We wouldn't now. But his entire point was that if we had entertained the idea, we may not have bothered spending the money we did on Westerman, so your comment here is irrelevant.

But Whiting doesn't have the size, strength or stamina to play through the middle. Which was my point in the first place, and none of the coaches Rich has had has ever entertained the idea.

Why on earth would you question his strength or stamina? I've never seen either be an issue with him. And you're wrong about the coaches, McRae was considering him as lock but he was hardly going to oust Jason Smith was he?

In 2004 vs Salford when J.Smith got injured, Whiting started at loose man and played had a great game, and a few times that season he came off the bench and replaced Smith at lock. In 2005 he started 5 games at loose forward. In 2006 he started 3 games at lock but played there off the bench a many times. In 2008 he only played 2 games, and one was at lock and one was off the bench to lock.

Basically, every single point you raise about him is factually inaccurate, and unjustified opinion.

Didn't Peter Sharpe give Whiting an off season training programme to bulk-up as he felt RW was suited to the back-row and Loose Forward? I could well be wrong but I'm sure I recall the off season before his serious injury he had been groomed for the pack. I don't see him there myself, mind.

So you think the strength and stamina needed in the pack is the same that's needed in the backs?
So, according to your stats, which I don't believe (but i'm willing to change that on proof) he's played loose forward 10 times in 7 years and the odd time off the bench? Well, I'm certainly convinced now.

It's been talked about many times, it's never happened. Most people would conclude that there's a reason why!

Doesn't make your comment any more relevant. The thing is, you can debate it as much as you like but there's no way either of you can definitively claim to be right without him playing there. You might not think he has the size, strength and stamina required, but that doesn't make it fact in the way you have stated it. It's entirely possible he could tackle above his weight and cope with the extra work with the additional teammates in the tackles that tend to go with playing in the middle.

I didn't say that at all, although there is absolutely no reason to place doubt on his ability to do so, like all the other backs in Super League that also play in the forwards.

It's great how you've tried to manipulate those statistics, that you don't even believe, to fit your tedious baseless opinion. The fact that the majority of times he featured for Hull was off the bench doesn't fit your argument too well does it?

I couldn't give a toss if you believe those 100% accurate statistics, the fact you don't believe them gives me a warm feeling of superiority. The fact that your basing your argument on ignorance is a refreshing change. You'll find many knowledgeable Hull fans that can remember seeing Whiting perform admirably at loose forward, and I'm delighted that you're not one of them.

A combination of reasons; his seeming inability to put on enough weight, his own personal injuries putting paid to him for a while, or other injuries in the squad meaning he's been needed more elsewhere.

There have been a couple of pre-seasons where he had a couple of goes at loose forward. Most people would conclude that there are reasons why.

Well, given how many years he's played professional league, he's never been realistically considered. You have to ask why?
I don't see him as a 13, I see him as one of the best utility backs in SL and we miss him when he's not in the 17.
As for Westerman, he's a proven SL 13, young and British. Securing his services for 4 years was very good business. Hopefully he'll take the 13 spot when Fitz leaves.

You asked why I would question his strength and stamina. That's because he's a back and has an inability to [ibulk up[/i.


I haven't manipulated anything, you put the figures there for everyone to see! He's started 10 games (according to you) in 7 years at loose forward. Your words, not mine.


You can't prove your stats, then claim you don't need to because knowledgeable fans can remember! Absolute quality.

Quote: east hull FC fan "You asked why I would question his strength and stamina. That's because he's a back and has an inability to [ibulk up[/i. I haven't manipulated anything, you put the figures there for everyone to see! He's started 10 games (according to you) in 7 years at loose forward. Your words, not mine. You can't prove your stats, then claim you don't need to because knowledgeable fans can remember! Absolute quality. How quaint, yet another mis-quote! I can prove my stats, the fact that I remember him playing there has nothing to do with them. Here is a link where you can find such proof. Although I imagine you'll still struggle to accept them. www.rugbyleagueproject.org/playe ... mmary.html

Quote: east hull FC fan "You asked why I would question his strength and stamina. That's because he's a back and has an inability to [ibulk up[/i. I haven't manipulated anything, you put the figures there for everyone to see! He's started 10 games (according to you) in 7 years at loose forward. Your words, not mine. You can't prove your stats, then claim you don't need to because knowledgeable fans can remember! Absolute quality. How quaint, yet another mis-quote! I can prove my stats, the fact that I remember him playing there has nothing to do with them. Here is a link where you can find such proof. Although I imagine you'll still struggle to accept them. www.rugbyleagueproject.org/playe ... mmary.html

But that's not true. As I said, at least a couple of pre-seasons had him lining up at 13 to try him out there. IIRC, 2005 under Kear, which ended in him doing his shoulder in and missing the start of the season, and once under Sharp either 2007 or 2008 (possibly both), and I think that's when he broke his leg. I'm sure others will remember.



I actually tend to agree. I have thought that with an extra stone he could do a very good job in the 2nd row though. I've made the comparison to Chris Chester in the past. I've only disagreed with the obnoxious way (to appearances at least) in which you've been phrasing your opinions as if they are facts and dismissing the actual statistical facts of others by saying you don't believe them.