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Cullen praises character of his men
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| Paul Cullen |
WARRINGTON Wolves head coach Paul Cullen was pleased with the character shown by his men in the defeat of Huddersfield Giants at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.
Wolves fought back from 22-6 down at half time to win 36-34.
Cullen, asked if he was a relieved man, said: "I don't know whether relief is the word I'm feeling at the minute.
"I'm just delighted for the character shown by the players to correct the casualness with the ball at half time and come out to produce a fantastic performance.
"I thought we prepared well and I thought we started the game very well and scored a super try.
"And then we almost conspired to keep giving ball away and keep giving penalties away on the first tackle.
"It's about field position and it's about possession of the ball and if you've not got it, you're in trouble.
"There's not an awful lot separating the top four and bottom four in Super League - that's the quality of the product we've got now.
"I'm just pleased the guys were able to correct that casualness with the ball that almost cost us the game.
"We did cough up a couple of unforced errors and then we conspired to give a couple of penalties away on a first tackle after we'd completed a set, kicking and chasing very well.
"All of a sudden from defending in their quarter we were defending in our quarter.
"And Huddersfield are not a bad side. They've got a lot of attacking weapons.
"They're a massive pack and it's not too wise to keep giving them the ball and asking them to run at you but we did it for too long in the first half.
"In the second half we just wanted to give Huddersfield a bit of a taste of what they gave us in the first half and it's very difficult to defend when a team is going six, seven, eight or nine sets with the ball.
"It's almost like King Canutism at times - you can't stop the tide when it's going to come in.
"Huddersfield had all the ball, they had all the field position and they had all the pressure.
"There was little we could do to stop that.
"They went for the throat. Half-time came at the right time for us.
"We'd have liked to have gone in at half time without conceding that try on virtually the last play of the first half, which is usually the psychological killer blow for most teams.
"So, we've been knocked about a bit.
"We had a bit of a good hiding, we took it, we came back and we gave them one back.
"I thought Mark Gleeson was massive for us and so were the vast majority of the players around him.
"They were massive going full up the middle in the second half and putting the Giants on the back foot."
11:21am Sunday 4th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: Tezzerwolf, warrington on 1:42pm Sun 4 May 08
Cullen has himself identified the problems that have blighted us this season. Too many penalties and giving the ball away, yet we continue to make the same basic errors week in, week out. If we give as much possesion away in the first half against Stains on Saturday, then it will be all over bar the shouting by half time. We know we can compete with St Helens but can we be smart enough to do the right thing at the right time in the heat of battle. I hope we can, the pressure is off PC for now, but come Saturday night the pressure might be to much to take. See you at Saints. NOW THE WIRE!!!!!!!!!!!!.
Cullen has himself identified the problems that have blighted us this season. Too many penalties and giving the ball away, yet we continue to make the same basic errors week in, week out. If we give as much possesion away in the first half against Stains on Saturday, then it will be all over bar the shouting by half time. We know we can compete with St Helens but can we be smart enough to do the right thing at the right time in the heat of battle. I hope we can, the pressure is off PC for now, but come Saturday night the pressure might be to much to take. See you at Saints. NOW THE WIRE!!!!!!!!!!!!.
Posted by: sandbach john, sandbach on 1:56pm Sun 4 May 08
I am chuffed that we beat Huddersfield yesterday in the fact that we came back so strongly in the second half, but I also cannot help but feel that yesterdays victory will paper over the cracks in the club.
Please make us proud to be Warrington fans.
I am chuffed that we beat Huddersfield yesterday in the fact that we came back so strongly in the second half, but I also cannot help but feel that yesterdays victory will paper over the cracks in the club.
Please make us proud to be Warrington fans.
Posted by: shedhead, Runcorn on 3:32pm Sun 4 May 08
You got it right John. Cullen was out of a job at half time. Same old problems we have had all season and it doesnt improve. Whats the coaching team doing all week. This result must not paper over the cracks which are there for all to see.
You got it right John. Cullen was out of a job at half time. Same old problems we have had all season and it doesnt improve. Whats the coaching team doing all week. This result must not paper over the cracks which are there for all to see.
Posted by: shedhead, Runcorn on 8:20pm Sun 4 May 08
Give them all a video of Saints today and show them how rugby league SHOULD be played. Absolutely awesome !
Give them all a video of Saints today and show them how rugby league SHOULD be played. Absolutely awesome !
Posted by: steven, newton on 8:57pm Sun 4 May 08
If we hit saints with everything we've got for the first 15-20 minutes, they wont know wot hit them.yes they just blown wigan away but when wigan found there composure they split saints defence wide open.Saints rely on attack but when they are under pressure the start to pannic an give away soft penleties thats how we need to play on saturday
If we hit saints with everything we've got for the first 15-20 minutes, they wont know wot hit them.yes they just blown wigan away but when wigan found there composure they split saints defence wide open.Saints rely on attack but when they are under pressure the start to pannic an give away soft penleties thats how we need to play on saturday
Posted by: Gary, Lichfield on 10:31am Mon 5 May 08
[quote][bold]shedhead[/bold] wrote:
You got it right John. Cullen was out of a job at half time. Same old problems we have had all season and it doesnt improve. Whats the coaching team doing all week. This result must not paper over the cracks which are there for all to see.[/quote] He SURE was out of a job at half time. And we all know why they came out all guns blazing in the second half don't we ? Cos they realised that with someone else in charge they wouldn't be able to get away with half as much as the things they get up to now. That's why they got their fingers out. If beating Huddersfield 36-34 is a "fantastic 2 points" then we can't expect a triumph next week. Split saints defence wide open? Don't make me laugh.
shedhead wrote:
You got it right John. Cullen was out of a job at half time. Same old problems we have had all season and it doesnt improve. Whats the coaching team doing all week. This result must not paper over the cracks which are there for all to see.
He SURE was out of a job at half time. And we all know why they came out all guns blazing in the second half don't we ? Cos they realised that with someone else in charge they wouldn't be able to get away with half as much as the things they get up to now. That's why they got their fingers out. If beating Huddersfield 36-34 is a "fantastic 2 points" then we can't expect a triumph next week. Split saints defence wide open? Don't make me laugh.
Posted by: wire til i die!!!, Warrington on 10:48am Mon 5 May 08
Yeah i agree PC was prob out of a job at half time, but the thing is we got hammered that first half but came out the second half a different side, so PC must of said something to the lads to fire them up!!!, and as for saturday against the saints we've got nothing to fear, everone is expecting us to lose, but many people forget a couple of weeks ago we should of beat them, if it wasn't for john clarke taking matters into has own hands (which saits scored 2 quick try's from), we would of seen out that match!!! the net 2 games are massive for PC, i like the guy but i love the club, and we need something to cheer about!!!! (Soon.....Paul Cullen out justin Morgan IN[bold]bold[/bold] )
Yeah i agree PC was prob out of a job at half time, but the thing is we got hammered that first half but came out the second half a different side, so PC must of said something to the lads to fire them up!!!, and as for saturday against the saints we've got nothing to fear, everone is expecting us to lose, but many people forget a couple of weeks ago we should of beat them, if it wasn't for john clarke taking matters into has own hands (which saits scored 2 quick try's from), we would of seen out that match!!! the net 2 games are massive for PC, i like the guy but i love the club, and we need something to cheer about!!!! (Soon.....Paul Cullen out justin Morgan IN )
Posted by: debbie and rio, newton on 5:00pm Mon 5 May 08
i agree, but to keep cullen at wire they need to beat sts and leeds and at the moment they can only play for 50mins.fitness is our problem. did anyone hear long say they where on the water after the match and getting ready and focus on the big challenge they have to overcome on saturday afternoon and not going enjoying the cardiff atmosphere. can cull control our boys.
i agree, but to keep cullen at wire they need to beat sts and leeds and at the moment they can only play for 50mins.fitness is our problem. did anyone hear long say they where on the water after the match and getting ready and focus on the big challenge they have to overcome on saturday afternoon and not going enjoying the cardiff atmosphere. can cull control our boys.
Posted by: Neil, Sankey on 6:44pm Mon 5 May 08
[quote][bold]debbie and rio[/bold] wrote:
i agree, but to keep cullen at wire they need to beat sts and leeds and at the moment they can only play for 50mins.fitness is our problem. did anyone hear long say they where on the water after the match and getting ready and focus on the big challenge they have to overcome on saturday afternoon and not going enjoying the cardiff atmosphere. can cull control our boys. [/quote] if you were like us and only came back today then our team well and truly beat you back as they left straight after the game. The players will be up for saturdays game of that i am sure, but whether or not we are good enough is a different matter. At the end of the season only two teams can claim a trophy so 9 other sets of fans will also be left disappointed by their teams, you only had to hear the wigan fans reaction to their team yesterday. We all need to get behind the lads next week and hope for the best because nobody goes out with the intention of losing. See you at knowsley road
debbie and rio wrote:
i agree, but to keep cullen at wire they need to beat sts and leeds and at the moment they can only play for 50mins.fitness is our problem. did anyone hear long say they where on the water after the match and getting ready and focus on the big challenge they have to overcome on saturday afternoon and not going enjoying the cardiff atmosphere. can cull control our boys.
if you were like us and only came back today then our team well and truly beat you back as they left straight after the game. The players will be up for saturdays game of that i am sure, but whether or not we are good enough is a different matter. At the end of the season only two teams can claim a trophy so 9 other sets of fans will also be left disappointed by their teams, you only had to hear the wigan fans reaction to their team yesterday. We all need to get behind the lads next week and hope for the best because nobody goes out with the intention of losing. See you at knowsley road
Posted by: chaddy, warington on 10:15pm Mon 5 May 08
[quote][bold]wire til i die!!![/bold] wrote:
Yeah i agree PC was prob out of a job at half time, but the thing is we got hammered that first half but came out the second half a different side, so PC must of said something to the lads to fire them up!!!, and as for saturday against the saints we've got nothing to fear, everone is expecting us to lose, but many people forget a couple of weeks ago we should of beat them, if it wasn't for john clarke taking matters into has own hands (which saits scored 2 quick try's from), we would of seen out that match!!! the net 2 games are massive for PC, i like the guy but i love the club, and we need something to cheer about!!!! (Soon.....Paul Cullen out justin Morgan IN[bold]bold[/bold] )[/quote] I think all PC needed to say at half time was to tell the players to go out, look across the pitch at the amazing support that they had & do it for the fans, who were by a long way the loudest in cardiff. What a ball, if you like a party, it's got 2 b the 1st entry in your diary...Up the Smurfs (Rylands U15s) c u 2009
wire til i die!!! wrote:
Yeah i agree PC was prob out of a job at half time, but the thing is we got hammered that first half but came out the second half a different side, so PC must of said something to the lads to fire them up!!!, and as for saturday against the saints we've got nothing to fear, everone is expecting us to lose, but many people forget a couple of weeks ago we should of beat them, if it wasn't for john clarke taking matters into has own hands (which saits scored 2 quick try's from), we would of seen out that match!!! the net 2 games are massive for PC, i like the guy but i love the club, and we need something to cheer about!!!! (Soon.....Paul Cullen out justin Morgan IN )
I think all PC needed to say at half time was to tell the players to go out, look across the pitch at the amazing support that they had & do it for the fans, who were by a long way the loudest in cardiff. What a ball, if you like a party, it's got 2 b the 1st entry in your diary...Up the Smurfs (Rylands U15s) c u 2009
Posted by: tizerbeast, warrington on 8:55am Tue 6 May 08
Cullen must recieve an award for that talk at half time in cardiff !
How the hell he manages to convince the die hard cullen clones he is the man for the wire baffles the imagination, Saints would have put 40 or more on the giants but positive paul seems to think hes safe again CRAP !
get rid while we still have a little dignity left the players got offered a free buffet and all you can sup if you win deal and theats it !
The sooner we all smell the coffee and get a new coach the better for our team , For the last time cullen has bought well but he cant coach them as simple as that
hope the score isnt embarrasing on saturday for us all but no cigar thats a cert !
Cullen must recieve an award for that talk at half time in cardiff !
How the hell he manages to convince the die hard cullen clones he is the man for the wire baffles the imagination, Saints would have put 40 or more on the giants but positive paul seems to think hes safe again CRAP !
get rid while we still have a little dignity left the players got offered a free buffet and all you can sup if you win deal and theats it !
The sooner we all smell the coffee and get a new coach the better for our team , For the last time cullen has bought well but he cant coach them as simple as that
hope the score isnt embarrasing on saturday for us all but no cigar thats a cert !
Posted by: Snaggletooth, Warrington on 9:00am Tue 6 May 08
Thank goodness we won. That was a disgraceful performance in the first half. We only won because they were as bad as us in the second half. Lets face it thats our level. We have got no chance against Saints whatsoever. This club cannot wait any longer for the board to prevaricate regarding the coaches position. The supporters are backing the club, now the club should back the supporters and sort out the mess in the coaching department. Cullen has to go NOW!!
Thank goodness we won. That was a disgraceful performance in the first half. We only won because they were as bad as us in the second half. Lets face it thats our level. We have got no chance against Saints whatsoever. This club cannot wait any longer for the board to prevaricate regarding the coaches position. The supporters are backing the club, now the club should back the supporters and sort out the mess in the coaching department. Cullen has to go NOW!!
Posted by: stun, Lincs on 9:41pm Wed 7 May 08
[quote][bold]tizerbeast[/bold] wrote:
Cullen must recieve an award for that talk at half time in cardiff !
How the hell he manages to convince the die hard cullen clones he is the man for the wire baffles the imagination, Saints would have put 40 or more on the giants but positive paul seems to think hes safe again CRAP !
get rid while we still have a little dignity left the players got offered a free buffet and all you can sup if you win deal and theats it !
The sooner we all smell the coffee and get a new coach the better for our team , For the last time cullen has bought well but he cant coach them as simple as that
hope the score isnt embarrasing on saturday for us all but no cigar thats a cert ![/quote] Didn't Shudds beat Saints a couple of weeks back??
Cull has been critised in the past for not being able to get the players up for a task, he did exactly that on Saturday at half time and people still find fault??
At the end of the day the lads came back from the dead and got the points - bravo!!!
Saturday is a different game and a different prospect altogether. If we put up a show like we did a couple of weeks back then I'll be more than happy regardless of the result.
tizerbeast wrote:
Cullen must recieve an award for that talk at half time in cardiff !
How the hell he manages to convince the die hard cullen clones he is the man for the wire baffles the imagination, Saints would have put 40 or more on the giants but positive paul seems to think hes safe again CRAP !
get rid while we still have a little dignity left the players got offered a free buffet and all you can sup if you win deal and theats it !
The sooner we all smell the coffee and get a new coach the better for our team , For the last time cullen has bought well but he cant coach them as simple as that
hope the score isnt embarrasing on saturday for us all but no cigar thats a cert !
Didn't Shudds beat Saints a couple of weeks back??
Cull has been critised in the past for not being able to get the players up for a task, he did exactly that on Saturday at half time and people still find fault??
At the end of the day the lads came back from the dead and got the points - bravo!!!
Saturday is a different game and a different prospect altogether. If we put up a show like we did a couple of weeks back then I'll be more than happy regardless of the result.
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