I think they'll bring Sia on for Walmsley after 20 minutes and from that point operate with 2 props, with LMS moving forward and Wilkin at 13. I've got no problem with that, but it's difficult to see where Wello fits in.

If it's this windy tomorrow, could put a high price on bombs.

Who are Saints missing from there 19, just Masoe and Flanagan?

And Beaumont would possibly be there.

And clough, potentailly

Not happy or surprised that Wellens is in the squad.

Quote ="St. Rughead"Not happy or surprised that Wellens is in the squad.'" Apparently it's not for him as a player! www.dailystar.co.uk/rugby-league ... than-Brown

Quote ="St. Rughead"Not happy or surprised that Wellens is in the squad.'" Apparently it's not for him as a player! www.dailystar.co.uk/rugby-league ... than-Brown

Quote ="Magic Superbeetle"Apparently it's not for him as a player! www.dailystar.co.uk/rugby-league ... than-Brown'" make him assistant fullback coach or some other title then. If hes not up to it as a player he shouldnt be in the squad

Quote ="Magic Superbeetle"Apparently it's not for him as a player! www.dailystar.co.uk/rugby-league ... than-Brown'" make him assistant fullback coach or some other title then. If hes not up to it as a player he shouldnt be in the squad

It's turning out exactly as I hoped it wouldn't , Wello is taking up a spot that could be used to develop one of the young lads or be used by a proven player like Flash who is in his prime. Wheeler is made of biscuit and if he gets another knock expect to see Wello floundering round at 6 clogging up the the middle of the field and getting in the way

It's a complete farce. Someone at the club clearly feels they need to release these media soundbites to try to appease the fans. They are clearly acutely aware of the fact that Wello as a player is no longer rated or wanted by the supporters. This must be the fourth or fifth cringeworthy release since the end of last season. They knew his contract renewal wouldn't go down well, so released that with no fanfare, months after it had been sorted.

If McManus or one of his cronies (Appleton for example) are reading this, FFS stop putting sentimentality and jobs for the boys ahead of progress for the club on the field. Playing ANOTHER season with 16 contributing players isn't acceptable, especially when there are players good enough to make a contribution being denied a place.

When his contract was announced a lot of you ensured me he wouldn't be playing when there were enough fit players. Clearly that isn't the case.

I know you often get accused of unfair criticism towards Wellens, but in this post you are 100% spot on.

It really is ridiculous that we are continuing with him in the 17. He offers nothing from a playing perspective. There isn't a position in the squad where there aren't at least 2 better options.

I love and respect Wellens for what he has achieved, but he is now like an old dog clinging on for dear life, knowing that the final trip to the vets is just around the corner. For the good of the club and our chances of success this season, we need to develop a ruthless streak and quit the nostalgic nonsense of selecting people based on former glories.

Can't blame wello for signing the new deal. He's got bills to pay just like everyone else. I think it's obvious now that I know wello as a friend and he still believes he's got something to offer. He still feels if he gets a opurtinity to play that he will take it with both hands.

It's the club that are to blame for offering him a new deal.

I agree, I am not blaming Wellens. The club, whether that be Brown, Rush, McManus or a mixture of all 3, need to grow a pair and tell him he is past it.

I didn't know he was a friend of yours, weren't you agreeing the other day that he shouldn't be used any more?

I don't think anyone would have bad things to say against wello as a man, and I have no doubt he can contribute to the squad as an influence. I even hope he has an amazing swan song year, but if it's anything like last year his legacy is being destroyed.

I agree mate. The longer he carries on like this then the more the memory of him is being tarnished.

I wouldn't knock Wello for resigning and I wouldn't ever call his commitment or effort into question when he does play, but we always have a better player available - we have some really good forwards that are missing out, hohaia offers better utility value, there's even argument that Ade Gardner would be a better choice - at least he can crash the ball up with real vigour.
If we had three beasts on the bench, I may be able to swallow it, but we're looking a bit crap in that area, even though we all feel like we've recruited well this off season.

the impression/hope we have is that his playing contract is a reduced rate, but I'm sure there'd be a coaching role somewhere in SL that could pay him the same.

He's a mate but I still don't think he should have been offered a new deal and shouldn't be in our 19 unless we have dire injuries.

Fair enough. Let's hope he doesn't read this and knows your alias then!

He don't know I'm on on here lol

I had saints contact me on here last year asking me to stop revealing team news and injury news so they do read this forum.

Maybe they need to tell Wellens to stop giving you team news in the 1st place!!

Can I add, it wasn't wello that give me any saints news. 100 % wello wouldn't do that.

I've heard GOB will be playong 6 for wire

Just to confirm some points Pete has already made:

Wheeler will start at 6
Wellens on the bench
Percy starts at left centre, Turner right.
We're going with 3 props from the start, which ones I don't know.

So we just smash him after he's passed, right!?

Hopefully, we'd never resort to the Wigan way!