Re: Kaide Ellis : Tue Jul 18, 2023 11:50 am  

CJamesy wrote:

He started off well last year but faded, probably not used to playing every game having only played 20 games his whole career before signing for us. Settled into the culture well, spent Xmas day helping out homeless shelters by his own choice. Great attitude to have but a lot of fans aren’t happy (Shock) that he’s extended because he doesn’t break lines however we lack size and power when he doesn’t play.

Yes. To be a good prop at Wigan you seemingly have to knock 6 players over and make 15 yards every run.

Or have a name that fits to a catchy tune.

Re: Kaide Ellis : Tue Jul 18, 2023 1:23 pm  

CJamesy wrote:

He started off well last year but faded, probably not used to playing every game having only played 20 games his whole career before signing for us. Settled into the culture well, spent Xmas day helping out homeless shelters by his own choice. Great attitude to have but a lot of fans aren’t happy (Shock) that he’s extended because he doesn’t break lines however we lack size and power when he doesn’t play.

I made what I thought was a pretty non controversial comment on another forum, that I would love to see him extend his contract due to his good form this season and had a couple of Wigan fans saying they think he’s rubbish and we can do better. I nearly fell off my chair! There have been ups and downs for sure but to dispute him playing well this season (when he’s been available) seemed crazy to me.

I probably concentrate on stats too much but his are excellent game by game and when I factor in his age, likely salary, attitude, level of fitness and room for improvement, I’d ask the question of ‘who would we realistically replace him with?’ We were prepared to pay for Tyler Dupree and at least from a statistical POV, he’s simply not as good.

Re: Kaide Ellis : Tue Jul 18, 2023 1:36 pm  

Pleased he's staying - he's had a good year and is on an upward trajectory. Hopefully that continues now his future is secured. Might not be the flashiest front rower but very solid.

Re: Kaide Ellis : Tue Jul 18, 2023 1:56 pm  

Really well thought of by Peet and the coaches for his attitude and his stats on the field.

Gives us another another middle capable of playing 13 effectively with a handling option.

Good bit of business to secure him for 3 more years.

Re: Kaide Ellis : Tue Jul 18, 2023 2:44 pm  

The props who left at the end of 2021 were Bullock, Burgess, Clubb and Clark. Ellis is a big improvement on all of those.

Re: Kaide Ellis : Tue Jul 18, 2023 5:36 pm  

Happy he’s signed on. I’d shift Byrne out though now along with the obvious Mago release and really go at sorting the rest of the prop positions.

Re: Kaide Ellis : Tue Jul 18, 2023 8:54 pm  

DannyT wrote:

Happy he’s signed on. I’d shift Byrne out though now along with the obvious Mago release and really go at sorting the rest of the prop positions.

He’s got 2 years left on his contract so going nowhere I would say, I also think he’s a good 4th/5th prop option and at only 23 he’s got time to improve.

Re: Kaide Ellis : Tue Jul 18, 2023 9:05 pm  

CobraCraig wrote:

He’s got 2 years left on his contract so going nowhere I would say, I also think he’s a good 4th/5th prop option and at only 23 he’s got time to improve.

He’s not playing great at the minute but if he became available I’d think every club in superleague would be interested.

Young, English props are a premium.

He’s shown decent signs and one of these years it’s going to fully click I reckon.

Re: Kaide Ellis : Tue Jul 18, 2023 9:27 pm  

We’d be crazy to let Byrne go. In prop terms he’s still a baby and yes, he’s having an iffy season, but nobody goes through a career without having years where they drop off their best. He needs to be challenged IMO. His position has been to safe for a while now but unfortunately when we’re missing other props, we have no option but to keep playing him and I think extra responsibility on him looks to weigh heavy. He needs to be pressed for a place next year and I think that’ll kick him on.

Re: Kaide Ellis : Tue Jul 18, 2023 9:37 pm  

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but for those who are knocking him or have knocked him, my observation is that other than Havard he's one of our props who consistently makes metres. His stats are usually only second to Havard in terms of metres gained.

Prop is an area we've struggled in for a long time I don't think we've truly had a dominant offering in this position since the days of Coley, Fielden, Jeff Lima and Paul Prescott and although there's still room for improvement in this area we are looking better during this (2022-2024) period than we have for a long time.

I for one am glad he has signed for a further three years.