On the other hand ,he didn't single handedly let in 70 plus points against Saints & Salford.

Of course not. The whole side were poor then, but that doesn't mean he isn't one of the weakest halfbacks in SL. He must be pinching himself to make sure he is not dreaming he has a starting role with a side aiming to be the best in the league. He's very luck we havent managed to find a replacement to deregister Brown.

For those who are happy with Patton as our first choice halfback I would like you to list one area of the halfback role in which he excels.

Leading the victory song.

If Patton wasn't a Warrington lad, He'd of been hounded out the club... by far our weakest link

It's like the situation with Riley who benefited from being a Warrington lad. After his contract expired I don't think he could hold down a pro RL contract at any level. When Patton leaves us it will be the way of Widnes or below.

Yes,for whatever reason, our locally grown talent seems to have a glass ceiling.

Which bit of “3rd choice halfback” is difficult to understand? We have Austin now and Widdop to join next season. What player is going to sign for half a season knowing they will be back up next year no matter how they play. It’s like real life doesn’t play any part in some supporters lives.

Wow now we are saying that players get preferential treatment because they are local lads....its like when Republicans complained that America only voted for Obama because he was black.

Usually we hear people say on here that the club doesn't give local lads a chance!

Is this bias just something that has come in under Steve Price, or was Tony Smith also unfairly promoting young home grown talent at the expense of the old guard?

As for Riley he scored 100 odd tries.

Yeah yeah I know, he was playing outside Atkins, anyone could have scored 100 tries off all the chances Atkins creates for his winger.

So you rated Riley? How would you explain his exodus when he left us. Surely a centenary try scorer would have offers from a number of SL clubs?

OK I'll bite although why you seem incapable of making your points without insults is beyond me.

It is perfectly possible for us to try and secure a loan signing of a half back from the NRL or SL. Let me educate you on one "real life" recent example - Matty Smith spent short term loan spells at Salford, Celtic Crusaders and Widnes Vikings.

Ergo it is perfectly possible to secure a loan signing of a half-back, an international, dream team member and Lance Todd winner as it has been done before, rendering your argument without merit.

Really - what's holding Patton back this season? Did Matty Blythe and Penny hit the glass ceiling?

Quote: sally cinnamon " As for Riley he scored 100 odd tries. Yeah yeah I know, he was playing outside Atkins, anyone could have scored 100 tries off all the chances Atkins creates for his winger.'" Yeah I think Matt King and Chris Bridge may have helped a bit too. By his own admission "They're two special centres. I think I've walked in for half of my tries." https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/17828974

Quote: sally cinnamon " As for Riley he scored 100 odd tries. Yeah yeah I know, he was playing outside Atkins, anyone could have scored 100 tries off all the chances Atkins creates for his winger.'" Yeah I think Matt King and Chris Bridge may have helped a bit too. By his own admission "They're two special centres. I think I've walked in for half of my tries." https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/17828974

There have been insults, but not by me. So your example is Matty Smith who couldn’t get in a team where the 1st choice half backs were a converted full back and a rookie who has since been dropped like a hot potato?
Who in your view is actually available NOW that could be guaranteed to improve us (remember a certain world class signing that set our team alight...a certain Mr Roberts.
So no your point doesn’t render my argument without merit.

A coach is always under pressure to deliver. Unlike some jobs in industry and the public sector it's very simple to gauge his/her success or failure during the course of the year. So would SP deliberately place a glass ceiling between a really talented local youngster and the first team ? Conversely, would he stick with one that was simply not good enough if he could easily replace him ?

Sometimes a coach will get his judgement badly wrong. Sometimes his hands will be tied (eg financially) and he can not take the decision he would prefer. But the 'direction of travel' will always be the same in that he will attempt to assemble the best possible squad that he can get his hands on.