Chris, not for one minute am I blaming Cullen - we can only judge him when he is sending out his best 13. I simply made an observation - something has happened behind the scenes.

Though i'd agree with that in some instances not for ours, which makes it more shocking!

Widnes have had players out with...Eye injury, Broken Jaw, Shoulder injury, Back injury, broken hand, dislocated finger, sternum injury, hamstring injury, knee injury.... (so basically the full body!).

If we had say 5 ligament injuries i'd agree but due to the random nature of ours conditioning is not to blame IMO!

I thought at first it was as interim skipper but tbh the way I read it was Smith out as skipper Allen in as the was no mention of Smith getting it back but was worded 'taken over from Smith'

Hears Smith and Cullen didn't see eye to eye at first but thought that was over something to do with Wesbter and as Smith still here next season thought that had gone.

It certainly seems to suggest that Smith has been replaced... and not by Gannon who is the acting 'on-field' captain?? Congrats to Allen but...

I'm pretty gutted for Smith if the truth be told. Considering the time he's spent at the club under recent circumstances I really would have liked to have seen him as the captain for our return to SL.

I think we have lacked a leader on the pitch at times. Cullen makes it abundantly clear in the article that he is furious with some of the decision making that has gone on recently on the pitch. Gannon now plays 30 - 40 mins, Smith is still some time away from being match fit so it's a smart move definately.

Just can't shake the disappointment for Smithy.

Always rated Smith as a leader and think it's be shown when he isn't out there. Then again can remember a few times in recent seasons things have gone pear shaped in a match and he hasn't been saying a word behind the posts :/ I don't no!

Maybe was a mutual thing? Or Cullen just deciding things need sorting NOW rather than later and wanted a skipper to instill this on the pitch.

Is a blow for Smithy who is as you say a fabulous servant to the Widnes club.

I'd like to think the journo has misinterpreted the situation, and Smith will be back as captain when fit.