I'm not a massive fan of Patton and think he's over rated from what i've seen, but an extended run in th halves could be the making of him and i hope it is for him


Ratchford should stay at fullback for me as i think it's by far his best position.
Mamo is a funny one for me, i think he's too good to not be in the Squad week in week out.....but who would we drop to accomodate him???? It's a good headache to have though

For sure...if Patton does blow it...it'll be Ratchford going into the half's not Livett.
I'm a fan of HL but he isn't in the same class as Ratchford in the halves....likewise Ratchford isn't as lean as Livett to play any of the back 3 like as well as Livett can.

I recall Patton stating at the start of last season that he wanted to play half back. He would now appear to have the opportunity. Hopefully, he will make a success of it.

The clock is ticking for Dec to establish himself as a first choice half. His problem is this time next year he will be right back where he started as Austin and Widdop will the starting halves, regardless of how he performs this year. Your not going to have a Marquee player sat in the stands. He may well evaluate his career at the end of the season and see his future away from the HJ.

the ball is in Patton's court..give the coach a headache next year OR, at the very least, secure yourself a position in another Super League club. Otherwise its the Championship or worst. Dec its over to you. (If he gets picked!) Personally I would put Ratchford in the halves and Mamo at FB.

Understand the comments for Ratch at HB and possibly Mamo at FB but my reservation is that we might then get two vary similar players in the halves. If Patton steps up to the oche we will thankfully not need to take this discussion much further.

There are plenty SL clubs after Patton. He turned down a big offer from Huddersfield to stay at Wire. Wigan were also interested.

There's no shortage of top clubs for him.

Exactly - both outcomes require the same from Patton - having an outstanding season in 2019.

Do you take 20% of his wages?

You believe THAT, FFS.
In other news, the moon is made of cream cheese, and Keith Richards is on the wagon.

Seriously, duckie. Do yourself a favour.

So the current SL champions are after someone, whose input for the last 12 months, is a 10 minute cameo at the end of a game, win lose or draw, and to cop for a 5 match ban for a high tackle.

I'm one of the few who back you up on here, then you come out with this. Gee wizz.

I WANT Patton to succeed, bit this inflation of his abilities from you, is going to extremes.

Don’t suppose many foresaw the current SL champions signing Sammut.

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/

Those pesky elves again

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