He's played two Super League matches. Our hooker is only young. Our partner half backs are relatively young (and the older one is more of a runner/support player), so I'd be very worried if we were relying on Patton. Don't come out with "if he's good enough, he's old enough", cos that's only true if you have some older, wiser heads around them. Our older, wiser heads are mostly those who don't always act it - Bridge, Atkins, Westwood.

This reminds me a lot of the talk at Saints when Lomax and Gaskell broke through. Both looked superb prospects at the time and now neither are Super League halfbacks.

Well if we've forgone two seasons in order to wait for Tim/Matty smith or Hampshire I'll be fuming. It better be Cronk, Widdop or ruddy Thurston. The former being the most likely.

Tim Smith was a disgrace against us the other week.

Appalling.

This seems just up Tony's street; he is really old and can play in lots of positions www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/ ... 7312488627

This seems just up Tony's street; he is really old and can play in lots of positions www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/ ... 7312488627

Unfortunately I think Saints will sign him. He came over a few times and trained with Saints when his brother was with us and got to know Mike Rush. I think he'll be our replacement for Lance Hohaia at the end of this year.

Everyone has forgot about Gary Wheeler on this halfback thread.

We are told his best position is in the halves, although we have yet to see that.

Fitness is a major issue also but I don't think we should write him off.

In the Wakefield game Patton appeared to be very vocal, marshalling the troops around demonstrating surprising confidence for a 19 year old on debut. I'd suggest in time we'll be calling him General Patton.

Yes Sir!

Patton was yelling and signalling and directing during the Wigan game too. And some of the spiralling kicks he put up, resulting in knock ons by Wigan, were Briersesque.

Im sure Sir Lee has been giving Patton guidance and learning him about the game. His kicking gave us that edge that could have nicked it from Wigan, just the defending was dire. Hope he gives him another shot and we defend better on that left edge!

I'd keep Patton in and replace someone else on that left edge.

Agreed. Move J Monas to left centre and drop King. Penny & Ormsby on either wing.

Joel is also a potential turnstile in defence.