Cullen’s timely emergence is perfect for Swans
ONE man’s loss is so often another’s gain. That has certainly proven to be the case for Liam Cullen whose career has regularly hit the brakes just as the engine was revving up.
Failed loan exits, a lack of gametime and then a tough stint at Lincoln City did little to aid the Swansea City academy product’s development, and he then fell down the pecking order after a brief spell in the starting line-up last season.
Fast forward to early 2023 and Cullen has made himself quite simply undroppable at present. Michael Obafemi failed to replicate the heights he hit in the latter half of the 2021/22 season and was determined to push through a move to Burnley.
The Republic of Ireland international failed to play a single minute for the Swans after the World Cup before ultimately sealing a switch to Turf Moor in late January.
Earlier this season, Martin thanked the striker – and Jamie Paterson – for their contributions last season and admitted their efforts this time around had been substandard.
It was a view shared by club captain Matt Grimes who said prior to the Sheffield United fixture: “OK, you lose Oba who was one of our main goal scorers last season. But how much did he contribute this season? I’d argue very little.”
Last season’s diamond Joel Piroe was struggling after possible exit talk of his own, and he has, at times, looked a shadow of the man who oozed class en route to netting 24 goals in all competitions in his debut season at the club.
But now, he has also hit the goal trail, and it’s no coincidence that it comes in conjunction with Cullen’s introduction into the setup.
“They enjoy playing together,” Russell Martin said. “I think the new shape has helped them, to get two of them together at the top end of the pitch.
“I think it’s taken the burden off Joel, playing on his own, which I think he needed. I think the lads really appreciate what Culls brings to the team.
“You saw a recovery run on Saturday (against Birmingham City) in the first half where he ran past everyone and got the ball back for us.
“I’m really proud of him and really pleased for him because of the effort he puts in.
“He’s really appreciated by the other players and the staff, and he’s scoring as well.
“He seems to have a good knack of being in the right place at the right time.
“He responded to missing a good chance on Saturday, he stayed really positive, he stayed brave. We’ve had a few chats about that.
“He’s come into the team, I guess he feels he’s got nothing to lose really and maintaining that mentality and not letting the fear take over when you get in the team because all of a sudden you feel you’ve got something to lose.
“He’s done so well for us. Gilly (Matt Gill) takes the unit meetings, and the way they bounce off each other, I speak to Gilly about certain things, I just sit at the back and it’s nice to see that growing.”
Indeed, Piroe and Cullen have netted 12 goals between them in Swansea’s last nine outings while they have registered three assists for each other in that period.
It leaves Swansea as the fourth highest scorers in the Championship, with only the current top three of Burnley, Sheffield United and Middlesbrough netting more times than Martin’s men in the league so far this term.
Morgan Whittaker’s return from Plymouth Argyle for the second half of the season at least gives Martin a fresh attacking option to consider, but the form of Swansea’s front two right now undoubtedly gives the coaching staff hope that a top-six push remains possible.
After scoring five goals in his first 19 outings of the season, Piroe has since bagged seven times in just nine appearances to sit joint-fourth in the Championship’s list of top scorers.
The Dutchman has certainly benefitted from Cullen’s presence in the side of late, and Martin believes the 23-year-old’s confidence has significantly improved since the squad returned from the World Cup break.
“We did a lot of work during the World Cup break on being more aggressive with the ball and creating more,” Martin said on Piroe.
“He’s had a lot of chances, he’s going to keep, hopefully, getting a lot of chances. What was nice on Saturday and in the last couple of games, there’s been a spring in his step again.
“The body language, you can see the confidence come back. He’s been sharper in his actions.
“Hopefully he’ll continue to do that and he’s well on course to having another brilliant season.”