St Helens missed out on an opportunity to reclaim second place in Super League as they lost to rivals Warrington Wolves 24-10 at home last night.
Making matters worse, Warrington had to play with 12 men for 60 minutes of the match after James Harrison was sent from the field for making shoulder contact to Noah Stephen’s head in the first half.
By that point, St Helens were already 12-0 down with Warrington’s left edge looking electric with scores from Matty Ashton and Matt Dufty inside the opening 15 minutes. However, the send-off evened things out with Saints slowly coming into the game in the second half.
Paasi would power over five minutes after the restart before Warrington dropping to 11 men was the catalyst for Saints to score a second and make it 12-10. Despite that, it was Warrington who finished strongest with two late tries securing the win and handing St Helens a fourth successive defeat.
Paul Wellens admitted in his post-match reaction on Sky Sports that it’s a result that leaves the team “under pressure” but fans are split over where the blame lies; with Wellens or with the players?
Raging St Helens fans unsure where to point the finger
Credit: Imago Images
Another thing that Paul Wellens conceded in his post-match interview is that St Helens should have won the game considering the man advantage they had for an hour. That’s an opinion that almost all Saints fans hold but why they couldn’t do that is something that splits opinion.
One fan asked plenty of questions, taking to social media post-game posting: “Time for some honest conversations at Saints this week I think. Is Wellens really the man? Is Lomax still capable? Did we drop the right halfback? Could we use Welsby better than we are?”
“Over for Wello?”, was the question that another fan asked as they argued that the team were suffering from a lack of “morale, bodies and a general clue” at the moment.
Low morale, bodies and a general clue at the moment.
Not one to pile on. Things usually never as bad as they seem in the moment.
Yet, not sure the players are responding to the coaching team at all, as we look devoid of direction. Over for Wello?#SLSthWar
— Alex Yoxall (@AlexanderYoxall) July 19, 2024
Some were far more committed in their criticism and questioning of Paul Wellens though with one fan arguing that there can be “zero excuses”.
They posted: “Played for 50 minutes against 12 and 10 mins against 11. Zero excuses. What does Wellens do with the players during the week? He’s turned us into the most boring team in the league. Racking up scores against London and Cas doesn’t fool anyone; we are w**k when it matters.”
Of course, the irony of that post is that Saints lost to Castleford Tigers at home two weeks ago as part of this current four-game slide. For some it was reminiscent of the final days of Keiron Cunningham, whilst others urged for the club to make a play for recently-appointed Australia assistant and former boss Justin Holbrook.
When are we going to wake up as a club? This is Cunningham all over again. We wasted far too much time before we sacked him – don’t make the same mistake again otherwise we may as well just write another season off.
He has to go.— Wayne Haselden (@WayneHaselden) July 19, 2024
Please go all out for Holbrook, please. https://t.co/dvXjj5oxhP
— Adam. (@1906am) July 19, 2024
Others pointed the fingers at the players though with opinion split over whether it is Wellens or the players for the current form, a situation that is normally best answered with a mixture of both.
For one fan though, senior players had been getting away with it for too long.
They posted: “I’m going to be blunt!! Senior players take look at yourselves!! This is not the standard that we as a Club and supporters expect!! You must beat 12 men and for 10 mins 11!! Disgraceful!! No more excuses!!”
Eamon McManus and Mike Rush may be forced to either back or sack their manager to quell the speculation which is tearing the fan base apart. Whether they do that before the Round 19 game against Leigh Leopards is to be seen.
I’m going to be blunt!!
Senior players take look at yourselves!!
This is not the standard that we as a Club and supporters expect!!
You must beat 12 men and for 10 mins 11!!
Disgraceful!!
No more excuses!! https://t.co/B1Koxj8dOx— ohwhenthesaints (@whenthesaints1) July 19, 2024
