Which one of these were Patton's fault? Genuine question. https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/ ... gton/50447 In terms of fault, I'd say: 1st was Austin/Cooper/Hill 2nd was Johnson (and Philbin not being in the line) 3rd was Atkins and Ratchford Nothing there for him to be singled out. He wasn't great in attack but no-one was. He also got a try assist.

Which one of these were Patton's fault? Genuine question. https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/ ... gton/50447 In terms of fault, I'd say: 1st was Austin/Cooper/Hill 2nd was Johnson (and Philbin not being in the line) 3rd was Atkins and Ratchford Nothing there for him to be singled out. He wasn't great in attack but no-one was. He also got a try assist.

Both the agodo and minikin tries, he couls have worked bit harder on the agodo and he had no idea on the minikin one, he was close enough to tackle and didnt even try, there's a reason teams are targetting him, qnd its not cos of poor tackling, he just ends up in no mans land, which is affecting others around him.



I girst noticed this at the wakey away game(this year) but i havent mentioned it previously as i thought he was doing alright going forward unlike others, now the pros arent outweighing the cons

It's a few days/weeks since I last posted on this thread. I thought I'd let my indifference towards the lad just simmer, and nothing's changed. He's ordinary. Nothing more or less. If he were a car, he'd be an Austin Maestro. He makes mistakes, all halves do. He misses tackles, again, all halves do, bit he NEVER "takes the game by the scruff of the neck" like good/great halves do. He's a ball passer, who sometimes puts a kick in for a try scorer. Unless he gets injured/suspended, he plays every week until Brown is back, and we're stuck with him until his contract runs out. Ho-hum.

What annoys me about the whole situation, is that he's being coached by Lee Briers, who was was described as the most talented British half of his generation (ok, by Eddie Hemmings, but you know what I mean). Either Patton doesn't pay attention, or Briers is hopeless at coaching. One or both needs to get their act together, and do their jobs, properly.



What makes me smile, is the scapegoat accusations on this thread and the weekly matchday threads, and the fact he's Warringtonian. COBBLERS. He's not a scapegoat. He's getting SOME grief, as his performances aren't at the level they need to be, for a side with designs on the big prizes. As for the geographical coordinates of his birth being a reason for criticism, no way. Callands or Canberra, Grappenhall or the Gold Coast, he'll get commented on. We pay the lad's wages. He's up there for praise OR criticism

Exactly, reeled in.

The opposite end of the spectrum that seems utterly out of touch adding nothing but balance. I've no argue with balanced criticism.



Now between us all let's be realistic and fare with our comments.



Like I said...we're above bacefook.

Another young player who had many, me included, questioning his ability was Toby King; no pace, can't put his winger away, not fast enough reactions.



Well, boy, Toby is one young lad who clearly[ihas[/i worked hard on his game and improved masssively. He's now officially my 2nd favourite player, after Ben C obviously.

I was on the verge of writing him off. Terrible decision making, couldn't pass. Improved all areas.



He's taken his chance. Can see him staying at Warrington his whole career now.

I wonder if Dec doesn't have enough maverick in him to be a half back ,the confidence to take the game by the scruff of the neck. He seems to me to be more reactive than proactive & maybe he would be better suited to some other position.

Well here’s the rub,in his academy days he was very good at running the team around. For whatever reason he has just not done it at senior level. A step to far?

I hope that this doesn't sound too muddled, but, he might even be trying too hard and that transposes into performance?



Maybe his natural game (which probably isn't good enough for first choice HB) is being tested beyond its limits? It's a fine line, he seems to be over doing taking the line on (for his ability) and that split second and loss of space is affecting his timing and pass selection.

The way I see it, you have just realised you were wrong. He didn't have terrible decision making at all and showed some genuine quality (admittedly among a few errors) from the start.

Briers was the most talented half of his generation, Patton isn't, so it's not like Briers can just say listen Dec this is how to play like me. Otherwise Gary Schofield and Andy Gregory would have brought through a generation of world class greats when they tried their hands at coaching.

...but maybe you'd think Briers input would've raised Patton's input from "youngster with potential" to "top SL scrum half"



instead, we've got "youngster with potential" to "bang average"



I'm not asking, or even expecting, a world beater. Just for him to improve. He hasn't. His career has plateaued.