Twas all over jealousee

All this arguing about Patton, I wonder if actually people on here are generally in agreement. Those who are supporting him - do you want him to be first choice next year or do you want us to bring in a new halfback and keep Patton around as a squad player? And those who are saying he hasn't got it...if we got a new halfback would you be willing to keep him as back up, or do you think we have a better back up in the squad?

We had similar debate a few years ago about GO'B. With GO'B I was more in the first camp - I liked him but saw him as more of a back up. With Patton now I'm in the second camp - I'm not convinced but I'd keep him around.

Sometimes when a young player comes in, you can see he's just not able to handle the step up to SL, but Patton came in to what was then a side competing at the top end with the associated pressure and he didn't look out of his depth. He played in the Grand Final and did OK. Just seemed able to handle himself, like SL was comfortable. That's the encouraging side to Patton.

The downside is he goes anonymous in games, not good for a halfback. It's one thing having a younger player with raw potential but makes mistakes but when a player doesn't seem to get in to a game it's a problem. Last year Patton's reputation on this board improved when he was out of the side and we were losing games and regressed when he was in it.

One thing is a cast iron certainty though - if we don't sign a new halfback and go in to the season with Patton as first choice, if we lose a couple of our opening games the main complaint from the fans will be why did we not bring in a halfback...

Last season I wanted to see patton given a start more often than not and ha e the season to show what he could do similar to William's was given at wigan. Tho I also think that the teams performces made it hard for him to get into some games..
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The manor in which he was brought in and out of the team would not have done his confidence any favours

I would be in favour of him staying znd learning along side a good quality half and brown until Brown goes.

Happy to keep Patton as back up but do not want us to go in to the season with Brown at 6 and Patton at 7. Would be very disappointed indeed.

No matter which young players have come through our system they have always played 2nd fiddle to whoever was signed from other clubs. None of our youngsters have been encouraged under Smith. Even his gamble with trying to sign England & Cox was nipped in the bud pdq when they didn't show the same promise as Hill,Walmsley & Amor.
Under a new coaching set up our youngsters could flourish.

Unhappy at Warrington apprently, along with others.

Rather have Patton as a halfback than Brown. Not to say Patton is the future, but Smiths reign is in the past and deserves a chance. If still doesn't do what's expected, can't say didn't get chance.

SJM didn't spend £130k to see Brown sit it out in place of Patton.
The current England hb will start if fit for Wire.

Absolutely 100% not true.

And he's going nowhere.

What on earth is he unhappy about? I presume he's had the best possible rehab and wages paid ?

Depends what we're being compared with. Certainly the weather and beaches are no better at Wigan.

Pie barms are more readily available in Wigan.

Suppose Prime in, Emirates out was is a rumour..

The question of Emirates being a main sponsor was asked at first fans forum. It was delicately avoided, but my guess at the time was it would come to an end. Pretty sure ive read on here about Prime coming in.

Maybe he had ambitions to win Grand Finals?

Well, Emirates are in crisis management and consolidating a lot of their stuff. So I’d expect the smaller less high-profile sponsorships to be culled. Think they would have been better off buying the stadium naming rights rather than the shirt sponsorship.

Sat on his in the stands?

Patton to Widnes KOPCZAK to Wire https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/of ... gossip-87/

Patton to Widnes KOPCZAK to Wire https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/of ... gossip-87/

Quote ="Builth Wells Wire"Patton to Widnes KOPCZAK to Wire https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/of ... gossip-87/'" Kopczak has a great song, but, I don't know whether that would be enough to make a bid for him as I'm not sure how is form was last year? We can't be letting Patton go can we, surely a big chance to push on next year with the cleanest of slates?

Quote ="Builth Wells Wire"Patton to Widnes KOPCZAK to Wire https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/of ... gossip-87/'" Kopczak has a great song, but, I don't know whether that would be enough to make a bid for him as I'm not sure how is form was last year? We can't be letting Patton go can we, surely a big chance to push on next year with the cleanest of slates?

Young Dec is going nowhere.

Keep hearing rumours of Charnley, nothing concrete though. That would be an excellent signing.

Charnley would be excellent.

Kopczak I like, but he is really only a squad filler. If all of Hill, Cooper, Crosby, Westwood, Philbin, George King are fit and playing to their best, he fits at 4/5/6 in that list for me. I don’t know if Akaoula will be front row or second row for us, but that would probably push Kop a further place down the list.

Kop would be a decent squad player and I'd put his name on the list ahead of g king certainly.

Patton to widnes I'm not so sure on I guess it will depend on if we Nedd the cap space to sign someone else which I think is doubtful. Even a loan deal for me wouldn't make sense.

Price is not even In the country as yet and won't have had time to make an assessment??

Would be an absolute shambles if Patton was let go. We will never see successful home grown players if they are shipped out after one or two seasons without being given time to improve. Plus what happens if Brown or Roberts can't play?

We simply have to keep hold of Patton. Unless Brown has an unbelievable season he'll most likely be gone next year. Already mentioned here but it's a clean slate for everyone, I'm looking forward to seeing how he goes under a new coach. Price has already said he's expecting him to step up this year, so he must be in his plans.

As above.

I'd cry, just a little bit, if Patton goes and we keep Brown.

It'd be another sad day for our youth development.