Re: Wellens to play 550 games before he retires : Mon Mar 24, 2014 9:19 am  

Saddened! wrote:

Were you there? If so, what changed second half? From the radio commentary we were awful until about 50 minutes, then had a golden 20 to blow Wakefield off the park. What caused that?

In the first half we were playing into the teeth of a gale, the drop outs were only getting to the 30m mark. We tackled really well and 4 each would have been a good HT score in the circumstances. The late interception try flattered Wakey they were not worth 10-4 at HT. Furthermore the ref was poor - he let Wakey please their selves at the POB . After the break we got off to a bad start with some poor defence around the ruck for their try but that seemed to spur us on and to a man our lads upped their intensity and Wakey wilted. The ref started to stop their persistent infringements and we benefited from that with territory. Big mention for Joe Greenwood who tackled and ran like someone of 6ft 5ins - made a big impact. It was freezing at Wakey, we had rain, hail and some snow - speaks volumes for our character that we were able to come back from 16 - 4

Re: Wellens to play 550 games before he retires : Mon Mar 24, 2014 9:25 am  

Dads Army 76 wrote:

In the first half we were playing into the teeth of a gale, the drop outs were only getting to the 30m mark.

Explains a lot. Why people don't mention this sort of detail earlier - especially the radio commentators - in a game that dramatically swings?

Re: Wellens to play 550 games before he retires : Mon Mar 24, 2014 9:26 am  

Offside Monkey wrote:

But it is some posters opinion, mine included, that this has not particularly been the case.
Wello's versatility came in handy against Catalans. Apart from that, I think his selection has been very strange as he's not as good a forward as Flanaghan or our fringe youngsters like Greenwood and Thompson and I'd wager he's not as good a standoff as Charnock.

You mention leadership and attitude, but this surely can't be that influential in the games when he's been left on the bench until 65minutes when the game is won. What positives has he done in those games that he couldn't have done with a trainers jersey, water bottle and kicking cone?
Either Brown see's Wellens as having a versatility which is extremely valuable (akin to Royce's back on the bench strategy) or was easing him into a forwards role in the early games. I think both of these would be flawed theories, though.

I don't have an issue with you expressing the view in the way you have done here it's a valid view and up for debate. The issue I have is a) the tone of some of the posts - slug, snail , muppet etc Wello does not deserve that and b) The total unwillingness to acknowledge a positive contribution when it is there like in yesterday's game. But fine if you have a view about the set up of the team and post it fairly and objectively then great - surely that's what forums are about.

Re: Wellens to play 550 games before he retires : Mon Mar 24, 2014 10:02 am  

Dads Army 76 wrote:

I don't have an issue with you expressing the view in the way you have done here it's a valid view and up for debate. The issue I have is a) the tone of some of the posts - slug, snail , muppet etc Wello does not deserve that and b) The total unwillingness to acknowledge a positive contribution when it is there like in yesterday's game. But fine if you have a view about the set up of the team and post it fairly and objectively then great - surely that's what forums are about.

Point taken.

I would still argue that even though Wellens contributed from #6 on sunday, we'd still be better blooding someone like Charnock. I'll never knock Wellens the man.

Re: Wellens to play 550 games before he retires : Mon Mar 24, 2014 10:03 am  

Offside Monkey wrote:

Explains a lot. Why people don't mention this sort of detail earlier - especially the radio commentators - in a game that dramatically swings?

I'll be honest, I was at the game and I didn't notice any "gale" whatsoever. It was a cold day and the rain and hailstone was a bit grim, but I don't recall anything that could be described as a gale.

Re: Wellens to play 550 games before he retires : Mon Mar 24, 2014 10:23 am  

The Yellow Giraffe wrote:

I'll be honest, I was at the game and I didn't notice any "gale" whatsoever. It was a cold day and the rain and hailstone was a bit grim, but I don't recall anything that could be described as a gale.

Well the drop out from under the posts stopped dead in the wind blew backwards and Roby got to it first between the 20 and 30 - maybe gale is overstating it but it was certainly a stiff wind

Re: Wellens to play 550 games before he retires : Mon Mar 24, 2014 12:38 pm  

I am a stickler for on topic posts.

Sad end does tend to keep his Wello attacks to the relevent posts.

I do think both the Catalan's and Wakey selection of Wellens was justified. There are other selections (mainly the 75 mins on the bench that have been less so).

I agree with Pete that today I would have put Wellens to FB and tried Lomax at halfback. But it's a small quibble. He would be in my team yesterday.

But welcome to the forum, all views are welcome.

My only issue with Saddened is the diversionary nature of the comments, people tend to take him overly seriously and so few other players get as indepth a grilling or analysis or praise for their efforts.

Re: Wellens to play 550 games before he retires : Mon Mar 24, 2014 1:53 pm  

I think Saddened likes to do character assassination trolling and gets blinkered at times.
It will be interesting when Wellens retires who will be next on the agenda.

Re: Wellens to play 550 games before he retires : Mon Mar 24, 2014 4:43 pm  

Dads Army 76 wrote:

Wrong again - not Paul's mum - Just a loyal supporter who actually goes to the games - home and away - I just want to see accurate sensible debate around the issues that relate to our team not the rubbish that gets posted here all the time.

Everyone's entitled to an opinion. As a season ticket holder for many years I'm entitled to mine and I'm afraid your the one talking rubbish. Wello has been a great servant to our club but everyones playing days come to an end and the majority of the criticism aimed at his performances is sadly valid. You may argue over whos fault it is that he's still getting picked in positions he has no idea how to play in (and lacks the ability when it comes to the halves) but thats a side issue. Being a top player in the past and a good club man does not mean you become immune to criticism

Re: Wellens to play 550 games before he retires : Mon Mar 24, 2014 6:18 pm  

Offside Monkey wrote:

You also have to realise that many poster's criticism isn't always aimed and Wellens himself, more the decision of the powers that be to select him over, say, Flanaghan as a back row.

I though Wello was playing HB?