I think at 22, he needs to be holding down a regular spot in a team. Unfortunately, I dont think its at Widnes. I like Yates and think he has talent but has been poorly managed.
I've made this comparism. If you had an apprentice working for you in the electrical 'arena', who was excellent at re wiring houses and changing plug sockets, but god awful at changing light bulbs (the basic task), would you keep asking him to change the light bulbs? Or would you use him where he is strongest.
(not a great comparism but hopefully you get the point i'm making?)
You simply dont expose players to the kind of pressure that he has been put under where he is inadequate.
I dont like the excuse of 'but there's nobody else'. There's always somebody else.
The answer is simple. Take him out of the firing line. Get him out on loan at a club where he wont be exposed. Give the club he goes to specific instructions as to where you want him to play. See how he plays. If he improves, give him the opportunity to prove himself again. If not, dont renew his contract.
If he fails to produce on his return, then the decision to renew or not is obvious.
