Steve Bates was full of praise for fly-half Tom May after he led Newcastle to a 24-16 victory over Harlequins.
Quins boss Richards heaps praise on Falcons prop Haymans
Steve Bates refused to be drawn over who would be Newcastle's future fly-half following another impressive performance from Tom May.
The Falcons clinched a sixth successive league win, a feat they have not managed since the 1997/98 season, with a 24-16 result over Harlequins.
May led the way, scoring a try as well as kicking four penalties and a conversion to finish with a personal haul of 19 points.
The makeshift number 10 has been superb in recent weeks, giving Bates a selection headache with Jonny Wilkinson, who has been linked with a move to France, expected to return soon from injury.
Long story
"That's a very long story and I'm not sure if I know the answer to it," he replied when asked if May's form had led him to changing his mind over who should ouccpy the position in the long term.
"I'm not particularly comfortable with the situation, but I understand it. Until something absolutely definitive is decided, he's under contract here. I'm not resigned to losing him."
May's performances have at least shown Newcastle's fans that there would be life after Wilkinson if the World Cup winner decides to leave at the end of the current campaign.
Director of rugby Bates moved the centre into the position midway through the narrow 10-9 home win over Gloucester in January.
"He (May) causes a threat. He's strong and powerful over a short distance," Bates said.
"But the changing nature of the game in that position has contributed to what we've tried to do. It begs the question of what a fly-half role is now. Has it changed a little bit?
"What we're saying to Tom is, 'Play, have a go, don't just pass or kick it'. We don't want to play a kicking game all the time. Maybe his first instinct is to run, but that's part and parcel of what we've done recently."
Inspirational
Quins director of rugby Dean Richards picked out a different Falcon for praise, citing the performance of prop Carl Hayman as crucial.
"Hayman makes a huge difference to them," said Richards. "Everything ticks when he plays.
"Having said that, Ceri Jones dealt with Hayman reasonably well. I thought the referee made some strange decisions there.
"But we certainly had opportunities to score in the second half, and you have to finish them if you're going to win games. It had more to do with our execution and patience."
Richards also stated he is hopeful that Nick Evans and Tom Gues, who limped off with ankle and shoulder injuries respectively, would be fit for next weekend.