Bit harsh on Washbrook, should be in front of Horne at 6 IMO.

Not sure about that, my comment was more aimed at Whiting though, he's had a bad run with injury admittedly, but he isn't a top 4 player. (first, second or third choice)

I think the addition of Turner will see Whitings chances more limited this season, they both operate in similar roles. At full strength I cant see Turner making the starting line up but I think he would claim a place on the bench over Whiting.

There seems to be a fair number of folk spouting about Turner being in the 17. What on earth do you base this on? If you have seen him play more than a handful of times I'll be amazed. If in those times you can remember him standing out then i'll be even more amazed. It's just nonsense that people are putting him in front of the likes of Hall or Whiting.

Washbrook should be nowhere near no 6. We cant operate again with one of the crucial pivots being invisible. When Danny has played there before (on numerous occasions now) he hardly handles the ball at all and when he does it is simply the inside ball or his inside step. It's simply not his position. The trouble is, we still don't have an out and out stand off. We need Horne back to his best cos at least he has the pace to break the line and support. I hope Turner is as good as others seem to think, maybe given time, he could be the answer to number 6.

Clueless, I aren't even going to waste my time explaining why.

From what i hear Turner is really impressing in training too. He may well be in front of Whiting in the pecking order in the centres or at 6, Whiting though may be in front of him for the 13 shirt but still behind Washy.

For me Turners best form was playing at 13 when Salford where in NL1.

Whiting is a quality player who can cover a range of positions without looking out of place. I'd be more than happy to see him named at full back, centre, stand off, loose forward or second row. He is invaluable in the case of injuries, and I believe that if he had an opportunity for an extended run in the side he'd prove more than capable in any of the positions above.

Will all due respect, and in no way is this a dig at Richard himself, but he is too slow to be a back and is too light weight for the second row.

Rich has done himself great credit whilst playing for us,. However there are far too many sentimentalists out there who want to keep the same players just because they "a solid player".

If we are seriously going to compete for the big prizes then we need more cutting edge players. For the last few seasons we have relied on too many "solid" players which has got us nowhere.

Richard is a good all round player. Perhaps thats his main downfall. Jack of all trades but a master of none?

At this point in time I can;t see another contract offer unless that is a change is circumstances.

Spot on the money

He's as fast as Paul Cooke, for example. And he makes up for what he lacks in pace with his speed of thought. How often is he in the right place at the right time to make an interception? That's not because of his speed, but because he reads the game very well.



Every club needs at least a minority of players who, whilst not world class, can do a good job in a number of positions. The nature of the modern game dictates that injuries will occur and the salary cap means that you can't necessarily have 28 internationals in your squad.

Whiting is more than just solid, in my opinion. He's intelligent, works hard and is incredibly versatile. It's doing him a huge disservice to call him a 'jack of all trades'.

I didnt see him in NL1 although i know i played for England Academies as a 6 or 13.

If i'm been totally honest i dont really recall him standing out for Salford vs FC when we've played them in SL, getting big raps though.

Whiting was young player of the year for a reason. He has had two nightwamre seasons with injuries but when he has been fit he has been asked to fill-in wherever needed. This utility tag is hard to shake but, if given the chance to vie for one position, I am sure he has it in him to win a spot whoever he is up against.

Oh joy the "young player of the year" line is out again.

Exactly my thoughts and have been for some time, I have always liked him and I hope he can make a breakthrough into a sort of regualr team slot.

His performance over his entire FC career does suggest to me and others that he can not hold down a regular place as he is niether back or forward by definition.

Whilst players like Richard are very valuable to teams in time he becomes expensive when cheaper options in the form of younger players become available. This season he will struggle to retain a place with growing competition from the other fringe players and next season I expect he will be moved on.

Personally he would always be in my 17. With one of the best rugby brains at the club, he can come on and do a good job in almost every position. With only 22 players now in the squad with any first team experience I'm sure we will see plenty of him next season

I thank you

He won it fair and square but as you are implying, its a bit old and meaningless now. Just to raise a point also, if Hall, Tom Briscoe or Jordan Turner to name but 3 had been given a run in the centres that season due to injuries they would have probably won the award too. I know its just speclation but i think it's a fair point to make.

Agree 100% Dave, it's quite rediculous, nobody made comment about Hodgson moving clubs and he is the YP from last season. If Whiting was good enough he'd have cemented a starting place by now, he's had injuries, and I am told he's a "nice bloke", that isn't enough to see him as anything other than a utility player, and we should be working into a position where we don't have utility players of his age, he must be earning a fairly decent amount, as IanP has said, we can get equalt quality utility for less money.

I don't see how it is meaningless but, you're right, it is old... as is he - he is now an ancient 25 (I think). However, he has had some very bad injuries that take a long time to come back from. When he has come back, however, he has done a very good job wherever asked. If he gets the chance to train at second row, which would be a great spot for him, then he ought to have as good a chance as Tickle and Burnett.

The best thing about this discussion is that he will find it very tough to cement a place because of the high quality of competition he faces in these spots - last season he would have found it much easier.

I agree competition is tougher, especially in the positions that Whiting wants to play. Sadly if not for injuries his game time will be limited imo.

I didn't realise that Josh was voted Super League's Young Player of the Year.

I think Whiting has been played as a utility player but that is out of necessity - he is a second rower.

As bad as horne was last season, washbrook isn't a 6. Should be LF IMO but we all know it will only happen if there are injuries

He was club YP.

Agree, Horne 6, Long 7, Washy 13. Fitz in 2nd row. Never going to happen though.