Re: WESTERMAN SIGNING CONFIRMED : Thu Oct 28, 2010 11:33 am  

really pleased with this signing,young,talented and british.now lets hope we can top it up with a back up halfback to end the week.

Re: WESTERMAN SIGNING CONFIRMED : Thu Oct 28, 2010 11:39 am  

Good luck to him. I hope he flourishes with you. It's just a shame we couldn't do it.

Re: WESTERMAN SIGNING CONFIRMED : Thu Oct 28, 2010 11:41 am  

Big Dave T wrote:

Looks like the writing is on the wall for Washy and Whiting. Can see them both leaving over the next 12 months.

Depends. As others have mentioned, I can see Washbrook spelling with Houghton now, and I don't see why this would automatically be the trigger for Whiting to look to move. He's been here 6 years and never had a sniff of loose forward but still been happy to stay. I can still see him moving to 2nd row one day should he put on some weight.

As for the general signing of Westerman, I'm happy with it. Mostly because it gives a strong signal of changing our setup in attack. I can't see us forking out a transfer fee and a 4-year deal to then change his position, so it's a proper loose forward at last. His off-field reputation is hopefully something relatively easy to fix (and Tansey could come in useful there).

Re: WESTERMAN SIGNING CONFIRMED : Thu Oct 28, 2010 11:47 am  

Robbo4 wrote:

Cas need the money so my gut feeling is that if the money was right they would have accepted an offer for Chase.

Anyway it's still a signing to be pleased about so I'll await further recruitment developments before commenting too much.

There are always certain moves that would just have too much fallout for clubs to sanction though. With Chase being their talisman now, unless he tells Cas he wants out I don't think they can afford to do it. Could be a catastrophic reaction from their fans.

It's a bit like us and a slightly different situation. We desperately need a halfback more than anything else, and there's a certain somebody available, but we still shouldn't possibly entertain the notion under any circumstances.

Re: WESTERMAN SIGNING CONFIRMED : Thu Oct 28, 2010 11:49 am  

carl_spackler wrote:

As for the general signing of Westerman, I'm happy with it. Mostly because it gives a strong signal of changing our setup in attack. I can't see us forking out a transfer fee and a 4-year deal to then change his position, so it's a proper loose forward at last.

Agree with that.

Re: WESTERMAN SIGNING CONFIRMED : Thu Oct 28, 2010 11:51 am  

Mrs Barista wrote:

Washy, maybe. As Paul says, though, Washy could rotate at hooker with Houghton this year and Whiting's contracted until 2013 IIRC and can cover anywhere bar prop but mainly cover for the backs, particularly FB and centre. Although that then leaves Turner, scrapping with Whiting for a back-up centre spot, and I think Turner needs gametime to develop.

Not personally convinced by Turner and wouldn't be disappointed if the club let him go. Not good enough for a 6 IMO, we have better options at 13 (particularly now), and I see him as about 4th/5th in line for a centre spot when fully fit. I'd certainly go with Whiting above him every time.

Re: WESTERMAN SIGNING CONFIRMED : Thu Oct 28, 2010 11:54 am  

Big Dave T wrote:

Thats my point really. Whiting at this stage in his career probably needs to be thinking about more than simply scrapping for a back up spot that isn't even his preferred position.

I've said countless times since he's been here, and I still believe it, that with another stone in weight Whiting could do what Chris Chester did for us. So he'd be the wide-runner with Westerman staying at LF.

Re: WESTERMAN SIGNING CONFIRMED : Thu Oct 28, 2010 11:55 am  

carl_spackler wrote:

Depends. As others have mentioned, I can see Washbrook spelling with Houghton now, and I don't see why this would automatically be the trigger for Whiting to look to move. He's been here 6 years and never had a sniff of loose forward but still been happy to stay. I can still see him moving to 2nd row one day should he put on some weight.

Well if Rovelli signs to play 9 and cover 6/7 Washy wont get a sniff.

My point about Whiting was 'how long will he tolerate not getting a sniff?' Yes he's been here 6 years and not looked to move on but the signing of Westerman is our 1st long term indicator as to who our 13 is. Fitz for example was always going to be a 2 year deal. Whiting would have sat there and thought 'i'll learn all i can from Fitz and take over from him in 2012.' Whiting will now be sat there thinking 'so where do i fit'

Different scenario in play here for me.

Re: WESTERMAN SIGNING CONFIRMED : Thu Oct 28, 2010 11:57 am  

carl_spackler wrote:

I've said countless times since he's been here, and I still believe it, that with another stone in weight Whiting could do what Chris Chester did for us. So he'd be the wide-runner with Westerman staying at LF.

I dont disagree. The one problem though is that Whiting has spoken about this himself previously but doesnt seem able to put the weight on.

Re: WESTERMAN SIGNING CONFIRMED : Thu Oct 28, 2010 12:10 pm  

Big Dave T wrote:

I dont disagree. The one problem though is that Whiting has spoken about this himself previously but doesnt seem able to put the weight on.

Like Cooke never could?