COACH Paul Wellens is encouraging key pivots Jack Welsby, Jonny Lomax and Lewis Dodd to play to their natural strengths in running the ball as Saints look to develop their attack for their fourth title defence.
The trio are knitting together again having been re-united this year after Dodd’s recovery from an Achilles injury that ended his 2022 before it had even really begun.
Although happy with all three, Wellens is excited by the improvement still to come in how they spearhead the Saints attack – and particularly wants to see them play their natural games.
He referenced aspects of the tough, tight Huddersfield game to highlight his point, with Welsby showing real flashes of his attacking prowess and Lomax a probing threat on the occasions when Saints had some field position.
Wellens said: “When they were both really influential in the game was when they were both running – and that is something I want to encourage them to do more of.
“When those two were young kids, running around Orrell St James and Blackbrook, the strongest parts was probably their running game – and I don’t think that has changed now.
“I want them to back that and be themselves.
“So I will encourage both of those and Lewis Dodd to run the ball more because it is what makes them a key threat.
“In doing that, that will bring their passing game into play a bit more as well.”
Wellens was clear to point out that this was not a criticism of how they have played so far, instead a belief that there is plenty more to come from them.
“All three of those guys are the most competitive, hard-working blokes you are likely to meet so it is great that we have got them in our team.
“It is also great that, even though they are playing so well, that we have still plenty of improvement in us,” he said.
What Paul Wellens said about Lewis Dodd's strengths
A lot of eyes have understandably been on the way Dodd has slotted back into the team following his recovery from one of the toughest injuries an athlete can sustain.
And from the highs of slotting the winner in the World Club Challenge game in Penrith – it has been very much down to earth for the 21-year-old Widnesian at the start of another challenging year.
With Saints – unusually for them – struggling in yardage, Dodd has had to do plenty of kicking on the back foot, and his big boot downfield has done much to relieve the pressure.
Wellens has been happy with the way Dodd has gone about his business since coming back from a long absence in the last 12 months.
“Lewis is a really mature, hardworking kid, who takes information on board and tries to do something about it.
“Like all of our players he is not going to be perfect all the time and there are improvements there to be made.
READ: Saints talking points after win at Huddersfield
“But there are certain aspects of his game that do go unnoticed – particularly the defensive side of his game.
“When you are a smaller body in the defensive line you do get targeted a fair bit but Lewis keeps getting up, getting his body in front and making his tackles.
“And the way he leads our line speed on an edge is outstanding and a big part of the reason why we defend so well.
“We recognise Lewis has some improvements in him – but at the same time I am really delighted with where he is at,” Wellens said.
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