Cullen

[warksclaret]

Lovely to see Josh playing so well since he came on at Palace following Brownhill's sending off at Palace. He was unfortunate not to keep his place following a good performance v Spurs in the Cup early Jan. For me the unsung hero last year.Hopefully VK has realised he is vital to our team

[ksrclaret]

Yes he’s been very good since his return to the side. I thought he was very unfortunate to lose his place in the autumn because, although he had some poor games, he was a victim of the appalling system we were using where Cullen was basically a one-man midfield. He should have been reintroduced far sooner than he was, and even that was because of a suspension to Brownhill.

I believe we’d have had significantly more points had we played Cullen and Berge in midfield and Brownhill in his best position as a defensive number 10.

[Roosterbooster]

The unsung hero last year

Didn't he win Player of the Year?

[Tricky Trevor]

Didn't he win Player of the Year?

Yes but he can’t sing.

[Bosscat]

Yes but he can’t sing.

To paraphrase David O Selznick about Fred Astaire ... Cullen can't Sing, can't act but can play Football a little

[Burnleyareback2]

Has there ever been a team that has 2 Josh’s? Is there a name when there is more than 1?

I found 2 Ashley’s as being quite rare as well.

[Goliath]

I must admit I thought he deserved to be dropped but ksr has it right in that he was basically left in midfield on his own and got swamped regularly which probably led to the loss of confidence. He's been excellent with Berge alongside him as there is someone else who can receive the ball so teams can't just set up to nullify him

[123EasyasBFC]

Yes he’s been very good since his return to the side. I thought he was very unfortunate to lose his place in the autumn because, although he had some poor games, he was a victim of the appalling system we were using where Cullen was basically a one-man midfield. He should have been reintroduced far sooner than he was, and even that was because of a suspension to Brownhill.

I believe we’d have had significantly more points had we played Cullen and Berge in midfield and Brownhill in his best position as a defensive number 10.

We played a 3 man midfield all of last season and it worked perfectly and for some reason we decided to go more attacking to show horn our more expensive signing in amdouni into the side.

Such a season of ifs and buts, but it’s no coincidence we have become a better side with muric and Cullen in the team

[ksrclaret]

We played a 3 man midfield all of last season and it worked perfectly and for some reason we decided to go more attacking to show horn our more expensive signing in amdouni into the side.

Such a season of ifs and buts, but it’s no coincidence we have become a better side with muric and Cullen in the team

Yep, we had something really good going with that 4231 system, even performing well at some PL grounds in the cup.

Sticking with that, and upgrading in certain areas like Berge for Cork, would have led to a good solid season I think. Frustrating.

[Steve-Harpers-perm]

Like Muric a mystery why he sat on the bench for so long this season.

[CoolClaret]

Yes he’s been very good since his return to the side. I thought he was very unfortunate to lose his place in the autumn because, although he had some poor games, he was a victim of the appalling system we were using where Cullen was basically a one-man midfield. He should have been reintroduced far sooner than he was, and even that was because of a suspension to Brownhill.

I believe we’d have had significantly more points had we played Cullen and Berge in midfield and Brownhill in his best position as a defensive number 10.

Yep, we had something really good going with that 4231 system, even performing well at some PL grounds in the cup.

Sticking with that, and upgrading in certain areas like Berge for Cork, would have led to a good solid season I think. Frustrating.

Totally agree and was saying it from the start. Early season was a madness; we were a better team than that. Not sure what got into VKs head but at least he's seeing sense now.

[CrosspoolClarets]

The Muric and Cullen omission must be giving Kompany sleepless nights. Obviously an error. We called the Muric one, there were mixed feelings on Cullen due to physicality.

[123EasyasBFC]

Cullen looked like the premier league was a step to far for him at the start of the season but that is purely down to the tactics, at the start of the season

[equinox]

His biggest weakness (there's a few, let's not kid ourselves here) is if he gets caught beyond the ball and we lose possession, he can't get back leaving the centre halves totally exposed, Berge can/does as can Brownhill but Cullen just hasn't got that ability, his legs are too short.

[equinox]

*beyond the ball = further forward than the ball.

[123EasyasBFC]

His biggest weakness (there's a few, let's not kid ourselves here) is if he gets caught beyond the ball and we lose possession, he can't get back leaving the centre halves totally exposed, Berge can/does as can Brownhill but Cullen just hasn't got that ability, his legs are too short.

I would say that’s a team weakness more than a player though, with a ball dominant side there is always the risk of too many bodies upfield

[equinox]

I would say that’s a team weakness more than a player though, with a ball dominant side there is always the risk of too many bodies upfield

Watch him try and get back though, lead wellies job.

[blatherwickstattoos]

Dropped to accommodate amdouni who’s been woeful. He’s a far better footballer than Josh and looks really comfortable with big sander. You don’t win fans player and players player of the season for nothing.

If we keep sander and this guy we will walk the championship next season