Cullen hits back at criticism on form after opening World Matchplay win: "That's why they're sat in the commentary box and not on stage"
PDCMonday, 19 July 2021 at 11:00
Joe Cullen in one of the ties of Sunday's double session at the World Matchplay saw off Chris Dobey 10-8 in a high quality encounter.
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By his own admission, Cullen has dealt with personal issues away from darts as of late and was pleased as a result to move through.
"A lot's been going on away from darts for me personally so to get a win like that, on a stage like that against a good friend like that, it does mean a lot," said Cullen post match.
"I've been looking forward to a distraction to be honest, I was looking forward to a distraction in Coventry and it didn't quite pan out but not everything pans out in life. Definitely I think pulling out the last ProTour was a great decision."
"Chris is a really good friend of mine and you could see at the end, he was so gracious in defeat which I would expect nothing more from someone like him."
Criticism from pundits and commentators
Throughout the coverage, there was a lot made about Cullen seemingly being out of form but 'The Rockstar' took issue at that.
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"I've had three bad competitions and people are writing me off so don't think I didn't see the people from Sky saying Chris Dobey will probably turn Joe over because he's had three bad games at a Super Series. There's a performance like that in me everytime and that's nowhere near my A game."
"There's a reason they're critics. There's a reason these former players, there's people playing that are older than they are and doing a good job. There's a reason they're sat in the commentary box."
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