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For the game to go against us on a fraction that is out of our control is almost unbearable - Cullen
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| Chris Riley, the 18th man who was drafted on to the bench and replaced Stuart Reardon after just six minutes |
WOLVES head coach Paul Cullen said he was left devastated by the cup defeat to St Helens and added that another team will have to pay.
"We attempted to control everything in our power," he said.
"There's very little we could do with the injury situation that got thrown at us pre-game and during the game, and there was absolutely nothing we could do to control the performance or the competence of the officials.
"We can only really work on what's within our power.
"We were in there until the very last second.
"I'm absolutely devastated we didn't win the match.
"We have gone full length, we've gone full width and we've gone over the full 80 minutes and for the game to go against us on a fraction that is out of our control is almost unbearable.
"It was a big game atmosphere and a big game mentality and I thought we brought that with us.
"You do get rocked when you're faced with difficulties out of your control.
"We arrived at the ground and Martin Gleeson goes on a drip in the dressing room, hit with a virus overnight.
"The medics did as much as they possibly could to get him into the warm-up.
"But we lost him during the warm-up. He lost all sense of direction, was disorientated, and the medics were concerned about him.
"So Paul Johnson made a very late switch and Chris Riley, who was only a travelling 18th man, presented himself and played as well as he possibly could under very difficult circumstances until he twisted his ankle and did his ligaments.
"We lost Stuart Reardon with a ruptured Achilles' and Paul Johnson with knee ligaments.
"We took a few punches but that should not detract from the effort, the quality and the skill that was exhibited.
"I'm very proud of the way that we prepared for the game and I've got nothing but admiration about the way the players went about their business.
"We opened up and scored some very good points.
"There aren't many weak links in the St Helens defensive set up but we created an awful lot."
And where do the injuries leave Wolves for the Super League game against Wigan on Friday?
"We're not quite sure as yet," said Cullen.
"We're a little bit battered in the dressing room physically as well as mentally.
"But the bottom line is someone's got to pay for that."
10:59am Sunday 11th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: mark from warrington, warrington on 2:35pm Sun 11 May 08
Thought the officials had a pretty good game and gave both sides their fair amount of decisions - injuries are part of the game and cant be used as excuses - when we played saints at the HJ they lost 3 players but still got on with things and won. Thing that frustates me the most is that if we can play that well why dont we do that all season...If we have had played like that in the last 5 games we would be sitting pritty in second. We need to sort out this consistancy problem that has been with the club for years. Secondly a defensive coach is needed as we can score tries but defensively we are at sea and this has to be addressed sooner rather than later. Come on Mr Cullen sort it out and then we can look forward to a grand final as this is NOW our only chance of silverware this season!!
Thought the officials had a pretty good game and gave both sides their fair amount of decisions - injuries are part of the game and cant be used as excuses - when we played saints at the HJ they lost 3 players but still got on with things and won. Thing that frustates me the most is that if we can play that well why dont we do that all season...If we have had played like that in the last 5 games we would be sitting pritty in second. We need to sort out this consistancy problem that has been with the club for years. Secondly a defensive coach is needed as we can score tries but defensively we are at sea and this has to be addressed sooner rather than later. Come on Mr Cullen sort it out and then we can look forward to a grand final as this is NOW our only chance of silverware this season!!
Posted by: sandbach john, sandbach on 5:12pm Sun 11 May 08
Paul Cullen has to go now we need a decent coach who can give us what we need; silverware on a consistant basis. We now have the players but don't have a coach. Any coach in the world would jump through hoops to manage our team. Time for a clear out but I can still see me here next year moaning on at the same problem.
Paul Cullen has to go now we need a decent coach who can give us what we need; silverware on a consistant basis. We now have the players but don't have a coach. Any coach in the world would jump through hoops to manage our team. Time for a clear out but I can still see me here next year moaning on at the same problem.
Posted by: sandbach john, sandbach on 6:03pm Sun 11 May 08
Paul Cullen has to go now we need a decent coach who can give us what we need; silverware on a consistant basis. We now have the players but don't have a coach. Any coach in the world would jump through hoops to manage our team. Time for a clear out but I can still see me here next year moaning on at the same problem.
Paul Cullen has to go now we need a decent coach who can give us what we need; silverware on a consistant basis. We now have the players but don't have a coach. Any coach in the world would jump through hoops to manage our team. Time for a clear out but I can still see me here next year moaning on at the same problem.
Posted by: sandbach john, sandbach on 6:03pm Sun 11 May 08
Paul Cullen has to go now we need a decent coach who can give us what we need; silverware on a consistant basis. We now have the players but don't have a coach. Any coach in the world would jump through hoops to manage our team. Time for a clear out but I can still see me here next year moaning on at the same problem.
Paul Cullen has to go now we need a decent coach who can give us what we need; silverware on a consistant basis. We now have the players but don't have a coach. Any coach in the world would jump through hoops to manage our team. Time for a clear out but I can still see me here next year moaning on at the same problem.
Posted by: frustrated of, warrington on 7:38pm Sun 11 May 08
It is my opinion that we didn't control Saints going through us to score forty points that lost us the game. Surely that is within our control.
It is my opinion that we didn't control Saints going through us to score forty points that lost us the game. Surely that is within our control.
Posted by: shedhead, Runcorn on 8:06pm Sun 11 May 08
Keep waiting for the announcement but it never comes!
Keep waiting for the announcement but it never comes!
Posted by: Gary, Lichfield on 9:48pm Sun 11 May 08
The headline we are waiting for ain't gonna happen, we might as well get real and get on with it. However, I think there are many positives we can use from this game and we should try to learn our lessons. First of all, we MUST MUST start every game left of SL at the same tempo and desire and hunger. Not many teams could have lived with our pace and quality and the start of the game...it just happened to be Saints (again); who have the ability to come back to anyone whatever they throw at them. If ( and its a big "if") we play like that every week then we can get to 2nd in the SL come September. Question is will the players be willing to put that work in every week? We didn't make that many mistakes , its just because Saints will always take advantage of them. Our penalty count was one of the lowest we managed this year. Bottom line is we HAVE TO come out of the blocks like that every week now till the end. O yeah, and stop shipping in 30+ points for heavens sake. If we don't, that taxi for Cullen is on its way; although with his record for squandering talent, the taxi will probably turn into a bicycle by the time it arrives.
The headline we are waiting for ain't gonna happen, we might as well get real and get on with it. However, I think there are many positives we can use from this game and we should try to learn our lessons. First of all, we MUST MUST start every game left of SL at the same tempo and desire and hunger. Not many teams could have lived with our pace and quality and the start of the game...it just happened to be Saints (again); who have the ability to come back to anyone whatever they throw at them. If ( and its a big "if") we play like that every week then we can get to 2nd in the SL come September. Question is will the players be willing to put that work in every week? We didn't make that many mistakes , its just because Saints will always take advantage of them. Our penalty count was one of the lowest we managed this year. Bottom line is we HAVE TO come out of the blocks like that every week now till the end. O yeah, and stop shipping in 30+ points for heavens sake. If we don't, that taxi for Cullen is on its way; although with his record for squandering talent, the taxi will probably turn into a bicycle by the time it arrives.
Posted by: DNK, Preston on 9:55pm Sun 11 May 08
theres no question our defence is costing us matches,but the frustrating thing is that saints were there for the taking.
theres no question our defence is costing us matches,but the frustrating thing is that saints were there for the taking.
Posted by: stubblesteve, woolston on Mon 12 May 08
[quote][bold]frustrated of[/bold] wrote:
It is my opinion that we didn't control Saints going through us to score forty points that lost us the game. Surely that is within our control.[/quote] so losing big glees, parker, before the game and reardon 6 mins in, pennrs booboo, sts forward passes, ball strip from johnson,riley injured,losing johnson didnt have a bearing on the game, give credit it were its due we pushed sts to the limit. well done lads just need to keep it up every week. come on u wolves, easy to criticise with hindsite. what could cull have done any differant yesterday in regards to tacktics, game plan. not alot in my opinion. but what do i know. if our defence was bad, sts not far behind. penny gifted them one try nothing to do with our defence. just a bizzare mistake
frustrated of wrote:
It is my opinion that we didn't control Saints going through us to score forty points that lost us the game. Surely that is within our control.
so losing big glees, parker, before the game and reardon 6 mins in, pennrs booboo, sts forward passes, ball strip from johnson,riley injured,losing johnson didnt have a bearing on the game, give credit it were its due we pushed sts to the limit. well done lads just need to keep it up every week. come on u wolves, easy to criticise with hindsite. what could cull have done any differant yesterday in regards to tacktics, game plan. not alot in my opinion. but what do i know. if our defence was bad, sts not far behind. penny gifted them one try nothing to do with our defence. just a bizzare mistake
Posted by: Snaggletooth, Warrington on 8:01am Mon 12 May 08
The mentality at Saints is clearly do not get beat by both Wires and Wigan. We cannot match that mentality! If we score 60 they will get 66 simple as. The next month or so will see us give Wigan a great game and we will win but as for the rest it will go down hill from there. Its negative but we have a previous record for over the last 6 years!!
The mentality at Saints is clearly do not get beat by both Wires and Wigan. We cannot match that mentality! If we score 60 they will get 66 simple as. The next month or so will see us give Wigan a great game and we will win but as for the rest it will go down hill from there. Its negative but we have a previous record for over the last 6 years!!
Posted by: Gary, Lichfield on 8:02am Mon 12 May 08
If we keep offering up a thousand excuses every time we lose we are never ever going to progress. The best teams always hold their hands up and say they got beat fair & square when it happens. That way they take it on the chin, learn and move on ! If Glees, if Parker, if reardon, if Penney, if forward pass, if ball strip, if , if, if, if. It doesn't work like that. If we want to move on we have to stop making the excuses. What if we hadn't been given several slices of luck against Giants? Its all swings and roundabouts. Get over it. Let's move on. Play like we did on Saturday from now on till the end of the season and we will challenge. No more if's and but's please.
If we keep offering up a thousand excuses every time we lose we are never ever going to progress. The best teams always hold their hands up and say they got beat fair & square when it happens. That way they take it on the chin, learn and move on ! If Glees, if Parker, if reardon, if Penney, if forward pass, if ball strip, if , if, if, if. It doesn't work like that. If we want to move on we have to stop making the excuses. What if we hadn't been given several slices of luck against Giants? Its all swings and roundabouts. Get over it. Let's move on. Play like we did on Saturday from now on till the end of the season and we will challenge. No more if's and but's please.
Posted by: shedhead, Runcorn on 8:12am Mon 12 May 08
Look what Kear has done at Wakefield. Look what Justin Morgan has done at Hull KR, look what Mick Potter has done at Catalans. You have to say that on paper we have much the better players yet all three teams are consistently performing better than we are. What does that tell you ?
Look what Kear has done at Wakefield. Look what Justin Morgan has done at Hull KR, look what Mick Potter has done at Catalans. You have to say that on paper we have much the better players yet all three teams are consistently performing better than we are. What does that tell you ?
Posted by: steveo, latchford on 10:30am Mon 12 May 08
bring back grose, with all the injuries, why not.
bring back grose, with all the injuries, why not.
Posted by: harryhayes, grappenhall on 10:54am Mon 12 May 08
For several years now, Warrington have been easy to score against. No sign that that is being put right.
Happy days
For several years now, Warrington have been easy to score against. No sign that that is being put right.
Happy days
Posted by: The Brigadier on 12:26pm Mon 12 May 08
[quote][bold]shedhead[/bold] wrote:
Look what Kear has done at Wakefield. Look what Justin Morgan has done at Hull KR, look what Mick Potter has done at Catalans. You have to say that on paper we have much the better players yet all three teams are consistently performing better than we are. What does that tell you ?[/quote] It tells me that we must be doing OK, to be higher up the table than two teams who are, according to you, performing consistently better than us!
shedhead wrote:
Look what Kear has done at Wakefield. Look what Justin Morgan has done at Hull KR, look what Mick Potter has done at Catalans. You have to say that on paper we have much the better players yet all three teams are consistently performing better than we are. What does that tell you ?
It tells me that we must be doing OK, to be higher up the table than two teams who are, according to you, performing consistently better than us!
Posted by: shedhead, Runcorn on 3:15pm Mon 12 May 08
Mr Brigadier.
You obviously dont go to games. How many games have we pinched. Catalans are second, Wakefield are the form side of the moment and KR have won four games recently while we have won once.
Watch the difference in pride passion and enthusiasm. Last saturday apart the difference is obvious. We were lucky to win at KR, also at Castleford. The three clubs I mention have few if any big names. we are full of them !
Mr Brigadier.
You obviously dont go to games. How many games have we pinched. Catalans are second, Wakefield are the form side of the moment and KR have won four games recently while we have won once.
Watch the difference in pride passion and enthusiasm. Last saturday apart the difference is obvious. We were lucky to win at KR, also at Castleford. The three clubs I mention have few if any big names. we are full of them !
Posted by: paul, warrington on 2:48pm Tue 13 May 08
next year is are year!!
Posted by: bazzac666, St.Helens on 10:34am Wed 14 May 08
I've said this every year for the last three, the wires would be there or there about's come the end and they will get into the Challenge Cup final.
I've been wrong for three years.
You've got big name players, a youth system that is bringing through players, an excellent stadium BUT you are still not winning.
The only reason I can see is Cullen. The sooner the board realise this the better for you guys. The longer the board take the better for everyone else.
I've said this every year for the last three, the wires would be there or there about's come the end and they will get into the Challenge Cup final.
I've been wrong for three years.
You've got big name players, a youth system that is bringing through players, an excellent stadium BUT you are still not winning.
The only reason I can see is Cullen. The sooner the board realise this the better for you guys. The longer the board take the better for everyone else.
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