I still believe that despite the fact that Wellens is way past his best, he's still probably the best British full-back in the game. Says a lot about the British game really.

Don't think he is the best british fullback any more but he is solid. He might not be the quickest but he doesn't need to be because he reads play so well. Barring a bad injury he still has a few seasons left, whether with you or elsewhere.

If he's still at 1 at the end of 2 years we've gone wrong somewhere. Mistakes were creeping into his game last year, he may well read a game well, but that only covers so far and it's no longer covering his physical lack of pace like it once did. He doesn't return the ball far enough and he doesn't consistently beat the first man anymore.



He's been an excellent player for us, and may well offer a hell of a lot to young players coming through, but as a top class full back he's finished now.

Between Wellens and our two error-prone wingers we're giving up twenty yards per set of six to the opposition. That just isn't sustainable.

You lot have such low expectations though. So Wellens doesn't make many mistakes and is solid defensively? So bloody what. The team is as tight as a nut anyway, we need to make the side more dangerous and expansive.



Wello didn't have a great season, he struggled a lot of the time, it just wasn't as noticable as the whole team was turgid and he doesn't drop the ball. That is the sole thing Saints fans look to in order to rate players, how often they knock on.



I can't believe some of you want to wait for 2 years to think about replacing him. He's not what he once was.

Well how do I say this



I may be a visionary, missionary, pain the arriss to most on here.



But I will take great delight in saying





































I TOLD YOU SO



And years ago.

You said years ago that Wellens would still be the best British full back even when 30 and way passed his best? Yes, you visionary!

Except he is nothing like.

And I never said it.

Yes, you told us so, years ago, when you were wrong.



And there's a strong argument that you're still wrong.



Here's a bold suggestion: one day, Sam Tomkins will get old, lose his pace and retire. REMEMBER I TOLD YOU SO.

Wellens finished last season very strongly, being one of our better players throughout the play off, IIRC.



Centre? If you had the choice between a slow but experienced full back and a slow and inexperienced centre, isn't the choice obvious. Especially when Wheeler looked good in the centre last year and we've got Soliola knocking about.



There is a good argument for examining our overall lack of pace, although Easmond backing up in the middle this season may make people less concerned with that, but Wellens wouldn't necessarily be the first I looked at <cough>gardner<cough>.

Where has his support play gone? A few years ago you could guarantee he would be on the shoulder of every half break. Now a days he is no where to be seen!