Is he getting a bit of unfair stick?

He had an excellent season last year, wembley aside, and isn't really reaching those standards this year but I think part of that is 2nd season syndrome. Teams are really targeting that side of the pitch now and not just because of Crooks. He's still a young kid and needs to learn to cope with the extra attention teams are paying him but part of that should come from the coaching staff as well IMO. Some "expert" was on Humberside last night saying he is rubbish and we should get rid. The kid has huge natural talent, especially in attack, so rather than blaming him for defeats because he misses a tackle or makes an error how about showing some patience and helping him develop into the top class centre he could be. That goes for coach Radders as well.

I think he's getting unfair stick to be honest and has perhaps been made the scapegoat at times. He's not playing as well as last year as you say but it's too soon to write him off. He's at an age were, as you also say, he needs patience and help with his development.

I think its a combination of second season syndrome, low confidence and taking time to get over his recent injuries.

There is no doubt he is quality going forward (how many tries did he score last season?) but he has always been suspect in defence and I'm surprised the coaching staff did not (apparently) address this in the off season.

To compare him to Craig Hall as some have done is laughable. He is much, much better.

He looks short of confidence whenever he is not inside of Lineham (ooo err Mrs!)

I think they get on really well and that helps his game. He does need to sort out his decision making at crucial times and his tackling technique - but that will come

Definitely unfair, especially as we have decided to go with local talent we need to nurture and stick with them. Crooks is a great talent and has a gift for running great lines and scoring tries. I didn't hear Radford's interview on Humberside but from twitter comments it sounded like he was critical of Miller too which is no way to boost any players conference and other than his drop goal attempt thought he had a good game.

The thing is with Crooks and why he's getting all the attention is because he plays down the right side and it's the right side that is targetted always.

Crooks has talent when attacking yes, but he is still suspect in defense and constantly runs out the line leaving his winger in no mans land. Only he himself can learn to tackle properly.

I think teams have worked him out - last season he played most of his games against teams who had never seen him before - he was injured for a fair junk of the 2nd half of the season.

I know coaches watch videos, but nothing can beat being at a match and watching what you see rather than what the camera sees.

Think his confidence took a major hit at wembley and he's never fully recovered IMO. Also think he would be better playing left centre.

Getting over the top stick. Doesn't help our fans are as thick as **** though. Knob on radio says his confidence is shot and we should get rid (think about that comment)
He isn't being all that bad, just making some basic errors with some very ordinary defending!
Attack wise he's a great player to watch, very natural player. Think him along with a few needs some continuity in their combinations defensively. Halves seconds and wingers different each week nearly!
His form will soon turn, just needs to learn a bit faster as similar errors repeating!
He's not remotely hall esq imo as I've seen him described

I wouldn't say it was unfair criticism as he has been guilty of taking wrong options & making mistakes. However the level of criticism is unfair & over the top. He is a young player in inly his second full season after a wow in his first and is low on confidence as has been mentioned he is definitely a different player when Lineham is alongside him. I think Radford should take some of the blame for selecting Arundel to partner Crooks instead of putting Whiting alongside him to stiffen up the defence.

It's not really doing any good Radford playing him if he's that low on confidence he needs taking out of the limelight for a bit and I also don't think slagging your players off publicly like Radford is doing is going to help either

Len Casey syndrome.Slagged players off in public to cover up his shortcomings

If and knows its a big if Carvell is back for thursday would it be worth using Thompson at centre in place of Crooks after all he was signed as a second row/utility back

That's a good idea. Ablett at Leeds is a good example of this. Plenty of go forward and strong in defence.

I think the lad just needs a pat on the back and his confidence boosting not been slated by his coach same with miller and Rankin when both of them scored they was over the moon and really hyped up and then Radders goes and point the fingure at them for one or two back kicks I'd go with Horne and Thomson as on Thursday try something different