!

 

[Lake District Canary]

Hooper should not be galavanting across the country if he is not fully fit.  Sitting in a car or train for 8 hours, or even if he flew up there, standing around all day at a golf course is not going to help you back to full fitness.   If not involved, one would have hoped he would be getting some physio or extra training at CR to get him up to fitness.     The money he will be on, it is the least he should be expected to be doing on what is essentially still a work day for footballers.    Any down time during a season is still important in a player's match preparation and while a little R & R is good, the focus should be on football, football, football and getting fit.    Tweeting from a golf course in Scotland on the day of an important match is either a wind up or taking the p***.   Either way, it doesn't help.

 

[splutcho]

Bloody hell, he just needs match fitness, there was no match to be played. He had a day off, he went to the golf. Somehow I think had he spent the day playing with his children there wouldn't even be this fuss. It was his day off, it's his business. It does not matter one jot what any fan thinks about it.

 

[Lake District Canary]

Bloody hell, he just needs match fitness, there was no match to be played. He had a day off, he went to the golf. Somehow I think had he spent the day playing with his children there wouldn't even be this fuss. It was his day off, it's his business. It does not matter one jot what any fan thinks about it.

There is a bigger question at stake - and that is "What constitutes being a professional sportsman"?   Imo its a 24/7 activity right through the season.  Fitness is fundamental and three days before he may be required to play in an important league match against Charlton one would think he would be training/getting physio and resting.  Not travelling round the country.  

 

[splutcho]

As I said. Doesn't matter what you think. Nor what I think for that matter. He had a day off, which he is entitled to. Adams has no problem with it. Case closed.

 

[Lake District Canary]

As I said. Doesn't matter what you think. Nor what I think for that matter. He had a day off, which he is entitled to. Adams has no problem with it. Case closed.

Sure it doesn't matter what I or anyone else thinks, only the player knows what's in his own head.  But I agree with Morty, it doesn't look great.   

The wider question of the commitment of professional footballers both to their clubs and their careers is there - if anyone wants to discuss it.    This country is historically known for being behind the continent in the ways players prepare and train for matches and with players having so much power it does not look great on several levels when any player of a club looks to be seen as less than committed.    Of course Adams is going to "give his blessing" - he has little choice if he wants to keep the players happy.

I'm not condemning Hooper or any one else, I hope he does well for us when fully fit.   I just think professional footballers have a responsibility to look after the image of the profession they are in - after all it is fans who pay their wages, either through the turnstiles or TV subscriptions.    I Hoops enjoyed his day at the golf and feels refreshed for his break.   I also hope he is committed to the cause.