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.

Still covering hooker to is Patton.
Only takes an injury to Clark or Walker.

Think by the quietness of this thread, Dec is sitting well with us?

No-one bite, please.

It's not a fully loaded question.
Posters are quick to slate the lad but not nearly half as quick to forward support.

He's not done much wrong, and on the other hand not done anything out of the ordinary. At the moment I wouldn't have the team any other way unless there was a chance of bringing Widdop over early. Doing the job without shining, which is good enough for me under the circumstances of losing Brown.

Why don't we have the same question for Goodwin, Hughes, Philbin????

The quietness of the thread is probably because the debate around the halves is moot now we have Widdop and Austin lined up for next season in the halves, so there isn't going to be a big halfback signing this season and Patton will get the gig for the rest of the year. So most fans even if they don't really rate Patton as the long term answer will say fair enough good luck to him this season, if he isn't a world beater then next season he will either be the understudy again or will move on elsewhere. There isn't much to debate at this point.

Now if Patton suddenly starts turning it on, and people think should Patton start ahead of Widdop in the halves next season, that will start a new debate - do we look to accommodate Widdop at fullback where he played in his early days at Melbourne, and move Ratchford etc. But we are a way off that point.

Take off the blinkers people Patton''s kick put a peach ball to Atkins for a try.
And that long ball would have Lineham clear if Tom hadn't have fumbled.

bang average, doing an ok job.. and like sally said, not in the halves next season so no one is really bothered.

Spot on,he has never been the player I watched in the academy, Super league a step to far,as others have said will be back to back up next season or moves on.

I keep forgetting were exempt from the cap and can have world class internationals from 1-17.

From the games I've seen he's done well, been involved in trys, linked up very well with Austin who himself has played very well. For some he will never he Good enough and if we are successful that would all be Austin. He won't be on mega money and if he is covering widdop n Austin next year then that is a win for the club

Not this again, opinions have already been given countless times.

And thats why it's exactly 'this again"....because we've seen 'countless''options'...and near zero, 'well perhaps I was wrong about Patton' 'Patton is playing well'....

Like I said....all the knockers curled up in their hermit shell praying for him to screw up so they can jump out and say 'I told you so'...''the duck is wrong again'....
All being so proud to yourselves....

His defense was poor on Friday missing nine tackles with some of them leading to breaks - that needs to be better.

His attempted wide ball to Lineham was poor both in execution and game management - should leave that type of play to Austin or Ratchford.

When he stuck to the "simple" stuff he was perfectly adequate and his kick for Atkins' try was excellent.

Overall I think Friday fell on the negative side of the balance whilst the first two games had been positives.

Don’t think anyone is praying for him to screw up,people have made their opinions and this is just you stirring the pot,sometimes I wonder are these threads just about you and what you think,you love the attention you get wether it be negative or positive it does not matter to you. Anyway Patton is not super league quality I wish he was, he has had plenty of time to prove otherwise.