Copps signs

[Branton Rover]

1 more year minimum - brilliant news & hopefully this will be a catalyst for a proper striker to follow through the door to support JM

[wesisback]

The way Liam Hoden has dined off this for a week, expect a 10 page pull out if we sign a striker.

[darren61]

The way Liam Hoden has dined off this for a week, expect a 10 page pull out if we sign a striker.

   

[RoversAlias]

It seemed clear to me from Liam's wording it'd be something like this, fans just love to whip themselves up into an excited frenzy though.

It's great news anyway, think we all know Copps adds plenty to the side despite his advancing age.

[Copps is Magic]

15 goals in the last two seasons. You'd keep that wouldn't you because its a better record than some strikers we've had in recent years. When Fergie came in he moved Copps into a totally new position in the middle. Straight away he lost the ball 10x more than before, so it looked to some like he was passed it. But the quality of his game hasn't deteriorated at all. His ability to keep that quality up for 90 minutes definitely has, but if Fergie feels he can mange that then great, it's a footballing decision at the end of the day.

You get the feeling, also, that the other players like having Copps in the team. At times over the last couple of years I've seen our players just pass the ball to him in the blind hope he holds onto it for a little bit. He frequently turns and there's no movement, and inevitably the crowd get on his back. We've got some talented players but most of what they do is frantic lower league fodder, Copps plays a little different.

[GazLaz]

He only got three last season, that’s not enough really.

[Copps is Magic]

He only got three last season, that’s not enough really.

He only got 3 in the season we got promoted to the championship. It was enough then.

[big fat yorkshire pudding]

Good to have in the squad. Can't have a team of kids.  He should be used as sparingly as possible but he's good enough for the extra year.

[DevilMayCry]

Great news

[steve@dcfd]

3 goals last season for a player behind a striker or front 2 plus 4 assists is not enough. We need a player better than that next season ok for the bench though.

[drfchound]

If you are saying that Copps only had four assists then it can't include goals scored from free kicks or corners coz I can remember way more than four of them.

[Bezza]

good news Copps signs,but Liam needs to calm it down.

[BillyStubbsTears]

3 goals last season for a player behind a striker or front 2 plus 4 assists is not enough. We need a player better than that next season ok for the bench though.

Call me a daft old romantic, but given the choice between

-losing Coppinger getting a decent, functional player in place and winning promotion with a team that really wasn’t ready for Tier 2.

Or

- having one more season of seeing Coppinger drop his shoulder and glide past a hairy arsed full back.

I’d take the second.

[andy didcott]

Well said, Copps is ace, love to see him taking the piss.

[Bristol Red Rover]

Another side of this is it could well be his last season playing and for that to be with us gives him a further stepping stone into his involvement with the club in whatever he does after retiring.

[The Red Baron]

It's a very smart move, and not just because it is excellent PR for the club. I think Alfie Beestin will be very good in that role behind the strikers. However, I don't think he's ready to take it on for 40-odd games next season. Between them, he and Copps can probably cover it. In 12 month's time Alfie might just be the finished product.

Now for another defender, a midfielder and a striker and we'll be looking good.

[steve@dcfd]

The best player for that role at the club is Tommy Rowe. 9 goals last season more than double of Copps and Beestin put together. We need a player who can score and give double figure assists. We should not be aiming to tread water in that position but improve on last season.

[Lindy]

Really good news!! Copps is the by far the most talented player in the team. This could be the last season we are privileged to watch him play. He is the heartbeat of the team.

[GazLaz]

He only got three last season, that’s not enough really.

He only got 3 in the season we got promoted to the championship. It was enough then.

It wasn’t or he would be a very wealthy man now.

[since-1969]

Good news that Copps is staying , yet it’s not going to  change much if news of a  striker signing  isn’t to follow . We need more goals next season and the present side isn’t good enough .

[scawsby steve]

3 goals last season for a player behind a striker or front 2 plus 4 assists is not enough. We need a player better than that next season ok for the bench though.

Call me a daft old romantic, but given the choice between

-losing Coppinger getting a decent, functional player in place and winning promotion with a team that really wasn’t ready for Tier 2.

Or

- having one more season of seeing Coppinger drop his shoulder and glide past a hairy arsed full back.

I’d take the second.

We all agree with that Billy, but that's not the issue here; it's Liam Hoden encouraging us all to have orgasms about something we already knew would happen. Underwhelmed doesn't even begin to describe it.

[idler]

I think that it takes a bit of gloss away from the positives of this news.
A lot of people were wrongly expecting a completely different story to then be followed by the Copps news.

[pib]

He might have only scored 3 goals but you only have to watch a Rovers team with and without him to see what a difference he makes.

He gives us quality, experience, knows the club, works hard, is clearly revered by his team mates and is no doubt a great influence on the younger players.

If he was looking out of his depth on the pitch then it's a different conversation and his age comes into it more, but it's clear as day that he's still got a lot to offer.

Good decision to extend. Glad he's staying. The worry will be how we replace him long-term.

[craigdrfc]

The number of goals we condeded last season AFTER he was subbed off shows you his impact on the shape, style, and mental strength of the team. I dare say it also gives the Oppo a lift once he’s not involved. He aint gonna last forever but, today, he still plays a valid role in what we are trying to do.