Not the way I'd view it. Johnstone is already the real deal where as Jowitt is still mainly potential. When he is the real deal I'll re-evaluate but for now I'm more interested in what we have not what we might have.

I've not said Johnstone isn't, I fully agree with you on that. But full back is a much tougher position to master, and even at the standard he played at last season, Jowitt is a key player for us and in my eyes will only get better. I'm pleased we have some cover for him as it was obvious he played too many games last season, but I'd still pick Jowitt now over Grix at his peak.

Clearly he isn't - but he has years of experience over Jowitt, and is particularly strong in organising the players in front of him; that can only be good for Jowitt in terms of learning. And the benefit of having cover so he isn't burned out is, I would've thought, fairly obvious?

Of course he's decent cover, I've never disputed that, but I don't get all this talk of him being a great role model and mentor. He's never been anything more than an average utility player, who a couple of months ago had fans up in arms over his signing. Now everyone seems to think he's going to mould Max into the great player he never was.

The 3 most important people, Chris, John and MC all think he can do a job for us - that'll do for me.

You're overstating it; firstly, *some* fans were up in arms over his signing - others were very positive. And in no way does 'everyone' think he's going to mould Max - some people, myself included, think he'll be a positive influence on him; and I think that because people who've coached him have told me that he's a very committed pro who takes his training and conditioning extremely seriously, and conducts himself properly off the pitch.

I think Jowitt has more talent than Grix ever had - but Grix is a great example of a player who has forged a good RL career through hard work and application; can't do Jowitt any harm to be exposed to that can it?

Anyhow - it's a circular argument; he'll add some value or he won't - I won't gloat if he does, but I bet there'll be plenty ready to make him a scapegoat the first time he drops a ball.

Even if the coaches start the season with Grix, that does not heraid the total eclipse of Jowitt.At some time the former will sustain an injury or there will be a dip in form .Step forward Jowitt.Time to impress and stake claim.

Listening to the videos our new physio has been posting.

Max had surgery and out of all the players who have had surgery in the off season he is the one that sounds the furthest away from fitness. I dont think he has started any contact training yet.

With that, I see Grix starting the season for us.

I'm not denying that, always a Grix fan.

I think however there is a justifiable fear in my opinion that MJs career may be at risk through short term thinking - it must have crossed your mind. JK in particular has a rightly imho poor record with young players and I don't want to see a real talent sacrificed on that particular bankrupt dogma.

Also MJ is yet to get his new contract as far as I'm aware. If Grix is being seen as a short replacement on the cheap I'll be livid tbh and I normally support the club on these issues.

Despite some flaws and imho him not being quite as good as TJ he's still very much the future and thus having Johnstone long term is an empty gesture if we don't build on it. With all the will in the world Grix is not the future he's a massive step backwards in this regard.

Finally I to am baffled by the sudden elevation of Grix to organisational guru as to me he seems no more adept than max. I may be well off the mark but past history at this club looms large.

Grix will be starting FB for the start of the season as Max is still recovering from his shoulder operation and I've heard a rumour that he may then be going out on loan to get match fit.

Just reading some of the posts regarding this thread, not just the latest ones but also historical ones from when his signing was first announced.

May I say there has been a few hypocrital comments been made, basically championing his signing then the same posters, being critical.

I will be honest here, at the time I wasnt in favour of the signing but was quick to realise during the latter part of last season we needed cover at full back.

I thunk Grix will probably start the season with Jowitt taking over when fully fit, with Grix coming back in when Jowitt needs a break.

Presactly!

Having read your last two posts on here I can say that you are a real expert by hindsight.

It's very simple Grix is cover and a decent player in his own right max is the future imho. Others rate Grix higher some not at all why is that hypocritical.

Who's right will be better discussed come august, but some fears are understandable - anyone who remembers mark field will know how easily talent can be destroyed.

Whoever starts between Grix and Jowitt, we have two specialist fullbacks, if one dips in form or gets injured.
Rather than someone filling in like BJB or Hall.
Can only be good for competition for places.

Is Grix a specialist full back? I have him down as a utility back who can do a job in most positions but doesn't excell in any. My memories of his time playing full back was plenty of dropped catches. He may have improved whilst playing for the Farts, but the best thing I can say about his capture is the club now have an option to rest Jowitt or allow him to recover from injury that doesn't involve playing Jordan Tansey instea.

Does your memory not recall him scoring 3 tries in the first 25 minutes against us the season before last while playing fullback.

A lot of people scored against Wakefield in 2015.

He could have played prop that day and it wouldn't have mattered. We were dreadful that season.

I believe Jordan Tansey is no longer on our books. I could be wrong?
As for not being a 'specialist', he's more specialist than anyone else in the squad apart from Max.

Your right. We got rid of him in August to Hudds and he played there a couple of times. What they've done with him since, I don't know.

I think it's clear how much MC and CC rate Max, they've both spoken about him often enough over the past season in glowing terms. So I don't think there's no fear that he's going to get over looked this year for Grix. Has as been mentioned, the lads had an operation he's recovering from and it will take time to be fully fit. This is where Grix has been a good signing, to cover times like this but also take some of the pressure regarding the amount of games we play, off of young Max's back.

As others have mentioned, although Grix isn't Billy Slater, he's developed into a really good fullback for Hudds over the years, especially in the area of orgainsing the defensive lines. As well as witnessing myself when Hudds have played us, Ive heard on TV the likes of Crabtree and Robinson, rave on about that part of his game. Hopefully Grix can pass on anything he can to Max that will make him the best player he can be. Also a little competition for places never hurt anyone.

Vasty, my post is saying that the same posters are raving over him one minute, then slating him the next.

I was just pointing something out but you may continue to argue what colour the grass is. I think the only person you tend to agree with is yourself.

Has that taxi arrived for you yet.

Not so but I rarely agree with you because you tend to make it up as you go along - you're a bit wibbly wobbly imho.

Rude and argumentative.

Meanwhike back on topic....

Tansley went on loan to Shuds and played 1 game I think. He then returned to Wakefield.

I'm sure I've read that he signed for a French Elite 2 (2nd Division ) club.