Full-back Paul Wellens demands St Helens improvements

Wellens has scored 12 tries for St Helens this season

St Helens full-back Paul Wellens says improvements are needed if his side are to win silverware this season.

Saints slipped to a 30-20 defeat to Catalans on Friday, their seventh Super League loss this season.

"If we continue to play like that we're not going to win many things," the 30-year-old told BBC Radio Merseyside.

"We set ourselves up at this club to be successful and in the coming weeks we're going to have to work hard and get better."

Wellens added: "We were disappointed with our performance in the first half and we spoke at the break about improving and doing the little things better.

"Although we did improve in parts in the second half, it still wasn't up to the standard we know what we can achieve."

The England international, who scored one of Saints' four tries, says the answer to the defeat could lie in the players' attitude.

We were beaten by a better team all over the park.

St Helens full-back Paul Wellens on their defeat by Catalans

"When we have the big games or the so-called big games against the Wigans and Leeds, we turn up, we give everything and we play our best," he said.

"But games like these against Catalans, where people expect us to beat the opposition that's put out, we're turning up and, if we're honest with ourselves, we're not doing enough.

"Performances are not something you can switch on and off, you've got to play at your best every week. As a group of players we've got to learn that and learn that fast."

The 2006 Man of Steel says his side need to find a level of consistency between now and the end of the season in order for them to show their true worth.

"The funny thing about rugby league is if you lose focus and don't do the little things that get you on the front foot, you have to work even harder," said Wellens.

"You're on the back foot and you have to make plays that you shouldn't have to play. That really cost us against Catalans, we were beaten by a better team all over the park.

"It's tough to take, but next week's a big game, but we soldier on."