This kid deserves his own thread. I think he's a special talent. For one so young he plays with so much confidence and skill. Despite having a "funny shape" as Radford commented the other week he's a natural Rugby League player and should be a cornerstone of the team for years to come.

How many try assists has he got this season? He seems to have a hand in some every game he plays.

Would get the number 13 shirt for me next season. Hes exactly what loose forward should be

This kid's a special talent,show's maturity far above someone of his age.

Great the way he organised play on his outside on the Saints 20 and then dropped westerman through a hole on his inside shoulder.

Another season covering Stand Off and LF and then will be ready to replace Westy at LF long term either if he leaves or moves to the backrow.

Abdul is a great talent, reminds me of Cooke, but has a better running game. Needs to work on fitness and defence, but got the makings of a top SL player.

No further comment from me. This kid will go a long, long way, he's a real talent.

He is also a great kid, very smart I've known the family for years.

And he isn't alone, the talent coming through is very promising. If only AP could have waited another 12 months, I'm sure he would have told Grudge to ram it on any merger.

It's glaringly obvious to me that we didn't need to merge the academies and other than saving a few quid, the only people that will benefit is KR.

Stop it this thread is to comment on the lads talent not to de rail it and whinge about something else . The boy is good he could be very good no he could be very very very good

He is only making a point relevant to the post, in that we are told that the current academy is not working and not producing any young players that are good enough yet we have seen in Abdull who the post is about (and indeed Turgot, Downs, Logan, Lancaster and Fash) that we can, he's entitled to an opinion at least.

Thank you Wilf.

I wasn't trying to derail anything, talking about successful products of the academy and the academy structure itself go hand in hand don't they? I find it frustrating when I hear that the academy wasn't producing when it clearly is, and I don't like the thought or other clubs benefiting from that.

Anyway BOT I suppose, the lad seems to get better every game, I even think that it might not be a good time to cash in Westerman? (it won't happen, but I can see Abdull forcing JW out of his position next year)

Abdull is still 2-3 years off playing 13 regularly, he doesn't have the fitness or stamina to play there yet and people are just getting giddy. Another few years in the halves will be his development with the odd spell at 13.
As i've said on another thread, if I was Pryce i'd be worried about my starting place for next year.

Abdull's presence in the halves means there's no need to rush HTW either, great position to be in.

in a few years we'll have Abdull, Sneyd, HTW, Shaul & Houghton at 1, 6, 7, 9 & 13. 4 of which came through our academy.

Not complaining but it was a mile forward

Abdull has really impressed me this year, and for a 19 year old to have gained as much game time as he has this season proves that he's very well thought of by the coaching staff & players.

Is he ready to be chucked in at 13 week in week out ahead of an England International? No.

Sometimes, I think fans can be guilty of not seeing a defensive effort as much as they see an attacking effort. I also get the sense that our fans (generally) still haven't taken to Westerman yet for whatever reason. Defensively, he's huge for us, and been fantastic all year. His form in attack has been patchy this year to be fair, a couple of error-riddled games can sometimes stick out compared to a dozen good games.

I see Abdull more as a successor to Pryce at 6. 2016 he'll continue as he has done this season, and take on the mantle in 2017.

Great post, agree 100%.

Yes I agree. Great performances from Abdull so far and a very promising talent. Think we'll start with Pryce next year but there'll certainly be some selection headaches for Radford and LP can certainly not afford to be complacent.

Just my opinion but a 13 should be more than a good defensive player, Westerman supposed to be this great ball handling forward, not seen it enough consistently, overrated for me and sick of hearing about his potential. hes a big big bloke and never brakes a tackle, poor and stupid off loads, stupid penalties. Id play Abdul over him, if not, really think Washbrook will push him for a starting birth, or play manu or Pritchard at 13

Ok. It sounds that you almost have something against him? Like I said in my previous post, some fans still haven't warmed to him for whatever reason.

His defence is fantastic in the middle for us. Abdull at 19 isn't physically ready to get through the amount of work that Westy does, and do it to the same standard.

Ball in hand, yeh I agree to an extent, like I said he's had a few off games. But, whilst stats don't tell a full story, they do go someway to disproving some of your assertions made in your post:
Penalties - 7
Errors - 5
Tackle Busts - 39

I hope Washbrook is pushing him for a starting berth, I hope every player in the squad is either pushing or being pushed for a place in the side.

You might want to check out Westerman's stats. He isn't even in the top 20 for errors or penalties - 5 errors and 7 penalties in 20 appearances this season.

Number 20 for tackles made at an average of 32 per game.

If you really think that Washbrook is anywhere near him then there's no hope for you.

Anyone who cant see what Westerman brings must watch with their eyes closed. Most consistent performer for 2 seasons imo. As for Abdull, he has everything to be a top class 6, we shouldn't be pigeon holing him as a 13 just because hes a big lad. We struggle to produce half backs in this country as it is.

If Washbrook would of played for Hull instead of Westerman this season, It would of made very little difference to any results. Westermans overrated in my opinion. No hope for me ha, you are such a bell, cant you make your point without been such a dik. I bet you've got one of them faces people just want to slap for no apparent reason

I said early doors I wanted Abdull as a 6 and was shouted down by so many saying that he's an out and out 13, clearly the lad is class but right now, he isn't a 13 for the game we play and defensively not even close.

Westerman brings a lot to the table and it's easy for some to see the mistakes of someone that you hold up high as one of your better players whom isn't quite a fan favourite because he doesn't do anything flambouyant or fancy.

Westerman is a beast in the tackle and does a heck of a lot of minutes for a big guy, given he's being asked to do a lot of tackling AND in parts to bust the line/offload too he does a heck of a job covering the ground he does and as the stats show not making an awful lot of errors/giving penalties away either.

I'd love to see JA make the 6 berth his own with the possibility to move to 13 later in his career but right now Westerman is our 13 and I think JA would be wasted there.

But when that opinion is in conflict with facts, you should expect it to be challenged Tinker.