What was the difference between Warrington in 2009-10 under Tony Smith or 2008-09 under James Lowes?

Richie Mathers?

Great signing RM.
another we dumped on.

Hardly dumped on - we signed Brett Hodgson and he was only ever going to be a back up after that (Hodgson didn't get injured much either), so it made sense to let him go to somewhere where he would be a starter.

We also gave him a job at the club after he retired as a player.

I think it was as much about who left as part of that deal - a certain Mr Gleeson. If what I've heard was true there was something of a drinking culture at that time and Cullen was seen as being too pally with the players.

I thought we kept Cullen too long as coach, but I find the idea that he was a soft touch that would allow players to take the mickey out of the p&b unlikely.