They all have to look up to this guy. His pace, strength and positional play were second to none. He is the template for them all. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtxnGFTsiUc

They all have to look up to this guy. His pace, strength and positional play were second to none. He is the template for them all. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtxnGFTsiUc

I really like Crooks, he is beyond his years as a player. Keep his head down and he will be a cracker.

The simplest way to identify a centre is the way they carry the ball. If it goes into the crook of the arm/elbow, you know you are looking purely at a runner.

The beauty of centre play is to always have the ball in front of the body, able to give a pass out, easily, and, attract the outside defender to the ball, to give your winger that little bit of space.

I would say Lyon and Watkins are the best exponents of this.

I was impressed by Cudjoe at Huddersfield a few years ago , especially his array of tricks and flicks , but he hasn't been so impressive the last few times I've seen him.

I understand your point, yet Matthew Gidley, who in my opinion re-wrote the book of how to play centre, carried the ball predominantly one handed. He had a strong left hand fend and a great one handed pass. Something that many have tried to replicate since.

But again, I agree, the creation of space comes from the creation on doubt. Hence why Lyon is pulling up tree's at the moment, never know whether he will run, pass or kick and he does all with distinction.

Watkins has great hands and footwork and is more than capable of creating lots of space for his wingman, as well as finishing himself. Its a just a shame he plays for a team that doesnt give him the ball anywhere near enough.

Agree about crooks too, based on what ive seen of him.

From your club, Bridge, although perhaps patchy of late due to injury(?), is a very nice centre.
He has the ability to glide on an arc out side his marker and before they realise, he's halfway through the gap. He compliments this with a nice step back inside.

I may be guilty of judging him on form from a couple of years ago, but he's very pleasant to watch.

Sadly his form is much like Warringtons at the moment.... But he does have the ability. I remember when he got picked for England, and I was shocked to be honest, but he turned in a great performance at Huddersfield against the Kiwi's

I was at that game and he did play well. That season's form may well be what stick in my mind.

Not at all, he's an exceptional all-round centre. Real natural footballer.

Gary Prohm was the best centre I've seen at HKR back in in the mid-80s. Real beast of a player.