One of my work colleagues used to go to school with a former player (now retired) who used to play for Saints, and then signed for Wigan. At that point in time, he was expected to sign / return to Saints because he'd played for Saints and that was the approach that Saints used, and basically put no effort into it. Wigan took him to the club, showed him round, made him feel wanted etc, and he signed for us. I know that is only a specific example, and there's no doubt Wigan wont get it right or do it right with every player, but many when they sign say how Wigan approached the signature and how they are made to feel wanted. on the flip side, i've read one of our youngsters say that Leigh made him feel wanted, but then also thanked Wigan for their assistance in making it happen

re the 2 youngster that have been discussed this week one of my former work colleagues is a die hard Saint, and he was giving Wigan and the young lads loads on Facebook until i explained that neither party had done anything wrong if they do sign for Wigan. He didnt know about the rule change and thought Wigan were being underhand and speaking to contracted players. To be honest i'm not sure i like the new rule, but it has certainly given us all some talking points late in the off season

I was definitely on the fence with that one - whether its 3 or 4 players it demonstrates the tough spot the St Helens squad is in. 

Agree with you there, he is on the downward curve although to be fair was superb last night. He has been used as a battering ram for years and is most certainly injury prone. 

Also agree with our set up. We have very few 22-28 aged players, Welsby and Lees being the only ones of note. We either have ageing players past their best- Lomax, Walmsley, Paasi, Clark, Sironen, Percival etc or ones who are very young with potential- Whitby, Robertson, Dagnall, Stephens. 


It's the 22-28 age range we desperately need.

They're where we found ourselves under Lam, with guys like Smithies, Havard, Partington, Shorrocks, Byrne etc being asked to do a seasoned pros job, guys like Clubb and Lockers being pretty much done and a number of players who just weren't up to standard. We compounded the issue trying to sign somebody like George Burgess to sit in that in between age group as well. A few Saints fans liked to revel in telling us none of our players were good enough and just as then, there are players in this Saints side that can take them forward and things can turn quickly but they've some rebuild job on in this next year or two. 

7 straight defeats to Wire, 3 each to us and Rovers, 2 straight to Leigh. Saints this season are mostly winning the games that they should win but not the games that they need to win if they expect to be thereabouts for trophies. I don't like to dump on coaches but I don't see how Wellens stays beyond this season without an absolute miracle. But, as others have said, this isn't a situation a change of coach will easily fix. It needs a squad rebuild as well.

I almost feel guilty questioning his inclusion Stu, as I think he probably would be in that group were it not for his wholehearted playing style. Even last night he was still throwing himself at the defence harder than most of your forwards! He's still a talent when fit but, unfortunately for him and Saints, he's not at his best often enough.