Beware Halifax

[url=http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/local/Cullen-is-a-factor-says.5071145.jpNew coach, new Widnes?[/url

...............having said that:

[url=http://viewtopic.php?t=399417&start=210New coach, same old Wire[/url

I think the problems at Warrington will take much longer to correct then the ones at Widnes (if there ever really were any in the first place).

Seconded - We have seen today that a new coach doesn't have an immediate effect on a team too!

Cullen's inept coaching has caused immense damage at Warrington, a slippery long painful spiral to oblivion which was evident for a long period of time. Even big money signings failed to stop the rot. I have mentioned Rahihi (spelling probably wrong) and Morley as good players turned bad. But how could I forget Matt King?

Put it this way, if Halifax had announced the capture of "Super League coach" Paul Cullen I'd be very very concerned. Why Widnes fans are getting giddy about Cullen I find somewhat bemusing.

I'm gonna stick my neck out here and say Cullen won't last the season. I'll dig this thread out come September and either be gloating "I told you so", or I'll have the stinky fans laughing and throwing eggs.

To be honest most people could coach Widnes into this years top 2 or 3 and they will have to seriously underperform to see him fired quickly. The standard of the division (and a crop of promising looking youngsters) will see that he has a decent time in charge.

Don't underestimate the strength of NL1, espanyolswan. There are several "banana skins" in this division with a few very very tricky away trips. I'm not counting our chickens by any stretch, not because I doubt the ability of our great team and coach, but we should be showing the rest of the division (with the exception of Batley maybe) the utmost respect. It's a case of how tolerant the Widnes fans will be, following potential "shock" defeats at the likes of Featherstone and Barrow, as to how quickly they fall out with Super League Cullen.

Thats what I thought about Warrington when I have seen their squad the past couple or seasons or so.

Fair point but Tolouse in mid Summer once they have got used to the pace of the league won't be a cake walk for anyone and yes underdogs will beat the favourites but I think the likes of Widnes, Fax and Leigh will not lose many at home (and if they do it will be to each other) and the odd loss in Featherstone, Barrow or Whitehaven will be accepted by all but the most gun hoe boards (and to all intents and perposed probably should not be classed as shocks).
.

I know some of you guys on here hate me because I'm always right, but it looks like I'll be right again. The stinkies were visibly worse in their cup game against a injury ravaged Fax compared to our league meeting. And that home defeat against leigh is trully appalling. And now we have that Viking wothisname bugging us cos he's all frustrated. Cullin is a [icrap[/i (in italics littlerich!!!) coach and he'll be out before the end of the season. Am I right? I'm not wrong!

Interesting Tony! A couple more months of what Widnes have been turning out and you maybe correct.

Cullen is not the best coach and if he coaches like he talks on Sky then players will be wondering what the hell he is on about! However the players he has inherited are not the best to be fair. TKL/Dirty Sod is usually injured once a month if not more. Smith at Hooker is not the player he was and there is no back up really to spell him like Fax do with their hookers. Webster is playing behind an often small beaten pack and is struggling to capture the form he once had at HKR. They have no general to really lead them around the park at HB. Wildbore and Doran are penalty machines and always will be. The prop situation is a real concern and cant see them beating either barrow or Haven in Cumbria with such a pack!

I do not think Cullen will go this year as its not a Squad he has had a say in. however should they make a poor start next Season then the pressure will be really on as Widnes MUST win a Trophy to enter the SL race-as i understand it!