A far better left centre than the present incumbent at Craven Park. somehow, I doubt he will get to play there at Rovers, but I do agree, he would benefit from a lengthy run there.

needs signing up long term for me

Sign him up long time for me i love the kid..

Craig's defensive problems have always tended to stem from bad positional sense rather than being a weak tackler. Whether this is down to bad advice, directionless coaching or it's something that is merely genetic I'm unsure. It would be more than a tad strange if it was the latter reason as it was one of his old man's strongpoints. As you say, his one on tackling isn't poor (certainly no worse than the majority of threequarters currently playing in SL) and still appears to be communication/indecision on his part of when to go and when to stay (again, not exactly an uncommon trait in modern day backs, hello Jordan Turner ).

He's never going to be Ellery Hanley when it comes to defensive duties, but as you point out there is no reason why he can't at least be proficent to the point of not being a liability in this department with a little sound advice. Although after watching last night's game he would be a veritable tackling machine if he found himself in either Bradford's or Castleford's sides.

Certainly, there is still a part of me that would like to see him succeed (even though he is no longer our player) because, as I pointed out in my original post, used correctly in a centre position, he still has all the qualities required to be a potent strike centre. I hate to see genuine talent go to waste and as a natural attacking rugby player, Craig is arguably the most gifted player this City has produced in the last 25 years.

I believe his biggest problem is he simply does not read the game very well, he has a tendency to make the same mistakes year in year out, some of his decisions are really amateur. I also noticed at Manchester he actually backed away from Manu when he was running at him once or twice so I doubt his defense will every improve to the degree it would need to. In open play he certainly knows how to find the white wash though.

I always thought he should be one of the first names on the teamsheet, only playing at 14. Bring him on when the game is slipping away a bit and you need a try or can cover anywhere in backline with injuries.

Teams will be less likely to plan moves all week against him when he isn't playing full 80 too.

I will never forget his try against Wakefield when he went the distance beating everyone from nothing.