Nathan Craig

[Glostergull]

I Wouldn't worry about taking a player who has seemingly dropped down to that level after being with a Prem junoir side.
We already have a link with Caernarfon Town. Our record signing Eifion Williams started there and then Transfered to Barry for 25k before he then joined us. Although he didn't exactly hit it off I think it was more down to how he was integrated into the team and our style because he was a hero up in Hartlepools. and fans up there think he is a legend.
We have a good record under Our Martin so I am quite happy to trust in his good judgement and if he thinks he is good enough then fair enough.

[CP Gull]

Just some feedback based on his performance yesterday.

First thing is that he is clearly very talented on the ball, his passing was pretty much excellent throughout. You can tell he has been "brought up" by a Premiership Academy because nearly all his passes found their target and were played on the ground to feet. His real quality though appears to be his delivery, particularly from wide areas. He has the ability to wip in crosses with his left foot that are right "on the money". In fact if anything I was a little disappointed that we didn't see more of what he could do from free kicks and corners - I imagine he would be extremely effective. He does seem to have a powerful shot as well - although the one he hit in the second half was well wide of target he did manage to take out one of the seats in the Family Stand (oops) which ended up in bits!

He is very left footed,not a bad thing, and like has some real quality on the ball. As for any concerns, well he seems to be more comfortable playing out wide (as he did 2nd half) than he did in the middle (1st half) and yet he is not the type of winger to run at people with pace and trickery a la Bodin, Carayol etc - far more likely to get it on his sweet left foot and wip a cross in at the first attempt rather than go past people. The only other thing I would say is that certainly based on yesterday's performance I would have liked him to have been involved on the ball a little bit more , but then I guess you have to have the players around you to give him it in the first place, and he doesn't strike me as being that combative in the tackle - although that is perhaps a little unfair based on what was after all just a reserve game. He did last the pace very well though and showed no signs of tiring which is encouraging given that he has been out of the pro game for the last 8 months.

All in all, certainly worth a longer look and certainly a player with some potential.

[tufcbrett]

Just some feedback based on his performance yesterday.

First thing is that he is clearly very talented on the ball, his passing was pretty much excellent throughout. You can tell he has been "brought up" by a Premiership Academy because nearly all his passes found their target and were played on the ground to feet. His real quality though appears to be his delivery, particularly from wide areas. He has the ability to wip in crosses with his left foot that are right "on the money". In fact if anything I was a little disappointed that we didn't see more of what he could do from free kicks and corners - I imagine he would be extremely effective. He does seem to have a powerful shot as well - although the one he hit in the second half was well wide of target he did manage to take out one of the seats in the Family Stand (oops) which ended up in bits!

He is very left footed,not a bad thing, and like has some real quality on the ball. As for any concerns, well he seems to be more comfortable playing out wide (as he did 2nd half) than he did in the middle (1st half) and yet he is not the type of winger to run at people with pace and trickery a la Bodin, Carayol etc - far more likely to get it on his sweet left foot and wip a cross in at the first attempt rather than go past people. The only other thing I would say is that certainly based on yesterday's performance I would have liked him to have been involved on the ball a little bit more , but then I guess you have to have the players around you to give him it in the first place, and he doesn't strike me as being that combative in the tackle - although that is perhaps a little unfair based on what was after all just a reserve game. He did last the pace very well though and showed no signs of tiring which is encouraging given that he has been out of the pro game for the last 8 months.

All in all, certainly worth a longer look and certainly a player with some potential.

Sounds promising then CP. Not all wingers have to beat the man, one man called David Beckham was on the money and never needed to beat his man.
But thats not an issue really, that is something you can work on quite easily during training. If the guy has the ability on the ball with decent passes and crossing, im sure he has good control on the ball too. Things like running at players or holding onto the ball longer is just a confidence thing which is easy to work on. Saying that the lad may not have wanted to try to do to much while on trial so rather did the simple stuff well.

For me on your report, if he can keep doing that in few more games and training then sign him up. We can work on him and he could be very handy for us. Being 20 if hes got the natrual ability then you can be laughing at our level. For example EOK look how far hes come in the last few years.

[ferrarilover]

Brilliant report and lovely to hear, cheers Charlie Papa.

I concur with Brett regards Craig's seeming inability to beat a man, there could be a million and one reasons for it. It wouldn't surprise me if he feels so under pressure to impress that he is desperately trying to show of what sounds to be a pretty special talent, and that is detracting from other areas of his game.

Absolutely no reason not to give him a bash, I have heard the story of the Jarrow Roofing bloke and how highly recommended he was to the club and we made the decision not to take him at all based, largely, on the thoughts of Dinger. If Martin has decided to have a look at this guy, there must be a good chance of him staying and being really good. Clearly, Dinger is not going to offer deals to just anyone, it seems his standards are considerably higher than those of the previous manager.

Matt.

[happytorq]

got a message on twitter (@nathancraig11) saying that so far he loves the place and the people.

so that's encouraging, if little else.

[ferrarilover]

Bloody hell, what sort of grim shithole is he from if he has tweeted (apparently in all seriousness) "Have to say, Torquay is a lovely city"?

Matt.

[stevegull]

Bloody hell, what sort of grim shithole is he from if he has tweeted (apparently in all seriousness) "Have to say, Torquay is a lovely city"?

Matt.

Southampton. :~D

Awaits response from Dave...

[Richinns]

Bloody hell, what sort of grim shithole is he from if he has tweeted (apparently in all seriousness) "Have to say, Torquay is a lovely city"?

Matt.

Matt - have you ever been to Wales?

[popside_yidlad]

Good to hear. Lets hope he can settle down here. From what I saw yesterday would suggest he could certainly be a useful option on wing. He played left side 2nd half yesterday. Would be interested to see him play bodins role in next game

[happytorq]

Bloody hell, what sort of grim shithole is he from if he has tweeted (apparently in all seriousness) "Have to say, Torquay is a lovely city"?

Matt.

I think - in all seriousness, now - that we tend to forget how appealing Torquay can be to people. Sure, we take the piss out of it, because it's our town, but for people who've perhaps grown up in the middle of some crappy city (london, Birmingham), living by the seaside and all that guff can have a real attraction.

[tufcbrett]

I think - in all seriousness, now - that we tend to forget how appealing Torquay can be to people. Sure, we take the piss out of it, because it's our town, but for people who've perhaps grown up in the middle of some crappy city (london, Birmingham), living by the seaside and all that guff can have a real attraction.

I really like Torquay, im not from around the area and i think it is a nice place. One day i do hope to move down there.
Yes the football club is a big part of it, but to me its a nice quiteish place down by the beach with a nice little town and what ever.

[tufc si]

I think torquay is a lovely little place as well!! Only get a chance to come down there a few times a year to see my grandad in paignton but i can deffo see the appeal to moving down to that part of devon!!

[HRG]

I'd move to Torquay if I could. Love the place. We have the same thing here. The big city folk love the countryside and quaint villages, whilst most of the younger 'natives' can't wait to get away.

[Gulliball]

I really like the sound of him, a potential diamond. He'll obviously need time to get used to regular L2 football, but Eunan wasn't a regular in the first year he was here but has grown into one of our best ever players. This sort of signing is massive for a club like us who can't afford to compete with too many other sides for ready made talent. I'd much rather take a risk on a youngster like this, who could develop into a first team player than go for someone who has been released numerous times before. Every squad needs a balance of young/old, battlers/flair etc but there's room in the squad for developing players, even at a club our size.

And for the record, Torquay is a cracking place to live. Not too many better places in the country, especially in L2. I've never heard a fan of another side look at the fixture list for Gillingham, Rotherham or Port Vale so they can plan a weekender there.

[jordanlewis94]

Just to inform you all, whoever has posted saying he has an anger/attitude issue, he does not, have no idea where this has came from. Craig is an extremely talented footballer, in all honesty should be playing at least championship level, maybe that picture was not put over towards the spectators in the Ressies match but that's due to 8 months out of the pro game, but once he is back up to pace, you will see what I mean. He is a dead-ball specialist, corners, free kicks, search him in youtube "Nathan Craig Everton". I know these about him because he is a close friend of mine. He is a player worth signing due to his commitment, he is a family person, will do anything for his family :- Torquay can be his family, and he will do everything they request of him. I hope he signs so I can come down and watch! All the best for the rest of the season Torquay fans, hope Craig will be a January Signing.