Countdown to Blackpool: Cullen praises Tim Hartley (From Runcorn and Widnes World)

Countdown to Blackpool: Cullen praises Tim Hartley

8:48pm Wednesday 8th July 2009

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TIM Hartley may have confirmed a bench spot for himself in Widnes Vikings’ assault on Northern Rail Cup Final success.

Vikings coach Paul Cullen has spoken of the importance of impact performers off the substitution bench and said he was pleased with Hartley’s display against Doncaster at the weekend.

“I was very impressed with Tim Hartley at the weekend to be honest,” said Cullen.

“He played in a number of positions for us - stand off, loose forward and full back.

“He probably had his best game for us.

“That ability to have some versatility and make some impact off the bench is massive.”

Cullen, who was pleased to see Paddy Flynn, Lee Paterson and Michael Ostick succeed with comebacks at the weekend to make themselves available for the final, will only be settling on his line-up after today’s training session but his thought processes in the decision making are clear.

“I’ll sit down with Stuart Wilkinson an go through the reasons ‘why’ and ‘why not’ and the best balance for this side.

“I think the game will be won and lost in the middle six, just like in our games against Featherstone and Halifax.

“That’ll be a major factor in how we pick the team.”

And he added: “You’ve got to be fully fit, fully focused and raring to go to get into a Widnes shirt these days.

“That wasn’t the case at the start of the season but it is now and I think we’ve seen the benefits of that.”

More Vikings Cup Final news here

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