This article is part of Football League World's 'The Verdict' series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

After a mixed start, Fulham seem to be getting their act together, with Scott Parker's side currently in seventh place in the Championship and unbeaten in six, ahead of the weekend trip to Stoke City.

One player who will not be joining the Cottagers though is former Sheffield Wednesday striker Gary Hooper, who was considered by the west London side along with Bristol City, as per the Star.

But would Hooper have been a good signing if he had come to Craven Cottage and is he actually needed?

We discuss........

Josh Cole

“Although there is no doubting that Hooper has the quality needed to thrive at Championship level, Fulham would be taking a risk by signing him.

“Having missed a significant chunk of the previous campaign due to injury, there is no guarantee that the former Sheffield Wednesday man will be able to stay fit if he joins the Cottagers.

“Furthermore, when you consider that Fulham currently have Aleksandar Mitrovic and Bobby Reid at their disposal, Hooper may struggle to force his way into Scott Parker’s starting eleven.

“Therefore, if the Cottagers are keen to bolster their attacking options in the not too distant future, they may find it beneficial to look elsewhere for inspiration.”

Chris Gallagher

"Not at all, I'm surprised they even considered it.

"They have Aleksandar Mitrovic, who if we're honest is going to play every time he is fit, whilst Bobby Reid is a quality backup. Then, Aboubakar Kamara and Ivan Cavaleiro can play centrally if needed. So, whilst Hooper was a decent player when he was available for Wednesday, he isn't good enough to get into this classy Fulham XI.

"It would have been a pretty pointless signing and it's not an area of the pitch that Scott Parker needs to be looking to address now or in January.

"As for Hooper, he needs to be playing regularly so a move to Craven Cottage wouldn't have suited him either."

Ben Lang

"Fulham would have certainly benefited from having another striker to support Mitrovic, but I don't think Hooper quite fits the mould of player they needed.

"Hooper has many similar traits to Mitrovic in that he is a strong and powerful centre-forward who is also a good finisher, but Fulham instead needed a more mobile option who could provide something different.

"They eventually opted for Bobby Reid to provide this and I think this purchase made a lot more sense than that of Hooper, who is perhaps has not seen much game time in recent years.

"Hooper would have also been itching to get on the pitch for Fulham, and this would have been difficult with Mitrovic in the side. I don't think this would have been a worthwhile move."

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