VIKINGS boss Paul Cullen will use Saturday night’s home game against basement side Doncaster to give squad members one last chance to play their way into contention for the Northern Rail Cup Final.
Although the team will be keen to maintain their winning momentum - and should comfortably see off the troubled Tykes - the Blackpool showpiece event a week on Sunday is at the forefront of everyone at the club’s mind.
With Vikings selling out its 4,000 allocation for the final, there is a feelgood buzz around the town - but Cullen is doing all he can to keep his side focused.
Cullen said: “My personal brief going into the Doncaster match is that all my squad, who are fit and available, will be considered to give them a chance to make one last pitch for the final.
“A number of our senior players have already nailed their positions after their performances in getting us to the final.
“But there are still one or two questions to be asked and answered so every one will get a fair shot at it.”
He suggested that some key players may be rested ahead of the final - particularly those who have already secured their positions.
Cullen added: “We have a few bumps, bruises and illnesses to consider. That is one of the aspects of how hard that semi-final was. It was a tough weekend that has taken its toll especially because of the weather.
“Quite a few of our guys have gone down with illnesses and viruses because they ran themselves into exhaustion point and beyond in a very tough, physical game.
“There is nothing that will give us great concern, but this game will see how deep our squad is.”
Vikings had no game at the weekend, which allowed Cullen to give the players most of last week off to recuperate.
“I really think the players and staff have benefited from the time off. The physical and emotional rollercoaster that was the semi-final took its toll.
“Hopefully the week off will stand us in good stead. We came in on Sunday morning and did a very tough conditioning session,” Cullen said.
Although the personnel on the pitch on Saturday night against Doncaster will be different, Cullen expects his side to play the way he wants them to play against Barrow in the final.
“We have found out over the past three months that if we go too wide too early with too much flash, then we tend to get a good hiding.
“When we take on teams right up the guts we tend to find ourselves, so it is a case of practising that and then practising it again.
“Doncaster were a very competitive team when we travelled to the Keepmoat Stadium in April, but unfortunately they have fallen foul of the boom and bust that seems to be prevalent in this division and they have found themselves in a difficult situation,” Cullen said.
Saturday’s game at the Stobart Stadium kicks off at 6pm.
The primary school choir will be sitting in the north west area of the north stand and have been asked to enter through the central turnstiles.
Meanwhile coach Paul Cullen has revealed that his first cup final in charge of a professional team will be very much a no fancy frills affair.
He said: “My process at the club has been minimalistic - no suits, no flowers, no executive buses or hotel stays.
“We are going to take on a Barrow side that has not hit a final in donkey’s years. They are going to be absolutely desperate.
“Barrow will be doing a full day’s hard graft, because that is how the majority of their squad finds itself, and training at night. We will be copying that.”
The week off meant the players were not caught up with the cup fever of last week when the tickets were being snapped up by eager Vikings fans.
“It has hopefully stopped them getting caught up in the whirlwind that is a final.
“There is a lot riding on it and our focus has to be very narrow,” Cullen said. |
