Well, it's that time of year again!
I'm back with my column in association with Super League title sponsors Betfred, and I'm buzzing to get going.
I promise you that, as always, there will be no sitting on the fence - even if my very good mate is the new head coach at St Helens!
I say that with nothing but 110% confidence in Paul Wellens, who can continue the reign of success he's helped create from the co-driver's seat over the last four years.
Paul took over from Kristian Woolf at the end of another successful season, and for me there was no other choice to be made. Wello has served his apprenticeship under some great coaches over the past seven years - for both club and country - and is more than ready for the top job.
Chairman Eamonn McManus backed this up by saying he was the 'standout candidate' for the job amidst plenty of interest from both sides of the world. His personality, people skills and knowledge is what made him the coach our chairman wanted.
There's no hiding from the fact that this role comes with pressure, as Saints is a club that demands success on top of winning the Betfred Super League on the last four occasions, but I guarantee this will be of no distraction.
Bet on the Super League with Betfred here
Like the coaching staff, which includes new assistant and French national coach and good friend of mine Laurent Frayssinous, I believe Saints still have the strongest and most talented squad in the Betfred Super League.
The new gaffer certainly doesn't get an easy start to his job, with a double header Down Under where we'll face St George Illawarra Dragons in a pre-season friendly before taking on back-to-back NRL Champions Penrith Panthers in the World Club Challenge on Saturday 18 February. This is a huge game, with Saints representing the British game as a whole.
It's forever said that if our game is to grow commercially then we need a strong international programme - something the Aussies don't seem to fussed about. A win here, like we've done several times before, would certainly give the British game and our league more credibility than we currently receive.
Anyway, before the trip Down Under, the Saints faithful get to watch the boys take on Widnes on Friday in Mark Percival's Testimonial game.
Percy has been an outstanding servant over the last 10 years, and anyone who knows me will know he's a player I admire very highly. I hope the fans come out in force to support a player who puts his body on the line every time he crosses that whitewash.
He'll be looking to have a big 2023 - and if he does, Saints will be no doubt be once again lifting silverware.
On that note, title sponsors Betfred have the 'four-midable' Saints 2/1 favourites to make it five in a row - and 10/1 to win the Grand Final and Challenge Cup double, crowning a remarkable first season in charge for my old mate!
Betfred Super League Betting Odds
No comments:
Post a Comment