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 clearlyhas worked hard on his game and improved masssively. He's now officially my 2nd favourite player, after Ben C obviously.
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 clearlyhas 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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The most talented player of a generation.?? he got one cap for Great Britain while Sean long and and a ruck of make shift stand offs filled the GB half back roles..... Let's be honest Briers showed consistent high standards once he turned 30..... Before that we never troubled the top half of the table.... Patten has already scored in a grand final and he's 23.
So far the great Danny Richardson has let Sean long down and been farmed out to championship clubs. While I saw the latest once in a generation player jake Trueman do nothing again for Cas except a 40/20 kick.
At 23 Briers was the definition of a turnstile. And by 24 he led us to the heady heights of 3 points away from relegation......