Cullen

[Conroy92]

Brownhill tends to be the midfielder that comes under the spotlight. But it's time to talk about Cullen.

If he is not being used in a VK type system then I'm not sure he's offering enough. Without the overlapping fullbacks giving him that pivot option his best attributes are rather nullified.

For me he needs to be the man to drop for Laurent.

[EarbyClaret]

Was thinking about the changes needed for Saturday

We looked much better when Laurent came on and Flemming reverted to the '10' role behind a striker

To accommodate that Hannibal and Cullen need to make way

Home to QPR we shouldn't need to select a team that's setup not to lose

Cullen is a key member of the group but as pointed out - given the change of style under Parker he doesn't play as the pivot so can be rotated on occasion dependent on the opposition

[Vegas Claret]

Cullen was the best player in the Championship last time - Parker needs to find a better system than the one he is using to get the best out of him

[burnley007]

Cullen looks lost.

[KlyBfc]

Cullen ran the game away at Sheff Wednesday saturday but, like he had last time for long periods in this division, he needs a physical & capable partner who holds the centre of the midfield. Back then it was Cork (remember Watford away when Cork was dropped by VK and brought on at half time as Vk relised his mistake) now it needs to be Laurent. He is comfortably our best and most consistent passer and mover of the ball, we looked miles better last year when he came back into the side too. Cullen isn’t the problem.

[Alan Young]

Not sure how you watch that game and single Cullen out as a problem.

Koloesho & Hannibal are far bigger concerns for me.

I didn’t think we were great but dominated play and should have won at the end. A point away from home with a stretched squad isn’t the end of the world, especially if we win on Saturday.

[123EasyasBFC]

There’s a reason Cullen was the best cm in the champ last time out and it’s because he had Jack cork next to him

[Zenwisdom]

Played 76 games scored 3 goals for us
West Ham only 3 games then on loan to Bradford
not premier material by a long way imo

[Jakubs Tash]

Koloesho & Hannibal are far bigger concerns for me.

This.

Koleosho in particular has been really poor all season. Personally can’t wait for Redmond to be fit and even Tresor. We need someone out there with far more technical ability than he has. He’s a poor footballer.

[claretonthecoast1882]

Feel Laurent was very hard done by not starting last night after his performance on Saturday.

The midfield just looks better with him in it, but Cullen for me starts over Hannibal with Brownhill the further forward of the 3

[ChorltonCharlie]

There’s a reason Cullen was the best cm in the champ last time out and it’s because he had Jack cork next to him

Cork hardly played after Christmas

[claretspice]

Feel Laurent was very hard done by not starting last night after his performance on Saturday.

The midfield just looks better with him in it, but Cullen for me starts over Hannibal with Brownhill the further forward of the 3

I don't think we looked better last night because Cullen went off - he'd been one of our better players. We looked better last night because we had an extra player getting into the box and occupying defenders.

Cullen had a good game apart from one badly judged pass thar conceded a chance. But in a weird way I thought that was a good sign because it's a risk that goes with being braver on the ball, and if you want to be a team that builds from deep and creates chances through patient possession, you have to be brave deep in your own territory.

Last night there were signs we're getting better at playing round the opposition from deep, although there were some sloppy moments that need ironing out. The big miss though remains quality, intent and bodies in the final third. The 3 behind Flemming were ineffective last night barring Anthony's assist.

[claretonthecoast1882]

I don't think we looked better last night because Cullen went off - he'd been one of our better players. We looked better last night because we had an extra player getting into the box and occupying defenders.

Cullen had a good game apart from one badly judged pass thar conceded a chance. But in a weird way I thought that was a good sign because it's a risk that goes with being braver on the ball, and if you want to be a team that builds from deep and creates chances through patient possession, you have to be brave deep in your own territory.

Last night there were signs we're getting better at playing round the opposition from deep, although there were some sloppy moments that need ironing out. The big miss though remains quality, intent and bodies in the final third. The 3 behind Flemming were ineffective last night barring Anthony's assist.

I don't think anyone bar Esteve of the starting 11 had a good game, I can't remember when so many simple passes were either played behind the man, into touch or given to the opposition. Majority of the 1st half was very careless in possession or the defenders taking the easy option and playing it square.

[Elizabeth]

Cullen rarely loses possession. If he makes a big mistake , it is so rare that it stands out like a sore thumb.
There are more pressing issues than whether Cullen should be dropped for me

[warksclaret]

Not the only one off his game last night however Laurent/Brownhill/Cullen is a well balanced trio that can and will work. Our issues are further up the pitch and I am not looking forward to Millwall without Fleming & Foster

[claretspice]

I don't think anyone bar Esteve of the starting 11 had a good game, I can't remember when so many simple passes were either played behind the man, into touch or given to the opposition. Majority of the 1st half was very careless in possession or the defenders taking the easy option and playing it square.

I don't fully agree with that. I think we were sloppy in the first half, but some players were sloppier than others and whilst various of the back 5/6 had sloppy moments, they all tended to have one each and were otherwise sound, and we played out fairly well overall and with more cohesion than we were showing before the international break. Our problem was that once we got into the final third, our passing, movement and cohesion went to pieces.

[RVclaret]

I don't fully agree with that. I think we were sloppy in the first half, but some players were sloppier than others and whilst various of the back 5/6 had sloppy moments, they all tended to have one each and were otherwise sound, and we played out fairly well overall and with more cohesion than we were showing before the international break. Our problem was that once we got into the final third, our passing, movement and cohesion went to pieces.

There was a move where Trafford played a lovely line breaking pass to Brownhill in acres of space after we worked it well when deep. This move should be resulting in a good chance, but typical of last night it broke down without a shot I think.

[Colburn_Claret]

We can't accommodate players because they have talent, if they don't create a team.
Carlsey tried against Greece and showed the problem.

Cullen, Brownhill, Hannibal, Laurent they all have talent, but we can't play them all.
Cullen has looked poor this season, but to me the problem is Brownhill and Hannibal, in that they play too similar a game and take up each others space. One of them needs dropping, and as Brownhill shows he can get in the box and score goals, it has to be Hannibal to sit out.
Laurent with his box to box running, positive forward passing, and his ability to turn up in the box, his reading of the game defensively, make him our stand out midfielder and he has to start.
Cullen looks far better for having Laurent alongside him, he can go forward knowing that Laurent will have dropped back to cover, and Laurent knows Cullen will do the same for him. Hannibal just doesn't see what his team mates are doing, and although he gives 110% for the cause he lets the team down imo.

[LincsWoldsClaret]

I don't fully agree with that. I think we were sloppy in the first half, but some players were sloppier than others and whilst various of the back 5/6 had sloppy moments, they all tended to have one each and were otherwise sound, and we played out fairly well overall and with more cohesion than we were showing before the international break. Our problem was that once we got into the final third, our passing, movement and cohesion went to pieces.

Our playing out from the back was totally shambolic in the first half. We created more chances for Hull than ourselves and we were lucky to be only one down at half time. it could easily have been 3 or 4. Itwas high risk, low reward and awful to watch.
Playing out from the back needs to have a plan to take opponents out of the game and move forward. There was no evidence of that. We were more effective from the occasional hoof upfield

[Boss Hogg]

Hannibal to the bench, Brownhill further forward and Laurent alongside Cullen. When we have another decent no 9 we look can look at it again so that Flemming plays as more of a 10.

[Marney&Mee]

Feel Laurent was very hard done by not starting last night after his performance on Saturday.

The midfield just looks better with him in it, but Cullen for me starts over Hannibal with Brownhill the further forward of the 3

Agreed 100%. Really not sure why he was dropped last night. Has looked v good every time he plays.

[Goliath]

Cullen is our most important player and we have absolutely nobody else with his skillset. Laurent and Brownhill both look terrified receiving the ball facing their own goalkeeper

[Hbclaret007]

Yes and Cullen sometimes does the no look pass and passes it to the opposition.

[123EasyasBFC]

Cork hardly played after Christmas

Cork played 39 out of 46 games, that’s not hardly playing. Cork did the work hard work to allow Cullen to dictate the ball, something Cullen doesn’t have when brownhill is next to him. Laurent could he that player but I also think Hannibal could well play deeper next to him

[Goliath]

Cork played 39 out of 46 games, that’s not hardly playing. Cork did the work hard work to allow Cullen to dictate the ball, something Cullen doesn’t have when brownhill is next to him. Laurent could he that player but I also think Hannibal could well play deeper next to him

Cork was better than Cullen in the first half of that alseason too. I had him down for player of the season until about December

[BFC123]

Outstanding today. Back to his best the last few games.

[jedi_master]

Cullen is the best midfielder in this league, unquestionably in my opinion. Had a slower start to the season but has been right back to his usual 22/23 season levels for the last 5 or 6 games. Best central midfielder I’ve ever seen play for us (and I include Defour, purely due to his fitness and consistency) and that’s since 1992.

[BigJay]

He's a big reason why we're conceding so few goals. Does a superb job in front of the 2 centre backs. Doesn't get the credit he deserves and its no coincidence he was one of our best, most consistent players 2 seasons ago

[123EasyasBFC]

Cullen is complimented massively by Laurent, reminds me of Cullen and cork, Cullen has been a different player the last 2 games

[GetIntoEm]

Got a 6 in the player rating. Poster is either blind, didn't watch the game, or doesn't understand football

[hoosier-daddy]

Got a 6 in the player rating. Poster is either blind, didn't watch the game, or doesn't understand football

It's Uptheclarets - probably all 3.

[Bosscat]

MAN OF THE MATCH nuff said end of thread

[BurnleyFC]

Cullen is the best midfielder in this league, unquestionably in my opinion. Had a slower start to the season but has been right back to his usual 22/23 season levels for the last 5 or 6 games. Best central midfielder I’ve ever seen play for us (and I include Defour, purely due to his fitness and consistency) and that’s since 1992.

High praise indeed!

I really like Cullen - he was imperious in our promotion season - but I preferred the half time guest against Coventry.

[Ilkley claret]

Outstanding today

[Goalposts]

Ive listened on the last away games to the local reporters commentators.. to a man they rave about Cullen and brownhill.. Cullen in this controlling passing moves that we play in the back line with Trafford is absolutely pivotal…. Pretty sure he will make championship team f the season