Surely, we all agree that it depends on a number of factors, not, just working hard? However, if Patton works as hard as he can and doesn't leave anything in his locker or to chance, then no one can have any complaints, he's given it his best shot which may or may not be enough.

What isn't straightforward is that each case will be judged on individual merit, but, within a team environment. For example, young half back playing in a team where the seniors were under performing. It also depends upon a players position to establish a base line skill set and whether there is a way of measuring the 'percentage' of improvement required and the age when they are expected to achieve top 4 status.

As far as Patton is concerned, I wouldn't be in a rush to ship him out, but, this season is it make or break and yes a change of coach might help his cause, I get the impression with Price that he won't be left wondering.

This is my point. I am not remotely interested in whether Patton feels he has given it his best shot or whether he feels he was given enough opportunity. He is playing pro-sport for a club with alleged ambition. I am interested in having quality players in vital positions such that we can mount a credible tilt for the SL title. I don't believe that Declan Patton represents the best halfback option we could put in place for 2019.

It's a bit like saying "Do we give Rhys Evans another season to prove his worth as winger, so he has the chance to give it his best shot?". Nah we want to be the best so let's sign a proven winner like Charnley.

I agree that we want the best players, but we have the limitation of the Salary Cap so home grown players are essential, where we disagree is on how much opportunity you give them. Would Richie Myler have been given as much time here if he was home grown? Would Matt King have been allowed a year to settle in (not forgetting he was an Aussie international).
As far as Patton is concerned I would like to see him given in a run in a successful team before deciding on his worth.

[quote="Captain Hook"]
As far as Patton is concerned I would like to see him given in a run in a successful team before deciding on his worth.[/quote]


So how do you do that? Take now for an example. We are on a small roll, few wins under our belt. Do you disrupt the current set up just to give Patton a chance?

For me Patton has to take his chance when it's given and that's likely through injury at the moment. At that point (and it will come this season) he has to step up and take it, in the unlikely event that it doesn't come, i've not seen enough from him in his appearances to warrant the 6 shirt next year.

The vast majority of good half backs have considerable pace off the mark. The best ever, Alex Murphy, was like XXXX off a shovel. Lee Briers was very quick off the mark.
It is a much more difficult job if you are not blessed with pace. No one could suggest that Patton is lightning.

Just to be clear, when I said "no one can have any complaints" it wasn't only directed at Patton, it was also meant to include the club as a whole, management, team mates and supporters, as a waste of talent through lack of application and I'm not necessarily accusing Patton of this, is beyond regrettable, it's unforgivable.

Whether Patton is the best half back option for 2019 depends on a number of factors, you may be correct in your belief that he's not our best option, I'm not disagreeing which is why I said this season, 2018, is make or break if he gets a chance he has got to take it.

As far as Rhys Evans is concerned, did he get a fair crack, definitely, did we hold on too long, probably, was a replacement winger like Charnley available in what might be perceived to be Evans's 'year too long' that's the question? I've no idea but there's a dearth of this talent and weren't we all excited by Lineham's arrival so the club were looking.

I'm not convinced that 'anyone would have been better', a Mitch Brown for example who may be seen as a small step up on Evans, is strictly speaking the right answer either, BTW what's wrong with Wigan's approach to wingers if that's our aspiration, they seem to give their youth a chance and it's paid off quite well?

Right now on what I've seen, probably not. But I'm not Steve Price - who has a better eye than me, and sees him in training every day.

*If* we need a new HB to replace Brown next season, Price needs to make that call sooner rather than later re who replaces him. And if Price decides Dec has something he can work with behind the scenes this year, and he thinks Dec will be ready to step in next season, then I'll trust that was the right call (given seeing the steady progression made by individuals this season).

What I don't want, is Brown to retire, and the club to just say "Well let's throw Dec/Livett in there" (which kind of feels like the way it's been previously when our main HBs leave). It's down to well thought-out succession planning, something that, at least in the halves, we've been poor at over the last few years.

Exactly.

All fair points. I would counter with

1. Rhys Evans was never good enough for a top 4 SL side. Nowhere near. It's exactly this mentality that I am attempting to highlight.

2. Wigan's system has a long established track record of delivering quality players not just for Wigan but the whole of SL. We do not have anything close to it. Wigan will develop a player, give them a run in the first team and if they are not up to the job palm them off to their rivals. When they are good enough they look like superstars. How many ex Wigan players are in SL? Our system seems to be we play a kid with promise, fail miserably to develop them but have them in the side for 30+ games then let them go to obscurity/Championship.

This is why I am dubious about whether Patton will develop into an international class HB for Warrington for Game 1 of 2019. (Which Brown is).

There's no need to "counter" anything, aren't we in agreement?

We are I think also in agreement that Jimathay's preferred approach is what we want to happen? As far as succession planning goes, one of the biggest failures in recent times, was how the Briers plan failed to materialize. FWIW I don't buy into the 'it was a big surprise' defence.