It was my youngest lads football presentation yesterday so I was out all afternoon and haven't seen the game. I'm also one of those fans that won't watch it back when we lose, sad I know.
I think more of the fans frustrations are with Wellens and how risk averse he is. It makes it worse when we see our nearest and dearest doing so well and a rookie coach who has never coached before (Head coach I mean) completely transforming the club. Farrimond being given a chance on Friday shows a willingness to try the young lads.
Wellens has not blooded any young lads really, Stephens has only been given a chance due to too many injuries in the forwards, same with Delaney last season.
We have a young lad absolutely killing it in the Academy and Reserves- Robertson scoring 3 basically every week and clearly far too good for that level. Lomax has been out and yet he hasn't even had 20 mins. London away would've been the ideal game. Royle and Davies aren't Saints standard and get about 20 mins game time between them, absolute waste of two subs.
Yesterday didn't surprise me too much. We have been a wet weather team now for a while and in dry conditions against a team that promote the ball so well, we struggle as was proved.
I said a couple of weeks I would be absolutely staggered if Wigan didn't finish top and given we have to play them twice, Warrington twice, Leigh away twice plus HKR and Salford still then we are in a real danger of not finishing in the top two.
Wellens is clearly staying next year yet the club haven't made an annoucement. Not sure when they will pick a time as July is a very tricky month. Cas at home next game should be routine but Wigan away will be very hard obviously, plus Warrington who can be hit and miss but are a team that know how to beat us and have the game plan to do so.
In relation to Welsby I think people are going off the fact that he is now a big earner so more is expected. He has looked back to his best lately but I suppose you have to temper that with the quality of opposition. I think we are lost without him but unfortunately when he doesn't fire then he gets the blame from a small minority. I wonder whether he is starting to regret not going to the NRL.
It's going to be a couple of seaons transition for us I feel as the old guard start to break up and we introduce the new lads. I know we are talking to a few players but a lot depends on whether Matautia stays or goes as to what direction we go in. He has been my Player of the season by a distance but I'd be amazed if he does another year. A NRL club will come in for him for sure.
