“I think…” – St Helens boss Paul Wellens speaks out on controversial red card

For the first time since 1980, St Helens lost to Salford Red Devils on Friday night after going down to 12 men.

The Saints lost Mark Percival to a controversial red card against the Red Devils but still extended their lead out to 20-6.

However, an amazing comeback completed by Deon Cross gave Salford the win and after the game St Helens boss spoke about his side’s defeat.

Wellens said to the St Helens Star: “I am obviously disappointed with the result, particularly after the way we started the game.

“I thought we were very dominant in the opening exchanges and failed to capitalise on that really, because 20 minutes we just got a little bit ill-disciplined as we didn’t have the same ruthlessness about us and we were a little bit casual at times.

“Salford are a team who have got good players who can hurt you if you go down that route.”

St Helens boss has his say on controversial red card

Wellens went on to have his say on the red card and believed despite the decision his side still should have won the game: “I think we should have gone on and won the game from that point on and I don’t want to take away anything from Salford. They came here and put a shift in and got the rewards.

“But I feel that we should have done it because I know that these guys have done it in the past and we need to work hard and we need to be better there because ultimately the way the game is going, invariably you’re going to have to learn how to defend down to 12 men at times.

“Obviously, like all teams, you don’t want to do it that often, but we’re all going to be faced with that challenge in the course of the year.

“It’s probably one of those that I need to properly look at it in more detail. However, like I said with Konrad last week, we just have to accept that the game is going down a route.”

St Helens take on Leeds Rhinos next week who are level on points with them at this early stage.