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