I certainly didn't!

I agree with your title, wasn't 100 % approving of the set up at the start of the season

It's the board's fault that Cullen wasn't in a position to try to stop the rot 12 months ago by not allowing him to remove some of the bad apples last Summer. Once that happened his authority wasn't worth a carrot & the players were able to play to the levels they determined rather than following their coaches direction.

It's the boards fault that they promised a top class coach, only to saddle us with Jimmy Lowes for months. That resulted in a crap preparation for the season. The board must have approved the appointment of Jimmy's mate from the gym.

I got slated on here for suggesting our team won't be ready & we're scacrificing stamina for size. Lot's of the usual numpties were orgasmic with the "Ooooh look at the guns on him" bull. Funny enough we have a team that can't sustain a decent level in any game for more than 50 minutes. Who'd have thunk it....well anyone with eyes should have.

What we needed first was to emply a coach who had both the ability & the authority to motivate the team & to follow a game plan. Then to remove anyone who doesn't want to be here. There's signs of that.

We then need to examine our recruitment policy. Stop hiring injury prone players and stop renewing contracts to continually injured players. The release of Reardon doesn't give another player the chance to take his shirt & shine. It frees up a seat in the North stand, nothing else.

Then there's the hardest part. We need to get to a certain standard in the next few months. The main reason for this must be to make us attractive to next years signings. Langer, Nicau, Wood, Gee etc all left here shouting our praises & what a great club it is to be a part of. That got us Johns. What the do you think King & Monaghan will tell their mates when they return. What would make Yeaman leave a stumbling Hull side to come to us ??? Well shag all at the minute. Gleeson left here and on his interview he said we had so much in place but he realised that he's stagnating & will never win anything with us. That needs to change.

We've started to change the culture. Smith looks to have a broad brush to do things his way, & looks to be the man for the job. Our players need to have a sence of personal proffessionalism that's all but gone. Smith seems able to motivate them to show a bit more pride. We'll see.

We wanted TS last May when Cullen went but he wasn't available - so we waited.

Surely it was Cullen's decision to by our overseas players. It's upto the board to make it happen.

What we haven't bought is enough pace. After KP who else is able to go full length of the field or even half of it? Chris Hicks was supposed to be as fast as Penny but I havent seen any evidence of that so far.

On field activity is down to the Coach(s) and the players, simple as. Its not the boards fault. Fans can help support - so let's get real

I don't remember anyone saying that? Where have you got that from?

Not a direct comparison, but both myself, and sally cited an article stating Hicks had been clocked at 10.3 seconds for the 100 metres.

Cullen was involved in just about all of our signings. Carvell's move had Cullen involved. I agree about your comment of on field activity. But when the board takes away a coaches authority in certain areas, it directly impacts the on field performance.

Yes Hicks used to be one of the fastest in the NRL...I am not blaming him but our training is poor or he would still be fast.

I also agree about the team not having any pace...we have 2nd rowers playing on our wing and centre positions.

We have no game breakers and creative players except maybe Bridge every now and again.

Westwood wants out.

Players dont get on with one another. Too busy throwing their toys out of their prams which each other. No team spirit. Bloody pathetic if you ask me..getting paid a ransom compared to the poor spectator and have a cant be d attitude. Us and them attitudes all over the park.

Shame on you players!

that's prior to nasty horrible twisted ankle though.

So you're saying the board stopped Cullen from removing the bad apples from the club? Where have you got this information from? I think it was more to with Cullen not wanting to remove the 'bad apples'. We all know he favored Briers and co.

The players seemed happy enough with the preparation.

Everything is in place at this club, like I said it is the players that need changing, nothing else!

Leeds?

I think you will find it's just Warrington ...
We've changed everything, the ground, the coach, the players and we're still the same ...

Not changed the CEO recently, nor any of the board members...

Spot on.

I think in the last 15 years we might have

Yes, from conversations with people within the club. Cullen was prevented from releasing a player. This ain't news, it's regularly on here & other boards from many respected contributors.

Good contribution to the debate if not a little controversial. I have often challenged Gatcliffes vision and drive. I have only met him a few times, and whilst undoubtrably a nice chap, strikes me as more of a capable task focussed middle manager rather than a sporting success driven visionary and leader. I also believe the executive board does seem to lack flair and desire for sporting excellence in my opinion.

For some of the older readers, compare the vision of the current CEO and that of Ossie Davies when he was appointed chairman.

Out of interest a) who was the player in question and b) why did the club not want the player released and c) why did Cullen stand for it?

I'm sorry but they're type of excuses/rumors I'm talking about. This forum is full of them.

has that post you've quoted been deleted or is it off a different thread?

Sorry dont understand?

The post you quoted, is not in this thread.

vladivar's post that you quoted and replied to, it ain't here anymore, certainly not on this thread, just wondering whether it's been removed or whether it's off another thread.

Gotcha. It was on this thread yesterday at the time of my post. How strange.

Whereas your comment that "we all know Cullen favoured certain players" is not?