Strange isn't it? And hkr have added what is needed while we haven't improved by signing a replacement for a player who played 4 games last season and one of the best English players who's still 20, odd eh?

That's not even including our "array of loose forwards".

Since when was Westerman 'one of the best English players'?

The kid has potential but he is not up there with the best English LF's in SL yet.

Since he keeps being included in the England or the train on squad?

He was selected for the Elite 19 man squad earlier in the year which would suggest the powers that be see him as a player with a big future international wise.

Surprised how many people are trying to belittle this signing.

Im not having a dig at the signing at all, I think he will be a good signing for your club if you can get the best out of him.

I dont read much into the train on squad as it has its fair share of average players in it.

Which ever way some want to see it, he is not up there yet with the best English LF's in the league.

From a personal point of view i wouldnt doubt Westermans quality at all and deffo think he has the potential to become an international. What i would question is why Hull decided to make an impressive declaration of intent regards investment of a huge transfer fee and presumably salary on a position that is arguably your strongest.

To cover 6 or to move fitz?

More probably is to enhance his rugby leave education playing and training next to fitz.

A few reasons I suspect. If we had waited a year until both Fitz retired and Westermans contract finished there is a good chance we would end up in a bidding war with the likes of Leeds and Saints and miss out. We were fortunate to able to pay the transfer fee now to ensure he became ours.

If we then hadnt signed him next year our strongest position of loose forward would become Washy first choice and possibly Whiting second choice - not looking so strong now is it?



The fact that Westerman can spend a year training alongside Fitz could also be a huge benefit longer term as well as his ability to play second row and 6.

In a nutshell I think it is a signing with a longer term outlook by Hull.

Hulls off-season just seems to have got stranger and stranger to me. The majority of fans on here seem to think that Hull are lacking a centre and another half back but Agar instead opts to spend a fortune on a looseforward that is likely to not even play at 13 next season.
This capture then thwarts attempts to strengthen other positions due to Salary Cap restrictions so Hull decide to try to release a big earner (Berrigan) to make funds available to make 2 more captures, presumably a half back and centre.
This is happening 3 months after the season has finished. Considering Agar has had about 3 years to build his own squad he doesnt seem to have used that time wisely to get its balance right.

Nobody really knows the thoughts behind recruitment at the moment do they? I guess once the Berrigan business is sorted one way or the other we may know more. Did Hull try to release him or did Berro want to go back to Oz?

I would say we need an organising half back as cover for Sean Long as top priority but that is just my opinion. I dont think we need another centre or prop but to strengthen both positions would be nice obviously.

I would also guess that a big half back signing is priority for 2012 once all the big contracts expire so signing a player now you are basically telling them they are signing as both cover and only for one year. Kind of limits your options!

I would say that by signing an out and out winger and backrower, Agars thoughts behind recruitment are pretty clear. He wanted a winger and backrower..
If indeed Berrigan has asked for a release, which i doubt, then it makes the situation even stranger because without his request you wouldnt be able to strengthen at half back so you would be stumped.
Why would you be telling a player they are cover? Westermans deal would have paid for a top half back, as will Berrigans wages. A top player would back themselves to displace either of your half backs, especially given their injury records.

I highly doubt either berrigans or westermans wage will be enough for a top half back.

Not that clear cut obviously because didnt LMS and Fielden receive offers from Hull FC?

The reasoning behind the Berrigan situation is still not clear which is what I was insinuating above. I would guess Hull are still scouring the world for a half back but nobody can say for sure can they?

If Hull have only recently told Berro he can leave does that mean they have someone lined up? Seem odd to weaken the squad unless they did.

Hull signed Dowes on the back of knock backs from LMS and Fielden.
So you "would guess" that Hull are releasing Berro whilst still scouring the world for a half back,thus not having somebody lined up.
You therefore think that Hulls strategy is "odd". I think that it is strange. Amounts to the same thing doesnt it?

Have to agree our recruitment has been a bit odd this year. I don't believe that Berrigan has asked for a release, the evidence suggests that it's the other way round, although it is strange that it has been left until now. I'm also glad we've got Westerman in the long-term although agree his was hardly the priority position to strengthen this season.

[iThe really worrying thought for me is that the coach and board are happy to go into the season with an unbalanced squad given that next off-season we have so many players off contract and can almost entirely remodel the squad then. The implication of this would be that poor performance this season can be blamed on squad imbalance/injuries and Agar gets another new contract to manage 'his team' mk2 in the 2012 season and beyond...[/i

Bit of a reach there. For starters, there have been a number of attempts to change the composition of the squad over the closed season. And for all we know these could be continuing. Plus Agar has stated that he wanted/wants HB cover if we can get it.

Thats just me double guessing the situation mate!

Let the recruitment finish before ripping into it because the signings so far IMO have been very good.

Bit of a reach I agree, just a thought I had. On the numerous attempts to change the squad compositon though Sharp is a straight swap for Calders, the moves for LMS and Fielden were straight upgrades on Dowes and Radford. My theory is based on the Westermann signing, when we've already got Fitz it does look like the signing of a coach who knows he'll be here after this season regardless. Also and without wishing to get into the 'there's no halfbacks out there' debate on this thread aswell, I really don't believe that the fee and cap space used on Westerman couldn't have been used to recruit a halfback from somewhere.

I agree...and no matter what fans thoughts are on Agar his recruitment record is very good, and I believe he will keep with this trend.

I can't remember where i heard it but, Berro offered to not take up the option of his 4th year. The club decided that it wasn't in their best interests and wanted him to stay.
Maybe now we have changed our mind due to having somebody lined up? Bit unfair on Berrigan but i don't believe we decided to out him without having a back up plan.

This gets said a lot but is it that great though?

Fitz and O'Meley - great signings but was hardly rocket science to get those two
Tansey - Flashes of brilliance but very inconsistent and has had discipline problems
Long- took a gamble on his fitness and it didn't pay off last year , jury's still out
Lauaki- Rarely shows his power, often a liability...waste of a quota spot so far
Turner- Highly rated prospect but hasn't done much yet

In my opinion the only time Agar has really worked some magic in the transfer market is Moa. And let's not forget this is also the guy that signed Thorman and Reardon.

Can you please explain how signing Fitz and O'Meley "was hardly rocket science"?

I would guess because they are Origin and International veterans.

Well when the forward pack needed improving is it rocket science to realise that the best way to do it is to get two Aussie international/S.O.O forwards in?

I guess it depends whether you believe what the club say about Agar being instrumental in them agreeing to come to FC over anywhere else but I don't think most people swallow that.