Paul Wellens, who has been with St Helens for over 26 years as a player and coach, has been there for all the highs and lows over the past 25 years. He has also been there for the worst.
One of those came last month, when his Saints became the first team in 38 years to lose five straight league games and the first team to lose five straight in all competitions since Wellens took over as captain in 2013.
Back-to-back wins over Hull FC and play-off contenders Salford Red Devils have left the 10-time Betfred Super League champions fourth ahead of the Magic Weekend and the manager knows better than anyone what is required of his players.
“We want to finish as high as possible, but after talking to the players, we don’t want to put too much pressure on them,” Wellens said. Sky Sports.
“This year has been very different to what we are used to. We have had our fair share of adversity and difficulties, but the win over Salford was all about character.
“We have to maintain the same form we have now until the end of the year. We have to keep working hard and do our best.”
One of the biggest challenges for St Helens this year has been dealing with injuries to key players and things haven't gotten any better with Lewis Dodd, Daryl Clarke and Mark Perceval all out for four to six weeks since the 17-16 golden point win over Salford.
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Highlights from this year's Good Friday derby, where St Helens beat Wigan Warriors 12-4
They will be without 2023 Man of Steel candidate Jack Welsby and there is a marked lack of experience in the 21-man St Helens squad that heads to Elland Road for this weekend's Super League clash – a fact underscored by the fact that half-back Will Roberts and forward Leon Cowen will be making their debuts if they make their 17th appearance.
Adding to the challenge, Saints face fierce rivals Wigan Warriors in their second game on Saturday. Sky Sports (Starting at 5pm), the former champions are still reeling from their shock 30-4 defeat to Leeds Rhinos in round 21.
St Helens and Wigan have each won one game this year, with St Helens winning 12-4 in the Good Friday derby at Totally Wicked Stadium in March, while Wigan bounced back 16-12 at Brick Community Stadium last month.
As well as being the perfect opportunity to beat the odds and emerge victorious, the derby is also the perfect way for goalkeeper winger Tommy Markinson to mark his 300th Super League appearance for a club he will be leaving at the end of the year.
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St Helens' Tommy Markinson broke the record for most goals scored by an individual player in Magic Weekend 2023 with this conversion against Huddersfield Giants.
“It's going to be a blast on Saturday and a great weekend of rugby.” Makinson broke the individual scoring record for a Magic Weekend, having scored 28 in Newcastle's 48-6 win over Huddersfield Giants last year. Sky Sports News.
“It's about getting ready for the playoffs. That big game feeling gets you used to the crowd and the atmosphere.
“Especially playing against local rivals. It's going to be packed with people having fun and it's going to be a great time on a Saturday at 5pm.”
Despite St Helens' consistently high expectations not being met and the discontent among some supporters in 2024, Wellens pointed to positives in terms of overall performance.
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Highlights from Wigan Warriors' 16-12 win over St Helens in Betfred Super League
Firstly, the Saints have the second-best defensive record in Super League with six games remaining in the regular season, and even the 274 points they have conceded are just 14 points behind league leaders Hull KR.
St Helens have amassed 518 points, the fourth highest in the competition, despite scoring 50 or more against the bottom three teams in Hull FC, Castleford Tigers and London Broncos, with only Hull KR scoring 93 or more tries.
Those running the club are clearly pleased with Wellens' performance. They activated a one-year option to extend his managerial contract until the end of 2025 earlier this week and the 44-year-old is relishing the prospect of facing an old foe once again on one of rugby league's biggest stages.
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Watch the best tries from the exciting Magic Weekend in the Super League
“We're looking forward to it. We always look forward to those types of games,” Wellens said.
“From a coaching standpoint, these weeks are usually pretty easy because the motivation is already there.”
Watch every match of the 2024 Betfred Super League Magic Weekend live on Sky Sports on August 17th and 18th. Also stream it NOW.
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