This is so true. Often Declan Patton gets compared with George Williams. With the latter assumed to have been given patience and time to find his way in the game with Wigan and to develop into a England international, whereas Warrington didn't give Patton the same chance. What observers fail to comment on is the sheer difference in ability. Williams won Super League Young Player of the Year award in 2015 and capped, and was lifting a GF the year later an a WCC a few months after that.

Patton has a fantastic kicking game both long and short, I’ve seen enough to know that. His defence is fine too. He just doesn’t seem to offer a running threat or be able to control a game at this stage. Whether he will ever be able to do that who knows.

In his defence - which of our half-backs HAVE offered that on a consistent basis since Sandow?

Whilst I have seen the attributes you have described, it's absolutely pointless if he doesn't get his hands on the ball. Patton is never involved enough to have an influence on the game which means as a half he is usually being carried. I want to see him lead the team around but he just doesn't. He doesn't even need to be the most talented half in the league so long as he always wants the ball (like Myler) ad he would end up being a very good support player.

Is there 1 game in the 47 he has played where you can honestly say he has taken the game by the scruff of the neck and influenced the result?

....yes.

I think he played well in the victory against Saints last year. The previous year he bossed a game away at Cats alongside Ratchford.

Then he was a deserving man of the match when we won the hubcap in 2016 at Hull. Not mercurial, but steady and ‘Matty Smith-like’.

Of course that doesn’t mean he’s the answer but he deserves credit when it’s been due.

3-5 game ban on the cards www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/spo ... nts_clash/

3-5 game ban on the cards www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/spo ... nts_clash/

as an fc supporter, i thought he won you the game v us for the league leaders shield in 2016 when sandow was out injured, he was outstanding that game, kicking us to death

Wow losing Akauola is not going to help.

I disagree, totally predictable with ball in hand, took too long when making decisions.

Widnes away last year. I agree with him being nowhere near good enough, zero threat attacking the line and attacking kicks are awful more often than not.

Radford is good for a soundbite, as we saw on friday thats why they love him

To be fair, a player was knocked out cold and play has stopped whilst he received treatment. The Sky producers have to show something.

I don't think there is instituitional bias within Sky producers against Warrington. I mean - why would there be?

Will be replaced on the bench by Wan or possibly Fu