Rugby league fans say the same thing about Paul Wellens after Leigh v St Helens

St Helens fell to a fifth straight defeat, the first time the feat has ever happened in Super League, as they lost 46-4 to Leigh Leopards prompting serious questions about the future of Paul Wellens.

Recently, the St Helens head coach has openly admitted that he and the team are under pressure and a huge defeat tonight only adds to that with questions now being asked about whether the Red Vee will even cling on the the playoffs.

That’s something that they’ve managed in every single Super League season but with five consecutive defeats and no sign of improvement, their two-point buffer ahead of Leeds Rhinos looks precarious. Should Salford and Catalans win tomorrow then Saints’ position could worsen and they would drop from fourth to sixth.

Such performances and results weren’t accepted at St Helens with the club World Champions just 18 months ago. Defeat in such a manner against Leigh has led to fans asking the same question, is Paul Wellens’ time at St Helens up? The pressure has been ramped up on Wellens due to reports linking the club with Lee Briers who will return to England for 2025.

Is Paul Wellens’ time at St Helens over?

Wellens had the perfect start to his coaching career with the famous win over Penrith Panthers but failure to make a domestic final in 2023 was below expectations, especially with the club coming off their four consecutive Grand Final wins.

In 2024, they’ve been dumped out of the Challenge Cup at the semi-final stage and this torrid run of form is the worst that the club has suffered in 38 years meaning it’s understandable why such questions are being asked of Paul Wellens.

For some St Helens fans though, the time for questions is over and demands are being made with reaction to the club’s full-time post on X garnering such responses.

Wellens has to go, if not something is seriously wrong at this club

— Plankton ⚪️🔴⚪️ (@Apple09130616) July 26, 2024

There’s not a single reason why Wellens should still have a job. He’s the biggest loser in club history and undone 5 years of dominance. Put him and the fans out of our misery.

— Old Man Winter (@OldManWinter999) July 26, 2024

One thing that was noted by many, including former player John Stankevitch, was the fact that Saints missed 76 tackles something that the former St Helens player labelled as “absolutely embarrassing”.

Another posted: “76 missed tackles. A 46-4 pumping to a team outside the playoffs to set a record of 5 consecutive defeats. Club headed out of the play offs. Do you even care anymore @Saints1890??? The continued silence is deafening.”

Did that just say SEVENTY SIX missed tackles. Absolutely embarrassing that. I have nothing further to add.

— John Stankevitch (@johnstankevitch) July 26, 2024

The higher-ups at the club such as Eamon McManus and Mike Rush were called upon with fans asking for them to take action, one claimed of Wellens that: “He has to go tonight. It’s that simple. We are an absolute shambles all over the field. The buck stops with him.”

He has to go tonight. It’s that simple. We are an absolute shambles all over the field. The buck stops with him.

McManus and Rush need to get a grip of our club and fast.

— Wayne Haselden (@WayneHaselden) July 26, 2024

Another claimed that the decision was inevitable, arguing: “Surely. Surely. Surely there is no other option than to part ways now. Players being out injured does not excuse these performances. No pride. No passion. Paper thin defence. No improvement week on week.”

If Paul Wellens does remain in the job for a week longer then he will lead his side to face Hull FC next week which could well be a huge banana skin, as Wigan Warriors found out last week.