Paul Wellens believes ‘forgotten’ St Helens can live long in the memory
PAUL Wellens believes St Helens are primed to make more memories after being ‘forgotten.’
If it is possible, the four-times defending Super League champions and the current global kings after February’s World Club Challenge win in Australia have flown under the radar.
Now all of a sudden, Saints are level on points with Wigan and Catalans at the summit with three matches remaining.
And boss Wellens, who many were doubting earlier this year, says this is the result of not being distracted by external noise, good or bad.
He said: “We certainly weren’t under the radar at the start of the year when we went to Australia.
“But since then, through missing players through suspension and injury and struggling for form, you can be very easily forgotten.
“I’d say there’s not quite been the same hype around us as recent seasons but that’s something myself and the players are comfortable with.
“However, what we do know is the big games are coming thick and fast and they’re the ones this group of players wants to be a part of.
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“If people are talking about us, great. If they’re not, that’s also great.
“And with this group of players, I don’t worry about them buying into any hype too much. There’s been a lot of hype around this team for a few years and rightly so.
“But I know they don’t get caught up in how good they are or how good they’ve been – they have a focus on what they need to do next.
“That’s the challenge for us all, not just the players.”
One man making headlines for his feats is winger Tommy Makinson, who is now eighth in Super League’s all-time try scoring list with 174.
But as he has been reminded, there is one Saints player above him on 199, his boss.
Wellens, whose side faces Leigh tonight, added: “It has been laughed about in the dressing room a few times.
“But rest assured, I know Tommy’s going to waltz past my mark in no time and honestly, no-one would be more delighted than me to see him do it.
“I loved scoring tries but I loved winning more.”