Nathan Patterson - stick or twist?

[Bluedell 5,627]

Most of those who attended the Rangers Wrexham game in 2019 came away raving about the performance the Rangers right back, who was the best player on the field before he went off injured and he's subsequently been one of the few who have broken through from the Academy into the first team squad, and he has impressed whenever he has had the chance to play for the first team.

 

Last night's injury to Tav would have been the ideal opportunity for him to come on and show what he can do and perhaps get a run in the team but his idiotic behaviour last weekend and subsequently having to self-isolate has put paid to that.

 

Gerrard is talking of looking externally for cover, suggesting that Patterson's career with us is over but should he be given another chance?

 

Tannochside Bear put forward a well-argued and reasonable viewpoint.

 

Quote

 

I have zero tolerance for anyone going to house parties. There is no grey area. It's totally illegal, as well as being stupid, reckless, selfish and dangerous. 

 

I hope all players involved are sacked immediately. This isn't wee boys doing something stupid, like getting into a fight outside a nightclub, or letting off fireworks at a neighbour. This is a global pandemic in which the rules have been very publicly laid out. There are some concessions to football clubs to allow them to continue playing, but not for anything outside of matches and training. 

 

There has been plenty of warnings, and they seen how the careers of Edmundson & Jones were affected by similar actions, and we know all players were warned and made fully aware of the consequences of breaking the rules in this area. Yet these players showed they have no respect for our club, our management team, our fans (who have to abide by these rules and who have paid or a full season that we wont see), or for the nation as a whole. To me it wouldn't matter if it was these fringe players or our biggest assets, instant dismissal for gross misconduct for anyone going to a feckin party under these current restrictions.

 

However, I would argue the opposite, and would allow him back in after the club's punishment has been meted out.

 

TB says this wasn't getting into a fight outside a nightclub, and he's correct. It also wasn't players inviting round some random hairies that they've picked up on Twitter/Snapchat/Tinder like Jones and Edmundson. This was young players who see each other in training and are therefore in the same bubble getting together with their partners who are bubbled with each of them (I'm ignoring the fact that Dapo's on loan for the purposes of this!). 

 

While what they did is against the rules and should not have happened, it appears to have been done with relatively minimal risk. Yes, they deserve to be punished but does it mean that Patterson's career should be over?

 

He's 19, and we've all made major mistakes at that age. I'd argue that some of Gazza's antics while at the club were worse than what these boys did. While I'm loathed to look at what other club's do, should Arsenal get rid of Aubameyang because of his tattoo?

 

If playing Patterson was the difference between winning the league this season or not, would you be willing to sacrifice it to punish a boy for meeting friends, who are in the same playing bubble, and their partners who are bubbled. 

 

Nobody will be feeling worse than Patterson right now, and this could be kick up the backside that results in him having an outstanding career with the club. Does the punishment of the end of a career with the club meet the crime? I can understand those who say it does, but I'd argue that it doesn't and he deserves another chance.

 

 

[Rousseau 10,644]

As he's a youngster, I'm happy for him to be punished and given a route back. 

[Thinker 887]

If we were to give Patterson the boot, I have no doubt hed go on to have an excellent career with some other club.

 

He's 19. He can learn a lesson from this and use any second chance given to him to redeem himself. It's up to the player to show the right attitude, and the management team to judge him though.

[26th of foot 6,084]

I attended the game against Wrexham and the lad is an asset, more importantly, he is our asset.

 

It's baby with the bath water, he will be deservedly punished by both club and association. The club also has a duty to rehabilitation.

[MacK1950 2,378]

My first reaction was get shot of them but on reflection Patterson/Bassey should be given another chance.Depude out on loan and not impressing-goobye, Kinnear never heard of and Zungu,28,certainly no youngster and not showing anything-send back.

I too was at the Wrexham game and marveled at Patterson and was a critic of Flanagan,who as an overage player slotted into right back and showed why he was never Rangers class.

[DMAA 3,658]

I’m a pragmatist and if it looks like it will damage Rangers I would give him a route back. There are other ways you can punish him. He is 19 and the first player in a very long time who like he can make the transition from academy to first team. If he achieves this he becomes an asset worth good money too whereas we would be giving away a huge bargain if we let him go now. Not a very principled opinion but that’s where I am with it. 

[Gonzo79 15,294]

Of course he should be given a chance to redeem himself.

[the gunslinger 3,366]

he should play on Sunday. 

[onevision 1,571]

My initial thoughts were what if he or one of the other idiots had brought the virus into the camp and totally derailed 55?

On reflection my thoughts remain the same, i'm a black or white guy, no grey areas.

Even so i'll back whatever punishment to the club see fit to dish out. 

[Frankie 8,570]

He's been suitably disciplined and well fined so we move on.

 

Now up to him to basically start from scratch in terms of proving himself to the manager and the wider support.