I'm going for Wello next year because we are likely to still need his experience at the back and also in helping our halves (if we stick with our young guns) but that is with the caveat that Makinson is mentored by him into the fullback role because I think Makinson is looking extremely promising for that position (although I like him on the wing as well!).

thats my thoughts too. Wello is safe, but his attacking threat is now virtually nil, but then are any of the other candidates better all round in the role? I think they might be

Anyone but Wellens.

High balls - Dropped as many as any fullback in SL did. Cost us tries in key games.
Cover tackles - Once his forte. This season I can only remember the one on Charnley in the Cup semi final. Far too many players have walked through his tackling this season.
One on ones - Looks a complete fool in one on one situations. Always loses.
Kick returns - Pathetic, gone are the days of him beating the first man and making 20m.
Defensive positioning - Once a major strength, he saved far better teams than we have now by being in the right place at the right time to take a kick or be a brick wall and stop an attack. Now he arrives just as the ball is being grounded and spins round, flapping his arms in protest at the ref or his fellow players.
Individual attacking threat - Never has had any, now he doesn't even try
Joining the line - One of the main ways modern teams score tries. As defensive discipline is key, players very rarely fail to number up properly. Players like Tomkins, Hodgson and Grix can join the attacking line anywhere, which causes aprehension and hesitation in the defensive line. We don't have that. Wellens 'chimes' in stumbling and struggling to keep up and it is ALWAYS down the left in the centre position. 99% of the time he falls over, is tackled easily or throws Meli a stupid pass he has no chance to do anything with bar take the tackle.

In short, he is effing terrible. He used to be magnificent, he used to perform above his physical attributes and he used to be inspirational. He is no longer. I love the man and he is a bone fide Saints legend, but his time has come and it's about time someone at the club recognised this and did something about it.

When I heard he had done his achilles in the final I thought, "Shame, but maybe he'll retire now". But it doesn't seem like he will. I just fear another season will see him booed, hated and thoroughly erasing his legacy by descending into a farce.

So you are still undecided then?

Wellens speaks very highly of you so I am given to understand.

You can't buy what experience wello has. When 100% fit he still get over the try line as well. His kick returns are a problem but foster is also very poor on kick returns.

Id start off the season with wello and pick and choose what games to play tommy there and ease him into the fullback role.

It's tough as we've got lance, wello, lomax and tommy all can fill the fullback role as well as lance, lomax and Gaskell all fighting fir the halfback roles.

Sadly quite accurate.

That's not tough; that's fantastic! How often in recent years have we had enough players of sufficient ability to have options at three pivotal roles?

I agree on the instinct stuff and I doubt Wello would ever really be boo'd but I could see people becoming more and more frustrated with him. Anyone who thinks Makinson wont make errors is kidding themselves, he should however be supported and encouraged and I think his pace would be a big plus on kick returns and would cause defences far more uncertainty in attack.

On the booing , I remember years ago as a kid being disappointed when the pop side boo'd Shane Cooper and Lockers when his form dipped. Quite disgraceful actually especially Lockers.

Its very important that Wello plays next season, for his leadership, experience, communication. With Graham gone we won't have a natural leader if Wello is dropped. Wilkin could possibly lead but I don't know if this would effect his game. Like to see Makinson come into centre position for some games playing alongside Lomax/Gaskell/Lance.
So for the start of the season it would be Wello at Full Back and see what options we have got when the new players settle in.

Robes should be captain, FACT!

I mean it's a tough choice.

At the halfway point of the season just gone I'd have had wello fullback, lomax and lance in the halves but the performances of Gaskell and tommy has now blown it wide open! I wonder if we'd have signed lance if we'd known just how well both Gaskell and tommy have played?

For me, Gaskell is the first name in, he brings things that the others don't have. His ability to take the line on and his kicking is very good for 19 year old kid. He's our most dangerous player with hall in hand.

Wouldnt be surprised if he was named vice captain along with Wilkin.

Wello should be captain. He's experienced, highly respected, St Helens lad and will die for the cause.

Dont be shocked to see laffranchi take on a captains role

Like to see Roby at loose forward badged up as the vice captain, not sure if he can boss everyone around the park, maybe captain in 2013.