St Helens Coach Wellens Demands Response After Consecutive Losses
Published on March 28, 2023 | Source: BBC Sport
St Helens head coach Paul Wellens has sent a strong message to his players following their disappointing 31-8 defeat to Warrington Wolves in the Challenge Cup quarter-finals. This loss comes on the heels of their 14-8 defeat against Catalans Dragons last week, leaving the reigning Super League champions winless in their last two outings.
Wellens did not mince words in his assessment, stating that he wants his players to “sting” from the defeat and be “hurt by it.” He emphasized that if the players are not affected by such a loss, then they are “at the wrong club” and “sat in the wrong seat.”
The Saints’ coach was particularly critical of his team’s discipline, which has been a recurring issue in recent weeks. He noted that they have been the “least disciplined team with the ball” in their last two matches, suggesting that this level of indiscipline has consistently put them under unnecessary pressure.
“If the players are not affected by such a loss, then they are at the wrong club and sat in the wrong seat.”
Wellens expressed his disappointment with the team’s overall performance, acknowledging that they did not live up to the expectations for a Challenge Cup quarter-final. He admitted that the team failed to respond positively to the previous week’s defeat, leaving them with “a bit of soul-searching” to do.
The Saints boss was also critical of his players’ attitude, stating that they were “out-enthused” by their opponents at home, which he described as unacceptable. However, he remains optimistic about their chances in the Super League, where they will now focus their efforts to achieve success.
As Wellens looks ahead, he has called on his players to respond positively, emphasizing that there is no time to dwell on the recent losses. The challenge for St Helens now is to regroup and demonstrate the qualities that have made them the reigning Super League champions.
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