Is it just me or is this just difficult to watch? He was once a legendary figure who I called Mr St Helens and used to argue till I was blue in the face with Wigan fans that he was the best fullback in Super League. His performances then went through a period of decay as he got older and the role of the fullback changed dramatically. So with this season bringing the first real opportunity for fans (And staff) to see the benefit of someone else playing fullback, he's ended up as an emergency half back. In just the two games he's played there, I've seen enough to say it's a mistake. He's too slow with ball in hand and he cannot defend in the line. Today Castleford tore enormous chunks out of our right edge and it's no surprise that it was Wello defending that side. He just can't get across quick enough.

His passing game today was the full spectrum. He probably came up with two or three assists with some tremendous short balls, but then he'd put balls at players' feet and was needlessly caught with the ball on two or three occasions.

So what happens when Roby and Hohaia return? Is Brown going to have the guts to drop Wellens? Or is he going to continue with the publicised plan and play him loose forward, ahead of Flanagan who was excellent today or ahead of a big forward like Clough or TP?

You can't help but feel sorry for him to be honest. He gives 100% every time he pulls on the shirt, but he simply isn't a #6, and it's unfair on him to expect him to be.

Its hard to watch for me. He looks awful and I think he knows it. Its hard to watch. The ball is basically dead when he gets it.

I've said from the start, if he's not playing fullback, he shouldn't be in the 17.

Ditto

He will probably be spelled with Flan at 13, Wellens was the victim of another off the ball incident again alongside Wilkin later on in the game.
A fully fit squad Wellens won,t make the 17, Flan would be on the bench as Brown will play Manu at 13 when TP returns. The missing link at 6 will still be a season long problematic one, Turner or Charnock perhaps. Don,t want Percival to be stuck on the wing like they did with Makinson, Percival is a natural serious threat at centre.

I remember a game against Wakey at Knowsley Road under Potter's tenure when Wello was the last man standing in terms of apparent goal kicking abilities. We scored a hatfull of tries but he managed to miss every single kick, resulting in us losing the game. I felt terrible for Wello after that match, wishing that the coach had not put him through such a humiliation. I suppose I feel a bit that way watching Wello attempt to play at six. He really shouldn't be asked to do it. Given that Gaskell is clearly now out of the way for the season, we should be using this opportunity to blood a young up and coming six.

Ripping apart his lack of ability in attack is too easy. I will attack his clueless defence instead.

He nearly KO’ed himself twice against Wigan when he failed to put his head in the right place. He was at fault for the first Wigan try on Good Friday when he came in to cover a man on the inside with two men on him. He seems to get knocked off tackles quite easily as well. The idea he would make a good worker in the line is being shattered and he is a poor playmaker.

It is a shame to see such a good clubman looking so bad.

It really is painful to watch and I feel so sorry for him as he is putting his usual 100% effort in. He simply is not a 6.

I don't understand Brown's point that he HAS to be in the team. Is it really a benefit to have him in the team? I think that it isn't, unless he is playing FB. Obviously though he isn't first choice.

It's a real shame and if Rush had the bottle to play lomax at FB last season he may not have extended his contract.

In the end though Wellens at 6 is down to poor recruitment and injuries. I don't think anyone has idea's of him playing at 6 for any length of time longer than is needed.

As has already been said, Wheeler is 10 weeks away, Lance 1 or 2 and Yates is out for 3 weeks. There is really nobody else left.

Isn't swift a 6?

I thought we'd have gone with Wellens FB, Makinson on the wing and Swift at 6.

I doubt Swift will admit to wearing a 6, we might sell him!

So we've got swift and charnock who are fit and, if you wanted to carry on with Makinson at #1, you could go Lomax #6 when he's back (not my preference)?

Spot on.

It's a shame, but time is up for Wello, great club man and in his day great player, but that was ever so long ago now, time to retire him with some dignity and he can give our wingers and fullbacks some bomb disposal training!

Sad but true.

The end of a true hero!

I can play at 6, 7 or 1 hehehe.

He's got his day and is a Saints hero at fullback, but he's not a stand off in the memory of man.

He should have been moved into the pack a couple of years ago, sadly he wasnt and now he's probably the 3rd maybe 4th best fullback at the club and in reality he isnt really needed in the backrow as we have plenty players there already.

All great players come to the point in their career when the decision to retire must be made. Many tell themselves that they have at least another one or two seasons in them yet. I would hate Paul Wellens to fall into this category. It would also be tragic if he suffered the indignity of being dropped from the team. The decision is for him to make, sooner rather than later.

Nah, the decision belongs to the coach. Wello probably thinks he could be a useful squad player for the rest of the season, so why would he retire and give up a salary?

maybe he could simply retire now with an injury that would mean he could never ever play again then make a comeback as a squad player in 2 weeks playing for free ...

Paul Wellens is a St Helens legend, and sweats blood for the club every time he pulls on a Saints shirt, but he shouldn't be considered as anything more than a squad member now IMO. The past two weeks have summed up everything about him character wise - he is taking a knock for the team and is doing his best to make it work, but he simply isn't a #6 despite his best efforts.

If he is going to play anywhere, it should be loose forward in my opinion. It's not really fair in him to be playing in the pack and making 20+ tackles at 33 years of age though, which is why I am not to sure on him playing there.

As I say, he is a club legend, and I thank him for representing this club and town in the way he has, but I think it's time to move on.

Pride. If he had any he would have retired 3 years ago.

Life. He has about 50 years of it left.

If the club offer him a contract, why shouldn't he take it? You speak as if he's on £1m a year and made for life.

He gave three try assists I think in yesterday's match and took a lot of physical knocks.

Unfortunately against a better team he would look the fish out of water that he is playing that position.

I would have him in in the 17 as a second rower or 13 but not a starting player. He is still better than flanders was.