: Tue Feb 17, 2009 4:20 pm  

[quote="Skrewdriver"]Not a bad man for the job, we could do worse...[/quote]

Not much a criterion for appointing a coach.

Can you 'affordably' get someone better than Cullen? I think you can.

: Tue Feb 17, 2009 4:31 pm  

Pepe wrote: Looks like they may be giving Stanky a chance? O'Connor added "We've sat down with John and talked about where we're going and he's excited about the challenge ahead.” http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/widnes/2009/02/17/vikings-in-no-rush-to-act-100252-22945056/ Also in this article; Speaking exclusively to the Liverpool Echo, Vikings' chairman-owner Steve O'Connor revealed he has already had expressions of interest in the vacant post. He said "We've had four CVs already and we haven't even asked for them! If I'm honest, I'd like to see Stanky given his chance.

Pepe wrote: Looks like they may be giving Stanky a chance? O'Connor added "We've sat down with John and talked about where we're going and he's excited about the challenge ahead.” http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/widnes/2009/02/17/vikings-in-no-rush-to-act-100252-22945056/ Also in this article; Speaking exclusively to the Liverpool Echo, Vikings' chairman-owner Steve O'Connor revealed he has already had expressions of interest in the vacant post. He said "We've had four CVs already and we haven't even asked for them! If I'm honest, I'd like to see Stanky given his chance.

: Tue Feb 17, 2009 4:39 pm  

We could always try an Aussie coach for once.

They seem to know a bit about the game down under.

Think we're one of about 2 or 3 clubs never to have had an Aussie in charge.

: Tue Feb 17, 2009 4:51 pm  

Please take the unsackable Paul Kidd

: Tue Feb 17, 2009 6:10 pm  

-VIKINGMAN- wrote:

Correct, he's a proven super league coach who likes expansive rugby, did a very good job for Haven and progressed Warrington well before in many peoples eyes taking them as far as he could.


A good option for the job IMO, i dont care if he's a wire, if he wants to do it and is fully commited then he gets my vote.

Hope you don't minds my lurking on here, was interested to see Widnes fans' responses to the situation.

Its good to see a positive reception to a British coach. We tend to write of a Superleague coach after one club and always focus on the recent past rather than looking at their careers as a whole.

Things had clearly gone stale at Wire under Cullen, but his record of developing the club was impressive. Down under, when a coach gets a bit stale at a club, they tend to move onto the next one, and revitalise whereas British SL coaches just get written off.

He'd be a good choice all round I think. The other thing to mention on his CV I suppose would be the development of the club whilst he was there. He wasn't necessarily pivotal to that, but was around during a period of revitalisation (god "vitalise" must be my word of the day ). Widnes should and will be going places in the next few seasons and I think he's got the right ingredients to be at the helm.

: Tue Feb 17, 2009 6:14 pm  

Cullen has also coached internationally with England to.

: Tue Feb 17, 2009 6:19 pm  

bestgameofall wrote:

Hope you don't minds my lurking on here, was interested to see Widnes fans' responses to the situation.

Its good to see a positive reception to a British coach. We tend to write of a Superleague coach after one club and always focus on the recent past rather than looking at their careers as a whole.

Things had clearly gone stale at Wire under Cullen, but his record of developing the club was impressive. Down under, when a coach gets a bit stale at a club, they tend to move onto the next one, and revitalise whereas British SL coaches just get written off.

He'd be a good choice all round I think. The other thing to mention on his CV I suppose would be the development of the club whilst he was there. He wasn't necessarily pivotal to that, but was around during a period of revitalisation (god "vitalise" must be my word of the day ). Widnes should and will be going places in the next few seasons and I think he's got the right ingredients to be at the helm.

'Revitalisation' has been going on since last year. We already have an all-round set up that is better most SL clubs. The youth development is programme we now have in place is probably unique in the game and is regarded as ground breaking.

There is nothing Paul Cullen could add to that, except coach a winning senior side. That's all that's missing now. The only question is, can Paul Cullen do that?

Personally I have my doubts.

: Tue Feb 17, 2009 6:22 pm  

Pepe wrote:

'Revitalisation' has been going on since last year. We already have an all-round set up that is better most SL clubs. The youth development is programme we now have in place is probably unique in the game and is regarded as ground breaking.

There is nothing Paul Cullen could add to that, except coach a winning senior side. That's all that's missing now. The only question is, can Paul Cullen do that?

Personally I have my doubts.

To be honest though Pepe is there a great deal of difference between say Cullen and Jon Sharpe?



Any coach that we employ next will most likely be out of work because they have either been sacked or left a club of there own accord ie Hanley.


A tough choice to make and im glad it isnt me on the panel choosing.

: Tue Feb 17, 2009 6:23 pm  

my personal choice would be martin crompton, but cullen would be an excellent appointment.

: Tue Feb 17, 2009 6:24 pm  

Fingerposts Finest wrote:

my personal choice would be martin crompton, but cullen would be an excellent appointment.

Let us all be greatful that you are not at the helm.