Quote: Jukesays "Any single player is NEVER the total reason why a team loses
However
KPP needs to bring more intensity/line speed/attitude & IMO Toughness to his style of play to be a starter in THIS Wigan team
Isa knitted that right side defence together far better last week, and his overall attributes work better CURRENTLY
Before the season started my concern was KPP & Right side defense
I knew King would be the scapegoat for this, but KPP (And to a slightly lesser extent French & Cust) was as big if not a bigger problem
His inside chase 2nd half and getting caught at marker (Along with retreating for the 4th tackle from the PTB to a position BEHIND Jai Field) at FB left all kinds of problems which were too much for our right side that was already a bit Flakey.
For now I trust Isa to work with his inside/outside defenders better doing the hard stuff and laying the platform/field position to allow our more flamboyant/ball players to play.
There are attributes KPP brings that he does very well and can contribute for Wigan, however some of his fragilities create issues that we can ill afford at key periods in games'"
This is bang on. He really doesn't use his attributes enough, he starts games well but seems to completely fade away. I try and not judge young lads too much, but you can see he still has a hell of a lot of learning to do. Positionally in the defensive line, he looks so slow and vulnerable. I was surprised that people thought we wouldn't miss Bateman that much because we've got KPP. I just don't see it at the moment but hopefully he'll improve as the season goes on. Maybe off the bench is where he is best placed with Isa starting. We did look miles more comfortable against Wakey despite being a weaker opposition.
Big game for us this week mentally I feel, another away loss so early on in the season won't sit right.