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Eggbert Nobacon 2:04 Fri May 19
Josh Cullen - Football League Young Player of the Month
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http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/39949132
You know as a footballer that the fans have taken to you when you get your own chant, but Bradford City's on-loan midfielder Josh Cullen has a pretty unique one.
Sung to the tune of "Achy Breaky Heart" by Billy Ray Cyrus, the 21-year-old is compared favourably to France legend Zinedine Zidane in the chorus by the Bantams faithful.
His form has not just been noticed on the terraces, as the Republic of Ireland Under-21 man has won the the EFL's Young Player of the Month award for April.
"It's nice to hear that from the stands, but the main thing is the result and playing for the team," Cullen, who is on loan at Bradford from West Ham, told BBC Sport.
"It's another one you dream of, a bit of a surreal feeling as a young player hearing it.
"It is a good feeling but I think you've got to try to blank that out as much as possible - obviously you appreciate the support, but when it comes to business you focus about what is happening on the pitch.
"It's obviously a bit far to say I'm better than Zidane, but it's a good feeling to have that support from the fans and I can only say thank you to them."
After joining Bradford on loan towards the end of last season, Cullen has spent the whole of 2016-17 with the League One club.
Southend-born Cullen has played 45 times, including scoring his first, and only so far, professional goal against MK Dons.
"I can't thank everyone at the club and the surrounding area enough to make me feel welcome and making sure that everything is ok with me on and off the pitch," he added.
"It's the first time I've been away from home for a long period of time and it's been brilliant."
His final appearance for Bradford before returning to the Premier League club for pre-season will be the League One play-off final against Millwall at Wembley on Saturday.
The Bantams, who lost at the the semi-final stage to the Lions last season, are looking to return to second-tier football for the first time since 2004.
"It would be silly of me to say this is not a massive game - probably one of the biggest in my career to date," he said.
"I'm looking forward to the occasion without getting too carried away - you've got the play the game and treat it as a normal game. If we do that, hopefully we won't go too far wrong.
"When you're a young lad running around in the garden it's one of the stadiums you dream of playing at. It's the first time I've played there and hopefully the first of a few times."
Cullen made his debut for West Ham against FC Lusitans in the Europa League in July 2015 and made four outings for the Hammers, including one substitute appearance in the Premier League.
He played for England's youth teams growing up, but switched his allegiance to Republic of Ireland and has featured for their Under-18, Under-19 and Under-21 sides.
The boyhood West Ham fan wants to make his mark at his parent club, but would not rule out a return to West Yorkshire.
"At the minute my main focus is to get into the West Ham first team - that is what the whole loan has been about," added Cullen.
"The main goal for me, and my dream growing up, is to play for West Ham and that is still what I'm striving to achieve."
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Replies - Newest Posts First ( Show In Chronological Order)
Bamber
3:50 Thu Mar 25
Re: Josh Cullen - Football League Young Player of the Month
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Browne for Ireland also looked a useful player in terms of midfield cover. Good all-rounder and took his goal well.
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Mr Kenzo
3:10 Thu Mar 25
Re: Josh Cullen - Football League Young Player of the Month
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Swiss. 3:06 Thu Mar 25
Spot on
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Swiss.
3:06 Thu Mar 25
Re: Josh Cullen - Football League Young Player of the Month
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As I posted before he's playing well for Anderlecht. Would have done a better job than Noble. Should have kept him.
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daveyg
2:22 Thu Mar 25
Re: Josh Cullen - Football League Young Player of the Month
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Irish I realise that, But to not have him on the bench when there is 12 is a bit weird. I was really trying to see if he is injured again.
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Mr Kenzo
1:31 Thu Mar 25
Re: Josh Cullen - Football League Young Player of the Month
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daveyg - Coventry is an ambitious young player, he has decided to switch allegiance to England.
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Irish Hammer
1:30 Thu Mar 25
Re: Josh Cullen - Football League Young Player of the Month
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He was called up as several senior players were not fully match fit and manager wanted to assess all his options.
In the end he decided against Conor and didn’t pick him. Simple as that really.
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daveyg
1:25 Thu Mar 25
Re: Josh Cullen - Football League Young Player of the Month
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Anyone know what happened to Conor Coventry for the Republic yesterday, not even on the 12 man bench. I've tried asking Ex but he is to busy with his money making Podcast.
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geoffpikey
9:35 Thu Mar 25
Re: Josh Cullen - Football League Young Player of the Month
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Apparently, we're in for Wilfred Bony. Or is it Carlos Bacca?
WHO NEWS moves FASTER than Mbappe on a Pelaton. (And just as far.)
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Mex Martillo
8:25 Thu Mar 25
Re: Josh Cullen - Football League Young Player of the Month
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May be there’s still hope for him as he looks to be doing well at Anderlecht.
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DiCaniosLefty
3:05 Thu Mar 25
Re: Josh Cullen - Football League Young Player of the Month
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Alfs, he's about to turn 25. This thread is from 4 years ago
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Alfs
2:52 Thu Mar 25
Re: Josh Cullen - Football League Young Player of the Month
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He's 21now and played against FC Lusitans in the Europa League in July 2015? Making him 15/16. Surely not?
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Cheezey Bell-End
10:45 Wed Mar 24
Re: Josh Cullen - Football League Young Player of the Month
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Got sent off the other night.
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gank
10:33 Wed Mar 24
Re: Josh Cullen - Football League Young Player of the Month
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Brown has been good so far
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collyrob
10:20 Wed Mar 24
Re: Josh Cullen - Football League Young Player of the Month
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Best player on the pitch so far tonight.
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Lily Hammer
3:22 Sun May 21
Re: Josh Cullen - Football League Young Player of the Month
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1307
You compare Josh Cullen in age to Dele Ali, but why compare to the exceptions rather than the norm? Why not go whole hog and say he isn't as good as Messi was at the same age.
Harry Kane was loaned out until he was about 20, and he has only started really performing for the last couple of seasons, since he was about 21.
As I said, he might not be fully ready for PL right now, (but then again, he might be), and maybe could do with one more season on loan to a Championship club, see how he does at that level, but to say he will never make it based on the match yesterday is a bit retarded, no very retarded.....window lickingly so.
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Buzz442
12:34 Sun May 21
Re: Josh Cullen - Football League Young Player of the Month
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Re: Josh Cullen - Football League Young Player of the Month
Yeah Eeri, he pointed really well...but had fuck all influence on the game. A very poor quality game he did not stand out.
Young? He's 21 not exactly a school kid.
In footballing terns 21 today is considered young, players play for longer and its hard for young players to break into 1st teams in the EPL & Championship when clubs are demanding instant success so managers are turning to experienced pros.
On the subject of Josh Cullen, get off the lads back, its like with every sport, you raise your game in order of the quality around you. He will do very well and have a good career, just probably not at WHU although that will hurt him being a die hard WHU fan as well as a player.
WHU don't know how to bring young players through and develop them, those days are long gone. IN fact I would go so far as to say they stifle young players development.
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Sven Roeder
11:43 Sun May 21
Re: Josh Cullen - Football League Young Player of the Month
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He has had 2 seasons away and needs to come back and work hard in the summer and try and force his way into the squad.
And we have to make a decision as to whether he can be around the match day squad or whether we move him on.
I don't see the point of sending a 21yo midfielder out for another loan.
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stoneman
11:34 Sun May 21
Re: Josh Cullen - Football League Young Player of the Month
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You'd know all about school kids 1307
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1307
10:43 Sun May 21
Re: Josh Cullen - Football League Young Player of the Month
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Yeah Eeri, he pointed really well...but had fuck all influence on the game. A very poor quality game he did not stand out.
Young? He's 21 not exactly a school kid.
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Eerie Descent
10:22 Sun May 21
Re: Josh Cullen - Football League Young Player of the Month
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This 'lightweight' thing is bollocks. Not saying Cullen is anywhere near his class, but you look at Xavi, and the way he dominated games, proves it can be done IF the club wants to play football. Closer to home, look at Leon Britton, Swansea's recent run has coincided with him coming back into their team, and him dictating.
What I really liked about Cullen yesterday was the way he was telling seasoned pro's where to pass, and his movement to receive the ball. Very rare in a young player, and in the right team, playing the right way, he could be an excellent player.
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irisiris95
9:22 Sat May 20
Re: Josh Cullen - Football League Young Player of the Month
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I saw Cullen up in Seattle pre-season and I thought he looked v lightweight. Admittedly I thought Byram looked lightweight too.
The stand out player of all the youngsters that game was Reece Burke. He should kick on and play a part next season.
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