Sorry but IMO that's a bit of a falsehood, certainly in Owens case though I do get the point. The only reason Owen isn't getting a game time is because because Jowitt and Johnstone have exceeded expectations and BJB failed at F/B meaning he had to revert to the wing. With B Tupou not really finding any form and Hall still struggling to tackle and Johnstone picking up knocks we may well need Owen very soon.

This kind of highlights the problem for me. As a club Trinity need to run a squad of 30+ to compete. However we can't afford top players for each position so we need versatility to make up. This gives us very little room to develop real talent long term whilst maintaining a competitive squad in the short term - it's a tough scenario that shows no sign of changing.

From my memory that wasn't quite what happened, although I'm sure we needed the money, when don't we.

Westwood and Wood fell out with Peter Roe. Warrington were sniffing around Wood and then also took an interest in Westwood. Seeing as neither wanted to play under Roe and someone had got in their ears and as you say the money was on the table they went.

I may be wrong but that's what I was told at the time.

In an interview on Super League Superstars Westwood said he never knew about the transfer until it happened. He arrived for training one day and was told to sit it out. Then at the end of the session he was told that he'd been sold to Warrington. It was quite a shock for him as he highlighted by the fact that he couldn't drive at the time.

That's the story I remember reading too.

I'm not sure I buy that, the truth probably lays between the two - players love to spin a yarn.

It's similar to the player who arrives at a club saying he's always wanted to play for {insert new club} since he was a small boy - it's a great catch all way to placate the fans of your new or in this case previous club. Even Ted who could be dodgy couldn't just sell a player without their knowledge and consent as far as I'm aware - I suspect he was given an option which it was strongly suggested he took.

However the poor lad not being able to drive but is a shocker.

I take your point also Vastman.

Though I do think Owen could have played by now, given the injuries we were suffering in the backs a few weeks ago. Her made the 19 but never made the squad. Regarding Bill Topou, he had been injured for a couple of months, and although dont think he is back to his best, having watched the game again from Thursday, he did seem in attack to be a handful, often beating the first man.

Both Owen and Tansey were sent out on loan, and neither side were interested in taking them on permanently.

I would rather fight to keep Jowitt, over both Owen and Tansey any day. He has shown more, in less time, and his salary at the moment is probably about 25% lower than his team mates.

One thing regarding where we are at, compared to the rest of the Super League, is that with Leeds and Huddersfield struggling, with the addition of Wigan and Saints being constantly hit and miss, there looks like maybe there is a shift now as to where the stronghold is in Super League. Warrington, Catalans and Hull have been the most consistent, but I dont think I would call them head and shoulders above anyone. With this, it is very wide open, and there is the potential there for any side at the moment, with a potential clean slate. We are one of these.

I said at the start of the season, and still agree to some point, that we are a bit quantity over quality in the backs. For me, Jowitt and Jonhstone have been head and shoulders above any of the others, whilst the others havent let us down. They all bring something different, but have something in their game that is lacking a bit.

I feel for us to continue our progression, we need to look at quality more than quantity to mount a more serious challenge, maybe reducing the squad size, by 1 say, and bring in a real quality centre.

We did look totally out on our feet against Hull KR, but could this be to do with the players increased training hours put in place pre season, that is just starting to catch up on us

I agree with most comments on here and I firmly believe MJ is worth a punt.
If we're to let the likes if MJ go what is the point of 1873?
As a fan who has stayed loyal to the 1873 cause and helped to develop such players as MJ, it would be nice to think loyalty to this club played as big a part as the lure of money.

Problem will come if Wire or Wigan slap 200k on the table for Jowitt or Johnstone. Are we in any position to knock that sort of fee back? I would guess probably not. Disappointing as it would be to lose either I think with time it is inevitable.

The cautionary tale I believe is generally for the players not the club.

Agreed, apart from one thinG - occasionally some players just want out to a silverware winning club as they see it and no amount of 1873 money can change that. In these cases the club isn't to blame IMHO.

If Hardaker is worth 300k I'd certainly not let them both go for that small amount - especially as Johnstone has a very long contract. However I do agree there will be a cash figure we just can't refuse.

Just a thought regarding the 1873, and raising money through it.

Do sponsors etc, get invitation to the membership of this automatically.

If not, just think of the extra revenue that could be created, say if all the companies involved with match and player sponsorship were invited to join the scheme say at a discounted group rate.

The crux of this one is whether we can/will pay for quality young talent.
If we value MJ as a "senior" player (as opposed to regarding him s an up and coming junior, then the kind of salary being mentioned (50k) doesn't seem excessive.
However, if we are still viewing him as a junior breaking into the first team, then, the salary seems crazy.

This situation could be measured by what we would be prepared to pay a very good quality FB, like BJB or someone like Mathers (based on where he was 4/5 years ago) and if we use this measure, we should probably bite the bullet and do everything possible to keep the lad.

The other issue here is the effect that "breaking the bank" has on the rest of the squad.

There could be plenty of ruffled feathers if other squad members feel that he was getting more than they were or that he was being "overpaid".

Finally, for a young player, still finding his way, playing at a low profile club is surely better that becoming a high(ish) profile signing at one of the top clubs.
Just look at Kevin Penny.
Everyone thought he was the dog's whatsits a few seasons ago and he was being talked about as the next big thing.
His situation went badly wrong and although he is doing ok now, nobody would want to go through those 2/3 seasons in the "wilderness".

Considering how poor we are without him, I'd pay him senior player wages

I've said my piece on this plenty of times in the past - I think young players easily have their heads turned, and agents don't help; it's in their interest to shop their young charges around for the highest payout - and it matters little to them whether the lad in question gets a game or not.

So if Wire have been into Jowitt's ear for some time, as has been alluded to, I'd very much like our club to check the legalities of their approach and, if it's broken the rules, stand up to them for once. If the approach has been legal and the lad's decided to go, there'll be little we can do - we can never outbid them. I really would hate to have to say I told to you so though, when he ends up stuck behind a big que of experienced players and dual registered at Swinton.

I don't know either way but it surprises me that if Warrington are interested in Max, and someone on this board knows about it, why no one on the Warrington board has mentioned it at all.