Fages absence in the semi was generally accepted to be a reflection of his defensive abilities in what expected to be a tough forward orientated battle. Amongst Saints fans, it was also considered a huge blunder and a key factor in their defeat. I certainly breathed a sigh of relief.

But to answer your question, yes I would.

SC hints at something there that is being totally ignored by the Patton lovers....and that is natural ability. Im sure Robbie Savage's mum would concede that if Robbie had been given the worlds best football coaching, made captain of Real Madrid and an extended run in that team that he still wouldnt have got close to the career Ronaldo has/had. Forget all the nonsense about Briers' route to club legend....even in the early days his talent was there for all to see, Patton is nowhere near that level and never will be.

If you're happy with Patton at 7 then don't moan when we're potless again at the end of next season. Im hoping Price is ruthless enough to get us over the line. Forget this England Knights cobblers as well...I'm half expecting a late call up and i spent 20 of my 40+ plus years on full fat Marlboros.

Bateman and Sutton leaving Wigan is more like Cooper leaving us for St George-Illawarra, they are the ones making the decision to leave rather than the club cutting them.

I agree with you on Fages, I would take him, although I'd prefer Drinkwater.

Now he was definitely pants!

Dezzie gets it.

Exactly. The comparison with Briers early days as a rough diamond is more relevant to Penny than Patton. Penny had his struggles but you could see from his first couple of games that he brought something different to most players, as Briers did when he started at Saints. With Patton I can't see what special x-factor he brings that other young players don't have.

It's like Sir Alex Ferguson used to say, can this boy win me a game? if he can, we can ignore some of their negatives. They can be ironed out over time.

Briers was the great example of that, ironing out the negatives and you were left with a great player. The sad thing for Penny was that injuries took the edge off his pace after those first couple of years. He ironed out some of the negatives but he was no longer express pace.

For me, Patton fails the SAF question. Can this boy win me a game? I haven't seen it. Can he be a good squad player, an effective understudy halfback and cover hooker from the bench? yes he can do that.

But I've seen the talent in Patton too...as I did with Briers.

Some good debate on this thread and no falling out and name calling. Good stuff.

Do one you nutter.

Interestingly on Redvee there is a suggestion that the should let Fages go and consider Patton!

I think as Patton Roberts brown are so similar in what they do we've not had balance there one to move us around organise and the other fire cracker, its been hard to judge them we want them to do somthing that's not a big part of their game.

I just cannot see us moving brown now, as we will be in a similar position in rushing out to find a replacement. I think the current is and outs have strengthened us and we can be more positive next season with brown or Patton alongside Austin.

SP interview with the guardian he says the attack needs to evolve rather than change. Get the impression no more changes to the half backs we already have.

I can see why we all want patten so be too draw. I mean them challenge cup wins were great but maybe they would of meant more with paul cullen in charge , gary hulse or kev penny going the length of the pitch. Or maybe nat wood obviously not a warringtonian but still.
We say there is no room for sentiment but that is what sport is. I wouldnt swap one minute of watching lee brier’s career for trophies

If that's the case then it's not surprising, but still disappointing. I was hoping, rather than expecting, that we wouldn't see a third season of Kev Brown at half back and someone would be brought in to partner Austin. I'd be inclined to give Ratchford a go in the halves, but that would then lead to the problem who plays at full back. However, sounds like it's going to be Kev Brown and Austin as SP's first choices.

I see where you're coming from with sentiment angle, but it was never to be for Paul Cullen (what's he up to now by the way?). Yes, it would have been great for him and a proud day for the Wire, had he led us out at at Wembley, and exercised some of the demons of 1990 and his eight match ban. Alas, it didn't happen, but that didn't take anything away from the elation felt in 2009 after a 35 year wait.
I would require copious amounts of industrial strength cheese before going to bed, to even dream of Gary Hulse going the length of field at Wembley!