Re: Dec Patton : Fri Apr 19, 2019 8:25 pm  

rubber duckie wrote:

I don't get this...I've never once said Ratchford shouldn't be at hb.
I'm a massive fan of him and have lost count how many times I've said you should "always have your best players in back position they can get their hands on the ball".

Re Patton
I've said he's good enough with the talent around...and so he has. He hasn't actually been bad. Not inventive enough for sure.

My preferred 6/7 has always be Austin/Ratchford.
How many times had I said 'a big good un always beats a small good un.?

You've never once said ratchford should be at HB but your preferred 6/7 has always been Austin and ratchford... Love your posts but that contradicts what you say

Re: Dec Patton : Fri Apr 19, 2019 8:36 pm  

I'm disappointed Dec hasn't played 'who dares wins'...following orders?


Considering he's on a short tender, I'd have wished he'd have done something like Brad Dwyer, backed himself against the wishes of his coach. Come off your a hero and off that earn a honeymoon perod, fail..you're no worse off.

Re: Dec Patton : Fri Apr 19, 2019 8:41 pm  

sir adrian morley wrote:

You've never once said ratchford should be at HB but your preferred 6/7 has always been Austin and ratchford... Love your posts but that contradicts what you say

Your kidding. ..I've said it many times...I've said a big half back give presence.
I've said that in defence of Brown.

I've not actually said put Ratchford at half back since Austin was signed, and even after Brown's injury...because I think, thought, Dec would be up to it.
He has the skill...I've seen it...he just hasn't used it.

But pre Austin I've always banged the drum about Ratchford playing at half...or...being in a position he can get his hands on the ball.
(If) I use loosely, that is at fb....so be it.

Re: Dec Patton : Fri Apr 19, 2019 8:53 pm  

He’s just not very good is he? No excuses now, he’s having a run in the team and must’ve played nearly 100 games in his four or five years in and around the first team.

Average at best in everything he does. We played better without him and with Brown in the team last season and we should’ve gone out and brought someone in once we got the dispensation for Brown. We’ll win nothing with him in the halves the whole season.

Mamo to full back and Ratchford in the halves from now on is a must.

Re: Dec Patton : Fri Apr 19, 2019 11:31 pm  

It is with a heavy heart I think it's time to offer Salford £1million for Hastings... or £1.5million plus Dec

Re: Dec Patton : Sat Apr 20, 2019 5:59 am  

I would like to see Ben Currie in place of Dec Patton.

Re: Dec Patton : Sat Apr 20, 2019 7:09 am  

To think we got rid of Dwyer who was mom yesterday.

Re: Dec Patton : Sat Apr 20, 2019 9:34 am  

Never been totally convinced about Ratchford's defensive capabilities but by and large this has been overcome by his qualities elsewhere especially in open play. Not sure moving him to hb is the answer as he is more of an individual as opposed to an organising player. We can't have 2 almost identical players in the halves ... obviously referring to Ratchford and Austin

Re: Dec Patton : Sat Apr 20, 2019 1:06 pm  

The Railwayman wrote:

Never been totally convinced about Ratchford's defensive capabilities but by and large this has been overcome by his qualities elsewhere especially in open play. Not sure moving him to hb is the answer as he is more of an individual as opposed to an organising player. We can't have 2 almost identical players in the halves ... obviously referring to Ratchford and Austin

The 6 & 7 of your day have gone TRM.
It's left channel and right channel hb now. The backrowers and roaming loose and fullback play the rolls of the stand off.

Re: Dec Patton : Sat Apr 20, 2019 1:43 pm  

I get what you are saying Duckie but second rowers, well the ones we have excluding Currie perhaps, do not have the skill set of what you refer to as the historical role of the stand off.

'your day' ..... Well in 'my' day you had an overall organising halfback and a halfback who had a more free role. They still by and large could play either side of the ruck. I still think you need an overall general and neither Austin or Ratchford for me fit that role.

And as an old fart can you enlighten me on what TRM is.