Unless there are significant changes in his attitude or more worryingly maybe injuries he will get limited chances this season.
I hope the lad does well next year but at the moment he is very average championship level second rower. If Peet can enhance this then he’d be a real super coach.
I haven’t written KPP off but he isn’t a guy currently who you think will help us kick on.
I’d love him to prove me wrong but he can’t even offer effort to offset experience in the short term.
A major task for Peet this year is to drag KPP to the next level.

There was a thread on here, possibly before he had even played a competitive game, saying that he was world class.

How times change.

The cynic in me wonders if the opinions would be differert if he wasn't leaving next year....

Or even if he was a Wigan lad

The billing has always outweighed the talent and performances. I think his size, athleticism and the fact he’s not from the heartlands always had eyes on him and people willing a feel good story. He could well develop in to a top class forward and I do think he’ll be important for us this year but after seeing bits of Melbourne yesterday and Penrith/Brisbane today, his physicality will need to go up ten fold in the NRL. He’ll get battered about the place if not because he’ll have a target on him as an English player.

I was afraid when I posted what I did that it could turn into a KPP bashing and that isn't my intention
I'm saying he gas certain aspects to his game that don't suit our current situation.
And as it stands we need solidity on that right side, which he isn't all to blame for but is part of, and Isa can do a better job of for now.
Bateman, whatever people think comparing to the pre 2018 Bateman, gave us that with his hard work and experience and toughness on that side.

KPP can get worked over in that channel, and that adds to some other little areas of weakness (I like Cust but he can get caught on the outside shoulder as an example) and although no one.person is responsible it needs someone who has those attributes to connect them all together and make us thr best version we can be of ourselves.

KPP is like a Mago currently in that he can be a point of difference, someone who could change a game and that's how I'd use him for now.

There may be some of that but I think the concerns are all real. Maybe what is happening is that people are more willing to call them out because he is leaving (I don’t think the non Wiganer thing comes in to it, I actually think that’s brought goodwill).

I’ve commented plenty of times in the past across various forums that I think there’s a bit too much hype going on.

It may for some
But I can see what your trying to do, make out that were only saying these things because he's going or because he's not a Wiganner.

Well the same people who may have thought he was a world beater before he had 20 appearances under his belt may think like that but don't make out "All" wigan fans thought that, and are now subsequently bashing him.

He is a young lad who has some very good attributes, and a couple not so good.
He has plenty time to work on his game and will improve I'm sure, but for now IMO that's best from the bench

I don’t think it is KPP bashing, I think it’s just honest feedback. Nobody is saying he’s rubbish and get shut and I think most have him in their best 17 but in a different role to being an 80 minute starter. He’ll be important for us this season and in a role from the bench, I think he can unlock some defences. I just can’t get my head around him getting an England World Cup place as things stood at the time. He’s not at that level yet and I don’t think that helps as it just builds expectation.

Wasn't that my point?

I never once said "All" Wigan fans (using quotation marks seeing as you did too)

I also don't think its exclusive to Wigan fans. Some Saints fans loved James Bentley. Now he is at Leeds he is a "grub" "was never that good anyway" and is a dirty player yet at Saints "every successful team needs a player like that"

Stop looking for arguments when there isn't one to be had

Pretty sure he wouldn't have got the England shirt if Percival had been available, just showed the lack of depth at centre in the UK game that he got a run there, this season for us he's hopefully last resort in the three quarters.
Bags of potential but he really needs to start running his weight to make that 2nd row spot his for the rest of the season

This is what you originally posted


I tried to explain that "Some" will as like anything in life people have all kinds of opinions on all kind of subjects.

However

The cynic in you is wrong, as it wouldn’t be any different if he wasn't leaving or if he was a Wiganner

Because "All" Wigan fans don't think like that I.e. that he's a world beater and were only saying he's not because he's leaving etc.

Not trying to create an argument with yourself, I'm trying to say that your statement is wrong and the cynic in you is wrong because not "All" Wigan fans think the same.
Some may be seeing it for that reason (although jonh, myself, NK etc) aren't as their views have been pretty consistant we're KPP is concerned

Let's not divert the subject from the original view points (that others will disagree with).

KPP doesn't offer certain things we need (and at the start of the year I said may be the thing that separates Wigan/Saints When they hand the prizes out) .
We lack a bit of "Steel"/Mongrel/attitude/Solidity etc. without Bateman on that right side, Isa is our best option currently at providing that (whether he is a great option is another debate, currently imo he is our best option, although I'd like to consider Ellis at 1e and Smithies 2nd row maybe).

Work plans have changed so i will now be able to drive across for the game. Where is the best place to park?

I used to park across across from the ground but i don't think that's open anymore.

Let's not forget KPP has been plying his trade (mostly) at centre since coming on the scene. Must be a shock moving full time into the forwards.

If you get a response outside of this topic, then could you let me know please? I'm contemplating doing the same.

Not bashing KPP by the way, I'm a fan of his.

Was more pointing out how quick we are as a fanbase to praise and then subsequently criticise players.

This could be a good option at some point - Kaide Ellis is a capable passer of the ball but we haven't seen that yet at Wigan.

The lad has looked decent against Wakefield hopefully he’ll step it up this year

Hope so - I'd love him to find some intensity in his game. Very solid - rarely makes an error but needs to find another gear.

He seems such a laid back lad, even off the field in the interviews you see he seems like he needs winding up. I’d like to see him given more responsibility to test him. I’d start him and challenge him to do long spells. His average metres per carry is very good, he’s not got too many errors in him and he looks a in good condition.

I’d put Havard in the same boat. A great physique, fit as a fiddle, makes ground etc but again, he just seems so laid back. It would be criminal if the lack of an edge holds Havard back from reaching the very top. I think the world of him but he’s got some good experience behind him now and needs to kick on.

If you have google maps put in "Castlefields Pub" or Castlefields Car Park, it is a big car park 5 - 10 mins walk from the ground. You get free parking and a pub, what's not to like

Sounds perfect, cheers

Have a safe trip and enjoy your evening in Cas Vegas but, speaking as Cas Fan, not too much

I think the thread you are referring to was after he had played his first match for Wigan…possibly against Saints?

I said he looked to have the potential to be a world class player, he then went on to have a very good season and secure an NRL deal.

There were others that then jumped on this and suggested he wasn’t anything special and that he should spend a season out on loan.

My view remains the same, he has lots of potential and I’m pleased he has honoured his contract with us.

The criticism of KPP is absolutely ridiculous.

He’s just turned 22 and was one of our only bright spots in 2021.

2022 I thought he was very good filling in our hole at centre.

He’s played one game in 2023, created and scored a try. Yes work rate and defence wasn’t great but that could have been said about many of the team against HKR.

He’s got the world at his feet and IMO is has Sonny Bill like skills.

Hes still developing. I think he should be on the bench ahead of the 5th prop Mago.

Is it criticism to point out some areas he needs to work at? That’s all the be seen people do and I don’t think it’s being based solely on HKR away. There seems to be a general feeling that we should use him from the bench and that’s coming from people who are backing him and those pointing out flaws.

The SBW stuff does him no favours IMO. SBW was a freak as a kid coming through but he wasn’t based around just an offload game, just being an awkward runner etc. His all round game was incredible, he was aggressive, he absolutely whacked people, he charged the ball up, his workrate was high and on the back of that, he was unbelievably skilful. It isn’t a criticism to say KPP is absolutely nothing like him because ultimately who is? SBW was an international at 18/19 and very soon after he was one of the best few players in the World. KPP could become a regular international in time and who knows, he may become one of the Worlds best forwards but that’s a good while down the track.