Re: Paul Wellens : Mon Oct 13, 2014 10:33 am  

Saint Simon wrote:

If i was him i'd retire as the man who led my team to an impossible victory. Leave a hero and a winner

This +1 he should be named as part of Kierons coaching staff for next year with Longy as well.

Re: Paul Wellens : Mon Oct 13, 2014 10:51 am  

A true Saints - the way he ran in on Flower surrounded by Wigan players was immense - as was the way he celebrated with clenched fists in front of all the Wigan fans. Whether he'll be around next year on the field will remain to be seen.

Re: Paul Wellens : Mon Oct 13, 2014 11:13 am  

His celebration at the end was ace. Getting to me now thinking about it. Talk about pure elation.

Re: Paul Wellens : Mon Oct 13, 2014 11:37 am  

Whatever Wello decides to do will be fine with me. There's no doubting his leadership and inspirational qualities shone through on Saturday, and like many others I was emotional watching him at full time. No one deserved the win as much as Wello.

Can't help thinking though that this is the best time to bow out.

Re: Paul Wellens : Mon Oct 13, 2014 12:01 pm  

I was thinking the same as Pete, but I did think that would be his role this year.

Whilst his selection at the back end of the year at FB is the role he should be playing. I think with him in the team the temptation is to try and squeeze him in positions that are not suited giving less of a chance to others.

As a reserve FB I'd be more than happy for him to play on, but would he just end up as the back on the bench if Lomax was fit. Which would be 2 backs on the bench if Lance was there too.

Re: Paul Wellens : Mon Oct 13, 2014 12:34 pm  

A true leader of men by example & epitomises his effort by the way he ran in on Flower after the unsavoury incident.

I think he is very close to 500 career appearances so I think that he will give it another year in the hope that he makes this milestone & joins an elite band of warriors.

Re: Paul Wellens : Mon Oct 13, 2014 1:20 pm  

Saint Simon wrote:

If i was him i'd retire as the man who led my team to an impossible victory. Leave a hero and a winner

It would be a fitting end to a fantastic career.

Re: Paul Wellens : Mon Oct 13, 2014 2:09 pm  

There will be times during the 2015 season that we will be on the bones of our a**e with injuries, suspensions etc Give him another year as backup, and get him into coaching the young lads.

I disagree with you Saddened. Wellens was inspirational on the night. I'm really not sure we'd have won that final without him. Charging in on Flower. Calming the lads down right afterwards. We could have started playing desperate rugby and losing our composure the longer the game went on as the pressure of trying to beat 12 men would have been getting to the younger lads. He kept us focused.

Re: Paul Wellens : Mon Oct 13, 2014 2:24 pm  

St pete wrote:

I'm happy for wello to play on but only as cover. He shouldn't be in the 17 next year but what a player to have if we get injuries. He's pure saints to his core and at times you need that.

I'd give him a 1yr playing/coaching role. Let him help coach and if we need him we play him.

I agree.

I'd love to see an announcement saying that he is joining the coaching staff but remains on the playing staff, to be used sparingly if we need him.

Re: Paul Wellens : Mon Oct 13, 2014 2:50 pm  

The Yellow Giraffe wrote:

I agree.

I'd love to see an announcement saying that he is joining the coaching staff but remains on the playing staff, to be used sparingly if we need him.

That would be my preference. He's done a grand job since returning to full back, and still has plenty to offer in terms of leadership. But I don't think there's anyone in the halves or the forwards who should be left out for him on that basis, particularly now that Thompson has come on in leaps and bounds, LMS seems to have found his position and Wilkin will be back. He generally makes me nervous when he's defending in the line. I'd give him a nice coaching job and a 1st team run out whenever Lomax is injured or needs resting.