I wouldn't give him a two year deal unless it was very cheap (so as to make it worth it for the one year even if he's only good enough for cover the year after), I can't see Marsh or Thornley taking over from him anyway, maybe they'll be there or thereabouts after the second year if they do well. Goulding won't make it, just a squad player.

No, his body is breaking down.

Give him a year with the option of another year dependant on injury's in our favour

That is the obvious call, but it would not stop a club like Celtic offering him 2, and the security it would bring.

If he can get a 2 year deal Wigan in my opinion should not match it.

Why? He's played injured pretty much the whole season and has been probably our best player in every game.

There is your answer in a nut shell.

And what about the second part? Him being one our best players despite that doesn't matter at all?

Not really as his body is showing signs of failing he is 31 now and has been playing with injuries, the year before he played with injury but less so, he is clearly starting to break down, it happens to us all.

Now a 1 year deal gives us options should he get injured as it seems clear he will do at some point, at the age he is not injuries become less and less easy to recover from a 2 year deal leaves us in no position to manoeuvre, we could be stuck with one of our best players on the sideline, in the days of the cap you cannot take that risk, it seems the club agree hence why he is looking at his options chasing a 2 year deal.

is it? or could it be down to the shody fitness and conditioning set up at the club, fans seem to forget that 9/10 years ago some players where playing to the age of 34/35, look at Paul Sterling from Leeds, was 35 and still quicker than a lot of 27 year olds back then, the game back then was IMO a lot rougher and tougher, maybe the new coaching set up and fitness regime will benefit Carmont

I think the switch to Summer rugby has taken a good few miles off a players career expectancy. The ground force impacts when running and being hit are significantly increased and cause significantly more strain on joints and tendons/ligaments than in the days of Winter rugby. There will always be the odd exception but sadly the nature of his injuries seem to indicate that they are wear and tear related.

Our support is already shocking, do you think mcmanus would risk angering whats left of our support by selling graham to wigan?

Maybe he will use Bradford as the go between again

If we had a summer I might agree with you

Could be jumping the gun a little there as most players carry injuries through the year, I understand he is 31 but he will argue he has plenty miles left on the clock having only made his nrl debut aged 25/26.

I think this is the reasoning he will be putting forward to the club, but sadly i think the evidence that we see in front of our eyes says different.

A year at a time and let him prove us wrong or go to a lesser club take the security and play out his days in a team that gets stuffed most weeks, given the size of his family personally even though it would be a shame to see him in that situation it probably would be his best option.

brian noble has been appointed head coach of celtic crusaders. on SSN