I think we can all agree that the same team under WP is not playing like the same players under Chester. This means we have some interesting decisions to make with regards those players who are out of contract but based on their current performances deserve in the majority of cases to be retained. The fact that Langi is not coming from Catalan could be actually quite fortunate because it will free up some money to retain more of the current squad. I am thinking of Kershaw, Hampshire. K Wood and Batchelor, not sure about Green but he has shown to be a better prop than under Chester.
I am sure many supporters after the Huddersfield game were wanting a complete clear out but with WP they are now showing what they are actually capable of. The questions are would you replace Kershaw with Lineham, Hampshire with Gaskell etc. We now have a conundrum and hopefully they will listen to WP on who he prefers.

There's Arundel as well ?

K Wood as said it is the last season Would be happy with Kay and Hold at 9 .Westerman leaving is the main prob Were do we get a loseforward who can tackle,get a good pass away and make a break .

Sorry should read HOOD

There aren't many top loose forwards about and haven't been for some time. It's taken years for Joe to mature into the complete player he is today. Of the players in our squad, probably Brad Walker is the most naturally gifted for that position but lacks experience. Jordie Crowther is the club's best defender and filling in at hooker has improved his passing but the important factor is for the top loose forward to have a range of passes and to know when to use them. Jay Pitts is probably got the best all round game to make the job his own.
All three have time and ability to develop and have had the advantage of working with Joe Westerman this year and hopefully learning from him. I would suggest both Walker and Crowther are at least as good as Westerman was at their age.

Not sure either is in the same league as Westerman to be honest, at any point in his career. Huge boots to fill.

Let me throw one in for you to ponder.

The way I see it Tanginoa best position is left SR. Ashurst while not quite the player he was does have a pair of hands and can run decent lines and tackle well.

Honestly I would look to shift Ashurst to LF and interchange with one of Crowther/Walker. Tanginoa then gets in his best position. Let’s face it, since he’s moved back to SR we look much more a threat with his wide/strong running. Unless injuries mean there is no other option he should not be in at prop.

I do get what you mean with Pitts though as he has been my player of the year this year. I’d leave him right SR though. Him/Lyne/Kershaw have a great understanding.

Not after agro but JC ,Batch if he signs, and Walker are light years behind were Westerman was at there years .At 18 he was winning matches on his own for Cas Think the only thing that held him back from being a all time great was because he had time out of the game when is heart stopped when playing for Cas

He isn't as good as Westerman but to say he isn't in the same league is hugely disrespectful. He's a different kind of player but one who IMHO will offer just as much so long as no one expects a like for like.

In some ways he's a better option in that sometimes Westerman is too good for us and the team struggles to follow him, Pitts is more of a steady team player which IMO may be a good thing.

He didn't have time out of the game.


He probably held himself back a little with some of his lifestyle choices.

The original poster was comparing Crowther and westerman at the same age , aged 18 joe was national league one player of the season , age 21 he was hulls marquee signing, at Crowther S age he’d just been signed for a 150 k by Warrington, aged 32 with all his injury and personal issues he’s still a far superior player to both batchelor and Crowther .

Ahh my mistake, yup I'd agree with that, though there was a point where Batchelor looked the real deal.

Tbh think batchelor will come again, since his injury doesn’t seem to have kicked on but a decent close season and regular foot ball let’s hope he does come through and fulfill his early potential.

Is Batch ooc at the season end?

If any of you have seen moneyball with Brad Pitt, I think we are in the same position in trying to replace Joe Westerman, like for like so to speak due to the money a player of that quality would command and also who is available. I’d be more than happy to go into next season with Crowther, Arona & Brad Walker all competing for the 13 shirt and direct any left over funds to another position.

Yes he is, I know this is quite controversial but I and it is only my opinion believe him to be a better player than Crowther.

Moneyball is one of my favourite films but I don't draw the same conclusion.
Replacing Westerman per the Moneyball logic means you have to find someone with his stats.
The important thing is you don't have to replace like for like in the position.
We are losing and big metres middle with good hands and a lot of experience.
Improving those stats in the front row can mean you go for different stats at 13.

The point being, you need to identify what their stats are and what you need in your team.

I was just trying to say that we are going to have to go in a different direction rather than looking for another Westerman, but yeah great film!

Sorry I didn't quite get that.
Ignore my long wordy post and I'll replace it with "I agree"

100%. I think Bachelor has been excellent lately and we need to sign him up if possible

That’s not controversial and I tend to agree. However for me Batch is a pure SR where as Crowther is far more versatile. It’s horses for courses, two very different players imho.

Hope we keep both tbh.

Think i'd agree with that - We know there's little likelihood of forking out for a direct replacement with all the other areas we need to sort out. We just need to accept that the team is not gonna revolve around one particular player next year and we move on. Plenty of other things to be reasonably happy with right now. Who knows he might get a bad injury in his first game and be out for the season.

Has anyone mentioned we need props.....?

Westerman reminds me a little of Lee Crooks. At 17 he looked like being a world beater but some where along the line he started to think he could get away with being unprofessional in the way he treated his body. Some one must have talked some sense into him and now he's showing what he really can do.

Fantastic movie is that.

James’s Bell looked decent at 13 for Leigh. Aye decent props seem like hens teeth at the minute.