Smith salute to new boss : Tue Mar 10, 2009 8:41 pm
WIDNES skipper Mark Smith has welcomed the appointment of former Warrington boss Paul Cullen as the club's new head coach.
The Vikings announced yesterday that Cullen would be the man to succeed Steve McCormack who was sacked four weeks ago following a disappointing start to the new season.
Smith said: "The club has gone down the right road to get what they want.
"Obviously Steve O'Connor and everybody behind the scenes have put their heads together and they think he's the man for the job.
"Now it's about getting the best out of the players.
"I think the squad we've got is very good and we've shown a bit of strength in depth in the last few weeks with the players we've had missing.
"The young kids have been going well but Paul will have his own views on things and it will be interesting to see what he does."
Cullen will effectively take over the reins from caretaker-coach John Stankevitch who has been in temporary charge of the club since McCormack's departure.
Under Stankevitch, Widnes have won three games out of four including an 88-0 thrashing of amateurs Saddleworth Rangers in the Carnegie Challenge Cup on Saturday.
Their only defeat was a 12-4 loss to Barrow in the Northern Rail Cup last Wednesday and Stankevitch will remain part of the backroom staff.
Smith added: "The lads have gone pretty well under Stanky to be fair and if Paul can come in and lift us again, it only bodes well.
"We had a bit of a hiccup up at Barrow but we've played some entertaining rugby under John.
"If we can improve on that and perhaps stiffen up our defence under Paul, obviously we'll be a big force to be reckoned with."
Widnes open their Co-Operative Championship campaign at home to Toulouse on Thursday night.
It will be the French side's first ever league game in this country but Smith believes his men can make it a disappointing start for the new boys.
"Hopefully the new coach coming in will create a massive buzz around the stadium and we'll get a good crowd..
"But the most important thing for us will be just to get a win."
Cullen has been handed a two-year contract at Stobart Stadium Halton and is very clear about his main goal.
He commented: "I'm really excited to be joining Widnes.
"The plan is simple, we need to get Widnes into Super League where we belong."
