Hugh McGahan: Webb will not be greatly missed

I know there will be a number of Warriors fans who will be critical of management regarding Brent Webb's imminent departure from the club.

I personally do not think anyone has been wronged through this whole issue, other than the club and their non-committal approach to offering Webb an extension to his current contract.

Their reluctance to do so provided a clue the club were looking for change. Not so much a change of player, rather an adjustment in their approach to paying fees for players beyond their value.

My understanding is that no longer will the club pay over the odds for players to take them beyond the officially permitted ceiling of the salary cap.

Unfortunately for Webb, his timing could not have been worse, as he is the first high-profile player to test the new administration in contract renewal negotiations.

This stance has been forced on the Warriors due to the previous attitude towards recruitment and it is now a matter of the club having no choice but to go down this path.

If the club recruits Parramatta target Wade McKinnon, Webb will not be greatly missed.

Yes, Webb is a great attacker and has the added bonus of being a tactical and goal kicker. He is also an option for first ball receiver but defence is definitely his weakness.

Many a time he has been turned inside out or beaten as the last line of defence and one thing I have noticed during his tenure at the Warriors is his inability to read what an attacker is going to do.

A lasting memory will be of Melbourne's Billy Slater turning Webb around twice and sitting him on his backside while running 70 metres to score between the posts.

I think McKinnon will bring a game more than good enough to make up for the loss of Webb. There is a solidity in the Eels fullback that will give comfort to those playing in front of him.

For those who are looking to rain down on the club officials - don't. This is a good move for the future. Consolidation of youthful playing talent and recruitment of this nature will bring results down the track.

If there are other potential purchases similar to McKinnon, then all is not doom and gloom.

Club directors need to support this mode of recruitment, as this is not a short-term-fix policy. This is aimed at medium to long-term success because the high profile players have not returned the short-term results sought.

However, with whispers filtering through that the owners may be seeking to offload the club, the football staff may question the commitment to their strategy if these rumours have any foundation.

Only time will answer that question, despite the anticipated response to the rumour from the hierarchy. How much of it can we believe?