Quote: St pete "The kick return from the FB can be the most important touch in a set of six. That first touch if returned well is what puts teams on the front run.
Wello kick returns mostly end up as dead tackle as he's not beat the first man or put their defence on the back foot.
I love wello and still think he's the safest fullback in super league but we are missing a fullback who can give us a good kick return.
Maybe lance at fullback, Pryce and lomax at 6 & 7 next year with wello filling in the backrow or bench?'"
I'm going to do a Pete here, when I have suggested that Pryce should not be played with Lance, that Lomax and/or Gaskell need to be given their chance, I've been told that we can't just throw youngsters in to fill every position.
Well here is a prime example, we've had a few lads try out at full back when Wellens has been injured and I don't think any of them have improved our fullback position either in attack or defence.
People tend to concentrate on the speed element, but when he is not there, do we improve as a team?
I'm not blind though he will need a replacement at some point, I would have thought 1 more season. Lance and Lomax at half back next year, with Gaskell providing cover with Wheeler. Then if Wheeler or Gaskell make a case for the half back role, the following year, Lance to move to fullback with Gaskell or Wheeler moving to half back with Lomax. However if Gaskell or Wheeler don't step up to take on a half back role, Saints to go shopping for another halfback in a years time.
I would be surprised to see Pryce stay next year, but if he did, he is one player who has covered the fullback role in Wellens absense and proved to be a quality replacement. So if the coach does move the team around a bit maybe Pryce to fullback, which would allow him to keep up his playmaker role in attack and give us some speed on kick returns.
Just a thought???