Tom Hopper: Loan Feature Special

The promising frontman scored four goals in his first four games while on an initial one-month loan for the Iron, which included a double against Leyton Orient at the end of January, and has since gone on to make another four appearances for the Lincolnshire-based outfit.
The 21-year-old’s eye for goal prompted Scunthorpe, who sat just four places above the drop-zone before Tom’s arrival, to extend the striker’s loan until the end of the season.
The Iron are now up to 14th position, just five points off the League 1 play-off places, and have lost just twice in their past 19 games in all competitions – a startling turnaround from the months of September and October, which saw them suffer six defeats in seven games.
And coming into that winning environment, for Tom, has been key to his early success at Glanford Park.
“It’s been really enjoyable,” Tom told Foxes Player. “I’m loving my time here, and it’s helped that I’ve got a few goals to get me going. I’m enjoying playing regular football at a club that’s got aspirations to get up the league. It’s good to be part of a winning environment, and a competitive environment. I’m loving the week-to-week games of league football, which have a great atmosphere.
“I like to think [my goals] are down to hard work, but I get a lot of help from the boys to get me in those positions. It’s seemed to click well for me at the start, and hopefully it’ll continue.”

A major influence on Tom’s footballing career has been the guidance of Under-21s manager Steve Beaglehole, who has helped to prepare him, and other youngsters at the Club, for the rigours of league football.
“At Leicester, we’re probably a bit different to other Development Squads as we play league football. There’s an atmosphere in the Development Squad that a lot of us are ready to go out on loan, so when that chance arises for anyone, they’ll be able to fit straight in.”

Tom faced up against a fellow member of the Development Squad on his debut for Scunthorpe, scoring against Michael Cain’s Walsall. Cain, who has also made his mark while out on a season-long loan at the Saddlers, traded blows with Hopper last month, as both players found the back of the net in a game which saw Scunthorpe emerge 4-1 winners at the Banks’ Stadium.
“It was a bit surreal lining up against him in the tunnel, but I know Cainy – he’s a good lad and a good footballer, so I was delighted to get one over on him!”

The Boston-born forward also put his fine performances at Scunthorpe down to the stewardship of former Leicester City striker Mark Robins, who spent three years at City from 1995 to 1998.
“Mark has seen me play a few times. He just told me to relax, come in and do what I’ve seen you do in Under-21s games, and you’ll get on really well here. We create chances, which is something I obviously thrive on as a striker. It’s good to be part of a team that creates chances, scores goals and plays attacking football.”

Iron manager Robins also had some kind words for his young loanee, explaining that the impact that Tom has had on the squad has been a positive one, and has breathed new life into his team.
“He’s had a loan spell at Bury prior to this one, and I’ve watched him progress over the last couple of years,” Robins told Foxes Player. “I felt that he was ready to come in and play. He’s like a breath of fresh air. He’s a really good lad, but not only that, he works his socks off, and he’s managed to get himself on the scoresheet once or twice as well. He’s terrific – he’s been a really, really good acquisition for us.
“He’s done well in the games and he’s done well in the training programme. In all fairness, he’s an all-round good lad to have around the building. I think he’s got a bright future ahead of him. He’s grounded, level-headed, intelligent and he’s got that aggression. The key ingredient is that he knows how to score a goal.”
Having already captained City’s Development Squad on a number of seasons, Tom’s leadership qualities have also been recognised by the Scunthorpe boss, who was quick to point out that Tom has remained a vocal presence on and off the field, despite coming into an unfamiliar environment.
“He leads by example. He knows the game, and I’m sure at Leicester he probably has more confidence in talking than he has here, but that’s not to say he’s quiet. He does voice his opinion when he has to. He’s been in the situation where he has to play the lone striker upfront at times, and he’s handled that responsibility well. He’s creating opportunities for himself, and he’s taking some of them.”

Delighted to have Tom on loan until the end of the 2014/15 campaign, Robins added: “You can only go with what a player is doing, and the performances that he’s put in [in his first month] warranted that extension without a shadow of a doubt.
“I really like him, and I know Nigel really likes him, and thinks a lot of him. We’ve got to nurture that talent, and they’ve obviously got the trust in us to do that, so I’d like to thank Leicester City for the opportunity to have him for a while.”
To keep up-to-date with all of Leicester City’s loan stars, make sure you check back into LCFC.com in the coming days.