Exactly. I fully expect Patton to run rings around the journeyman Sammut when we next play Wigan.

Quote: lefty goldblatt "Seriously, duckie. Do yourself a favour.....this inflation of his abilities from you, is going to extremes.'" https://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/sp ... on-wolves/

Quote: lefty goldblatt "Seriously, duckie. Do yourself a favour.....this inflation of his abilities from you, is going to extremes.'" https://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/sp ... on-wolves/

Looks like Price is keen to allow Patton to shine. https://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/sp ... am/?ref=eb

Looks like Price is keen to allow Patton to shine. https://www.warringtonguardian.co.uk/sp ... am/?ref=eb

[isigh[/i another season, another Patton thread.

We ALL want Patton to succeed. Seeing a local lad perform well is wonderful, Roy of the Rovers, there but for the grace of god and a love of Newcastle Brown go I stuff.

But at some point we have to judge on talent, not postcode, and apart from very fleetingly Dec has failed to shine or even improve.

People like to point at GOB as an example of one we let go, but he was a better half back and still didn't make it in SL as a 6 or 7.

Looks like Dec gets another chance. I hope he seizes it and really kicks on, not every few weeks, but every game.

I hope Patton doesn't regret missing the opportunity to sign for Wigan. In 2020, he could have been learning from one of the greats in Shaun Edwards, having a high chance of winning an SL title, instead of being a back up at Warrington playing a bit here and there as interchange hooker.

I know for sure that he regretted not signing that big offer from Huddersfield after Wire signed Widdop.

Genuine question - do you know him RD?

I think Patton will be ok this season. I am not his biggest fan, but I think he (and GOB) both suffer from comparison with Briers at a time when we desperately needed a replacement to open up defences. But Briers was very much an off the cuff player who had the ball handling skills and the speed of thought to exploit any weaknesses. I don't believe Patton has that ability but he has lucked out from KB's injury. Not only has he been handed a starting place on a platter, but he is around at a time when Price is just getting into his stride. So now we can see a much more structured attack from the players with lots movement off the ball to confuse the opposition, and the attack is very direct with fast ball handling and set moves. So 'all' that Patton has to do is to fit in with those plays. His partner Austin is more than capable of creating gaps and space for other players as and when he sees the opportunity, which should make the two of them a good combination.

Having said all that I thought Pattons' field kicking was poor for a good 2/3 of yesterdays game. Its pretty essential he sorts that out as you can't give fullbacks like Walker the time and space to run the ball back. So plenty to work on, but I think I am reasonably optimistic after yesterdays showing.

There certainly seemed to a lot more structure and pace to our attacking efforts. Patton will hopefully benefit from this especially with Austin taking the leading role. He seemed on occasion to be almost trying too hard. With the confidence of knowing he has the shirt he will hopefully perhaps relax a bit and grow more into the role. No doubt Austin will be at the forefront of every opposing team thoughts when devising game plans to frustrate Warrington so it is important that DP makes the most of this opportunity and offers alternatives.

And did a blinding job in both finals...

I liked Patton at Hooker, but don't feel he is up to the standard of a super league halfback. It's the only area I have concerns about this season.

My concern is only who we have to replace him if he gets injured.

Yes I know about Mamo and Ratchford

Patton might get a phone call from the 01942 area before too long, as I hear that there's a half back vacancy coming up in 2020.