Re: Squad for Giants. : Fri Apr 26, 2019 6:14 pm  

(No worries Uncle Rico). In our first game v Leeds, I thought he (Westwood) got stuck in and made, at a guess, more yardidge per drive than anyone else and he was key to our platform in the forwards. Even now, at his age, when Westwood takes the field, he makes at least as many yards in the forwards as Hilly and Coops, and definitely more than Hughes and Currie in the back row. He doesn't play as many minutes nowadays, but, bar the Salford game, I'm sure there's tangible evidence to show that his input changes the arm-wrestle in our favour. I haven't got the stats, but I reckon our forwards would have made more yardage and their attack less yardage when he's on the field. For me, at the very least, he gives our forwards an extra boost of confidence, like Morley did. Having a Morley, Westwood, Les Davidson, Nicholas figure on the field inspires and gives security for our other forwards to get stuck in. We missed this v saints. Imagine if Benny or Morley were on the pitch- they'd have rallied our troops and stuck one on them. A forward moving, uncompromising defensive line lead by Morley or Westwood would have totally changed the dynamic of the game. It would have freed Austin and the backs. In recent semi-finals v saints, when saints have been the favouites; we've won by an aggressive defensive line and aggressive forward running, and it's players like Westwood who are key. It's the no frills players like Westwood, Morley; Morgan Knowles and Matty Lees who make the difference- they were excellent v us.

(Anyhow, I've had a few pints so apologies for rambling on. COYW)

Re: Squad for Giants. : Fri Apr 26, 2019 6:26 pm  

I'm with Gazwire, Benny still does those hard yards which we needed against Saints. If Sita can do them too, then great, but we need them making. One thing in Benny's negative column is the cards he's getting.

[Winslade's Offload]

Re: Squad for Giants. : Fri Apr 26, 2019 7:05 pm  

.........and lets not forget Benny is on a roll. That's one game in a row now that he has not been suspended. Price will be delighted with him.

Re: Squad for Giants. : Fri Apr 26, 2019 7:32 pm  

Winslade's Offload wrote:

.........and lets not forget Benny is on a roll. That's one game in a row now that he has not been suspended. Price will be delighted with him.

It's a shame we don't have more players like Tasi- Impeccable record. No offences, no cards, no nothing, and he's not been suspended. Price is probs over the moon?

Re: Squad for Giants. : Fri Apr 26, 2019 7:36 pm  

As much as I bigged up Westwood last season... it's the complete opposite this season.
He hasn't even been a shadow of his 2018 form.

Re: Squad for Giants. : Fri Apr 26, 2019 7:38 pm  

rubber duckie wrote:

As much as I bigged up Westwood last season... it's the complete opposite this season.
He hasn't even been a shadow of his 2018 form.

Can you shed more light?

Re: Squad for Giants. : Fri Apr 26, 2019 8:04 pm  

Gazwire wrote:

Have to disagree with Westwood. He was poor against Salford but so was everyone else. He was the player, for me, we missed against saints to set the tempo. Aside from the Salford game, he's always driven in hard and made good metres. I agree on Currie though- I think we need to be patient and let him fully recharge as you say.

He deserves more than a flippant comment so I'll expand a little.

He'll be 38 before the season is out and we have a few players in their mid-20's who should be given the chance to prove themselves.

I just don't think he should be in our first 17 plans anymore if everyone is fit. He'll get game time in the meantime with injuries and bans.

Situations can always change over the course of the season but as things stand with his performances so far, I'd rather play others.

Re: Squad for Giants. : Fri Apr 26, 2019 8:53 pm  

Jack Napier wrote:

He deserves more than a flippant comment so I'll expand a little.

He'll be 38 before the season is out and we have a few players in their mid-20's who should be given the chance to prove themselves.

I just don't think he should be in our first 17 plans anymore if everyone is fit. He'll get game time in the meantime with injuries and bans.

Situations can always change over the course of the season but as things stand with his performances so far, I'd rather play others.

(Careful with the flipansy, and please don't expand too much !!!)

I have to disagree Jack Napier, and that's the good thing with this forum- there's many opinions, but respect for all. (Apart from a few plonkers).


Your opening paragraph suggests: Price should concede Benny's place for younger players to prove themselves. In a professional outfit, you have to earn your place. The Wigans and Saints don't just promote their youth players because they're young- they have to earn their places. And that's why their youth players can step up to the next level- they earn their places the hard way. Our youth players need to step up as well and give a reason as to why they should play in the place of Benny Westwood and others.

(On a side note), Benny Westwood is the player we've missed (imo). Imagine how good our forwards could be with Benny setting the stall. Our forwards need a feisty leader like Morley. They need a leader to set an example and a leader to stand steadfast- knowing there's a hard man to cover your back.

When we play saints again, get Westwood in at 13 and Akuola full of fire off the bench- it's a different game. Having Westwood starting makes a big difference. Then some proper Tongan punch from Akuala and bmm. Provided we keep the intensity and desire up- different game to last time.

Re: Squad for Giants. : Fri Apr 26, 2019 9:06 pm  

Gazwire wrote:

I have to disagree Jack Napier, and that's the good thing with this forum- there's many opinions, but respect for all. (Apart from a few plonkers).

Your opening paragraph suggests: Price should concede Benny's place for younger players to prove themselves. In a professional outfit, you have to earn your place. The Wigans and Saints don't just promote their youth players because they're young- they have to earn their places. And that's why their youth players can step up to the next level- they earn their places the hard way. Our youth players need to step up as well and give a reason as to why they should play in the place of Benny Westwood and others.

(On a side note), Benny Westwood is the player we've missed (imo). Imagine how good our forwards could be with Benny setting the stall. Our forwards need a feisty leader like Morley. They need a leader to set an example and a leader to stand steadfast- knowing there's a hard man to cover your back.

When we play saints again, get Westwood in at 13 and Akuola full of fire off the bench- it's a different game. Having Westwood starting makes a big difference. Then some proper Tongan punch from Akuala and bmm. Provided we keep the intensity and desire up- different game to last time.

Yep, reasoned debate is great, much respect for your opinion.

For me in the last few weeks Matt Davis has earned his place. Akauola played too well to get dropped. Westwood isn't playing well enough to suggest he should play, in my opinion.

I couldn't agree more with our forwards needing a fiesty leader, it's why I think Hill shouldn't be captain. Westwood has played that role for many years, I just don't think he can do it anymore.

When we played Salford, Westwood (on many weeks rest) was a part of a pack that got outfought and out-enthused. We needed a leader to grab the team by the scruff of the neck. We didn't have one on the pitch. I absolutely adore Westwood, but time waits for no man.

Re: Squad for Giants. : Fri Apr 26, 2019 9:09 pm  

,
.