With a good quality HB rarer than hens teeth I guess Patton will have at least half a season of starting as first choice rather than sitting on the bench waiting to do his cameo. On the plus side SP can at least designate him as first choice goal kicker as he is an improvement on Ratchford by some margin. And unlike Brown, Patton still has pace which helps when we are close to the line or in need of backing up a break. As to whether he will show the guile and speed of thought to blossom into a genuinely creative HB, I suspect most people will (politely) say that the jury is still out.

It looks as though Mamo was brought in as cover for a number of positions and possibly with a view to Lineham moving on at the end of the year. It would be good to see him getting a run of games to test where his best position really lies though. From what we saw in the Widnes friendly it would be a waste if he played more games at Rochdale than at the HJ, particularly now that we have only a squad of 28.

I don’t like the idea of moving Ratchford from fullback, I think that’s where he poses his biggest threat for us.

Even if Dec does play out the season as first choice, we still need to bring somebody in. Livett had a couple of games there I know but another injury could put us in a really sticky situation.

No we don't want to mess about with Ratch he has improved with each season since holding down one position. Better to get a replacement for KB whether it be Dec or Harvey as cover than change the spine even more.

We made two finals last year with Roberts, with our new signings I expect two trophies this year, nothing less. If we fail to get that I will be calling for Patton's head, along with Price's and rubber duckie's.

Time for Patton to grow a pair of cahoonies and take what may well turn out to be his last chance. As many have said, the over-riding sentiment is hoping he nails it. Come on Dec, grasp that baton.

We won 10 games in a row(as I'm sure duckie has mentioned a few times!)with ratchford at half back. Put him in there, where his bad tackling wont be so much of an issue, and get mamo in at fullback.

As the king of squirrel and peanut butter sandwiches once sang, "it's now or never" for Patton.
He's been handed (in unfortunate circumstances) a chance to shine. This will be his fourth season around the first team. Do it, or go to Widnes/Salford/HKR etc.

The issue now, is, who's the club's infield organiser. This WAS Brown's job. Is it to be Patton, or Austin, who (from what I hear) tends to be an off the cuff player.

Ball"s in his court, now

There is a lot of structured movement coming off Austin.

There may well be, but I'm on about actual organising, shouting out plays etc. This was obviously Brown's job, until a few days ago. We now have an issue.

obviously?

Did you not watch the Challenge Cup games last season, when Brown was mic'd up, barking out orders, plays, player's positions, and there was a camera following him round. Pretty obvious to everyone, that he was the team organiser.

Come on Rd, Roberts was dissapointing and definitely not marquee but he was still our best half last season.

I hope Dec goes well and is given a chance, BUT he absolutely has to take it now. Gutted for Kev Brown, id have liked to see him replaced this season really but wouldn't have been massively dissapointed if he was partnering Austin in our starting lineup. Horrible way for any wire career to end, he had a key part to play this season for sure.

I'm sure you are right. This is a blow to Wire and we'll have to think again. I think we'll be OK but we'll know more when we see Austin on a regular basis and we see who we bring in as a replacement back up.

Explains alot.

I was at them.

Commiserations re Kevin Brown. I feel for the player, a sad way to end a career.

As has been said, a real opportunity now for Dec Patton. I hope he delivers.

Really Dec should be like the proverbial dog with 2 "things" he is in the drivers seat and it is up to him now.

Well, sort of ...

He was used as a sub hooker last year, but has seen a new player join for that role, then he's being asked to revert to a halfback, where we've got a big money signing coming in next season.

Hope it goes well for him,, but I could understand if he's uncertain of his future regardless of his performance in the position.

Totally get your point Shiny but what better position could he currently be in? Last week he was looking at being a sub at best, this week starting halfback with no obvious contenders. He has to seize this opportunity either to stake a long term claim here, or put himself in the shop window for other clubs.

There aren't many good halfbacks around so if Patton wins Man of Steel he won't be short of offers for next year. If Warrington want to get rid of him in favour of a 30 odd year old from the NRL they will have to live by that decision.

Naughty.

He chose to be a professional rugby league player - he has got to be used to fighting for a place.
He has a 2 year contract until 2020 - few get longer.
He has a 4 years 60+ game advantage over Danny Walker.

No, there are no excuses to be made for Patton ahead of 2019. This is a gift of an opportunity for him to prove, without doubt, what he can do a full 4 years following his debut.

Good post '71'

Appreciate the comments from shiny but now an opportunity has pretty much fallen into his lap and he has to either take it or end up elsewhere if he wants regular rugby. I hope, as many do, that he makes a real fist of it. We can worry about next year and how to fit them all in in 12m time.

W71
I'm glad you've come around to patience and a blank paper on Patton.
I hope for us and for Wire that I'm not bowing before you halfway through the season.

This is his biggest opportunity to shine and show he is capable of being a first team half back. I did think we was most effective going forward when he was on the pitch with Austin against widnes. If he builds on that then he will do OK.

I think he is playing for an extension and some assurances going forward once contracts have Been honoured. It would take something pretty huge like an mos or his partnership with Austin being accredited to our sussesses in two of the 3 pots available to give price a headache.