He's always been capable of playing this well, though. That's the point.

Anyway. I'm delighted with him this season. East Hull Fc Fan's assurances that he could be our SO'L appear to be bearing fruit. Exciting times for sure.

He looks a lot leaner and fitter than he has done for years, there have always been rumours about drinking off the field before...

I have been one of his biggest critics, but his form this season has been fantastic and Radford is getting the best out of him.

The fact he's playing really well now doesn't magically alter the fact he was pretty ordinary in the past regardless of any mitigating factors. I'm man enough to admit he is playing far better this season then his previous form led me to believe and long may that continue.

Let's not forget either that despite the fact he seems to have been around forever he is only 24. Maybe it has taken him until now to really mature and realise the standards expected of him if he wants to kick on in his career. We have players only a year or two younger who have only played a handful of games and are still regarded as kids.

I admit when I'm wrong. Despise those who don't. See 'Hats off the Radford' thread for today's admission about being wrong about [ihim[/i. I don't believe I am wrong about Westerman's contribution - until this year - for our club, though.

And to make an assumption that this reservation is based on "personal dislike of a player" is a very "far-fetched scenario without a scrap of supporting evidence", "laughable and embarrassing". I don't know Westerman so how can I personally dislike him? My 'evidence' for my opinion of him as a player is based purely on his performances both prior to this year and this season, and the miraculous leap to measure up to his potential.

Pleased that he has, at last? I'm thrilled, and very excited for the future for him.

Same above for me

Why give him a role of goal kicking, it may affect his confidence and play on his mind, then affect his game.

Some players, like Whiting can handle everything, so let him carry on and let Westy do what hes doing now, playing as an on the ball forward (or a 7)

Its working well and letting us play with two wider 6's

too many pigeon hole a role to a shirt number, games about flexibilty at times and play what works, dont square peg a round hole

I put a tenner on Westerman for MOS last year. It appears I was possibly a year too early

Glad we gave him a contract extension last year!.
Could have been highly sought after on current form.

He's never been as bad as some made out he was, some people just have it in for him. To balance that off, he's never hit the heights that some of us have always known he can hit, but he's never been given this role before. Sure he's played in the middle at 13 plenty of times. But as Hutchie said, his role as first receiver is allowing us to play with split HB's very effectively. It's also good that it's him throwing the ball out the back rather than a prop, our attack is a lot quicker just because of this.

I thought he was a bit of a princess in his first 2 years. Much better last year. Terrific this year so far. What we seem to be seeing all round, and in none more than Westy, so far is a bounce in the step, appetite to work hard for each other, and much more confidence going forward. Brilliant.

How many people on here are regulars at our training sessions, then?

It's a strange jump to suggest that Westerman's improved form is down to a previously unprofessional attitude, based on rumours and the fact he appears in a bit better shape this year. Firstly, not that many facets of his game have changed that much, it's just that he's getting the ball in much better situations in which to influence the game. His work rate has always been good, which leads to a second point that his effort on the pitch has always been exemplary, and has therefore always caused me to have issues with the unprofessional and lazy accusations I've seen in the past. Thirdly, he's not the only player who looks in better shape, there are several. Now, the logical inference to me from this is not that individual players have improved their attitudes. It seems far more sensible to conclude that our training methods and/or off-field rules may well have changed for the better, bringing about improvements pretty much across the board.

And on the kicking, we should maybe look at ourselves as fans and the standing in which we hold players. Westerman has had 3 years of almost constant criticism from a large chunk of the following, and despite how well he played in the opening game it was thrown at him about the kicking (and still is, really, with the criticism now bring that he isn't kicking. Damned if you do...). On the other hand, Whiting could spend 80 minutes murdering puppies in the in goal area and still be in the running for the MOM award. Any wonder that one might feel the pressure more than the other?

Good summary. And as said elsewhere he looks superbly prepared as do all of our forwards. Cudos to our conditioning staff.

Bang on. Our pack, almost to a man, looks much fitter and stronger than we've had for years. That's why I think it's far more likely about the new regime's training methods and rules than individuals previously not putting enough in.

Last 4 posts sum it up for me.

Nail > head