Not really we still only have 4 experinened backrow fowards, the young lads will get plenty of games this year, unless the 4 players play every single game this year.

Or it could mean that someone at the club will get a go and aspinwall will provide cover?

We only have enough forwards with SL experience to fill the normal positions in the 1st 17 anyway. As soon as someone is injured a youngster will be in the 17

Bingo

Some people are never happy, like has been said the forward cover looked very thin, injuries will happen and youngsters will get their chance. If one of tickle, manu or westman got injured we would have to start a youngster (or go with Whiting) in the backrow, then everyone would be screaming about bad recruitment.

I like the balance of the squad, still not sure about Martin but if he was the best available so be it, I reckon we have a bit of cap left and a quota spot for a mid season signing if needed.

Why would people screaming about starting a youngster....we have been saying for long enough,they should be given a chance and Whiting has back-row/13 wrote all over him imo.

To be fair though Gentle although no doubt he will have been told about the youngsters he won't have seen them 1st hand to gauge them. So he will need some experience as cover so as not to just chuck them in at the deep end with a sunk or swim method. Let's be honest Danny houghton was the last youngster to to come through really as Tom came via feathe.
Think this drain will be a season where gentle moulds it into what he wants and with the teams at all levels training the same way and having same systems etc so when they are called up they'll slot straight in.

I'd rather be where we are now than where we where before AP took over.

If Gentles getting tapes of Aspinwall I'd expect him to get all the tapes of the u20's, he could even watch on hullfc.com.

I am only stating what Gentle has said.Don`t shoot the messenger.

I know you can't read too much into squad numbers, but it looks like Whiting might be being considered as back row interchange anyway. If he gets injured (or one of Manu, Tickle or Westerman), it's useful to have some experienced cover. The Aspinwall signing is in no way exciting, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's a bad one.

Exactly.

Anyone thought of the possibilty he may be put back on the wing?

No.

I reckon it's a better third choice (Sharp/Briscoe then Lyne_ than Whiting.

I said the other day on here,that if Sharp and Lyne struggled he might go with Aspinwall rather than Whiting.