Today Richie Wellens played his first game for us since we lost 2-1 to West Ham at the end of last season. He suffered a serious knee injury that game and only returned from that around October time and then he went out on loan to Ipswich and got injured again when he returned. But thats not why I have written this article. After the game he had an interview with Stringer and as you all know Richie is as honest as they come. He said after the game that he had felt great in training all week and he was surprised when Nigel told him he was playing. He said he felt very fit until he started playing today and he said he just didnt feel sharp. Which is expected as he hasnt played for a long time. He said personally he is delighted with a replay as he might get more game time. He said he felt the turning point was Nugent, Drinkwater and Wood coming on, 3 players who play every week and compared to himself, Vardy and Waghorn people who dont play every week. Stringer then asked him what his short term future is with the transfer window closing soon. Richie then said his job is to back up the players that are ahead of him in the time. Since Nigel left there has been too many players come in bitchin and moaning about when they arent in the team. He is going to to have to stay positive and wait for his chance When Sven was here he used Matt Oakley very well as he brought him on to use his experience and help us close games out. I think Nigel should be looking at using Wellens that way as this is Drinkwater first full season at a club, Matty James hasnt played many games in professional football and this is his first proper season and then Andy King who despite being quite young has played over 200 games for the club. Wellens has the right attitude and experience that we need at a very crucial period in the season. He might be a bit of a spent force but coming off the bench he could prove invaluble Here is a short clip of his interview [video=youtube;AXdFCF-Bz2M]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_profilepage&v=AXdFCF-Bz2M[/video] top man Richie Wellens
I love the guy but yesterday he was awful. I wouldn't start with him but would use him to shut games out. We got away with it thou
In fairness to Wellens he said it himself he is sort of match fitness so you cant expect him to be sharp
I think, and personally hope, that he is only gonna be a bit part player nowadays, when he is in the midfield it looks so pedestrian and one dimensional, as stated above he was pretty awful yesterday, tho in fairness its a long time since he played. Good interview from a good pro, tho past his sell by date now im afraid. It wasn't just Wellens tho yest to be honest, alot of players had bad games, and not just the ones coming into the team, tho worryingly it does highlite a lack of quality in depth in midfield and most def up front, cos we never looked like scoring till Nugent and Woods came on........
Wellens will be very useful coming on for the last 15-20 mins in tight games. If he is used properly he could become an assest again
His experience could be crucial. We have a very young side and when people like Knockaert are losing their heads defensively Wellens could be an assest
I seem to remember Wellens "losing his head " a few times in the past. Now with age he cant do the things he once could, which wasn't that great in the first place. Sorry cant agree that Wellens is the answer to keeping things tight in the last 15.
