My money would be on Benji Marshall. Just appears we have decent links with Brisbane in each direction and I think they are struggling to keep him in their salary cap for next year.

i just hope whoever we get will be here for 3 seasons, and has 3 seasons in them too !!

Next year is a big one for Patton he has had a good amount of time on the pitch this year and must look to make the half nack spot his own. Smith has time to fill out a little more and gain more first team experience he too has had a lot of minutes on the pitch which will help him and in all fairness he has played well when called on. I like his crisp sharp passing that is accurate too something super league in general is missing imo

What we want is a quick thinking back that'll attack the line like Williams at the pies. We've enough backs that prefer to look for a pass or kick.

It's vital for any chance of success next year we must get a proven half back, and throw in brown as part payment, if they are short of a steward . For me Patton as been average this year. The last few games last year fans from other clubs were saying how good he was and he was our future, but he hasn't kicked in this year

Sure we need a competent reliable half back, but first we need to bring in a Morley/ Peacock variety prop/ pack leader to assert and motivate the forwards.
That's the direction the cheque book needs pointing, otherwise deja vue

He is average. Not sure why everyone expects him to be a world beater.

Exactly Wires71

If he hadn't come through our system he wouldn't even be here. There is so much work needed on the squad but I have zero confidence in the club to come up with the goods

2 new big wingers who can do more than just scoot
2 new h/bs who pose a threat at the line
New prop to replace Sims

.... we'll probably sign a full back and 7 utility players instead

2 props, 1 attacking 7 and a replacementfor Agar.

Not sure what people want from Patton. ...he's strong, he's good defensively as half backs go,.he's got a great boot on him, can kick high and long. Got good hands and is very young and he's from Warrington.

I think he has struggled to dominate his team mates and tell them exactly where to go and what to do, plus they have all been poor which hasn't helped.

Are we seriouslying considering doing to Patton what we did to O Brien...?

And what's the sense in buying a 33 year old benji Marshall who hasn't been at the top of his game for five years. At least ... I mean in the world of million dollar a year nrl contracts Marshall is on a $100 k a year. ...

George Williams the Messiah we never got. ....how many silver salvers has he been picking up this year. ...he's been bang average ...he's a marquee player. ....
They finished one place above us.....

Think of Paul deacon and his trophy collection. Sure he wasn't Mr Hollywood like Sean long..... but I believe Patton is a similar player to Deacon Stick him behind a dominant pack and he'll do the business.

He's ten times the player Kevin brown is....

Our wingers have been a hiding to nothing for the last couple of seasons. Until Hiku turned up I don't think i saw a centre put a winger into a gap or drew a defender before passing since i don't know when. Two big wingers would be great, however we do need another good centre who can mirror Hiku. Defenders on his side have more to think about now other than a certain Leigh bound player hoping off one foot and coming back inside. Maybe Hiku will rub of on Toby King and see if he can be that man.

Personally I would like to see us retain Ben Pomeroy for a season to play outside of Hiku as they seemed to strike up a good understanding in the short time they spent together. If we need to spend money lets get the best Half we can, who can run a game all by themselves. We don't need a new prop as Dom Crosby will be like a new signing next season.

Agree with your views on Hiku absolute quality. ...
But the Pomeroy situation will show me if we have had a mentality change or are going to continue with "daft" signings. ...

He linked up well with hiku that's true but let's be honest he has little to no pace and will be guaranteed to miss more than he plays. ...It would be a daft sentimental re-signing....

If we cut him lose it will show we are being serious about next year. ...

I think we'll give him a one year year deal.

No we need a prop.
We aren't sure about Crosby and his ability to move on, even if he can he isn't a replacement for Sims.
So yes we need need a prop....and one with some biff.

There seem to be 3 schools of thought on Patton "he's a local lad why isn't TS playing him" or "TS only plays him because he is a local lad". The final one is "he is a young player who is developing, he has had his ups and downs this season but that is probably a reflection on the team as a whole".
I take the latter view and think it is far too early to talk about binning him off (wherever he comes from).

I'd play with Patton and Smith off the bench in alternate rotation throughout the season. One or the other getting starting position if injury warrants it.

I've no issues with either...they are still developing but not ready to get the wrath for a poor 2018. They should not be subject to scapegoating when we all know the issue at this club in 2017 was a light front row and poor back row, 3/4's that couldn't pass a fart...and Agar!
....and all we heard was critic of the wingers...who couldn't get a pass and the half backs playing behind and beaten pack.

Agree with this school of thought. Much to young to be thinking of getting rid. He was part of the put together half back pairing that ultimately got us to Old Trafford.