Paul Sculthorpe's weekly column in the St Helens Star

I said in my column last week it was a game I was worried about due to current form, and Leigh is never an easy place to go. But, never did I expect a 46-4 hammering. That is not St Helens RFC.

Not only were we on the wrong end of an horrendous scoreline, but the players out there managed to create a piece of history - the first time Saints have lost five games in a row in the Super League era, and the worst run of defeats since 1986.

If that doesn’t give the players a kick up the backside then I don’t know what will.

I’ve obviously seen a lot said about head coach Paul Wellens and his position at the club.

Unfortunately for Wello, this is something that comes with the job and coaches are all too often an easy target when things aren’t going well, never mind awful.

But, to see things like he has ‘lost the changing room’ etc, is just ridiculous.

Wello is one of, if not the most respected person at the club, ever.

His players are 100 per cent behind him, and yes he’s played with many of the current team but has the ability to hold that player/coach relationship, and say what needs to be said.

He is also a very smart coach, both technically and tactically.

How about, as per my comments a few weeks back, some of the players are simply not good enough?

How’s about, a lot of the players who were a major part of more than four titles in a row are aging and not the players they were. Many who have missed as many games as they have played in. That’s not a dig, that’s fact and it comes with years of playing…trust me I know.

Wello doesn’t miss 70 plus tackles, drop simple balls, and fluff clear tries. Also indiscipline when things aren’t going to plan.

In regards to the way the team play, they are given ‘shape’, which to be honest won’t be much different than how most teams play.

It’s then up to the players on the park to execute what is in front of them. This is something we are unable to do presently.

There is a big issue at half back, where most of the direction is given. These have a massive influence on everyone else on the team.

Paul’s job is to therefore decide who’s up to it, and ultimately who plays.

Unfortunately with the amount of injuries and lack of strength in depth this is pretty much out of his hands.

On the plus side, the introduction of youngsters like Noah Stephens, Harry Robertson and Johnny Vaughan has given these boys invaluable experience for their careers going forward. However, the nature of professional sport is results, and at the moment we look a long way off.

To add to the misery, it looks like Jack Welsby could be missing for up to eight weeks with a torn hamstring, and now Jonny Lomax, and by far our best player this year Mark Percival will miss the trip to Hull via suspension.

Saints now sit sixth in the Betfred Super League table, and are now scrambling for a place in the play-offs.

Betfred have Wigan 10/11 favourites to be champs again and Saints out to 11/2 behind the Wire at 7/2.

This great club shouldn't be hoping for a top-six finish but challenging the likes of Wigan and Warrington for the League Leaders' Shield.

So, it’s off to the KCOM Stadium on the west side of Hull on Saturday... and a must-win game for Saints.

FC have had a tough season themselves, currently sitting 11th in the Betfred Super League table.

However, despite losing three of their last four games, remember they did beat current champions Wigan and have seen a vast improvement in performances. They will, like Leigh, see this as an opportunity to kick Saints while they are down.

It looks like the travelling visitors could be boosted by the return of a couple of long-term casualties, and much needed experience.

It was also good to see both Tommy Makinson and Matt Whitley return last Friday despite the result, and no doubt both will be better for the blow out this week.

I’ve got to stick with the Saints, and back them to turn things around. I’ll go for a win by more than 10 points which is a generous 2/1 at Betfred.