I AM sure that there are many Warrington Wolves fans out there that would love my job. (From Warrington Guardian)

I AM sure that there are many Warrington Wolves fans out there that would love my job.

With Dave Lawrenson

For I am in the privileged position of 'being in the know' at The Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Any important news concerning the rugby club passes my way before it gets into the public domain and I am trusted to keep such information to myself until it is ready to go to print.

Journalists that can't keep secrets don't last very long in this business.

So you've got another thing coming if you think that I'm going to spill the beans on any current gossip in this column.

But what I will say is that Paul Cullen is doing a fantastic job as head coach.

His knowledge of the game is second to none and if anyone can return the club to its former glories then he can.

He has already turned the club from relegation candidates to genuine play-offs contenders and there is no doubt in my mind that Wolves will continue to improve under Cullen's guidance.

Yet Cullen came under a fair bit of stick last season for failing to reproduce a top six finish to a Super League season. The criticism was harsh to say the least.

Cullen had to contend with a succession of injuries in 2004. Wolves also had tougher fixtures and their cause was further hampered by the fluctuating form of several key players. The likes of Graham Appo, Ben Westwood, Paul Wood and Lee Briers were a shadow of their former selves in 2004, for

varying reasons.

But I'm expecting a much better showing from those players next season and I'm also expecting big things from Wolves' new signings Martin Gleeson, Logan Swann, Henry Fa'afili and Toa Kohe-Love.

Cullen knows a good player when he sees one and he's as shrewd as they come when it comes to snapping up gems in the transfer market - just look at Brent Grose and Danny Lima.

But Cullen's vision for Warrington Wolves is hindered by salary cap restrictions. Steady progression is the way to go and Cullen knows that more than anyone.

I have regular meetings with him during the Super League season and I have always been impressed with the way that he conducts his business. He never ducks a question and is as open and honest as his position allows him to be.

He is put in impossible positions at times but he always acts with the best interests of the club and his players at heart.

For example, he was slated by some supporters this year for not offering Gary Hulse a new contract.

Hulse put most of Wolves' players to shame last season with a host of wholehearted displays.

But Cullen had 20/20/30 restrictions to work to, he had new players coming in and he knew that Hulse needed a shoulder operation.

If Cullen had gone public with that information then he would have avoided numerous snipes and gripes. But he did not want to impede Hulse's chances of finding a new club so he took the conscious decision to keep quiet and take the ensuing criticism on the chin.

That is just one example of inhouse happenings which Cullen has to live with.

So the next time you feel the need to question Cullen's logic, bear in mind that you may not know the full story.

He is a top coach and he deserves more faith than he is currently afforded by some.