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Town Amongst Several Sides Eyeing Keeper Say Swedish Club Wednesday, 11th Jul 2012 18:01
Town are one of a number of British clubs to have shown interest in Hammarby IF keeper Johannes Hopf, according to the Swedish club’s sporting director Gustaf Grauers. The Blues, Swindon, Charlton and Hibernian are all said to have been eyeing the 6ft 5in tall stopper.
Grauers said: “I know there is interest, absolutely. I only know about foreign clubs - Ipswich, Swindon and Charlton in the Championship [sic] and Hibernian in Scotland.
“He's got one and a half years left on his contract. I know he has the ambition to play as high up as possible.
“In Sweden he naturally wants to participate in taking Hammarby to the Allsvenskan [top flight]. But if he can get a good contract at a club abroad he would like that. He's not trying to hide that fact. But there are no bids."
Hopf played youth and amateur football with Brösarps IF, IFK Simrishamn and Ystads IF before joining Hammarby IF in 2008. After a spell on loan with the linked Hammarby TFF in the lower regional leagues, he broke into the first team at the end of the 2009 season with the club already set for relegation to the Superettan (second tier).
He started the following campaign as deputy to Swedish international and former Arsenal man Rami Shaaban but ultimately took his place in the side and has subsequently established himself as the number one.
Town are very much in the market for a new keeper to join their only current senior glovesman Arran Lee-Barrett, with trialist Eldin Jakupović signing for Hull City on Sunday, while clubs abroad and agents are keen to generate UK interest in their players at this time of the year.
Manager Paul Jewell said on Thursday that he had “two or three other targets” aside from the Bosnian-born former Swiss international, who had previously been offered terms by the Tigers at the end of last season.
Photo: Action Images
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I am certainly no expert when it comes to 'keepers, strange breed, but I like the look of his distribution, looks like he like to get the ball out and start a counter attack. Good size, right age, you never know....This Suffolk Swede could be a "turnip" for the book!!!!
agree with injuredanimal, and via the video, he certainly looks a good risk, and a risk i'd be happy to take. many people are criticising ALB, but to be honest, i think he did a decent job when he was in-between the goal posts. also,johannes if 6"5, so what we've been looking for, for a while, is a good goalkeeper, on crosses. i'd say he's definitely worth the punt!
Looks decent in the video. Seems to comand box pretty well and good distribution which we haven't had for some time. Interesting to see how this develops
Interesting .. like the look of him. Probably not one of jewells targets but hey.. i like the speculation. key is not to get p*****d off when it turns out to a a red herring.
Looks promising, but more as one to sign to compete for number 1 position rather than be our first choice keeper from day one. As others have said, this position is key toa decent season, with quite a young defence to take command of. I'd like someone like Brad Friedel, with bags of experience and still plenty to offer in the Championship..Someone like that would give Chambers, Creswell, Smith and Delaney confidence in the keeper behind them.
The problem with highlight video's is they focus on the good things - rarely looking at the mistakes. This guy could be worth the risk, but needs to be better than ALB. None of us really know if he is. That said ALB is NOT good enough at this level - great back-up, but is not a No.1. Tries 100% though. It's a shame PJ failed to land his top target.
Re the poster that said the press have not named any of his targets - incorrect. PJ actually said 'SOME' of his targets have not been named ie the press were RIGHT with some as well!
Good keeper by the looks of it. Always does on youtube, granted, but he looks easily suitable to English Football, and is a good distributor of the ball. Another example of our expansive new scouting policy.
Injuredanimal, rarely see you post nowadays then you come back with one like that, shocking!!! Haha!! He does look quite good though, probably better Eldin Jakupović, Don't suppose there's any further developments on Maxmillian is there Phil?
Remember that our back four next season could line up as follows;
Hewitt Chambers Smith Creswell
Of those only Chambers has substantial experience (I know that Smith and Creswell have had one good season each, but it's only one). What we need is an experienced 'keeper in English conditions who can speak English and hence organise the defence. My choice would be Brad Friedel, but others may well come up with candidates who meet the criteria better.
Ipswichbusiness - wouldn't it have been easier to just say "I agree Langdon_Blue". It would have saved you writing it all out again! :-) I think you are spot on though, buddy.
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