Only one stat that matters.

12-18

Agree on the first point however I think you have to give Charnley credit for a great step which beat both Meli and the cover. The pointsl remain about Wellens though i.e. his lack of pace means the ball dies with him whenever we're in a situation where some speed is required which is either linking up on the outside or returning the kick. He's still great powering through tackles but it's not enough anymore.

The thing with Wello is that the game has moved on. Fullbacks are no longer the RL equivalent of a goalkeeper in footballer. They are not there purely to take down defenders that break through. They are now a third halfback, like the looseforward is now a third prop. The fullback is now arguably the most important attacking weapon in a side as it's much harder to defend against their linking into the line. We just don't have that in our nal with Wellens in the side, he's too slow and far too predictable and doesn't contribute enough and leaves us looking helpless in attack because we've got 12 blokes in a line and no threat from fullback.

Even if the development of the sport hadn't changed the role of the fullback, Wello still isn't playing well enough to stay in the team. The tackle on Charnley in the first half was magnificent, but he used to do that week in week out a few years ago. He's missing more tackles than ever now and for 99% of the tries we concede he arrives in the area just as the player is touching the ball down. He's also not the safe pair of hands he used to be under the bomb, he's dropped more clangers this season than he has in his entire career.

It's hard for Saints fans because it's Wello. A local product who has given his all for the club and who has produced some sensational performances and seasons for us in the past. I love the man, love him to bits. But if he was any other player in any other position he would be booed and he would be the scapegoat for our woes this season.

For the sake of the team he has to go. He cannot be the first choice fullback next season.

I was told from a very reliable source that he asked to move to 13 at the start of either last season or the season before. May be this time....

Under Royston's back on the bench policy he's absolutely perfect. Wello could cover 1,3,4,6,7,9,11,12,13 allowing us to have 3 bruisers on the bench.

But the club hasn't shown any hints so far that he will be moved or replaced at fullback.

I think he'd be a waste of a spot on the bench. He'd come on and make no impact at all. We want a sub that will make a difference and IMO wello wouldn't.