If he's our first choice fullback then I would think we have to treat him like a senior player, that includes paying him more. We would only go and spend that money on someone else anyway. If he's the long term future we should bend over backwards to keep him.

That's how I see it as well.
Ok it will be a massive wage hike but, if he goes elsewhere, we would probably offer his replacement something similar(ish) and it makes sense to defend our position and send a message to other clubs to look elsewhere.

Our chairman has said that we are no longer a selling club, this is the first real test.

It can also depend upon whether a players sees another club as more likely to win trophies and be continually challenging.Allied to that is the more likelihood of international recognition. If a player wants away nothing will stop him, no matter how much we complain and threaten to withdraw support etc. As I look back names come into mind such as DonRobinson, Bob Haigh, David Jeanes, Dave Smith,Trevor Skerret , and all the most recent ones.

Full back is such an important position and Jowitt is the first choice full back. He needs signing up on a long term deal with a competitive salary....he is a quality player who is only going to get even better.

Max is going nowhere, see the other thread.

That's good news - thanks for clarifying.

That's great news but tbh you could substitute almost any up and coming youngster and the issue would be the same.

But, as with Jowitt, there are always extremes. Were you as bothered when Richard Goddard went to Cas as when Nigel Wright went to Wigan?

Indeed there are. The difference with Goddard IO suppose was that it was mainly potential where as Jowitt has in a limited pried turned potential into reality. The crux of the argument is just how difficult it is to put a value on a young player that fit's with what he,his agent and other clubs think he's worth. Glad it's not me.

Although Goddard was good, he was never prolific.

Nigel Wright was absolute class and I dont know of anyone who wasn't disappointed when he went to the dark side.
Didn't we increase admission charges to try and keep him ?

It's been mentioned loads on here over the years about just how few quality youngster we produce at Wakefield and this is why we end up desperate to hang on to the good ones when they come along.

When you think back as to how long it's been since Ellis and Westwood came through the ranks, it's been a bloody long wait for Jowitt, Johnstone, Crowther and Annakin to break into the first team, rather than just make up the numbers.

I think that it's those lads being in the squad and contributing to the results that is the main reason for our improved form and they need looking after, paying properley and hopefully we can enjoy seeing them develop into top class players.

Well said Wrencat, I fully agree.

Also, as someone else posted previously, both Jowitt and Johnstone are now our fist choice players in their respective positions. This needs to be reflected upon in their contracts, regardless of age.

Older players have come in on higher paid contracts in the past, and haven't made the same impact as these have.

If older players spit the dummy out regearding contracts and salaries, then surely they are big enough, and old enough, to show their worth to the club.

Crowther out on loan.

Wrong, was out on loan.

Until today

And he's 19.