The Cullen Conundrum: Why Swansea’s Striker Strategy Must Change

Liam Cullen is not the problem. But he cannot be the solution.

That sentence alone will ruffle feathers. Cullen is a local lad, a committed professional, and a player who’s given everything to Swansea City. But sentimentality doesn’t win matches. And as the Championship season unfolds, the harsh truth becomes harder to ignore: Cullen is not a Championship-level striker. Our overreliance on him—whether through necessity, loyalty, or inertia—is hurting us. It’s time to say it plainly, and act decisively.

🧱 The Watford Performance: A Microcosm of the Issue

Against Watford, Cullen started up front once again. And once again, the same patterns emerged. His movement was predictable. His finishing was erratic. His hold-up play was non-existent. The missed chance from two yards out—when the ball fell kindly and he failed to convert—was emblematic of a deeper issue. It wasn’t just a bad moment. It was a reflection of a striker lacking instinct, composure, and presence.

Supporters groaned. Some defended him. Others pointed to the lack of service. But the truth is simpler: Cullen doesn’t stretch defences, doesn’t occupy centre-backs, and doesn’t create space for others. He’s a willing runner, yes—but he’s not a threat. And in a league where margins are tight and goals are gold, that’s not sustainable.

📉 Tactical Misfit

Alan Sheehan has tried to make it work. Cullen has been deployed as a lone No. 9, asked to press, link, and finish. But it’s a role that doesn’t suit him. He lacks the physicality to hold off defenders, the guile to drop and create, and the instinct to sniff out half-chances. His best moments have come deeper, or in a two-striker system where he can play off someone else’s movement.

But Swansea don’t play that way. And Cullen, through no fault of his own, is being asked to carry a burden he’s not built for.

📊 The Numbers and the Role

Even without full xG data, the eye test is damning. Cullen’s conversion rate is low, his offside count is high, and his touches in the box are minimal. He doesn’t consistently get into scoring positions, and when he does, he rarely looks composed.

But this isn’t just about raw numbers—it’s about role. Swansea’s system demands a striker who can lead the line, occupy defenders, and link play. Cullen struggles with all three. His movement is often lateral rather than penetrative. He doesn’t pin centre-backs or create space for midfield runners. And when the ball does reach him, his first touch and decision-making are inconsistent.

Compare that to what’s required—not to a Gyökeres or a Premier League-calibre forward, but to the Championship standard: a striker who can score 10–15 goals, hold up play, and offer a physical presence. Players like Ellis Simms, Jerry Yates (last season), or even Jamal Lowe in his best spells have shown that blend of threat and work rate. Cullen, despite his effort, doesn’t offer that threat.

This isn’t about blaming him. It’s about recognising that the role he’s being asked to play is beyond his natural profile. And unless Swansea adjust—either tactically or through recruitment—they’ll continue to suffer in the final third.

🔄 Squad Implications

The problem isn’t just Cullen—it’s what his overuse represents. By starting him every week, Swansea limit their tactical flexibility. Ronald is forced to play wider. Galbraith is asked to create from deep. And midfielders are left without a focal point to play off. The entire attacking structure suffers.

It’s not that Cullen is incapable of contributing. It’s that his contribution is being overstretched. He’s being asked to lead a line he can’t command, and the knock-on effects are visible across the pitch.

🧮 Transfer Imperative

The striker search has dragged on. Rumours swirl, names emerge, and deals stall. But the urgency is real. Swansea need a striker—not just for goals, but for identity. A player who can lead the line, occupy defenders, and give the team a reference point.

Cullen can still play a role. He’s useful off the bench, in cup games, or in specific tactical setups. But he cannot be the main man. Not anymore. Not if Swansea are serious about competing.

🧠 Supporter Lens: Loyalty vs Reality

This won’t be popular. Cullen is one of our own. He’s come through the ranks, scored important goals, and never shirked responsibility. But football is ruthless. And loyalty must be balanced with realism.

Supporters know this. They see the missed chances, the lack of presence, the frustration on teammates’ faces. They want Cullen to succeed—but they also want Swansea to win. And right now, those two desires are in conflict.

🗣️ Managerial Responsibility

Alan Sheehan must make a call. Persisting with Cullen sends a message: that effort trumps impact, and loyalty trumps logic. But the Championship doesn’t care about sentiment. It punishes inefficiency. And unless Sheehan acts—by signing a striker and redefining roles—Swansea will continue to struggle.

This isn’t about scapegoating. It’s about strategy. And Cullen, for all his heart, doesn’t fit the plan.

🧭 Historical Context

Swansea have always had strikers who defined eras. Trundle, Scotland, Bony, McBurnie. Each brought something different—flair, power, instinct. Cullen, by contrast, feels like a placeholder. A player filling a role, rather than owning it.

That’s not his fault. But it is the club’s responsibility to find someone who can.

📣 The Call to Action

Swansea must act. Sign a striker. Redefine Cullen’s role. Build a system that prioritises threat over sentiment. The Championship is unforgiving, and the margins are too fine to carry passengers—no matter how loyal or hardworking.

Cullen deserves respect. But Swansea deserve ambition. And if we’re serious about climbing the table, the striker question must be answered—now.